The Bread of Life

By Dale J. Babinsky     While teaching the disciples about the Bread of Life, many of the followers of Christ turned away from Him. Indeed, John 6:66 is a thought-provoking verse in the Bible which reads: "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." This passage occurs after Jesus delivers a challenging teaching about the importance of His word. In this, He emphasized the importance of fully committing to Him and His mission. Many clearly did not understand.     This verse is significant because it marks a turning point in Jesus's ministry. It highlights the cost of discipleship and the challenge of accepting teachings that are difficult to understand or embrace. Some followers found Jesus's words too confusing or hard to accept, and they chose to walk away rather than ask for an explanation and seek after the truth. However, this moment also sets the stage for the steadfast faith of the remaining disciples, showcasing the contrast between those who are willing to persevere through difficulty and those who are not.     From a spiritual perspective, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and trust in moments of doubt or confusion. It invites reflection on the question: How do we respond when faced with teachings or challenges that test our commitment to our beliefs? Let us be like Peter in this moment, as he responded that Jesus was the only one who has the words of life (John 6:68). Let us feast on that spiritual bread.

- Dale J. Babinsky preaches for the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://gsmchurchofchrist.com/

Jesus Came to Do the Work of the Father

By Dale J. Babinsky     The Gospel accounts show us that Jesus was all about doing the works of His Father. Jesus’ willingness to set Himself aside to obey the Father’s will demonstrate His love and dedication to the Father. Indeed, Jesus embodied the Father's work through His teachings, His miracles, and His death on the cross for our sins.     From the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus made it clear that He came to do the work of the Father. He stated, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). This shows His duty was carrying out God's plan for man. Jesus' every action reflected His commitment to aligning His will with that of the Father.     Jesus also performed numerous miracles which show His dedication to the compassionate work of the Father. Of these works, Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner” (John 5:19). This also demonstrates that His miracles were in alignment with the Father’s will.     The most significant example of Jesus doing the work of the Father was His willingness to go to the cross for us. Jesus said the laying down of His life was commanded by the Father (John 10:17-18). Even though He knew the agony He would have to endure, His crucifixion was the penultimate act of surrender to the will of the Father.     In every aspect of His life and ministry, Jesus demonstrated complete unity with the work of the Father. His miracles, teachings, and sacrifice were all to fulfill the will of the Father. Through this, Jesus also provided a pathway for humanity to be reconciled with God. As followers of Christ, we are called to follow in His footsteps, striving to do the will of the Father in our daily lives.

- Dale J. Babinsky preaches for the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://gsmchurchofchrist.com/

Does God Change His Mind?

By Jared Green       In Exodus 32, we find the end of Moses’ 40-day stay on the mountain with God. By this time, the Israelites became impatient and worried about Moses. From the time God began his deliverance of the people from Egypt, Moses had been Israel’s connection to God. Fearing Moses was out of the picture, they decided to revert to idol worship. At the people’s command, Aaron melted the Israelites’ gold jewelry, formed a golden calf, and the people worshiped a false god.     This narrative represents Israel’s first idol worship since entering their covenant with God, and God was understandably angry with his impatient, untrusting people. When God told Moses of Israel’s transgression, he said, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a sti,-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you” (32:9-10). Hearing God’s plan, Moses begged God not to destroy the people, reminding God of both the work he accomplished in delivering Israel from Egypt as well as the promises he made to their forefathers (32:11-13).     Following Moses’ response, the text tells us, “And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people” (32:14). Thanks be to God that he decided not to destroy his people! From a study of this text, however, a question arises. The NASB, for example, translates Exodus 32:14, “So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.” How does a God who never changes (Malachi 3:6) change his mind?     We must first understand that God was justified in either decision. God’s justice would have been served if he had destroyed the people for their sin, and God’s justice was served in the punishment the guilty Israelites ultimately received because of their actions. Therefore, God was just when he “changed his mind.” Ultimately, we find the biblical truth that God can and does change his course of action when given the proper grounds to do so. In Scripture, we find God changing his course of action based on a person’s intercession (Exodus 32:11-14), repentance of the people (Jonah 3:10), and his compassion (Isaiah 54:7-8). In Exodus 32, God did not change his course of action because he made a mistake. Instead, God changed his action based on Moses’ intercession, and therefore did not change his integrity, his character, or his ultimate plans and purposes for his people.     As we consider that God is willing to change his course of action, such a truth should push us into a deeper, more faithful prayer life. The prayer of a righteous person has power (James 5:16), so let us be a praying people. May we prayerfully intercede on behalf of our country, our leaders, our church family, and our own struggles, believing in God’s power. God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com

