Unleavened Life - 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

Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. So let us celebrate the festival, not by eating the old bread of wickedness and evil, but by eating the new bread of purity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:7b-8 NLT

Paul writes the church in Corinth about problems that are divisive. The example he uses is leaven. Using the symbol of unleavened bread, Paul speaks of the Israelites hurried exodus from Egypt centuries ago, as he gives direction to the present day church. At the time, this large, metropolitan city proudly boasts of its diversity and independence. Great wealth, many religions and varied morality characterize Corinth which is the capital of Greece. Along with the greatness of the city comes much corruption. Paul tries to help the church create boundaries that would deepen its spiritual roots, minimize controversy, encourage wisdom. Paul reminds the believers that Christ’s sacrifice delivers them from sin and to stop eating the old bread of wickedness and evil.

Just as Paul directs the believers in Corinth to partake of the new bread of purity and truth, today’s church also must consider itself unleavened, continuing to teach the truths of Scripture. John MacArthur says, “As the Jews who celebrate Passover do so with unleavened bread, so believers celebrate their continual Passover with unleavened lives.” Jesus Christ, the Living Bread, calls us to unleavened, holy lives.

Father, just as unleavened bread reminds Israel of Your unfailing provision and faithfulness, let my unleavened life praise You ~ for Perfect Love, for Amazing Grace, for Everlasting Hope!  “Lord, always give us this bread”, True Bread for the soul. – dho

Focus Point: Jesus Christ, the Living Bread, calls us to unleavened, holy lives.

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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What's in a Name? - 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

“…But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”…This One will be our peace.    Micah 5:2-5 NASB

The prophet Micah brings a message of judgement to the Israelites of the southern kingdom, a people actively pursuing evil activities. Along with his contemporary Hosea, the message moves from doom to hope. From the land of King David, the Messiah, the Anointed One, will come. “This One will be our peace.” Some 700 years later, Jesus enters the world as tiny baby born in a stable in Bethlehem, five miles south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem in Hebrew means “house of bread”.  

Jesus, Greek form of the Hebrew Yeshua, means “Yahweh is salvation”. Yahweh means “He who is” or “I AM”. Jesus tells the people, “I AM the Bread of Life.” Jesus Christ bears the name of God as He enters Jerusalem, the City of Peace, as the One who will bring salvation to humanity. Passover crowds, anything but worthy, flood Jerusalem, anything but peaceful. Jesus enters the Temple, desecrated by moneychangers and merchants, and declares, “MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER!” The Chosen One teaches inside the temple, while the plot to kill Him grows.

Lord, ancient Greek and Hebrew words overflow with rich meanings. Prophecies fulfilled reveal God’s plan for redemption. Living Bread is born in the ‘house of bread’ mere miles south of where the Prince of Peace fulfills God’s plan in the ‘City of Peace’. Sometimes, I fail to recognize the sign posts You give or the miracles that reveal Your goodness; I don’t speak the holy words of prayer or choose the opportunities You offer that bring me into Your presence. “Lord, always give us this bread”; help me eat and taste and know the fullness of You! – dho

Focus Point: Jesus, Greek form of the Hebrew Yeshua, means “Yahweh is salvation”.

*Ephrathah means ‘fruitful’; Bethlehem, “known for her vineyards and olive orchards, was small in size but not in honor.” [MacArthur’s Study Bible notes]

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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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

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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 ~

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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

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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

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