Have you ever practiced anything much? I have spent many hours attempting to get better at playing disc golf since I moved here to Oklahoma. Who would’ve thought?
As would be expected. many sessions of driving, approaching and putting have been both a cause of heartache and rejoicing, BUT Hallelujah!! I have noticed also that I am getting better!! WOOHOO!!
It has been great to practice and then to play and then see my form and speed improve, and the results!
Far too often, people quit before they see the results or success of any kind. My encouragement? Keep at it and tell yourself you can do it!
Repetition in any field creates a better you and solidifies the realities of what you have set your mind to do.
What sort of things do you practice and repeat to yourself? About others? About circumstances? If we will make the best choice and declare what God says about us, then we too can succeed beyond our own expectations.
In the Gospel of John, an all-important phrase spoken by Jesus, is repeated seven times when he repeats the words, “I am.”
His bold declarations and continued repetition are awesome to see because, “he talked the walk and walked the talk.”
The Bread of Life
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35
Jesus spoke these words after a quiet night alone in the wilderness. He fled to this wilderness after the miracle of feeding the 5,000 men (and more women and children) with just five loaves and two fish. Following this miracle and these words, the people, somehow, still asked for a sign that they could believe in Him. After all, they argued, their ancestors had manna. Jesus assured them that although their ancestors were given manna, they were dead. He offered the kind of bread that those who ate would never die.
Jesus, as the bread of life, offered each eternal life-giving food.
The Light of the World
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” John 8:12
Jesus uttered these words to a group that had just witnessed an incredible scene. Teaching in the temple, a woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus. As the accusers attempted to trick Jesus by asking if He thought the woman should be stoned, Jesus quietly wrote in the sand. The accusers left after his challenge to them and the embarrassed woman was set free with forgiveness and the admonition to turn away from the darkness. Now, in that moment turning to the remaining assembled people, Jesus tells them that He is the light of the world.
Jesus, as the light of the world offers a choice between the darkness of sin and the shining light of a life connected the source, God.
The Door
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” -John 10:9
Here Jesus tapped into something familiar to each of His listeners—shepherding. Likely, the sounds of nearby sheep echoed behind Him as He spoke, and the metal picture of anyone sneaking into a sheepfold by any means other than the door was clearly understood. The only legitimate access to the sheep was through the door.
Jesus is that door and he alone offers the true path to wholeness.
The Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” -John 10:11
Jesus is the door and so much more. He is the shepherd—the one whose voice the sheep know and trust. The shepherd will protect and save the sheep at any cost.
Jesus, as the good shepherd, gave his life for each of us.
The Resurrection and Life
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” -John 11:25, 26
Jesus’ friends: Mary, and Martha were distraught because Jesus arrived too late—and now their brother Lazarus is dead. The grieving Martha hears Him say, “Your brother will rise again,” and she responds in faith, affirming that he will rise in the last days. But Jesus has other, more immediate plans for Lazarus.
Jesus, the resurrection and the life, will raise the dead and gather all who believe, just as he raised Lazarus.
The Way, the Truth and the Life
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” -John 14:6
Thomas and the rest of Jesus’ disciples could not comprehend His leaving them. He warned them—on multiple occasions—but they could not seem to accept it. As they struggled with this, Jesus helped them to see the Father and to understand that they were one.
Jesus, as the way and the truth and the life, is the bridge between God and man and he is our mediator too!
The Vine
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5
As Jesus spoke, quite possibly the vines hung heavy with ripened fruit throughout the region. His listeners understood the significance of the vine and the dependency the branches had, needing to be connected to the source of nutrition and water.
Jesus, as the vine, is our source of life—life today and everlasting life.
John records this repeated phrase, “I am” seven times , and each repetition adds another layer of understanding of God’s love for us and Jesus’ mission to us and for us.
He led by example and then lowered himself to serve and help others arise. He encouraged, confronted and challenged those he taught, to raise them up to another level of spiritual understanding: one of embracing God as their Father and that they too could have a personal relationship with Him.
Jesus made these amazing statements as God gave him the words to speak, and in doing so changed many lives and realistically, he changed history.
Today, as children of God, we too can and will have this same type of influence as we boldly proclaim Jesus Christ, the greatest example of love and grace of all time! Our Father can change the heart of anyone. Anywhere, anyplace, anytime!!
I Samuel 16:7 KJV
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Chosen Gems 