Tears for Jerusalem - 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

As Jesus came near Jerusalem, he saw the city and cried for it, saying, “I wish you knew today what would bring you peace. But now it is hidden from you. The time is coming when your enemies will build a wall around you and will hold you in on all sides. They will destroy you and all your people, and not one stone will be left on another. All this will happen because you did not recognize the time when God came to save you.” Luke 19:41-44 NCV 

Within 40 years, the tears of Jesus turn to reality. Again at Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Jews fill Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, but the Romans refuse to let them out. After months of violent fighting, in 70 AD the Romans completely demolish the entire city of Jerusalem, leveled, laid even with the ground, leaving nothing. The historian Josephus records 1.1 million died, the majority Jewish. God’s judgement for failure to recognize the Messiah waits 40 years, 40 years of many recorded warnings, 40 years of hope for repentance.

Only the Gospel of Luke tells how Jesus weeps for Jerusalem as He enters the city. By the end of this historical week, Jesus will be nailed to a Roman cross. In time, rejection of the Messiah brings its own consequences. The people’s shouts “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!” would turn to chants “Crucify him! Crucify him!” This Passover celebration marks the most important week on earth. On this Passover, the Lamb of God becomes the perfect sacrifice for all humanity, but the people do not recognize the Bread of Life.

God, how many times do I shout “Glory to God” and “Praise to the Lord” when just short time later, I deny Your provision, question Your plan, make a wrong choice. I marvel at the beauty of creation but ignore the Spirit’s whispers or pray,  “Lord, always give us this bread” but complain, “it’s NOT enough!’ or celebrate the goodness of Your blessings but respond with anger at life’s circumstances. From shouting to chanting, I am the crowd who does not recognize You. Forgive me. – dho

Focus Point:  On this Passover, the Lamb of God becomes the perfect sacrifice for all humanity, but the people do not recognize the Bread of Life.

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

The Disciples' Prayer - 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

“Lord, teach us to pray…” Luke 11:1 NKJV

The twelve disciples of Jesus, those in His inner circle ask to be taught how to pray. Scholars sometimes refer to this teaching of Jesus as “the Disciples’ Prayer”. (Luke 11:1-13) The New Testament uses the Greek mathetes for ‘disciple’ or ‘learner’, most frequently referencing the twelve disciples; however, this also refers to anyone who follows Jesus, who places faith in Jesus, who desires to learn to live more like Christ. Essentially, this prayer becomes our lesson in prayer.

Our senses are dulled by media and technology; commercialism and wealth create an ever diminishing sensitivity. Living in a world that teases us with no limits and no boundaries, we lose sight of what we truly need, stop seeing creation as a gift from God, forget in whose image we are created. To pray give us daily bread defines our dependence on God who loves and generously provides the daily manna we need. When we follow Jesus, recognizing Him as the Bread of Life, we learn dependence on Him satisfies our spiritual hunger.

Lord, I am easily influenced by the world and its shiny merchandising. Forgive my shallow focus, my showy plans, my shameless denial. Let my heart learn to pray, “Lord, always give us this bread”. – dho

Focus Point:  To pray give us daily bread defines our dependence on God who loves and generously provides the daily manna we need.

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

Daily 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

Give us day by day our daily bread. Luke 11:3 NKJV

On the way up to Jerusalem the Disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Eugene Peterson writes, “This is the only time in the Gospels that the disciples ask to be taught.” By now, the disciples seem to grasp that prayer means developing a relationship with God, not mere ritual or religious posturing, common among the Pharisees. Witnessing Jesus praying aloud and praying alone, these men want a better understanding of prayer. Jesus responds with an example of proper petition that includes worship, provision, and forgiveness.

Starting with worship, a person should acknowledge God: Father, holy authority and sovereign, come. In this example of prayer, like in the Sermon on the Mount, give us daily bread represents every-day-manna, asking God to meet each day’s basic physical needs. Jesus tells the disciples to ask God to forgive personal sins; likewise, then forgive others. Ask God for help to resist evil. Prayer opens the heart to recognize one’s daily dependence on God.

