Today is August 1.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 6.   
  

Jesus answered... Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For 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.”  
  

This passage comes after the miraculous feeding of the 5000. The same crowd is chasing after Jesus, and he offers them these words: don’t chase after food that will spoil, but chase after that which is eternal – after me. Jesus tells them that their work is to believe in Jesus. What are you chasing after? Are you hungry for belief? For faith?  
   
The crowd asks ‘what work do we need to do’. They are used to religious works. But Jesus says: your work is to believe. Listen again. How does this make you feel? 
   
For many of us, outward works are easier than inner faith. What is the state of your belief today? What is the condition of your faith? Talk to God about this as we end our time of prayer.  
   
Music: The Hidden Place - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)