"Have you thought of JESUS today?"

It's Monday.  Have you thought of JESUS today?  For Christians, for those who know the one true God, Father, Son and Spirit, it is easy to think of Jesus on Sunday.  Gathering with God's people in worship must, or at least should, bring us face-to-face with the reality of our need for forgiveness and life that come only through faith in Jesus, the Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Then Monday comes ... and for many the Bible is left lying there, closed, as minds are set on a thousand other things.  So the question, "Have you thought of JESUS today?"

I began a new series of messages yesterday entitled, "I AM," intending to hear Jesus' words in the Gospel of John as He says, "I am the Bread of Life," "I am the Light of the World," "I am the Gate for the Sheep," "I am the Resurrection and the Life," "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life," "I am the True Vine," "I am the KING!"  Yesterday we looked at Jesus' words in John 6:35:  "I am the Bread of Life.  Whoever comes to me shall never hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

Jesus called the people to "eat His flesh and drink His blood," then explaining that the words He was speaking were "spirit and life" (vs. 63).  Jesus, God in the flesh, was calling people to come to Him by faith, believing that He was/is the Messiah, the Christ, God's "Anointed One," and to believe in His sacrifice on the cross as the "atonement," the payment for their sin.  After His resurrection He told the disciples to take the Gospel to the world, calling people to "repent," to turn from sin, and to receive forgiveness through His blood.  Biblical "faith" means accepting the testimony of God's Word that Jesus IS who the Bible says He is and that all who believe in Him will be saved from God's judgment against our sin.

The heart of the message is that you will find satisfaction for your soul ONLY in Jesus, when your heart and your mind is set on HIM.  Is it any wonder that so many are living like the old song from "The Rolling Stones," as the words so appropriately said, "I can't get no ... satisfaction!"  They lament, "And I try, and I try, and I try and I try!!"  I stated yesterday, "Do not be surprised if you feel malnourished and dehydrated if you are not eating and drinking Jesus through reading, studying and meditating on the truth of WHO He is and WHAT He has done, is doing and will do for those whom the Father has given Him."

Spiritual hunger and thirst is a choice that billions make every day.  It is a choice many even in the visible church make every day.  If you choose not to "feed" regularly on the one book in the world that will point you to Jesus Christ then your soul will never be satisfied.  As I pointed out in the message, "Food, alcohol, sex, drugs, entertainment, adventure ... and more ... all scream out, 'THIS will satisfy!' ... but in the end, nothing does!  Commercials on TV, advertisements on your phone and in stores and everywhere else promise to deliver, but fall short.  Government tells you they will help you find it by giving you money and other 'things,' but their resources are woefully inadequate to give you spiritual satisfaction."

Jesus says, "I am the Bread of life!  Whoever comes to ME (by faith) shall never hunger, and whoever believes in ME shall never thirst."  You need to "eat and drink" the truth about Jesus that is found in the Gospel as it is revealed and explained in the Bible, GOD's Word.  The emptiness inside, that so many express in a variety of ways, cannot and will not be filled by anything or anyone else.  Only Jesus can satisfy your soul, for only He can bring you to the Father for forgiveness and new life by His Spirit.  Jesus says, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.  And I will raise him up on the last day" (John 6:44).

Our Father in heaven uses His Word and sends His Spirit to bring new life to those whom He gives to His Son to be part of His Bride.  These will receive Jesus as Savior and Lord today, and in the near future will receive Him as King when He returns in all His glory!  Just as you feed your body every day of the week, you need to feed your spirit.  Do not leave your Bible lying unopened during the week.  If you live around Allendale, Michigan, come and join us at Lighthouse Community Church on Sunday mornings, or listen online at lighthouse-ministries.org at about 11:00 a.m.  If you don't live near Allendale, seek out a church body where the truth of God's Word is believed and taught, where you can share fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ.  Then take God's Word during the week and read it, pray, worship, trust and obey out of an abundance of thanksgiving for God's mercy and grace to you in Jesus. KNOW that He is with you and live as a light in the darkness (next week's message!).

Have you thought of Jesus today?  If you have read this, now you have.  Don't stop.  Begin every day by setting your mind on Him and live to serve Him with gladness in your heart.  In the "good times," rejoice and give Him thanks.  In the "hard times" trust Him and seek His wisdom and strength, knowing that you are not alone.  Jesus truly IS the food and drink you need not only to survive, but to live with hope, peace and joy in your heart.  THINK about JESUS!!  You will be glad you did!!