Where Can We Buy Bread? - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35  

                                                                                     

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

Jesus saw a great crowd of people climbing the hill, looking for Him. Turning to Philip, He asked, “Philip, where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for [Jesus] already knew what He was going to do. John 6:5-6 NLT

From cities and towns, from Capernaum and Nain, from Gentile territory of Decapolis, from shore to shore of the Sea of Galilee, stories of healing miracles precede Jesus. Arriving at Bethsaida on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee and going up into the hills with the disciples, Jesus sees a great crowd of people following them. Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God and heals the broken. As the afternoon passes, Jesus asks Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” Without much thought, the disciples reason there is no way to feed so many people. Only a small boy with 5 pieces of bread and 2 small fish can be found. Jesus gets the disciples to tell everyone to sit down; then, Jesus takes the bread and gives thanks and again with the fish. This food is distributed to the 5,000 men and women and children who eat until they are full. What is humanly impossible becomes miraculously possible with God!

In verse 11, the Greek word for gave thanks , eucharisteo, means to ‘be thankful, to express gratitude’ and almost always expresses thanksgiving to God. This word appears nearly 40 times in the New Testament, and by the second century, the word Eucharist becomes a common word to refer to the Lord’s Supper. In the blessing of the bread, Jesus feeds these hungry people. Today, the Bread of Life feeds our spiritual hunger. Again, that which is humanly impossible becomes divinely possible with God!

Lord, open my eyes; show me where I am spiritually malnourished. The need cries, “Lord, always give us this bread.” Feed me until I am full. Eucharisteo! – dho

Focus Point: What is humanly impossible becomes miraculously possible with God!

*”Feeding of the 5,000”: John 6:1-15; Luke 9:1-17; Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

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1st Sunday of Lent 2016 - Mystery of Faith

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35       

                                                                                

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

For to know [Christ’s] love is not merely to know the story of His love, but to experience in our spirit that we are loved by Him. - Thomas Merton

We declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Corinthians 2:7 NIV

Christian churches across the world frequently use the phrase “the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.”  In Scripture the word mystery refers to a “truth hidden in God’s mind until He chooses to disclose it.” (New Spirit Filled Life Study Bible) God has revealed His plan of redemption through Christ, a holy plan from long before time began. Christ’s death and resurrection and return for His people are no longer mysteries but promises to believe, promises of a faithful God. - dho

How Can It Be by Laura Daigle (click here for video)

Lord, Your Grace takes my fear and doubt, my shame, my failure; You release my soul!  I want to sit at Your table; “Lord, always give us this bread.” ~dho

Focus Point:  ~“You gave Your life to give me mine; You say that I am free – How can it be!” ~ Laura Daigle

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 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 ~

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What is '40'? - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35 

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Let’s come to the table and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

During the forty days after His crucifixion, [Jesus] appeared to the apostles from time to time and proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. On these occasions He talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 NLT

Forty days measure the traditional Lenten Season, from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. Sundays are not counted but remain days to celebrate Christ, our living Savior. While every day brings opportunities for the Christian to come face to face with Jesus, choosing these forty days before Easter for spiritual renewal and increased giving, for emphasis on God’s Word and the cost of Jesus’ sacrifice, and the need for Grace could bring unexpected blessings. 

Throughout Scripture, either in days or years, ‘40’ represents purification rituals and periods of rain, prophecies and days of fasting; it counts the lashes for punishment and days of taunting, defines the time for mountain top experiences, wandering in the wilderness, and testing in the desert. Biblical characters - Noah, Moses, Israel, Goliath, Jonah, Elijah, and Jesus - all experienced ‘40’. History reveals ancient civilizations would track time, measure cycles, and record events, frequently using the number ‘40’. So, what is ‘40’? Is it centuries upon centuries of scriptural, historical, and scientific tradition? Is it significant or symbolic? As best I can tell, ‘40’ represents a period of time. The Life Application Study Bible’s commentary for Acts 1:3 says, “Jesus spent 40 days teaching His disciples, and they were drastically changed.” Spending forty days encountering Jesus is life changing.

Lord, in these forty days - teach me, transform me. Like seekers centuries before, my spiritual hunger begs, “Lord, always give us this bread.” – dho

Focus Point: Spending forty days encountering Jesus is life changing.

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 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 ~

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Season of Possibilities - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Let’s come to the table and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. Galatians 5:25 MSG

The heart of Lent, a spiritual tradition beginning in the 4^th century church, creates another opportunity for discipleship. Focusing on self-examination and selfless giving can realign the Believer’s worldview. A time of less busy, of simplicity, of renewed hunger for the Word, of seeing with new eyes can refresh the spirit. This season of spiritual renewal is not required in the Scriptures, but its possibilities can enrich living God’s way, the life of the Spirit.

The world constantly bombards our minds with boredom and pride, grief and anger, ambition and regret. But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic, holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (Galatians:22-23/msg) When we truly encounter the Bread of Life, we will be transformed! The possibilities are endless.

Jesus, teacher and example ~ I long to live more like You! Stop the chaos inside my mind, still my hurried days, feed my hunger for more. “Lord, always give us this bread.” – dho

Focus Point: When we truly encounter the Bread of Life, we will be transformed!

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 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 ~

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Feasts, Old and New - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God… a fresh start… the fulfillment of God’s original promise. Galatians 3:26-27 MSG

In the Old Testament, God commands Israel to observe many major holy days and requires particular ritual and religious practices. God’s promises to the Israelites unfold, and year after year within these celebrations, with each feast, His chosen people offer reverence and remembrance for God’s protection, God’s power, God’s provision. Today, faithful Jews still observe these sacred days giving honor and praise to God’s faithfulness.

In the New Testament, when the first century church begins, no requirements or lists of specific holy days or religious sacrifices appear. God’s promise is fulfilled. Jesus becomes the Blood of the Lamb from Passover, His Grace our atonement for sin. With His crucifixion, Jesus’ death rends the veil of the Holy of Holies within the temple, reveals the Mercy Seat, forever offering direct access to God. Old Testament law leads New Testament people into a relationship with Christ. Today, Christians know the presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit, and we feast on Living Bread.

Lamb of God, Your mercy falls gently around me. Restore my hope when fatigue wins, rescue my faith when doubt persuades. The law exposes my needs and my inabilities. “Lord, always give us this bread.” - dho

Focus Point: Today, Christians know the presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit, and we feast on Living Bread.

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 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 ~

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Ash Wednesday ~ Needing More - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3

In spiritual preparation to begin His ministry and after fasting forty days in the wilderness, Jesus is tired, weak, and hungry. Satan tempts Jesus. With each of the three temptations, Jesus rebukes the offer quoting Scripture from Deuteronomy. Led into the desert by the Holy Spirit, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus shields Himself with God’s Holy Word. Spiritual warfare always desires to interrupt God’s plan.

As we begin our forty day journey to spiritual renewal, we, too, are surrounded by spiritual warfare, tempted to take short-cuts or feel important or avoid hardship. Sometimes in our weakness we choose temptation’s path only to become disappointed and disillusioned at its end. Jesus tells us, “I AM the bread of life.” Needing more than food to sustain us, we desperately need spiritual nourishment that can only come from Jesus.

God Almighty, I kneel before You, resting my weariness, laying my frail attempts to succeed by my own efforts. Mark me a sinner, one who has failed but is willing to try again. Renew my starving spirit; let my prayer be, “Lord, always give us this bread.” 

– dho

Focus Point: Needing more than food to sustain us, we desperately need spiritual nourishment that can only come from Jesus. 

 All rights reserved; copyright 2016 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