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God, I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to have a relationship with You! Thank You for not only blessing me with Your presence, but for wanting good things for me. I'm honored to serve You, Lord. I pray that all I do will bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING: 1 CHRONICLES 7-9 JOHN 6:22-44 DESCENDANTS OF ISSACHAR mighty warriors. DESCENDANTS OF BENJAMIN mighty warriors. DESCENDANTS OF NAPHTHALI DESCENDANTS OF MANASSEH DESCENDANTS OF EPHRAIM DESCENDANTS OF ASHER mighty warriors chiefs of princes GENEALOGY OF SAUL mighty warriors, bowmen. A GENEALOGY OF THE RETURNED EXILES Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith. the first to dwell again in their possessions were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the temple servants. heads of father's houses according to their father's houses. mighty men for the work of the service of the house of God, chief officer of the house of God, gatekeepers, David and Samuel the seer established them in their office of trust. SAUL'S GENEALOGY REPEATED I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE On the next day, the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. The crown got on their boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus, when they found Him, they said: "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Jesus answered them, "Truly Truly I say to you. you are seeking me not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." they asked "What must we do to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered: "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." they asked: "What sign do you do that we may see and believe in you? what work do you perform?" Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness." Jesus declared that He is the bread of life. it was not Moses who gave it, it was the Father who gives true bread. "sir, give us this bread always" Jesus said: "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. You have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me and I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the Father who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day, everyone who looks on the Son, and believes in him should have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day." The people grumbled that Jesus did not really come down from heaven. Jesus replied "Do not grumble among yourselves, no one can come to me unless sent by the Father, as it is written, they will be taught by God. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.

ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12 2 are better than 1, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, 1 will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if 2 lie together, hey keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against 1 who is alone, 2 will withstand him a threefold cord is not quickly broken

INSIGHT Ecclesiastes portrays the sobering realism about life on earth "under the sun" that is, life experienced within the limits of our humanity, "The teacher" exposes the futility of chasing after the wind. the vapor of what we often assume will bring fulfillment- work, wealth, power, prestige, learning and more. He's resigned to our powerlessness in the face of oppression, poverty, illness, and death. In today's passage, the Teacher contrasts the harsh reality of those who are utterly alone in this meaningless existence with those who have a helpful companion on life's journey. On this side of eternity, a true friend can make all the difference. From end to end, the Bible instructs us to care for our neighbor as ourselves, even if that neighbor is someone we do not know or one we might view as unworthy of our help.

BETTER TOGETHER Meggie's ten years of drug use kept her in and out of jail. Without a life change, she'd soon return. Then she met Hans, a former addict who almost lost his hand when a vein ruptures due to his substance abuse. That was the first time I cried out to God," Hans said. God's answer prepared him to be a peer specialist for an organization that coordinates recovery for jailed addicts. Called Stone Soup, the program is helping American jail provide formerly imprisoned people with support to reenter their communities. Through the plan, Meggie moved into a sober-living house and has stayed sober. Hands now helps her and other with job placement, educational options, treatment and family resources, a coordinated approach. The bible describes the strength of wise partnering: "Two are better than one, because they have good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up" However, "Pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up" Like the Stone Soup folktale, where a hungry traveller invites townspeople to each share one ingredient to make a delicious soup for all, the Bible confirms we are stronger and better together. God's plan is for us to live in community, helping others and receiving help in return. That's no fairy tale; it's truth for life. By: Patricia Raybon

REFLECT AND PRAY How can pooling our resources help us serve people better? What can you give to make a "Stone soup" for your community?

Please bless me, dear God, to join others to help well, In Jesus' name, Amen.