Pastor Stephen Dedman

“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
John 6:27

After feeding the five thousand men and their families, Jesus went up onto a mountain to pray. Meanwhile the disciples got into the boat and started across the lake. Little did they know that Jesus would come to them walking on the water.

Just as Jesus got into the boat they reached the other side. There they met a crowd of people seeking Him and asking when and how He got there. Of course, Jesus didn’t answer them.

His answer could have been, “I walked over the sea through the night, met with My disciples and miraculously landed the boat on the shore.” Instead He told the crowd why they came seeking Him. He told them they were seeking Him for more free food.

Those who went a great distance to find Jesus received some words of wisdom. Jesus made a contrast between material things and spiritual things. He enlightened them on the fact that they were more interested in earthly things than heavenly things.

Jesus desires for us to be spiritually minded rather than carnally minded. He encourages us to seek after spiritual things that will not rust and moth cannot destroy. What is your heart chasing after?

Are you more interested in finding financial freedom than spiritual fulfillment? Are you more intrigued with free food rather than eternal life? Jesus knows the heart!

Pray

Lord, clear my mind of earthly things and cleanse my heart of earthly ways. I desire to seek after You for the eternal things and not material blessings. Give me a heart that is like Yours.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭

Meekness is not defined as being weak or timid. Meekness is actually strength under control.  It takes a strong and patient person to remain meek and gentle.

Moses was considered as one of the meekest according to Numbers 12:3, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” (Numbers‬ ‭12:3‬)  Moses had strength and self-control.

Meekness is demonstrated through humility, patience and discipline. Sometimes when we are not under the control of the Holy Spirit we may say or do something that later we regret. Meekness is a characteristic of God that needs to be learned and practiced in every Believer.

Jesus was meek and gentle.  Jesus says in Matthew 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  We can learn from Jesus as He was the perfect example of meekness for all to see.

We can learn to be meek by recognizing our sinfulness, submitting to Jesus, and saturating our minds in the Word of God. Only when we become more like Jesus can we be meek and gentle. It takes a lot of work but you can do it.

Pray

Lord, I love You and trust You to instruct me in all my ways. Strengthen me to be meek and gentle yet bold and courageous. Help me to be like You.

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:5

The night before Jesus was crucified He washed the disciples’ feet to teach humility and service toward others. It was an act that was bizarre to those who were washed.

Peter was uncomfortable with the fact that Jesus was washing his feet but allowed Jesus to do so.

Jesus wanted to set forth an example of how important it is for leaders to be humble servants. It’s a valuable lesson for everyone to learn. We must always be ready to serve others before ourselves.

Something interesting occurs here in this humbling event. Among the men present to have their feet washed was Judas. Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus just minutes after having his feet washed.

Understand what took place. Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray Him. And He still washed his feet. Jesus humbled Himself to His betrayer.

Be honest. Would you wash the feet of someone you love? You would definitely try. Would you wash the feet of someone who stabbed you in the back? Probably not.

It’s easy to humble yourself before those you love. But to humble yourself and serve your enemy, that’s bizarre! This proves the love of Jesus even more.

While Jesus was dying on the cross He said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus was speaking in regard to those who nailed Him to the cross, which is you and me. We must serve even those who are considered to be our enemies.

Look for an opportunity to serve someone today even if they are on bad list. Show the love of Christ in a radical way.

Pray

Lord, thank You for dying for my sins and setting me free from my sins. Help me to be aware of my sins. Let me be a servant of You and show the humbleness of who You are.