Participants:
Series Code: IIW
Program Code: IIW019192S
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00:18 >>John Bradshaw: This is It Is Written.
00:20 I'm John Bradshaw. Thanks for joining me. 00:22 A friend told me this true story. 00:25 I know how it can be with true stories; 00:27 you wonder sometimes just how true they really are. 00:30 But this is a true story told to me by the man 00:33 who was right in the middle of it. 00:35 In a rural area in a country in Africa, there was to be 00:38 a big celebration as a new church was being opened. 00:42 People would be coming from near and far. 00:44 But, it was at a time of real financial challenge, 00:47 and there wasn't money enough to feed the crowd 00:51 that would assemble. 00:52 So what do you do? 00:53 Well, these people knew just what to do. 00:55 They prayed and they asked God to provide. 01:00 But a situation arose where they had to drive a long distance 01:03 to pick something up that was needed for the big day. 01:06 So they drove several hours to the city, 01:08 picked up what they needed, and then started the long drive back 01:12 along the lonely road. 01:13 Ahead of them was a flatbed truck. 01:16 In the United Kingdom you'd call it a lorry, most likely. 01:18 In the United States, maybe a semi. 01:21 In the South Pacific, it's a...a truck. 01:24 And as they were gaining ground on the truck, 01:26 they noticed something fly off the back. 01:29 They stopped and realized it was a 10-kilogram sack, 01:33 a 20-pound sack of mealie meal-- maize meal, cornmeal, basically. 01:39 It's what you'd use to make sadza, or ugali, or pap-- 01:43 depending on what part of Africa you're in. 01:45 Now, I know what you're thinking: 01:46 Now they have food for the celebration. 01:49 But no, they wanted to return it to the driver of the truck. 01:53 So they got back on the road 01:55 and pursued the truck and its driver. 01:57 But then another 10-kilogram sack of mealie meal flew off 02:02 the back of the truck. 02:03 So they stopped to retrieve that. 02:05 And then another, and then another, 02:08 until, loaded down with mealie meal, 02:10 they couldn't hope to catch the truck, 02:12 and it sped off into the distance. 02:15 They had to call it providence, a miracle, even. 02:19 The church opened, and there was plenty of food for all. 02:23 Can God provide? 02:24 Yes, He can. He does. 02:27 And as we continue our series, "Great Chapters of the Bible," 02:31 we see that God can do the amazing, 02:33 that He can provide for us in ways we don't expect, 02:36 and that when He does, it's for reasons we want to remember. 02:41 We're looking at John chapter 6. 02:43 There's so much going on in this chapter 02:45 we could talk about it all day. 02:47 We'll start at the beginning of the chapter. 02:49 Verse 1 says, "After these things Jesus went 02:53 over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias." 02:56 And you'll notice in verse 2 that "a great multitude 02:59 followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed 03:03 on those who were diseased." 03:05 Now, the tense used indicates they "were following" Him, 03:09 constantly, because they "were seeing" 03:12 Him do these great miracles. 03:14 Up on a mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee 03:17 in the north of Israel, "Jesus lifted up His eyes, 03:22 and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, 03:25 He said to Philip, 'Where shall we buy bread, 03:28 that these may eat?'" 03:31 He wanted Philip to really understand Jesus 03:33 and His mission. 03:35 Philip remarked that even 200 days' wages wouldn't be enough 03:38 to buy food for a crowd that size, 03:40 when Andrew, the brother of Peter, said, 03:43 "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves 03:45 and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" 03:50 So Jesus asked that the little boy's lunch be brought to Him. 03:54 And notice what happened next: "And Jesus took the loaves, 03:58 and when He had given thanks He distributed them 04:01 to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; 04:05 and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. 04:09 So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, 04:12 'Gather up the fragments that remain, 04:15 so that nothing is lost.'" 04:17 Of course, a skeptic is going to say, "How's that possible?" 04:20 And I'd say, "Remember who we're dealing with here." 04:23 This is God, who does the impossible. 04:26 He created the world. 04:28 He formed Adam and Eve from the dust of the ground 04:30 and breathed the breath of life into their bodies. 04:33 This is Jesus, who raised the dead and healed the sick. 04:38 We shouldn't be amazed by the things He does. 04:40 We should be blessed. We should be encouraged. 