“John 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” This does not mean that those that ate manna (or bread) from Heaven died because of it. Instead many died in the wilderness because of the idolatry of Israel. They should not have worshiped the golden calves. “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them” (John 6:56). Those who partake of Christ are united to Him and that endures. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Revelation 2:17”. In this verse Jesus is giving an invitation and making a promise. He invites anyone with ears to hear the Spirit’s messages to the churches. “He who has ears to hear, let Him hear” (Matthew 11:15). This means to learn about God, obey and accept Him. Jesus will reward those that store up treasure in Heaven and seek to avoid the sins of the world. Amen.

“James 2:26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” A faith that has zero works is not a saving faith. Abraham was justified by works when he offered his son to die (even though God stopped him). There are many ways that works are shown. A work can be having love for one another and treating our neighbor as good as ourself. We are saved by faith alone but good works follow. We ought to live as citizens of Heaven doing the things that are right. We can trust the Holy Spirit to guide us and rely on God for our salvation and to help us as we walk the journey of life with a saving faith. Works don’t save us but are evidence of salvation. If we are not doing good things we should examine ourselves to make sure we are following and living the Gospel. Amen

Christ was the power of God manifested in the flesh which lived among people. Jesus is described in John as the Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1”. Jesus always existed. He is the everlasting God. Isaiah 43:13 says, “Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:28. What that tells us is that God has called many to be saved and no one can take away the free gift of salvation from us, our salvation lies in the hand of God. We don’t know for sure if we are predestined to salvation but God knows when or if we will be saved. Salvation is a super national act of God and why Jesus died on the cross for our sins. It’s also great news that Jesus rose from the dead as only God could do that. Amen

“Romans 14:1: Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” We should reach out in friendship to those weak in the faith. They may have a desire to live a good religious life and we who are strong should deal tenderly with those that are weak. I think this also means to not have divisions. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10”. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1”. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. That is why the Bible says God is no respecter of persons. God deals with every one of His children tenderly and with love. The only way to please God is to have faith in Him. It is through faith and God’s grace we are saved. Amen

“Amos 3:7: Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Throughout history God has spoken to us through the prophets. Now God speaks to us through His Word (the Bible), Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; – Hebrews 1:2”. God spoke to us in the Bible by the prophets and still speaks to us today. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. – 2 Peter 1:21”. Amen

“1 Corinthians 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” When we are saved we hold the Gospel as dear to us and trust God. However, to the unbelieving oftentimes the Gospel of Christ dying and rising from the dead for our sins may be seen as foolishness. To a Christian Jesus is God, salvation is given through the cross, Jesus rose from the dead and we believe this. I think it’s God that opens our hearts to believe in Him and to escape the things of the world. Praise God through Jesus Christ for salvation. Amen

“Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” Jesus created the heavens and the earth. “Genesis 1:1–2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Nothing was made without Jesus. He is before all things. John 8:58, ““Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made… – Psalms 139:14”. The Bible also teaches that both men and women were created after the image of God. Adam and Eve sinned when they ate of the tree of life but through Jesus Christ we are forgiven and promised eternal life. Amen

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. – Micah 7:7”. At times the people of God had to wait upon Him. Jesus came as the Messiah and restored our relationship to God. Jesus will come back sometime soon and take His people with Him. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17”. Everyone will see Jesus return to earth according to The Book of Revelation, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7”. The Bible also teaches us that Jesus will return in the same way He left. Acts 1:11 says, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4”. We have the word of God known as Scripture so that we can have hope in Jesus and believe in Him for salvation. God is our comfort and guide. Amen.

“Revelation 1:6: And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” What does this mean? It means we were once sinners separated from God but have now become a part of the royal priesthood (or body) of Christ. We were once in bondage to sin but now we worship God. We are a kingdom of priests. Back in the Old Testament days animal sacrifices were offered on behalf of the people. Now with Jesus’ sacrifice Christ is the lamb of God and the only way to be joined to God. We were once stuck in sin but now we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Ephesians 2:2, 5 remind us that once we were followers of the prince of the power of the air—Satan—but our merciful and loving God made us alive together with Christ. John is telling us that we now offer praise to God for uniting us to Him. God has all praise, glory and dominion. Amen

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21”. What does this mean? God’s word is inspired and came forth through His inspiration. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16”. This is important to me because I can go and dig into scripture and through it God speaks to me. God has proven the authority of His word through various prophecies such as the coming of the Messiah which was Jesus (who died & rose from the dead). For example, Malachi chapter 3:1 prophecies of a messenger who will prepare the way of the Lord. That prophecy was fulfilled through John the Baptist who declared the coming of the Lord. The Good News is that God still speaks to us today through the Bible. God loves us and can guide us as we trust in Him. Amen