Lord, humbled to think of all than is beyond my ability, I praise Your holy name, for You are full of power. I need daily bread, both to nourish my body and my soul. Forgive my failures, my arrogance that holds others accountable for my mistakes, that uses others to cover my faults. Protect me from evil. “Lord, always give us this bread”. -dho

Focus Point: Prayer opens the heart to recognize one’s daily dependence on God.

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

Up To Jerusalem - 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

As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 NIV

Jesus spent the last months of ministry making His final journey up to Jerusalem. This verse in Luke’s Gospel announces the turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Focus on His teaching ministry changes, and Jesus begins to prepare the Disciples and Himself for His destiny, the cross. Over the next months Jesus repeatedly explains to the Disciples that He will suffer beatings and betrayal, death and resurrection. Christian discipleship always comes down to the cross!

Scholars call Luke 9:51 through Luke 19:44 the “travel narrative”. Jesus and the disciples minister to people from Galilee to Jerusalem. Parables and healing, opposition and rejection become lessons about the cost of discipleship. Plots to kill and schemes to discredit both challenge and confront Jesus’ authority. Up to Jerusalem really describes Jesus in steadfast determination and faithful obedience to accomplish His assigned mission. God’s plan requires a journey to the cross!

Lord, I, too, know something about suffering and betrayal, rejection and confrontation. Like the disciples, I, too, do not always understand. In the shadow of the cross, I pray, “Lord, always give us this bread” to sustain me, to strengthen my resolve as I go up to my Jerusalem. - dho

Focus Point: Christian discipleship always comes down to the cross!

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

4th Sunday of Lent 2016 ~ Mystery of God's Image Within Us

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

Define yourself as one beloved by God. This is the true self. 

Every other identity is illusion. Brennan Manning

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness… God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26-27 NASB

God breathes life into every being. When we begin to recognize the splendor of God, the soul finds a holy marker, finds God’s love permanently etched deep inside. With His enduring hope, God uses the cruel lessons of worldly success and moral apathy to expose our innocence and vulnerability, our brokenness and frailty. Then, He re-molds our apathy into compassion and our successes become fruit for His kingdom. God gathers all our broken pieces, creating a new beauty that reflects His divine image.

Come As You Are ~ Crowder (click here for video)

Bread of Life, You sustain me no matter the circumstances. Invincible Love embraces me, never leaving despite disappointment or daggers, ugly words or evil ways. Great is Your faithfulness from yesterday and beyond tomorrow. Your love conquers the world while holding me. – dho

Focus Point: “Come as you are!” ~ Crowder

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

Bread of Presence - 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

Place the Bread of the Presence on the table to remain before Me at all times. Exodus 25:30 NLT

In giving explicit instructions to Moses about building a holy sanctuary, God’s plan is to be present with His people. Chapters 25-27 in Exodus provide the specific details for the Tabernacle in which the Ark of the Covenant would stay. The Tabernacle includes two distinct areas: an outer space called the Holy Place where the lampstand (menorah), the table, and the Bread of the Presence would be, and an inner space known as the Most Holy Place surrounded by curtains where the Ark of the Covenant stays. This Bread of the Presence, 12 loaves of unleavened bread baked fresh each week before the Sabbath, must be placed on the holy table in two piles of six to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The Bread of the Presence depicts the people’s offering to God and God’s desire to always be present with His people.

Only to be eaten by the priests in a holy place, the Bread of the Presence of the Old Testament can symbolize Jesus, the Bread of Life, the people’s offering to God. Christ, as the true High Priest, enters the Most Holy Place as a blood sacrifice, an offering for all people. Christ becomes the New Covenant offering atonement for sins, offering forgiveness and grace and everlasting life. Jesus, the Holy One, becomes true bread, spiritual bread that satisfies the hungry. Jesus, always present, is the Bread of Life.

Lord, my life needs something constant and knowing You are always present calms me, reassures me, comforts me. “Lord, always give us this bread.” Bread of the Presence and Bread of Life, Holy, Holy, Holy! I fall to my knees aware of Your unlimited love and grace. – dho

Focus Point: Jesus, always present, is the Bread of Life.

[**read Hebrews, chapter 9 to better understand the OT Tabernacle and Christ, the Perfect Sacrifice]

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