04:44 But we shouldn't be amazed. 04:46 The God of heaven is a vast God, a great God. 04:50 And you don't want to limit Him. 04:53 Verse 14 says, "Then those men, when they had seen the sign 04:57 that Jesus did, said, 'This is truly the Prophet 05:01 who is to come into the world.'" 05:04 This was evidence that Jesus was the Messiah, 05:08 the Savior of the world, and if you allow it to do so, 05:11 it'll convince you of that. 05:13 Some thoughts to consider about this miracle... 05:15 Number one: Jesus provides for our needs. 05:18 It's what He does. 05:20 There were hungry people, and He met their needs. 05:22 Remember that He provides for you. 05:23 When you're in a tight spot, remember that God is able. 05:26 Even when things are good, remember that "every good gift 05:30 and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down 05:33 from the Father of lights," as James wrote. 05:36 Don't forget where your blessings come from. 05:39 Now, notice that Jesus fed them with...bread and fish. 05:42 Now, these were barley loaves, very simple food. 05:45 The little fish were sort of a side dish, 05:48 which was fine, of course. 05:50 But He didn't provide caviar and champagne 05:53 or french fries and burgers or a 10-course meal. 05:56 He gave them something that was good for them, 05:59 adequate for their needs, and not excessive. 06:02 Yes, God promises to bless you richly. 06:04 Read in Malachi about how God wants to open up 06:07 the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing 06:09 that we won't have room to receive it. 06:11 But God has promised to provide our needs, 06:14 not all of our wants. 06:16 If He's blessed you with health and a home and a family, 06:18 be careful about wanting an extra million dollars 06:20 and a mansion. 06:21 Of course, those things can be okay, 06:23 but be careful where you focus. 06:25 If you're following Jesus 06:26 thinking He's going to give you more stuff, 06:29 it could be that your priorities are in the wrong place. 06:32 Jesus could have given away 100-dollar bills. 06:35 He could have given away new clothing and tickets 06:38 to sporting events. 06:39 But He didn't give away luxuries. 06:41 The people went home no richer, no smarter, 06:45 but they went away blessed. 06:47 And He encouraged them to gather up the fragments 06:49 so that nothing would be lost. 06:51 In other words, don't waste. 06:54 Now, when I was growing up, we didn't waste anything 06:56 because we couldn't afford to. 06:58 I read that a third of Americans spend more money on coffee 07:02 than they do on their retirement plan. 07:04 Now, that's what we would call a waste. 07:08 One government agency said that the average U.S. household 07:11 spends one percent of its yearly income on alcohol, 07:15 but that's the average. 07:16 There are people who spend thousands of dollars a year 07:18 on something they could very easily live without, 07:21 something they should live without-- 07:23 and I'm just getting started. 07:25 Our blessings are from God. 07:27 Wasting them isn't part of God's plan. 07:30 You notice in another account of the story 07:32 Jesus says, "You give them something to eat." 07:35 He's encouraging us: Help others; provide for others. 07:39 The blessings He's given us 07:40 are to be used in relieving the needs of others. 07:44 And one more: 07:46 All the boy had was loaves and fishes, 07:49 and with God's blessing it was enough to feed, 07:51 according to Matthew, 5,000 men, plus women and children-- 07:56 easily 10,000 people. 07:59 You think you don't have much? 08:00 Much talent, much to give, much faith? 08:02 Bring what you have to Jesus like that little boy's loaves 08:05 and fishes and see how He multiplies what you have. 08:09 A little with God's blessing is a lot. 08:13 In a moment, more from John chapter 6: 08:15 water that doesn't act like water. 08:18 That's right ahead. 08:20 ♪[music]♪ 08:29 >>Announcer 1: There is nothing in this world more precious 08:31 than a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. 08:34 Today's free offer, "Steps to Christ," 08:36 is one of the best books ever written 08:38 on how to build a successful relationship with Jesus 08:41 that will see you through to eternity. 08:43 To receive your free copy, 08:44 call 800-253-3000 08:47 or visit us online at iiwoffer.com. 08:51 Get "Steps to Christ" today, 08:52 800-253-3000 08:56 or online at iiwoffer.com. 08:59 ♪[upbeat music]♪ 09:01 >>Announcer 2: Planning for your financial future 09:03 is a vital aspect of Christian stewardship. 09:07 For this reason, It Is Written is pleased to offer 09:10 free planned giving and estate services. 