Bible Daily Bread Devotional (BDBD)

In the beginning, when God created Adam and Eve, God had a family plan. “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” (Genesis 1:28) “Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.” (Genesis 4:1) Cain killed his younger brother Able and brought trouble to his family. He was driven from the Lord’s presence. (Genesis 4:13-14) The fool became a servant to the wise son of Adam and Eve, Seth.

In the beginning, when Jesus created the Church, my Lord had a family plan. He blessed them and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you …you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ” (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) He who wins souls is wise.

The apostles planted a seed in Ananias and his wife Sapphira and they believed in the name of the Lord. then Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and kept for themselves some of the money they received from the sale of land for they pretended to give all to the church as a gift. (Acts 5:1-4) Ananias and Sapphira brought trouble to their church family. He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind. The fruit of the righteous is the tree of life. Be careful to ensure the financial welfare of the family, not me.

Trust is a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Some say trust is earned and this is true to a degree for many degrees of trust exist. Trust is a mental decision. I trust more than I know. I trust all kinds of devices will work when I use them.; my automobile, my house keys, my computer, etc. I also have varying degrees of trust in people.

Trust is not the same as faith. Faith comes from a belief system and is therefore permanent. Trust does not come from a belief system. I have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him. Whereas, I trust that the food I just made will taste good. I hope it will taste and smell excellent when I start cooking it. However, I have faith that Jesus will come again and finish what he started.

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. The righteous thrive because they have faith in God; his love, his truth, his commitment, and his mercy. Those who trust in riches will find that, as Jesus warned, “…thieves steal, will rot, decrease in value, and run out.”

Hoarding is our tight dress or a shirt and straight pants that are hidden in the back of our soul closet. Hoarding is a matching outfit with coveting. Hoarding comes out of the closet when scarcity arrives in our neighborhood. The hidden hoarding outfit is put on in times of social need. We put it on and look in the mirror believing that we are sexy and alluring. Yet our neighbors curse the person who hoards when they are in need, especially to raise prices.

Blessing crowns the person who is willing to sell. Jesus taught, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (Luke 16:9-12)

“The one who freely gives gains even more” and “The generous one will prosper”. and “The one refreshing another will be refreshed”. These nonsensical proverbs are made true through God.

What makes a person freely refresh others? What gladly loosens tired purse strings? What causes a hand to willingly give rather than take? Love for others and fear of God. The greatest of these is love. Love is nonsensical to fallen man and wisdom from God.

I can think of a few people to who I will freely give anything including my life; a woman who I made a covenant with before God and my children. There are some people that I would be hesitant to freely give, and some that I would not give. Yet this is not how God does. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God gave freely to those who declared him an enemy. Jesus’ Father in heaven “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45)

“The desire of the righteous ends only in good” (23). I seek that which ends in good. Then meditate to determine and understand what I really desire. Meditate on the righteous. Am I righteous? Do I desire as a righteous man or a religious man? The two are not the same for God determines righteousness not as men and women do. If God has determined that I am righteous then my desire is as he desires and that ends only in good.

The end being good does not mean that the beginning or anywhere in the middle will always be what I consider good. The suffering of Christ was not good physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yet, it ended in his resurrection glory and the resurrection and glory of those who believe in him. The desire of Jesus ends in good.

“The hope of the wicked ends only in wrath” (23). I do not seek the wrath of God. Then meditate to determine and understand my hope and expectations. Meditate on the wicked. Am I wicked? Do I desire as a wicked man or a shrewd steward? The two are not the same for Jesus taught his followers to be shrewd (Matthew 10:16; Luke 16:8) If God has determined that I am wicked then my hope is not as he hopes and that ends only in his fury.

The opposite of love is to detest. The Lord loves and detests. The Lord loves when we express faith, hope, and love from the heart; especially love. (1 Corinthians 13;13) The Lord detests men of a perverse heart (20). A perverse heart resides in the wicked (21).

The word detests (i.e. abomination) is a word that elsewhere expresses abhorrence of pagan practices (Deuteronomy 18:9, 12; Jeremiah 4:1, 7:10, 30, 44:4,22) and moral abuses (3:32; Ezekiel 18:12-13, 24). What the Lord detests is often taught in Proverbs (e.g. 3:32, 6:16, 8:7, 11:20, 12:22, 15:8,9,26, 16:5, etc.) Here, I learn the Lord detests men of perverse hearts.

The Lord delights in those whose ways are blameless (i.e. without fault, righteous). The word delights is a word that elsewhere is linked with rejoicing (8:30,31; Song of Solomon 1:4) To delight in someone and find joy in someone are emotions that stem from a love for that someone. When I find myself having delight and joy because an amazing woman has entered my life means that I am loving who she is as a person. Thus, when the Lord delights in someone’s ways, he is loving their personality.