Now What?

By Jared Green       For three years, Jesus’ disciples had spent nearly every waking moment by his side. They had heard his teachings and seen his miracles, and anytime they had a question, the Son of God was there to answer (even if he did so in a confusing parable). That time, however, had to end because Jesus’ purpose was not to live on this earth as a good teacher but to sacrifice himself on the cross as the world’s Savior. That time had finally come, and Jesus told his disciples, “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’” (John 13:33). Based on the disciples’ questions in the following verses, they were struggling to come to grips with Jesus’ departure. Knowing their hearts, Jesus focused his last meal with them on comforting and preparing his disciples for their new reality.     Jesus called them to serve one another in love. In John 13, Jesus famously washed his disciples’ feet. Due to dusty road condition and the lack of modern footwear, washing feet was a gross, menial task. Generally, a host would have a servant whose job it was to wash the guests’ feet. However, to prepare his disciples for the days ahead, Jesus washed their feet in order to teach them the importance of loving one another through action. Later in the chapter, Jesus told them, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (13:34).     Jesus comforted them with his promises. Jesus told them, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (14:1). Jesus calmed them by calling them to belief. For Jesus, belief is an unwavering trust in God’s promises. Those specific promises were to prepare a heavenly dwelling place and one day return to take his disciples to that eternal abode (14:2-3).     Jesus called them to bear fruit. In John 15, Jesus called himself the “true vine” and each disciple a “branch” on the vine (vv. 1-2). Jesus told them, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (v. 8). The fruit that Jesus likely had in mind was the outpouring of love and love’s accompanying actions, given that both fruit (15:8) and love (13:34) would prove one’s discipleship. Knowing the difficult path his disciples would face, Jesus reminded them that fruit-bearing would only be accomplished by abiding in him because, “apart from me you can do nothing” (15:5).     Like the disciples, we need both encouragement and comfort as we live in a world that is ultimately not our home. May we heed Jesus’ teachings to serve one another in love, trust in God’s promises, and bear fruit by abiding in Christ. God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com

Remember, God is in Control

By Jared Green

    Sadly, in our country’s current climate, politics seem to sow more seeds of division than unity. As we are nearing this year’s presidential election, it seems that our country is more divided than ever, and with that division comes feelings of worry for Christians. It is not di icult to see the direction that our society is headed, and it is easy to fear the future, wondering: What will it look like to be faithful in an increasingly faithless society? Christians need never fear, however, because of Christ’s firm victory over sin and death. As this election season comes to an end, and as we all ponder our lives and faithfulness in the future, I would like to humbly o er us some biblical reminders.

    First, remember that God is sovereign. I have no doubt that Satan uses the sin and division all around us to distract us from God’s sovereignty. May we be reminded, however, of Daniel’s message to Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2. As Daniel interpreted the first of Nebuchadnezzar’s two dreams, he said to the king, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:20-21). Why the reminder of God’s sovereignty? Because Daniel was about to prophesy the coming of a kingdom infinitely greater than Babylon. In interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel told him, “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:41). Daniel reminded Nebuchadnezzar of God’s sovereignty to make clear that, no matter what Nebuchadnezzar did, God’s sovereignty would ensure the coming of Christ’s kingdom. The message? God is in control and his will shall be done, no matter what humans attempt to stand in the way. May we rest in the hope of God’s sovereignty.