09:13 For information on how we can help you, 09:15 please call 800-992-2219. 09:19 Call today 09:20 or visit our website: hislegacy.com. 09:24 Call 800-992-2219. 09:29 >>John Bradshaw: Thanks for joining me on It Is Written. 09:32 We're continuing our series, "Great Chapters of the Bible." 09:36 John chapter 6 opens with Jesus feeding a multitude 09:39 with only five loaves and two fish. 09:42 If that doesn't convince you that He's the Son of God, 09:45 the chapter continues with another phenomenal story. 09:49 John 6:15 says, 09:51 "Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come 09:54 and take Him by force to make Him king, 09:57 He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone." 10:00 Now, it's really interesting that Matthew says 10:02 He "constrained," or compelled, His disciples to get into a ship 10:07 and go to the other side of the lake, ahead of Him. 10:10 Jesus wasn't on the earth for the sake of earthly greatness. 10:14 He had His chance to make political change here, 10:16 and He didn't take it. 10:19 Jesus was on earth to change hearts. 10:22 He was serious about this, reflected in His instruction 10:25 to the disciples and to the people who He sent away, 10:29 according to Matthew's account. 10:31 Then Jesus went up on a hill to pray on His own. 10:37 Now, what do you think He prayed for? 10:38 The Bible doesn't tell us explicitly, 10:41 but you'd expect He would've prayed for His disciples, 10:43 who seriously misunderstood His mission. 10:46 If they were supportive of the mission to make Jesus king, 10:50 they clearly didn't get it. 10:52 In that group were James and John, 10:54 who thought force was appropriate. 10:55 Remember they wanted to call fire down from heaven 10:58 on one occasion 11:00 and incinerate people that they didn't agree with. 11:02 Jesus told them at the time 11:03 they did not know "what manner of spirit" they were of. 11:07 This was a year before Jesus' death. 11:09 It was Passover time. 11:11 Jesus would die at the following Passover. 11:13 And here were the people and His closest followers 11:17 missing the point of His mission by miles. 11:22 Now, keep in mind that Jesus prayed, 11:24 and if Jesus found it necessary to pray, 11:28 don't you think most of us could do something 11:29 about our prayer life? 11:31 I don't ever remember hearing 11:32 about anyone who said that they prayed too much. 11:35 One study showed that 55 percent of Americans 11:39 claim to pray every day. 11:41 Seems to me a lot of the people who answered that survey 11:43 might need to pray for forgiveness. 11:46 It's important to pray. 11:48 Life doesn't happen well without prayer, 11:51 and in prayer you are connected to God, 11:54 and you receive His presence in your life. 11:57 But it's what happened next 11:59 that we tend to remember the story for. 12:02 The disciples were heading across the lake 12:03 towards Capernaum, 12:04 which is at the north end of the Sea of Galilee. 12:07 It's about 15 miles in a straight line 12:09 from southern Lebanon, not much further from Syria. 12:13 It was dark at the time, and in Matthew's account of the story, 12:15 it says that "the boat was now in the middle of the sea, 12:19 tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary." 12:23 You have to wonder what was on the mind of the disciples. 12:27 Now, they wanted to see Jesus made king, 12:30 and their hopes had been disappointed. 12:34 So it's likely they were brooding. 12:37 The storm clouds were a reflection of what was going on 12:40 in their minds, and as God so often does, 12:43 He allowed something to happen that would get their minds off 12:45 pointless concerns and on to something that matters. 12:50 John 6:18 says, 12:52 "Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing." 12:55 They've navigated for about three or four miles, 12:57 which should have brought them to Capernaum, 12:59 except, no doubt, they'd been blown off course. 13:01 And it was desperate out there on the big lake. 13:04 And then they see Jesus walking to them on the water. 13:08 They thought it was a phantom of some kind. 13:11 I imagine they weren't expecting Jesus to show up 13:14 right then and there. 13:16 Jesus said to them, "It is I; be not afraid." 13:20 And verse 21 says, 13:22 "Then they willingly received Him into the boat, 13:25 and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going." 13:30 But in Matthew's account of the same story, Peter says, 13:33 "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 13:38 And so Jesus says, "Come" to me on the water. 13:41 Peter did. 13:42 He, he got out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. 