The Lord’s love for someone and detests for someone have outcomes. “The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.” (21) The Lord’s judgment is coming. Everyone will be judged according to what they did while in the flesh. (Revelations 20:12-13) Jesus taught, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” (Matthew 25:31-33)

Raising crops has been an ongoing human activity for mankind since before the flood. Every culture has farmers with small gardens to 1,000-acre fields. Sowing seeds is a familiar practice. If a farmer wants a harvest of wheat they sow wheat seeds. If a farmer wants oats they sow oat seeds. If a farmer wants rice they sow rice seeds. Fruit and vegetable farms also sow seeds according to the crop they want.

What does it mean to sow righteousness? Galatians 6:7-10 explains, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Sowing righteousness is living and doing the right action. The more I am good to others the more I change. The more I change the more I grow into a character whose heart has faith, hope, and love. “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:17-18) “The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”

Kindhearted women and kind men are celebrated. Kindness is selfless, compassionate, and merciful. Being kind means doing to others as I want them to be done to me. Being kind gain respect and benefits the giver and receiver.

Jesus describes the kind person this way, ““You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:38-48)

Ruthless and cruel people are the inverse of kind people. Though the ruthless may gain wealth, they lose respect and bring trouble to themselves. Being ruthless and cruel is a decision to not resist those impulses. A repeat offender has decided to not be kind for personal gratitude and gain.

Putting up security for another and striking hands in a pledge were talked about in detail in chapter 6 verses 1 thru 5. There the Father tells his son to escape such a trap as quickly as possible. These two phrases are referring to business responsibilities for someone else’s debt or for some other obligation like paying back a debt because I paid for something on credit.

Here the truth is stated that he who puts up security for another will surely suffer. The bondsman trade is a similar type of transaction. The bonding company charges a fee, usually between 12% and 15% of the bond amount so a person who is charged with an alleged crime does not have to be in jail as they await trial. Unlike a cash bond, this fee is non-refundable.

Jesus is like a bondsman in that he put up himself as a bond so that I can go free as I await trial. More than that, on the day of trial I will be found innocent of sin because he paid the price for my sin. Jesus is my bondsman and my scapegoat. Surely Jesus suffered when he put security for me.

1 Peter 2:21-25 states, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Civic righteousness is the subject of verses 11-14. The blessing of the upright comes from God’s blessing and teaching through them. The upright’s good influence and desire for justice for all as well as their prosperity are how a city and nation is lifted up out of the dregs.

“Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.” (Proverbs 25:5; 28:2; 29:4, 14) “In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it; one from the house of David; one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of the righteous” (Isaiah 16:5) His name is Jesus. Those in his kingdom still in this world are the upright.

The members of the kingdom in this world know when to hold their tongue (12) They keep a secret (13). And they are among the many advisers who make victory sure (14). The mouth of the wicked destroys society. They deceive, are dishonest, and sow discord. They lack judgment and thus derides their neighbor (12). They gossip and lack pure and true guidance (13,14)

So herein lays a foundation for my character development; love, faith, and hope – the greatest of these is love. These are good for me and bring civic righteousness.

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices. Surely this is true for the right way to live, interact with others, and do in God’s eyes surely brings prosperity to all. Joy and happiness fill the hearts of many.

When the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Surely this is true for the wrong way to live, interact with others, and do in God’s eye brings suffering is society. People begin knowing who is to blame for society’s woe. When the wicked die people have hope.

I can be a positive influence in my family, town, and country simply by living righteously. Sometimes I doubt that I am making any good impact to others simply because I am one small person who has faith in Jesus and believes his ways are true and good. Yet here I see that a few small acts of faith, hope, and love can make others rejoice though I do not see evidence of it.

Making a straight way means easily and quickly reaching a goal. The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them. How?

The righteousness of the upright delivers them. Verse 4 says it delivers them from death. The delivery in verse 6 is from evil desires.

Jesus taught, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Who is to blame? The wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The unfaithful are trapped by their evil desires. I learn to take control of my evil desires and wicked thoughts. Like any muscle, it takes time and has pain. But after every workout, I feel better.

Integrity is a virtue all desire and fails more times than stacked stones fall over.

Integrity is ethical and moral righteousness. Integrity does not guarantee that others will be righteous toward me. It is better to be a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse (19:1)

Integrity can be seen in the lives of Moses (Numbers 16:15), Samuel (1 Samuel 18:12), an unnamed man (2 Samuel 18:12), an unnamed man of God (1 Kings 13:8, Elisha the man of God (2 Kings 5:16), and the men paying the workers repairing the temple during Joash’s reign (2 Kings 12:15).

Integrity guides the upright in all matters especially dealing with finance and possessions. A person with integrity is perfect and blameless. A person with integrity has singleness of heart and mind. A righteous person sets a good example of integrity; thus being a living sage (Titus 2:7)

Duplicity is a vice all despise and find in ourselves more than stones in a fallen pile.

