Jesus is the universal answer to a spiritually hungry world. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry…” (John 6:35). The "I AM" God came as a grain of wheat to die and be raised from the dead to pay the price for our sins. He came to this earth as the Bread of Life to give us eternal life. The Lord’s words are life changing: “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33).
 
Each time Jesus called Himself, “I am,” He defined what He is and how He meets our needs. For example, “…I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved… (John 10:9). “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11). “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). “I am the true vine…” (John 15:1). These statements remind us we must come to God on His terms for He alone knows what is best for us.
 
When we see our need for a Savior who offers us the Bread of Life we will come to Him. We will come because we understand Jesus is Lord and He alone can deliver us from the empty way of life (1 Peter 1:18). It is by our faith-filled obedient belief we can receive His life-sustaining bread.

Clark Tatum

There is a story of an actor playing the part of Christ in the “Passion Play” up in the Ozarks. The story reminds us it is not always easy to love. The actor who was a professing Christian got the part of playing Christ. One day as he was carrying the cross up the hill a tourist began heckling him and shouting insults. Finally, the actor had taken all he could take and threw down his cross and walked over to the tourist and punched him. After the play was over, the director told him, “I know he was a pest, but I can’t condone what you did. Besides, you’re playing the part of Jesus. Don’t do anything like that again.” The man promised he wouldn’t, but the next day the heckler was back and the heckler again started insulting him. The actor was trying to control himself, but finally he looked at the heckler and said, “I’ll meet you after the resurrection!”
 
We all know by experience that sometimes it is hard for Christians to behave like Christians should. We carry our crosses, but if someone crosses us, we tend to behave in much the same way the rest of the world behaves. There is nothing more important in life than the love of Christ that enables you to love out of the overflow of Christ’s supreme love (Ephesians 3:18).

Clark Tatum

Forgiveness is much easier in theory than in practice, but the failure to practice forgiveness hurts all involved. The Biblical directive is as simple as it is challenging: “Forgive one another, just as in Christ God has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). To be effective in what we do, to maintain balance in our lives and be a healthy Christian we must learn to forgive. I have found plenty of opportunities to put this directive into practice. Prepare yourselves to forgive fast, forgive first, and forgive often.
 
Scripture reads, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2). Being an imitator of God comes down to imitating God’s love in our relationships with one another. With God’s help we can imitate His love for others. Our love for the Lord changes the way we treat people regardless of how they treat us. Maybe your spouse did something hurtful that wounded your marriage. How did you respond? Just as Christ loved us! Your child did something that hurt you or discouraged you. How did you respond? Just as Christ loved us! What principle do you follow now? Just as Christ loved you!

Clark Tatum