The journey that leads to heaven is painful but gainful in the end. It is the way of self denial and cross-bearing. Jesus, our example endured the cross because of the joy that was set before Him. The Lord of glory went through a painful ordeal on earth to gain His place at the right hand of the throne of God in heaven. He was beaten, wounded, bruised and finally crucified to die a painful death on the cross.

The principle of sowing and reaping is emphasised in various passages of the Scripture. The Lord expects us to have compassion upon those that trespass against us and forgive them, so that He will also forgive us when we sin against Him. But if we choose to harden our hearts and refuse to forgive our offenders, the Lord likewise will not forgive us when we plead for mercy because of our sins. Do not forget that you will always need God's forgiveness (for there is no man that sinneth not - 1 Kings 8:46).

In our text for today's Bread Of Life, it is clear that Peter recognised the speaker as Lord, yet his response was contradictory. By answering, 'not so, Lord', Peter appears to be saying that he knows better than the Lord. But a slave should obey his Lord without question. Or shouldn't a servant carry out his Master's command without argument?

Many people were around the Lord Jesus but it was only the touch of the woman with the issue of blood that drew virtue from Him. The touch of that poor woman was different because she had a purpose for touching Jesus. She wanted healing and virtue went out from the Lord to heal her. Whatever your need, there is enough virtue from Jesus to satisfy you.

In his day, Absalom was the most beautiful in Israel. As far as the eyes of men could see, there was no blemish in him. But he was like a whited sepulchre which indeed appeared beautiful on the outward but full of hypocrisy and iniquity within. As revealed by the Spirit of the Lord he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Absalom did not have the fear of God but all Israel was deceived to praise him because of his vain beauty: Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised - Proverbs 31:30.