“Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. IN THE MORNING, LORD, YOU HEAR MY VOICE; in the morning I LAY MY REQUESTS BEFORE YOU and wait expectantly.” (Psa. 5:2-3) It is a wonderful and necessary routine to read, at least a daily Bible verse as we arise in the morning to begin our day talking to our loving Abba Father.
“It is for freedom that Christ has SET US FREE. STAND FIRM, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by A YOKE OF SLAVERY.” (Gal. 5:1) We must break free of anything that holds us back from seeking God first! Jesus taught us, “…do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we EAT?’ or ‘What shall we DRINK?’ or ‘What shall we WEAR?’ But SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU as well.” (Matt. 6:31-33)
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY, and whoever believes in me WILL NEVER BE THIRSTY.” (John 6:35) Jesus isn’t equating Himself with some all-you-can-eat physical buffet when He says He is the bread of life and whoever comes “…shall not hunger, and…shall never thirst.” Jesus means that there is a hunger in our souls for something ONLY HE CAN SATISFY. In coming to Him in faith, we find a TRULY INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ the SATISFACTION FOR OUR SOUL’S HUNGER AND THIRST. We understand this relationship is ETERNAL, for Jesus promises to RAISE UP each person who comes to Him.
“…DO NOT FEAR, for I am with you; do not be DISMAYED (sudden loss of courage.), for I am your God. I will STRENGTHEN YOU and help you; I will UPHOLD YOU with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10) “O LORD, You have SEARCHED ME AND KNOWN ME. And ARE ACQUAINTED WITH ALL MY WAYS. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And LAID YOUR HAND UPON ME…I will praise You, for I am FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul KNOWS VERY WELL.” (Psa. 139:1-5, 14)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham