Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of Jesus - I AM the Bread of Life

[God...made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]

5^th Sunday in Lent

Jesus replied, “I am the Bread of Life. No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in Me will never thirst. . . 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.” John 6:35,58 NLT

Jesus uses bread to explain the difference between meeting the physical needs of hunger and the spiritual needs of redemption. Our physical life requires ongoing nutrition to survive, while our spiritual growth requires an ongoing relationship with Jesus. The greatest difference between bread and living bread is that in Christ our souls know permanent nourishment, everlasting sustenance.

How does one eat living bread? Believing that Christ’s death and resurrection brings each one new life and trusting the Holy Spirit for guidance is the beginning. Continuing to grow in our knowledge and faith sustains us. Sharing the Good News of Jesus, sharing the living bread with others gives an even deeper satisfaction. Christ came down out of heaven, and Perfect Love offered Himself so the world may live.

• Hungry? How much time do you spend feeding your soul with God’s word? 
• Will you commit to spending time with God - daily?

Living Bread ~ I am fed by an offering I cannot explain. Bread of Heaven, feed me ‘til I want no more. My God-story is full! – dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2013 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of Fullness

[God...made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]

So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t’ act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT

Scripture tells us to be filled with the Holy Spirit instead of the world. If we are filled with the Spirit, life exhibits certain characteristics. We are to live wisely, seek opportunities to do good, be thoughtful, and listen for the voice of God to direct us. The word of God goes on to explain that living by the world’s standards brings short-term happiness leaving us with temporary fixes; however, by being filled with the Spirit, we find ourselves and joy-full. As we share His love with others, our praises rise to the Lord. Thanksgiving flows from our hearts. A life that is marked by the fullness of the Holy Spirit radiates contentment.

• Compare the world’s temporary relief with God’s eternal joy. 
• Daily, submit to the Spirit’s leading and find God’s power.

Holy Father, in all things help me to see Your goodness. Your Presence dwells with me and brings me wisdom and kindness to share with others - for Your glory! – dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2013 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of Spiritual Maturity

[God...made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another – showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 

2 Timothy 3:16 MSG

How are you growing in Christ? All believers need to grow in faith and knowledge of Christ, trusting Him more and more. God provides for us the Holy Scriptures, which not only reveal Himself to us but also give instruction in the way to love and live as Christ. Without studying the Word of God, we cannot develop spiritual maturity. 

Satan hates Bible Study and loves to discourage us in this area of growth. Do you find it hard to make time for Bible study? Do you find it easy to justify your excuses? These are some of Satan’s efforts. Our intentions to study must be deliberate and reach beyond diversions of all kinds. This demands we choose to study more. Are you hungry and thirsty for the Word of God?

• Do you have a favorite Bible verse that you can bring to your mind when times are difficult? 
• How will you search the Bible for truth? Are you afraid your rebellion may be exposed?

Holy One, fill us with the desire to love You more. Teach us how to love and live more like You. With the Word of God, You shape us and grow us into a deeper faith walk. – dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2013 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of the Unregenerate Heart

 [God...made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]

But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:11 NKJV

Some claim Christianity but walk in darkness, blinded to the Truth. We are to love each other, and if we live with hatred, then we are living in sin and not in fellowship with God. Ray Stedman says, “such an attitude of hostility, indifference, or unconcern toward another is a mark of an unregenerate life.”* Stedman’s insight defines hates and darkness more specifically. Hate creates a hardening within the heart. The dictionary defines unregenerate as “unrepentant, not reformed, wicked, obstinate, unconvinced, refusing to believe.” This is not the kind of heart where the Spirit dwells. 

The power of Satan over our lives can be broken with the grace of Christ, but each one of us must choose to forgive others, as Christ forgives us. The one who carries the attitude of hostility, indifference, or unconcern toward another walks in darkness. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. (1 John 2:5) How is your heart?

• Read 1 John 2:1-11; Who is our Advocate? What is propitiation? 
• What do you call someone who says, “I know God” but does not obey God?

Jesus, I want to love You more. In loving You more, I can love others better. Help me to walk in the Light. – dho

*The Power of His Presence, p.148, Ray Stedman

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2013 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of Wisdom

[God...made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]

But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living . . . God understands its way, and He knows its place. For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole heavens. . . Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. And to man He said, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28:13,23-24, 27-28 NKJV

What is wisdom, and where do we find it? Job seeks the answer to this question in the middle of his chaos. As he explores the power of God, Job explains that the source of wisdom is God! Only God understands its way. In Proverbs 8 we read The LORD possessed me [Wisdom] at the beginning of His work, the first of His acts of old…before the beginning of the earth. . . when He marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was there beside Him, like a master workman. God’s wisdom exceeds the depths and heights of our understanding. This awe is the beginning of wisdom, an attribute of God and a spiritual gift from God (Ephesians 1:17).

While wisdom is part intellect and part experience, God’s wisdom contrasts the world’s wisdom. God’s wisdom is divine in nature and marks the life of His disciple. In the world, wisdom misuses knowledge for personal gain ~ with jealousy, selfish ambition, and lies. God’s wisdom is pure, full of peace, gentleness and mercy, producing good fruit and sincerity (James 3:13-18). Divine Wisdom marks the follower of Christ with service to God, discernment, and humility. This how the world knows Christians are different. When the world watches, do you blend or look different?

• Read Proverbs 8; identify the characteristics of Wisdom. 
• Examine your walk; do you live God’s wisdom?

LORD, pour Wisdom over me, giving me greater insight into those around me. Increase my patience and peace. Only with You can I find true wisdom. – dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2013 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Mark of God's Promise

[God...made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]

He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name. Psalm 111:9 NLT

God’s mighty works are many, from promise to provision to protection. Time and again, God rescues His chosen people. From Egypt, God redeems His people from bondage and slavery. God honors His covenant with the people of Israel, faithful to them with mercy despite their turning from Him time and again. 

God’s Promise of redemption also includes Jesus, the Son of God, born to bring grace to those who would choose to follow Him. Through Jesus, God marks His mighty works in us, from promise to provision to protection. He is faithful to us, offering righteousness despite our sinful ways. Holy and awesome is His name!

• Make a list of God’s Promises. 
• What is your response to God?

Lord – Holy, Holy, Holy is Your name. Promises of divine love and unfailing faithfulness flow over me. You redeem me from the bondage of the world and show me mercy when I do not deserve such goodness. Holy, Holy, Holy is Your name! - dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2013 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”