"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Thursday, 24 November 2016 with Scripture John 6:25-35

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Thursday, 24 November 2016 with Scripture John 6:25-35 
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John 6:25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Yeshua answered, “Yes, indeed! I tell you, you’re not looking for me because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate the bread and had all you wanted! 27 Don’t work for the food which passes away but for the food that stays on into eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For this is the one on whom God the Father has put his seal.”
28 So they said to him, “What should we do in order to perform the works of God?” 29 Yeshua answered, “Here’s what the work of God is: to trust in the one he sent!”
30 They said to him, “Nu, what miracle will you do for us, so that we may see it and trust you? What work can you perform? 31 Our fathers ate man in the desert — as it says in the Tanakh, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[John 6:31 Psalm 78:24; Nehemiah 9:15] 32 Yeshua said to them, “Yes, indeed! I tell you it wasn’t Moshe who gave you the bread from heaven. But my Father is giving you the genuine bread from heaven; 33 for God’s bread is the one who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread from now on.” 35 Yeshua answered, “I am the bread which is life! Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever trusts in me will never be thirsty.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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Jesus taught his disciples to pray "Give us this day our daily bread." Martin Luther in his Small Catechism remarks, "we ask in this prayer that God cause us to recognize what our daily bread is and to receive it with thanksgiving." We of course recognize that the "bread" for which we pray stands for more than just literal bread. So the readings for this Thanksgiving day join that prayer by inviting us to reflect on all the gifts of God that foster a thankful and whole life. Yet the gospel reading is also a call and reminder of our faith in the One who is at the center of all of God's gifts. Jesus claims, "I am the bread of life." At the heart of the gospel is the promise that Jesus is the "true bread" that comes down from heaven and that the Father indeed continues to give us this bread. In him is true life and salvation. 
O giver of the true bread from heaven, help us to receive with thanksgiving your gift of the one who is for us the bread of life as an answer to our prayer, and then share your gifts with your creation as a testimony to your goodness. Amen.
James L. Boyce, '71
Emeritus Professor of New Testament and Greek, Luther Seminary
John 6:25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"
26 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."
28 Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?"
29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
30 So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?
31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "
32 Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."
35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. [New Revised Standard Version]

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"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Wednesday, 23 November 2016 with Scripture Romans 13:11-14
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Romans 13:11 Besides all this, you know at what point of history we stand; so it is high time for you to rouse yourselves from sleep; for the final deliverance is nearer than when we first came to trust. 12 The night is almost over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and arm ourselves with the weapons of light. 13 Let us live properly, as people do in the daytime — not partying and getting drunk, not engaging in sexual immorality and other excesses, not quarrelling and being jealous. 14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Yeshua the Messiah; and don’t waste your time thinking about how to provide for the sinful desires of your old nature[Complete Jewish Bible]
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How many times don't we ask "What time is it?" The question may be about an event close at hand and particular. But it may also be a question about the big picture--about matters of our lives and of the future. Advent invites questions about God's timing and God's future. Paul asserts that in God's timing our future is both a matter of the big picture and an event that is close at hand. The future is now. God's salvation in Christ is as close each day's change from darkness to light, as sure as the putting on of our clothes at the dawning of a new day. God promises today and each day a fresh start in which we can trust in God's power to enable us to live in a way that our lives match the new clothes of God's promising future. 
God of power and light, lift our minds to comprehend the promise of your salvation; help us to meet the Advent of your new day clothed in the light of your promises and hope. Amen.
James L. Boyce, '71
Emeritus Professor of New Testament and Greek, Luther Seminary
Romans 13:11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;
12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;
13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.[New Revised Standard Version]

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