13:47 Now, we know what happened next. 13:49 The text says that "when he saw that the wind was boisterous," 13:52 he began to sink, which is interesting. 13:55 It hints that Peter's focus was on the wind and not on Jesus. 14:00 When he was worried about his surroundings, 14:02 concerned about what was going on around him, he sank. 14:07 When his focus was on Jesus, he walked on water. 14:11 Is there a lesson there? 14:12 When your focus is on Christ, you stay upright. 14:15 When you let Jesus get out of view, you begin to sink. 14:20 So how are you doing in keeping your eyes 14:22 where they ought to be? 14:24 This world is full of distractions, 14:26 and we fall for them too easily. 14:30 Now, you might think that Peter couldn't be blamed. 14:31 After all, they were out there in the midst of a storm, 14:33 and he was walking on a lake. 14:36 But that was all the more reason for Peter to watch Jesus, 14:39 to keep his eyes where they needed to be. 14:43 If things are difficult around you, 14:44 that's all the more reason 14:46 to keep Jesus right where you can see Him at all times. 14:52 It was about this time that Peter prayed 14:53 a three-word prayer. 14:55 Matthew records it as "Lord, save me!" 14:59 Sometimes there's no time for flowery praying. 15:01 Sometimes you've got to come right to the point, 15:03 and Peter's prayer is the model prayer for sinners everywhere. 15:07 If you're sinking, "Lord, same me." 15:09 If you're lost and you need to be found, "Lord, save me." 15:12 The passage tells us Jesus did save Peter. 15:15 He took him by the hand, and He got him back to the boat. 15:18 When you pray that prayer, you can know that God saves you. 15:22 When things are going bad, don't focus on the bad. 15:25 Remember that there is a God. 15:26 When trouble comes up, it might be that you feel like 15:29 you're at the end of your rope, but Jesus is there. 15:32 The disciples were battling a stormy sea, 15:34 and Jesus was right there with them. 15:37 You can do the impossible. 15:39 When Jesus calls you, even if He calls you to walk on water, 15:42 you can do it because God's will is being wrought out 15:45 in your life. 15:47 As long as it's the call of God, it can be done in your life. 15:50 Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13, 15:53 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 15:56 That's still true today. 15:59 If God calls you to do something big, something unlikely, 16:01 keep your eyes on Him, and it'll get done. 16:04 Take your eyes off God, and you'll sink. 16:07 And when you pray for God to save you, He saves you. 16:10 Believe that. He just does. 16:13 Have faith that He will do that for you, and He will. 16:18 In a moment, John 6 finishes with the vast majority of people 16:24 walking away from Jesus. 16:26 I'll be right back. 16:27 ♪[music]♪ 16:37 ♪[soft piano music]♪ 16:41 >>Man 1: What does the Bible say about astrology? 16:48 >>Man 2: Why do bad things happen to good people? 16:56 >>Girl: What color is Jesus? 16:59 >>John Bradshaw: If you have a question, 17:00 we'd love to find an answer 17:02 for you from the Bible. 17:03 Line Upon Line 17:04 from It Is Written TV. 17:07 >>John: It was like a ticking time bomb 17:09 just waiting to explode. 17:11 And when it did, [rumbling] 17:12 a city was plunged into chaos, 17:15 a town was completely destroyed, 17:17 more than 300 people were left dead 17:20 and thousands left homeless. 17:22 It remains one of the nation's least-known atrocities, 17:26 yet it was one of the most destructive race riots 17:28 in United States history. 17:30 ♪[harmonica music]♪ 17:31 Join It Is Written on location in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 17:35 for "Black Wall Street" 17:37 as we look at the problem of evil. 17:40 We'll investigate the destruction of a community 17:42 and ask some searching questions. 17:44 ♪[ominous music]♪ How can this happen? 17:47 And who would do such a thing? 17:49 How do good people commit truly wicked acts? 17:52 "Black Wall Street" will take you there, 17:54 to the very streets where evil reared its ugly head 17:57 in a way not often seen. 17:59 Don't miss "Black Wall Street" 18:02 on It Is Written TV. 18:08 >>John Bradshaw: Thanks for joining me on It Is Written. 18:10 We're looking at John chapter 6 18:12 in our series "Great Chapters of the Bible." 18:16 The chapter starts with Jesus feeding a multitude 18:18 with only five loaves and two fish. 18:20 Then Jesus walks on water, 18:22 and looking at Matthew's account of the same story, 18:24 we see that's when Peter walked on water, too. 18:27 So you'd think, then, that if you see miracles like that, 18:30 you're going to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. 