Bread for the Broken

What is it that you have placed before you? Is it the will and desires of the Lord, or is it the will and desires of the world? Today Pastor James encourages you to be aware of the things that you take in each day. The things that you look at and listen to daily have the power to slowly sway your perspectives. Are those things Godly or not? If not, now's as good a time as any to start changing things. Through Gods Word learn what it is that Jesus considers good and begin to place those things in your life.

If unchecked your anger will eventually lead you to place of sin. As such it's important that you learn to take your anger to Jesus. Pastor James teaches you that though anger itself is not a sin the things that it may lead you to do very well may be. By placing Jesus as your master and counselor you'll give yourself a King to whom you can take all your burdens. Get comfortable with speaking to Jesus. Learn to take all things, big or small, to Him. Know that He cares for you and can help you use your anger for His glory.

Have you seen others struggle with sin in life and fear that you yourself are headed down that same path? If so then take it upon yourself to go to Jesus now. Do this and you'll find the help you need to veer back onto the path you're meant to be on. Pastor James reminds you today that if you've failed to place God as the center of your life you are headed towards destruction. It's through Jesus alone that you can find the salvation that your soul desires. Allow Him to define who you are.

Even in the midst of tragic stories and chaos the Lord can take the mess you make and turn it into a masterpiece. He can make beautiful things out of your disasters. He is continually working on you. He is active in your life. He’s forming and fashioning each of us. Pastor James encourages, “You may be sitting in the biggest disaster of your life. I want you to know He’s not done with you yet!”

You may ask the question, “How can I minister to my family and friends. Especially the ones I don’t understand and am totally different from?” You may feel like you’re on two different pages with them. You may wonder how to serve them. He has placed you there, in your family. He is very intentional in everything he does. Pastor James reminds us that Jacob and Esau were total opposites. They didn’t become best friends, but peace was made within their relationship, even though it was hard for them.

There are going to be things that change when you come to Christ, but some of those old ways have a tendency to stick around. Pastor James assures us by saying, “even an all-night wrestling match with Jesus wasn’t going to perfect Jacob. He was still going to go back to Jacob-like tendencies. Isn’t that true of us too?” We are all on a journey called Sanctification. It’s a process. He is refining you. You aren’t perfect. You will mess up. You’re going to make mistakes, that’s part of the journey.

The world will tell you many things. Don’t believe what others have said to you, believe what Jesus has told you. Go back to the word of God. Read it! What does it say? You are a daughter, a son, you are his child! You are way more valuable to Him than anything else in this world. He loves you more than anything. It may sound funny but, He wants you to give up. Give up and surrender your life to Him. Pastor James says, “If you are wrestling with Him, wave your white flag and surrender!”

Pastor James says, “Sometimes it’s really good for you to be alone and sometimes God will show up gently in your life, He’ll know the sweet words you need to hear and sometimes he will show up and put you in a headlock!” He wants to get your attention. One thing you need to know more than anything is that Jesus sees you. That is your real identity. His opinion far surpasses anyone’s opinion of you. He loves you and wants to get you to a place that you ask yourself, “Who are you?”

The Lord is so in love with his children. He cares about every aspect of your life. He has a great plan for you. He’s trying hard every day to get you on the same page as Him. Sometimes you need a gentle pat on the back. You need to hear Him say, “It’s going to be ok!” Pastor James says, “Sometimes you need a Dad to show up and wrestle with you on the living room floor, showing you that He is stronger than you and has everything under control. Try as hard as you may, you can’t beat Him.”

If you ever forget who you are, God will show up when you least expect it and say, “Don’t you remember who you are? Remember what I have done for you! Do you remember how I see you? I see you as a son, a daughter, my child. I love you and care about you.” God will transform you and make you new. He needs you to be a part of His Kingdom work. When you are unsure, take a step back and say “Ok Lord, where am I with you? Who do you say I am? Remind me of my identity in you.”