The real-deal or imitation?

“People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.” Matthew 4:4

As I close out the first of my 52 weeks of S.S.A.L.S (study, store, apply, live and share) I must say how amazing this week has been, and if it is any inclination of how the next 51 weeks will be it is going to be a truly life changing experience. I say that because just this weekend I was faced with the choice to feed my disappointment, my frustration, and my selfishness or I could kill out all those hunger pains by feeding them the word of God. And guess what? I chose God’s word. As I heard each one growl at me from within I came back at them by quoting Matthew 4:4 and the other sister scriptures that I have studied this week. Then instead of trying to fight them on my own I used the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. I have to say the peace, calmness, and the immediate relief that came over me was exhilarating. If you are doing this journey with me, I hope your week of feeding on every word of God has been as wonderful and heart changing as well.

Therefore as I wrap-up week one I want to share one more passage with you that is the true meat and potatoes of our passage this week. It is found in John 6:48-51, 53-57

“Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. However, the bread from heaven gives eternal life to everyone who eats it. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; this bread is my flesh, offered so the world may live…So Jesus said again, ‘I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them at the last day. For my flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink. All who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in me, and I in them. I live by the power of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, those who partake of me will love because of me. I am the true bread from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever and not die as your ancestors did, even though they ate the manna.”

My friends feeding on the physical bread and things of this world is temporary and leads to death, but feeding on the true bread of life-Jesus Christ is completely life giving, satisfying, and in no way leads to disappointment or just a temporary fix. It is permanent! Each day the Israelites would eat the manna and they would be satisfied for that day, but in order for them to eat everyday they had to keep going and getting the bread. God gave us something way better than manna; He gave us Jesus Christ the true bread that once gathered and placed within fulfills us for eternity. Have you received the real-deal, the real bread of life, or are you stuck on the imitation bread?

Prayer: Lord thank You for the opportunity to receive the bread of life that once taken satisfies for eternity. Lord I pray for each brother and sister that is taking this journey with me that they will daily feed on Your every word allowing their hearts to be softened and transformed. Amen