18:33 Well, that belief is tested in the remainder of the chapter. 18:39 It was the next day. 18:40 The story of how Jesus walked on water 18:42 undoubtedly is by now well-known. 18:45 And a large crowd had come to Capernaum 18:47 wanting to know how Jesus got there 18:50 when they knew He hadn't taken the same boat as the disciples. 18:54 And Jesus said in verses 26 and 27, 18:58 "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek me, 19:02 not because you saw the signs, 19:05 but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 19:08 Do not labor for the food which perishes, 19:10 but for the food which endures to everlasting life, 19:13 which the Son of Man will give you, 19:16 because God the Father has set His seal on Him." 19:20 They were following Jesus, but from the wrong motives, 19:24 and this would become painfully obvious. 19:28 So they asked Jesus what sign He would perform 19:30 so that they could believe in Him. 19:33 It's a lot like asking how many times you need to fall 19:35 in a river to be convinced the river is wet. 19:38 They talk about the manna in the wilderness, 19:40 and Jesus responds by saying this: 19:43 "My Father gives you the true bread from heaven." 19:47 "Then they said to Him, 'Lord, give us this bread always.'" 19:50 And then He said, "I am the bread of life. 19:54 He who comes to me shall never hunger, 19:57 and he who believes in me shall never thirst." 20:00 That's John 6, verse 35. 20:02 Jesus makes this wonderful promise in verse 37: 20:06 "All that the Father gives me will come to me, 20:09 and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out." 20:14 But the Jews complained, according to verse 41: 20:19 "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, 20:21 whose father and mother we know? 20:24 How is it then that He says, 'I have come down from heaven'?" 20:27 Jesus responds by saying, "No one can come to me 20:31 unless the Father who sent me draws him; 20:34 and I will raise him up at the last day." 20:37 Now, starting in verse 47, "Most assuredly, I say to you, 20:42 he who believes in me has everlasting life. 20:47 I am the bread of life. 20:50 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 20:54 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, 20:56 that one may eat of it and not die. 21:00 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. 21:03 If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; 21:07 and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, 21:11 which I shall give for the life of the world." 21:14 Now, this perplexed the people who had gathered. 21:18 They acted as though they were offended. 21:20 Keep this in mind: 21:22 Here was a group of people who'd follow Jesus 21:24 because He could feed thousands of folks 21:26 using a little boy's lunch. 21:28 He walked on water. 21:29 The disciples said that even Peter walked on water. 21:32 They knew He had healed the sick. 21:34 They wanted a deliverer. 21:36 But Jesus refused to be the kind of deliverer 21:38 they were looking for. 21:40 Instead, He was saying, "Eat my flesh and drink my blood." 21:45 He went on to explain that, 21:46 "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." 21:50 In other words, "You want a deliverer? 21:52 I'm giving my words to you. That's real deliverance," 21:57 Jesus was saying. 21:58 To eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus is to receive Him 22:02 as a personal Savior, 22:03 believing that He forgives your sins 22:06 and that you are complete in Him. 22:08 You "eat" Him and "drink" Him by accepting Jesus into your life, 22:13 by having Him become part of your being. 22:16 You feed on Him. 22:17 You feed on His words so that His life becomes your life. 22:21 You assimilate His grace and love. 22:26 And did the people want to do that? 22:29 We'll look at John 6, verse 66, 22:32 some of the most tragic words in the Bible: 22:37 "From that time many of His disciples went back 22:41 and walked with Him no more." 22:45 Can you imagine that? 22:47 They turned and walked away. 22:49 Imagine being Jesus, 22:50 knowing you'd come to save these very people, 22:52 knowing you were their only hope, 22:55 you lay it on the line for them, 22:57 and they hear what you have to say, 23:00 and they turn their backs...and leave. 23:04 That's what happened. 23:05 And it's what happens today. 23:08 There's no other savior but Jesus. 23:11 No other way of life, no other way to eternal life. 23:16 Only Jesus. 