You Need to Have Light & Bread to Live & Thrive Now
We’re less than a week from the official start of winter. Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are turning our lights on at 4 or 4:30 PM, instead of at 8:30 or 9 PM.
I asked the internet how the lack of light affects us, and found…
Lack of light can disrupt our circadian rhythm, leading to irregular sleep patterns, fatigue, and mood changes such as depression or anxiety. It can also affect physical health by decreasing vitamin D levels, weakening the immune system, and increasing the risk of weight gain and other health issues.
We need light to thrive, and food to live, and those may be the very reasons why Jesus referred to Himself as the Light of the World…
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:12
And the Bread of Life…
“The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
John 6:33, 35
“I am the Bread ofLlife. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.
The Life Application Bible Notes add this about Jesus being our Light…
Jesus called Himself the Light of the World. The pillar of fire represented God’s presence, protection, and guidance [for the Israelites in the Wilderness]. Likewise, Jesus brings God’s presence, protection, and guidance to us.
And added this about Jesus being the Bread of Life…
People eat bread to satisfy physical hunger and to sustain physical life. We can satisfy spiritual hunger and sustain spiritual life only by a right relationship with Jesus.
God created us and the world we live in, knowing what we would need to thrive.
The first thing He created was Light…
Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:3
And after He formed people, He told them…
Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.
Genesis 1:29
But then people sinned, and that sin kept all of us from being spiritually alive as God designed. So, He sent Jesus, the Light of the World and the Bread of Life.
As He always has and always will, God knows what we need most and provides it for us.
Jesus is who we need to thrive now and always.
John wrote…
In the beginning, the Word already existed.
John 1:1, 4
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and His life brought light to everyone.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever
John 6:51a
If you and I want to live and thrive today and eternally, we need the Light of the World and the Bread of Life. We need Jesus today, tomorrow, and always.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer Thanking God for Light and Bread
Heavenly Father, thank you! You created us and have always known what we needed most to thrive physically and spiritually. You knew we would need light to see the path ahead and nourishment to have the strength to walk it, and graciously provided both.
I love that You wanted us to KNOW Jesus as the Light and Bread we need. He is the Light of the World who gave us the only way to be forgiven and live forever in Your presence. He is the Bread of Life who gives us what we need to live fully today and throughout eternity.
I can’t provide my own light, and without light, I can’t have what is necessary for food. There are moments when I forget that. Please forgive me. My very existence depends on Your kindness and generosity.
Your Word tells us that when we place our faith in Jesus, and His Spirit lives within us, we become light to the world. With Your Spirit’s help, we are called to show people Your LOVE and TRUTH.
Father, please help me focus every part of my life on Jesus. He is everything I need to thrive today, tomorrow, and always. Thank you for wanting me to KNOW and LOVE You. Thank you for giving me the TRUTH I need to TRUST You! Thank you for being the Lord of my life. Amen.
When life is challenging and disconcerting, remember…
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all.
1 John 1:5
Jesus said…
“If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the One who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”
John 12:44–46
And by God’s grace, when Jesus’ love lives within us, we become His light to the world around us.
Lee Strobel wrote…
Mother Teresa used the analogy of electricity: “The wire is you and me; the current is God,” she said. “We have the power to let the current pass through us, use us, and produce the light of the world—Jesus.
So, as the song goes…
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
By God’s grace, may you and I be so filled with Light and Bread that we have plenty to share in the world around us. Even in the dark Winter months, He is the source of everything we need.
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Our eternal light and spiritual nourishment. Yes, Jesus gives us all exactly what we need to live for Him. Blessings, Deb!
I am so thankful that the Lord knew exactly who and what we needed and provided both in Jesus. Blessings and HUGS!
I want to shine His light so badly, always in all ways. But I get stuck in some dark places. I don’t want to be there, but it feels like I can’t move, I can’t speak. The devil has me trapped in my own thoughts where hurt and resentment and bitterness grows. Then Jesus shines His light. He reminds me that whatever I focus on, thrives. So I try to focus on being a little more like Him, a little less like me. These are words of a song that have inspired me many a time…”Less like me” by Zach Williams. I pray that we can all shine His light, especially at this time in our lives, where there seems to be so much darkness. All for our Father’s glory! KEEP CALM…SHINE ON!
I’m with you, JoAnne. The enemy is really working to keep me focused on my grief at Christmas approaches. I’m singing lots of praise songs and praying lots of prayers. I want to live close to the Light of Jesus and allow Him to shine through me as I share His love. And amen! All of it for our Father’s glory. God bless you, friend!
Deb, I pray you feel the warmth and comfort of Rev’s spirit during those hard times. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, Rev is.
Thank you so much, JoAnne. Grief has been harder as we approach Christmas. I appreciate you so much for thinking of me and lifting prayers. God bless you!
‘hi”Deb!!…Thankyou. I pray that you have the Love, Light and Bread of Jesus constantly, and the Blessings of God as well!! ….. Thanks be to God!! Amen.
Thank you, Jack! I hope you’re having a wonderful day! Blessings!
A triple amen to this!! Jesus is the “True Bread of Life, The Light of Life and The Life of Life!”
What a great post! Staying focused on HIM is what I try to do. Like JoAnne said, it is not always easy. We all have our dark times.
Jesus is the Light of my life and the Life of my life. Now, I will add, The Bread of my life as well.
Thank You Deb for always being spot on in your posts.
Prayers for you to have a safe and wonderful week. Stay warm my friend.
Oh, thank you, Sue! It’s crazy how many things are at work in and around us trying to distract and discourage us. I worked on a future post today about Jesus being the everything we need. It gave me the encouragement I needed today. Your words blessed me, too. Thanks again, dear friend! Blessings and HUGS!