What is '40'? - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35 

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Let’s come to the table and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

During the forty days after His crucifixion, [Jesus] appeared to the apostles from time to time and proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. On these occasions He talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 NLT

Forty days measure the traditional Lenten Season, from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. Sundays are not counted but remain days to celebrate Christ, our living Savior. While every day brings opportunities for the Christian to come face to face with Jesus, choosing these forty days before Easter for spiritual renewal and increased giving, for emphasis on God’s Word and the cost of Jesus’ sacrifice, and the need for Grace could bring unexpected blessings. 

Throughout Scripture, either in days or years, ‘40’ represents purification rituals and periods of rain, prophecies and days of fasting; it counts the lashes for punishment and days of taunting, defines the time for mountain top experiences, wandering in the wilderness, and testing in the desert. Biblical characters - Noah, Moses, Israel, Goliath, Jonah, Elijah, and Jesus - all experienced ‘40’. History reveals ancient civilizations would track time, measure cycles, and record events, frequently using the number ‘40’. So, what is ‘40’? Is it centuries upon centuries of scriptural, historical, and scientific tradition? Is it significant or symbolic? As best I can tell, ‘40’ represents a period of time. The Life Application Study Bible’s commentary for Acts 1:3 says, “Jesus spent 40 days teaching His disciples, and they were drastically changed.” Spending forty days encountering Jesus is life changing.

Lord, in these forty days - teach me, transform me. Like seekers centuries before, my spiritual hunger begs, “Lord, always give us this bread.” – dho

Focus Point: Spending forty days encountering Jesus is life changing.

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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Season of Possibilities - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Let’s come to the table and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. Galatians 5:25 MSG

The heart of Lent, a spiritual tradition beginning in the 4^th century church, creates another opportunity for discipleship. Focusing on self-examination and selfless giving can realign the Believer’s worldview. A time of less busy, of simplicity, of renewed hunger for the Word, of seeing with new eyes can refresh the spirit. This season of spiritual renewal is not required in the Scriptures, but its possibilities can enrich living God’s way, the life of the Spirit.

The world constantly bombards our minds with boredom and pride, grief and anger, ambition and regret. But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic, holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (Galatians:22-23/msg) When we truly encounter the Bread of Life, we will be transformed! The possibilities are endless.

Jesus, teacher and example ~ I long to live more like You! Stop the chaos inside my mind, still my hurried days, feed my hunger for more. “Lord, always give us this bread.” – dho

Focus Point: When we truly encounter the Bread of Life, we will be transformed!

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Feasts, Old and New - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God… a fresh start… the fulfillment of God’s original promise. Galatians 3:26-27 MSG

In the Old Testament, God commands Israel to observe many major holy days and requires particular ritual and religious practices. God’s promises to the Israelites unfold, and year after year within these celebrations, with each feast, His chosen people offer reverence and remembrance for God’s protection, God’s power, God’s provision. Today, faithful Jews still observe these sacred days giving honor and praise to God’s faithfulness.

In the New Testament, when the first century church begins, no requirements or lists of specific holy days or religious sacrifices appear. God’s promise is fulfilled. Jesus becomes the Blood of the Lamb from Passover, His Grace our atonement for sin. With His crucifixion, Jesus’ death rends the veil of the Holy of Holies within the temple, reveals the Mercy Seat, forever offering direct access to God. Old Testament law leads New Testament people into a relationship with Christ. Today, Christians know the presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit, and we feast on Living Bread.

Lamb of God, Your mercy falls gently around me. Restore my hope when fatigue wins, rescue my faith when doubt persuades. The law exposes my needs and my inabilities. “Lord, always give us this bread.” - dho

Focus Point: Today, Christians know the presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit, and we feast on Living Bread.

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Ash Wednesday ~ Needing More - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3

In spiritual preparation to begin His ministry and after fasting forty days in the wilderness, Jesus is tired, weak, and hungry. Satan tempts Jesus. With each of the three temptations, Jesus rebukes the offer quoting Scripture from Deuteronomy. Led into the desert by the Holy Spirit, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus shields Himself with God’s Holy Word. Spiritual warfare always desires to interrupt God’s plan.

As we begin our forty day journey to spiritual renewal, we, too, are surrounded by spiritual warfare, tempted to take short-cuts or feel important or avoid hardship. Sometimes in our weakness we choose temptation’s path only to become disappointed and disillusioned at its end. Jesus tells us, “I AM the bread of life.” Needing more than food to sustain us, we desperately need spiritual nourishment that can only come from Jesus.

God Almighty, I kneel before You, resting my weariness, laying my frail attempts to succeed by my own efforts. Mark me a sinner, one who has failed but is willing to try again. Renew my starving spirit; let my prayer be, “Lord, always give us this bread.” 

– dho

Focus Point: Needing more than food to sustain us, we desperately need spiritual nourishment that can only come from Jesus. 

 All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Preparing for Easter: Lenten 2016 ~ Living Bread

Beginning this week on Ash Wednesday 2/10/16 and throughout the Easter season, you can read daily devotions on my blog. Sign-up to receive emails each day at Breathing Room For My Soul. Join me as we reflect and renew our personal relationship with Jesus. Please share this with your friends. The devotions will also be available on Facebook and Twitter @soulchat. ~ Donna Oswalt

Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger,

and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

This year the readings will explore the Living Bread and include topics on the “Bread of Life”, “Spiritual Famine”, “Soul Food”, “Bread of the Presence”, and “Daily Bread” to name a few. Each Sunday, along with a chosen song, we will look at the mystery of God, with topics such as the “Mystery of Faith”, “Mystery of God’s Image within Us”, the “Mystery of Grace” and more.  When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Let’s take this journey together, as we individually come to the table and remember this Bread “is broken for you”. Pray with me, “Lord, always give us this bread.” John 6:34  ~ Donna Oswalt

Through the Waiting

I pray to GOD - my life a prayer -
and wait for what He'll say and do.

Psalm 130:5 The Message

The Living Bible uses these words ~ I wait expectantly, trusting God for help, for He has promised. When we wait expectantly, that is called hope! In A Long Obedience in the Same Direction Eugene Peterson writes this about Psalm 130 and hope:

Hoping . . . means going about our assigned tasks, confident that God will provide the meaning and the conclusions. . . It is the opposite of desperate and panicky manipulations, of scurrying and worrying.

[Hope] is imagination put in the harness of faith . . . a willingness to let God do it His way and in His time.

Is it our lack of trusting in God's faithful promises or our cynicism towards hope that binds us to despair? Do we worry more about not being able to control circumstances than confidently going about our assigned tasks? Allowing God to work in His way and in His time often requires us to wait. By studying the Scriptures and through prayer, our relationship with God grows; our understanding of His character increases. In His presence we find a peace within the uncertainty; we are embraced by His peace through the waiting. We must wait expectantly on God ~ the One who is Faithful, who is Promise, who is HOPE! ~ dho

Gracious LORD,

I come to the altar shouting praise for

all the blessings in my life. You are the Light

that writes the words of my soul-song. It is

You that gives my heart its desires. You are Hope!

Faithful Father, I am God-strong; my blessings

abundantly exceed my needs. Creator, gather the

details of my life, take Your holy threads and weave

a tapestry of Your design. . . You transcend all

circumstances, expose all evil, reveal all love but

never measure Grace. I am God-strengthened! ~dho