Duplicity destroys those who practice it. Duplicity is ethical and morally perverse. Duplicity guarantees others will deceive me and be dishonest in their dealings with me. One does not seek to be a better hypocrite whose walk is evil, though it comes naturally to the perverse.

Duplicity was warned by Jesus, “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full… And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full… When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16)

Love must be sincere. (Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 6:6, 1 Peter 1:22)

Faith must be sincere. (1 Timothy 1:5, 1 Timothy 1:5)

Wisdom must be sincere. (James 3:17)

Pride comes in many forms. Not all pride is harmful though most pride experienced is. Humility comes in many forms. Not all humility is good though most humility experience is.

The most historically common definition of pride is a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing and conduct. Biblical pride is a bit different. The Bible defines pride is undue confidence in and attention to one’s own skills, accomplishments, state, possessions, or position. Pride is easier to recognize than to define, easier to recognize in others than in oneself.

The trip of pride as defined by the Bible is that eventually, my skill, accomplishments, state, possessions, or position changes. That which I could be proud of becomes my disgrace. That is why humility is wisdom.

The most historically common definition of humility is the quality or condition of being humble; a modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance and rank. Biblical humility is a bit different. Biblical humility means getting confidence from God, who loves and values me more than I do. Biblical humility means believing what God says about me over anyone else’s opinion, including my own.

Jesus taught, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)

Scales were used for many a millennium in almost all societies during commerce; the buying and selling of goods. Silver and gold would be placed on one tray and various stone weights were used on the other. The device was meant to make each exchange the same and fair. For as long as they have been in use people have swindled each other.

Modern-day application of this verse would deal with honesty in financial matters. Do I pay the full bill when I eat at a restaurant? Do I shoplift? Do I eat food in a grocery store? Do I properly advertise what I am selling? Do I bait and switch? Do I perform at work as was agreed upon when hired? Do I pay and reimburse my employees as agreed upon when hired?

Many believe that swindling another is clever and wise. However, the LORD abhors dishonest business. The Hebrew word for abhors is “to ebah” and can also be translated as “abomination” and “finds disgusting”. Part of the reason he detests dishonest trade is that this wickedness is acting under the color of justice.

The proverb is not saying everyone should make the same pay, nor that neither party should profit. Nor is this saying that if a person has a lot of money and possessions, then they are evil. All this is saying is that we should conduct commerce accurately for this is the Lord’s delight.

Joining these two verses brings forth one of the themes of proverbs. “The way of the LORD is a refuge (strength) for the righteous; they will never be uprooted. The way of the LORD is the ruin of those who do evil; they will not remain in the land.” The way in the Hebrew here is “derek” from the root word “darak” meaning literally “a road” and figuratively “a course of life or mode of action.” So this is the LORD Jesus’ course of life. In the first century, others called those who followed Jesus’ teaching as belonging to the Way. (Acts 9:2, 19:23, 22:4, 24:14,22)

Jesus used parables to help me understand how to live according to his course. He also used those who lived before him as examples of righteous living. The apostles who learned at his feet used direct speech when instructing the way of the LORD. Reading and thinking about Bible passages is guide posts on the way to live eternally. (Isaiah 35:8-9)

Jesus claimed in one of his parables, ““Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

The destiny of walking the LORD’s way is set forth in Psalm 16:11, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Jesus clearly proclaimed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7)

Have hope for joy is in your future. A better day is ahead, a day of joy. The prospect of the righteous is joy. Though today might be mixed with doubts, fears, and disappointments, these will turn into joy. The hope of the righteous is gladness. Though I wake up in darkness, the sun will rise. The hope of righteous people leads to joy.

Peter denied Jesus three times after saying confidently that even if all fell away he would not. A short time later his Master walked with him on the beach giving him a promise and joy. Abraham waited 24 years for a son. Then he said his servant will end up owning all he has. His Master can to his tent with two angels giving him a promise and joy. One year later he held his son in his arms.

The hopes and expectations of the wicked come to nothing. and so end in sorrow. Judas followed Jesus expecting wealth, power, and prestige. He betrayed Jesus and ended up swinging from a loop on a rope. Hope rotted not rotted in truth shall perish.

Solomon has at this time in his proverbs well defined the righteous and the wicked. Simply looking at what each type of person loves and fears assists in understanding and believing this verse. “The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.” The things each believe in and does either extend their life or shorten it.

The righteous fear the Lord (also in 1:7, 29; 2:5, etc.). The righteous will not join the sinner and the violent (1:10-19; 2:12-15) and keep away from immorality with the adulteress and prostitute (2:16-20), they are full of love and faith (3:3), they trust in and acknowledge the Lord (3:5-6), they have sound judgment and discernment (3:21), they are humble (3:33), the Lord is their confidence (3:26), they are generous (3:27), and they are teachable (9:9).