    Second, follow God’s Word when seeking faithfulness in a faithless world. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul teaches a three-part lesson we should all heed today, especially over these next few weeks. I encourage you to pause and read Paul’s words. First, he calls us to pray for our leaders (vv. 1-2a). Second, he calls us to lead a “peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (v. 2b). Third, he reminds us of God’s ultimate will: for “all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (vv. 3-4). Taking Paul’s call to heart, may we never be a fear -based people who sow seeds of division. Instead, may we always be a praying people who seek to do God’s will and spread the gospel. Take heart: God is sovereign, and in the end, we will experience the final victory. God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com

My Prayer for Us

By Jared Green     Scripture is filled with thoughtful prayers from God’s people, and in many of Paul’s letters, he wrote out prayers he had prayed to God on behalf of his Christian audiences. In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul wrote a prayer that, when answered by God, will produce a faithful congregation filled with faithful Christians. Paul said: And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.     Paul prayed for their love to grow. In Scripture, we are called to love God and others with a love that leads to action. Love is contagious, and when we love both God and others, our love will spread, and people will see Jesus through us.     Paul prayed for their knowledge and discernment. In Romans 12:2, Paul calls for Christians to be transformed by the renewal of our minds rather than by the world so that we “may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Similarly, Paul calls us to mature in our faith “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14). It is vital that we study God’s Word effectively so that we grow in both knowledge and discernment.     Paul prayed for them to be pure and blameless. Undoubtedly, this part of Paul’s prayer was a call to faithful living, but it was not a call to perfect living. In his very next words, Paul made it clear that the Christian’s ability to be pure and blameless for the day of Christ was not found in his or her own willpower. Instead, Paul reminds us that we are “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:11). Thanks be to God that Christians will stand before God clothed in Christ’s righteousness, not our own!     As I was writing these words, I prayed this prayer on behalf of our congregation. May we always be a congregation filled with love, knowledge, discernment, and righteousness because a congregation filled with these Christlike qualities is a congregation filled with Christians who glorify God and bring lost souls to salvation. As you read this, I urge you to take a moment and pray that both you and our congregation always fulfill Paul’s calling in this prayer. God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com

Perspective Matters

By Jared Green     If ever there were anyone who could have had a pessimistic, glass-half-empty view on life, it was Joseph. He was sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite travelers who then sold him as a slave to Potiphar. Though Joseph was a faithful slave, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him, and Potiphar put Joseph in prison. While in prison, Joseph helped Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and baker, but when the cupbearer was set free from prison and restored to his position, he forgot Joseph and did not help him get out of prison. Finally, by the grace of God, Joseph was able to rise to power in Egypt, becoming Pharaoh’s second in command.     As the story continues, there was a major famine in the land and Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to find food for them to survive. Little did the brothers know, they would be requesting food from the brother they had sold into slavery years before. While Joseph had finally experienced great success, he found himself at a crossroads when his brothers came to him. He could help his brothers, or he could finally get revenge on them for turning his life upside down. Rather than revenge, however, Joseph chose reconciliation. Joseph helped his family, and he was able to finally see his father again.     After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers worried that he would finally seek revenge. In response to their worries, Joseph made an amazing statement: “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:19-20).     What an amazing perspective on a difficult life! Joseph realized two important facts about God. First, God is the judge, not Joseph. Second, God uses our circumstances to bring about ultimate good. How would our lives change if we employed Joseph’s perspective in our own lives? Each of our lives bring their own di9iculties, and at times, it is easy to feel downtrodden by those di9iculties. However, in a passage focused on hope amidst suffering, we are given a beautiful promise: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Do you believe that promise? No matter what life throws at you, God will work through your circumstances to bring about his good. Let us all rest in that hope. God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com