Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Dan Helix, Senior Pastor
Awakenings Christian Church (Concord)
Everyone needs to be fed. Jesus recognizes this. Why else would He have fed the five thousand? Everyone needs to be able to say, “The Father took care of me;” and isn’t it funny that when God takes care of one of us, He is taking care of all of us? “How?” you may ask. Simple: When we are the witness to God’s taking care of us, we are then able to go out in truth and say that God knows what we need and He provides.
The food that doesn’t spoil is the yield of the harvest God wants in our lives and the lives of others, so working for the food of the spirit and the healthy glow of Jesus in our cheeks not only feeds us, but all who see us.
When I am doing the work of the Father, it might be feeding the homeless, serving in the community or participating in a church pageant. Most likely, the work He really wants from us is showing others the joy of His presence in our lives. That feeds everyone in the room.
Father, this is the day You have made for me, and I pray that Your joy can be what feeds those with whom I come in contact today. In Jesus’ name – amen.
Good intentions don’t transform us. It’s the things that become habits that shape us. When we look at Jesus, we find patterns and rhythms that enable us to become the people our Heavenly Father intended. Too often it’s not that we forget that we are Christian, it’s that we forget we are human. That’s where spiritual disciplines help. As humans, we need habits God can use to enforce and reinforce His good intentions for life. Devote yourself to these exercises and look for God’s power.
UP – Begin each day this week with this simple prayer, “Father in heaven, today give me eyes to see your heart, a mouth to bless and hands to serve.” During the day turn off your ipod/radio for the week and say “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
IN – Serve your church community by volunteering in a significant way.
OUT – Tip your servers big this week and encourage each server you pay (from coffee baristas to supermarket checkers) with a deep sense of appreciation. With gratitude, let them know they are doing a great job. If you feel so bold, let them know God really likes them.
PAUSE: We are almost a month into this adventure. Want to tell someone what discipleship is? Simply put, it’s following Jesus’ example, living the 3D life Up/In/Out.