The wicked are the opposite. They do not fear the Lord. They shun him. They are violet and lay with the immoral adulterous and prostitutes. They do not love others and do not have faith in God. They trust and honor only themselves. They lack sound judgment and discernment. They are proud and boast in their deeds and self. They have confidence in only themselves. They hoard and steal. They are not teachable.

The things that the righteous love and fear adds length to their life. While the things that the wicked love and fear shorten their life.

Jesus taught a parable about a wise person building a house on a rock and a fool building a house on sand. (Matthew 7:24-27) These verses revolve around that popular parable. The fool and the wicked experience the same fate. When troubles come the foolish wicked person has been swept away. Yet the righteous wise person stands firm forever.

The fool is not necessarily without perception of the future. They dread a storm overtaking them (24, 1:27). Fear is a powerful motivator. The wicked’s quagmire is that they risk preparing for that which they dread because their heart, mind, and will find pleasure in evil conduct, the sand on which they build their life (23).

The wise perceive the future too. They do not want a storm to come. However, they know it will. Because they delight in wisdom they forgo evil and delight in righteous diligence preparing for the storm (23). The preparation is because they believe God will grant their desires (24).

Jesus is the cornerstone, “a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for. (1 Peter 2:8)

God’s righteousness is what He does in fulfillment of the terms of the covenant that He established with His chosen people through Christ. The righteous person in the Bible is one who meets the demands of a variety of social relations (wife, children, family, friendship, city and nation, servants, foreigners) and has done righteousness before God in their covenant with him, though the requirements of righteousness varied within the covenantal/relational context.

Therefore, the tongue and lips of the righteous are choice silvers, nourishing many. If I want to be righteous I need to speak words of praise about God and be helpful and life-giving to others. Are there any words that I said yesterday that I should correct today? Did I speak God’s name in vain? Did I give him credit for what he’s done? Is there someone today that needs kind and uplifting words from me?

The heart of the wicked is of little value and thus their tongue and lips do not speak words fitting for a covenant with God and others. They are fools that die for lack of judgment. The heart is the control of the tongue. If I speak poor words then I need to ask God to enrich my soul through Jesus. Peter wrote, “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.” (1 Peter 4:11)

The next verse in the journey through the proverbs of Solomon is fitting because for four straight days Facebook has put notices on BDBD posts on their site stating that independent fact-checkers say that they contain false information and yet they say that they have not checked the information. (Their notice to me has conflicting information and poor English.)

Facebook does not state the fact checker’s name, which fact was false, nor why they say it is false, and no way to challenge the claim. I cannot defend myself against my accuser.

“He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.”

How I respond to slander and lying lips is important to God. 1 Peter 3:14-17 states, “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

A good parent will discipline their child because they want their child to be happy and successful in life. A good athletic coach will discipline the members of the team because he wants them to play their best and win. A good teacher will assign homework and projects because they want the students to learn information and how to think. God is my heavenly Father who disciplines me because he loves me and wants me to be like the perfect human, his Son Jesus the Messiah. (Hebrews 12:5)

I want to be on the highway to life. The Hebrew word “orah” here can be translated as “highway, path, and way”. Therefore I need to heed God’s discipline. If I ignore it I will be led astray from life. He who ignores warning strays from the way to life. “When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:32)

Jesus taught, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6,7)

“Love covers all wrongs” (12) and “He who covers over an offense promotes love.” (17:8) The apostle Peter wrote, “Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

When someone expresses unkindness, injustice, and hate toward me I am to respond with love. Love can turn a cold heart warm. Hatred only stirs up dissension. Dissension is a quarrel that separates.

Jesus used an illustration when he taught the principle of love overcoming wrongs. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38-42)

Jesus wants me to be a person who promotes forgiveness by performing acts of love even when someone does not love me. Loving those who do not like me is not at all easy. Loving a person who hates me over and over takes wisdom and courage that comes from the Holy Spirit. Indeed to love as Jesus love takes Jesus living inside me. Lord help me love over and over again with your passion.

The proverb in verse 11 can be flipped for self-examination purposes. Reviewing the words I spoke in my past 24 hours through prayer and meditation I can determine if I was righteous or wicked. If my mouth was a fountain of life for others then I was righteous. If my mouth was overwhelmed with violence towards others then I was wicked.

Jesus’ mouth was a fountain of life. Words like cool spring water flowed from him to others. “The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing.” Jesus said after feeding the 5,000, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” Many left Jesus at that time, but the 12 remained.

Jesus asked the 12, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:63-70) Am I like Jesus speaking words that give hope, faith, and love? Or do I speak words that take away hope, faith, and love?