The boardwalk gave us a dry path through the swampy  undergrowth. Without it, we would have been wet to the knees.

There was another path that paralleled the one we took, but it wandered straight through the swamp without the benefit of a high and dry walkway. It ended somewhere deep in the wet.

It’s nice to have a clear path at times. The pathway to salvation is less clear in the world. Yet, one thing is apparent: almost every faith recognizes Jesus in some way.

The Baha’i believe he is who he claimed to be. The problem is that they accept other views that make the claims about their paths equally valid. So to them, Jesus is one of many ways.

The Muslim faith accepts Jesus as a prophet.

The Buddhists accept Jesus as an enlightened messenger, although they do not accept his claims of being God or the path to redemption.

The Hindu view of Jesus is as an avatar. An avatar is the descent of a deity into animal or human form for the sake of humanity. That means they accept him as a god.

The Rastafarians accept Christ as a prophet. The Shinto accept Him as another way to redemption. The orthodox Jewish view sees Christ as a man, not God. To the Sikh, Jesus was a prophet.

All these faiths acknowledge Jesus in some way, though they differ on the details. Since they all recognize Him, why don’t we look to the source and examine the words of Jesus Himself?

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:7-9

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  John 10:14-15

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

Christ is the only path that will lead to your salvation. Don’t be lured into the weeds by those who acknowledge Him but refuse to accept what He clearly claimed.

If you haven’t done so yet, choose Jesus today.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed, 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

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Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The busy little gray squirrel was happily munching on some  sunflower seeds someone had left. The trail is clearly marked with don’t feel the birds’ signs, but there are always plenty of seeds left around for the squirrels and birds.

This little fellow looked to me as if he were offering a prayer of thanksgiving. He had his eyes closed right up until I snapped the shot.

He got me thinking about the custom of saying “grace” or giving thanks before a meal. Why do we call it grace, and does the Bible tell us to do it?

I couldn’t find a definitive answer to why it is called a grace. From early church days, a short prayer of thanks acknowledging God’s grace and provision was called a “grace,” so perhaps that’s where it comes from.

The Bible doesn’t explicitly tell us to offer a blessing before a meal, though it does call us, in general terms, to be thankful. 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you I Thessalonians 5:16-18

We do see the practice modeled in Scripture.

Jesus gave thanks after the miracles of the loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:19-21; 15:34-36). At the Last Supper, He called his followers to give thanks (Luke 24:30).

When lost at sea, Paul offered thanks for the food.

As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. Acts 27:33-35

When we give thanks for our food, we acknowledge that all things come from Him.

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36

Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11

Offering a prayer of grace or thanksgiving is not a requirement given by God, but a simple acknowledgement of gratitude for His provision.

May we learn to practice gratitude.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed, 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. Feel free to comment.

Did you know that we have an email version? Subscribe today 

___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word. 

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.