23:18 And yet people walk away from Him all the time. 23:21 Before Jesus turns to His disciples, 23:23 let me suggest this to you. 23:24 You know what Jesus is talking about here 23:26 is a full surrender: 23:28 laying aside your will, your desire, 23:30 and deciding it's more important for you to know God's will, 23:33 God's desire for your life. 23:35 This isn't somebody who says, "Oh, Jesus, I'm a follower." 23:39 There were lots of people following, 23:40 but they weren't real followers because they weren't prepared 23:44 to eat His flesh and drink His blood. 23:46 They weren't prepared to live "by every word that proceeds 23:48 from out of the mouth of God." 23:50 They didn't want their life lived God's way. 23:52 That's not what they wanted. 23:53 You see, Jesus is calling for our heart here. 23:57 He's saying, "Give me your heart. 23:58 Let my life become your life and your life become my life." 24:02 And Jesus wants to give us a complete mind change here. 24:07 The people weren't willing. 24:09 And so Jesus turns to the disciples; 24:11 He said, "Do you also want to go away?" 24:15 Peter answers for them in verses 68 and 69. 24:18 He says, "Lord, to whom shall we go? 24:22 You have the words of eternal life. 24:25 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, 24:30 the Son of the living God." 24:32 There's the question and the answer. 24:34 "To whom shall we go?" Who else is there? 24:37 You have the words of eternal life. 24:39 You're the Christ, the Son of the living God. 24:41 He was then, friend, and He is now. 24:44 To whom will you go, if not to Jesus? 24:47 Where else would you turn, if not to Him? 24:50 Are you eating His flesh and drinking His blood, 24:52 feeding on His Word, His life in your life? 24:57 Jesus is still the bread of life. 25:00 He's your hope. He's your strength. 25:02 He's your spiritual food. He's your spiritual health. 25:06 You know, if you don't eat, 25:07 you get weak, and then you get sick, and then you die. 25:11 Which is why we see so many dead men walking-- 25:13 zombies-- even in the church. 25:16 If you don't feed on Jesus, you get weak. 25:18 Temptation overwhelms you. 25:19 You get spiritually sick, and then you're spiritually dead. 25:25 But Jesus is the bread of life. 25:28 If you have Jesus in your life radically, totally, completely-- 25:33 and you can when you invite Him to be just that for you-- 25:37 His life becomes your life, 25:39 and then you live knowing that eternal life is yours. 25:46 >>Announcer 1: There is nothing in this world more precious 25:48 than a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. 25:51 Today's free offer, "Steps to Christ," 25:53 is one of the best books ever written 25:55 on how to build a successful relationship with Jesus 25:58 that will see you through to eternity. 26:00 To receive your free copy, 26:01 call 800-253-3000 26:04 or visit us online at iiwoffer.com. 26:08 Get "Steps to Christ" today, 26:09 800-253-3000 26:12 or online at iiwoffer.com. 26:16 >>John Bradshaw: Thank you for remembering that It Is Written 26:18 exists because of the kindness of people just like you. 26:22 To support this international life-changing ministry, 26:25 please call us now at 800-253-3000. 26:29 You can send your tax-deductible gift 26:31 to the address on your screen, 26:32 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com. 26:36 Thank you for your prayers and for your financial support. 26:39 Our number again is 800-253-3000, 26:43 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com. 26:47 >>John Bradshaw: Let's pray together. 26:48 ♪[soft music]♪ Our Father in heaven, 26:50 we thank You that Jesus is the bread of life. 26:53 Yes, He fed the thousands with loaves and fishes, 26:56 yes, He walked on water, but what is that to us, 27:01 unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood? 27:04 Unless we feed on Your word, 27:06 unless we're filled with Your Holy Spirit? 27:10 Allow Jesus to be in our lives everything that He wants to be. 27:14 Friend, are you reaching out to Jesus now? 27:17 Can you say, "Lord God, I want to have a serious relationship." 27:20 If you've never surrendered to Jesus, 27:21 you can do so now. 27:23 "Lord, take my heart and make it Yours." 27:26 As we end this prayer, you can know that you're a child of God. 27:30 Lord, we thank You, not just for the miracles, 27:32 as wonderful as they are, as much as we appreciate them. 27:36 We thank You for the greatest miracle of all: 27:37 the miracle of salvation. 27:40 Let Jesus be our life today. 27:43 In Jesus' name we pray. 27:46 Amen. 27:47 Thanks so much for joining me. 27:48 Looking forward to seeing you next time. 27:50 Until then, remember: 27:52 "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, 27:56 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 28:00 ♪[theme music]♪ |
Revised 2020-01-22