Sisters 2023: Jesus Is Able

Jesus, the Bread of Life in Seasons of Waiting

Scripture References

Primary text

• John 6
• Psalm 78

Other references

• Exodus 14
• Psalm 23
• Hebrews 11:6
• Revelation 3:2

Overview

Launching a 20-day focus on Jesus’ words “I am the bread of life,” the message calls believers to trust God’s provision while they wait for unanswered prayers. Looking at the crowd in John 6 and Israel’s wilderness story in Psalm 78, we learn what not to do in trouble—forget, fixate, or fear—and what to do instead: remember God’s faithfulness, focus on His character, and believe He is infinitely able.

Context

• The talk opens with light “either-or” bread questions (pancakes vs. waffles, cornbread vs. biscuit) to surface our many personal preferences—and to ask, “What bread have you been praying for?”
• Amy shares her own 10-month prayer for a friend’s husband in health crisis, setting the stage for a study on waiting.

Main Points

Don’t forget God’s faithfulness

• Psalm 78 shows Israel “misplacing their attention” and overlooking miracles they had just witnessed.
• Examples they ignored: Red Sea split, cloud by day, fire by night, water from a rock.
• Forgetting = neglecting to call to mind; remedy is active remembrance and testimony.
• Illustration: Amy lists dozens of personal rescues—supernatural protection in childhood, God-given friendships, starting Life.Church and Branch15, family healings, provision for homeschooling, and congregation stories like Emily’s post-stroke recovery.
• Practicing remembrance fuels faith for today and for the next generation.

Don’t focus on your frustration

• Israel demanded, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?” right after eating miracle manna and quail (Psalm 78:17-20).
• Fixating on lack eclipses awareness of daily guidance and provision.
• Story: During the most painful ministry year, Amy wanted to “throw in the towel.” God told her, “Stand down, be still,” echoing Exodus 14. She obeyed, worshiped, declared who God is (“You’re my Healer… Deliverer… Refuge”), and watched Him fight the battle.
• Question for reflection: Are you more focused on the problem than on the Provider?

Don’t fear the future

• Despite wonders, Israel still sinned through unbelief (Psalm 78:32). Fear flows from mistrust.
• God is not merely 100 % able; His ability is limitless—“infinity percent able.”
• Hebrews 11:6 shows faith pleases God; He never rebukes us for believing too much.
• Understanding isn’t a prerequisite for trust (unsolved math problems illustrate human limits).
• Proverbs 3:5-6 (paraphrased) calls us to lean not on our own understanding.
• David models confidence: “You prepare a table before me… goodness and mercy will follow me” (Psalm 23).

Key Truths

• Remembering and retelling God’s deeds protects us from spiritual amnesia.
• Fixation on unmet desires blinds us to daily manna already on the table.
• Faith that pleases God trusts His character beyond visible circumstances.
• Waiting is not wasted; God works in the “be still” seasons and fights for us.
• Jesus, the Bread of Life, is both our provision now and our eternal satisfaction.

Response

• List specific instances of God’s past faithfulness and share them with someone this week.
• Shift daily prayers from “Can You?” to declarations of who God is.
• Replace worry loops with still worship: speak His names until peace returns.
• Pray persistently like the persistent widow—ask again without losing hope.
• Step toward Jesus’ table today; bring your weariness, burdens, and expectations to Him.

Closing

Our wilderness questions—“Can God provide?”—are answered in Christ. He is already spreading a table before us, inviting us to trust His limitless ability. The message ends with an invitation to come humbly, boldly, and repeatedly to the Bread of Life for daily sustenance and eternal salvation.

“Come and taste and see that the Lord is good… He is infinity percent able.”

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself as the Bread of Life. Forgive our unbelief, our complaints, and our anxious focus on what we lack. We choose to remember Your deeds, to stand still while You fight our battles, and to trust Your infinite ability. Give us today our daily bread, move mightily in the cries of our hearts, and be glorified through every breakthrough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”