"And Jesus said, 'Bring them here to me.'" (Matt. 14:18)
A very large crowd was assembled, and the day was almost gone. The disciples suggested to Jesus that he send the people to nearby villages where they could all buy food and eat. Jesus said "they don't need to go away, you guys feed them." The disciples said, we have only five loaves and two fish. That seemed so small an offering, and yet Jesus said, "Bring them here to me."
You probably remember this story. Jesus had the crowds sit down, he prayed, and he took the small offering and distributed it to the crowd. The scripture says, "They all ate and were satisfied." And when all was said and done there were 12 baskets of food left. That is more than they started with.
Our particular occaisions of life are actually opportunities for God, if we will present them to Him. We need to bring ourselves, our needs, and our resources to God, and say, "Here I am, here is what I have, here is what is needed, what do you want me to do? What will You do?"
There are multiple truths here. Obviously there is faith to believe God can do. There is also obedience. We must give Jesus ourselves and our resources. Not because He needs us or them, but because we need Him. Bring what you have to Jesus today. He will amaze you.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Wells of Strength (Devotional)
Read all of Psalm 84
"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs;" (Ps. 84: 4-5a)
"Baca" is from Hebrew for "weeping". We all face valleys of weeping in our lives. There are times of difficulty and struggle. The person who has placed their faith and confidence in God will not only find their strength to go through these valleys in victory, they will find a way to turn the valleys into wells, springs of strength for others. Their example, their testimony will lead others to find a way.
In the book of Numbers we read, "Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it." (21:17). The Israelites had been traveling over the barren sands of the desert. They were famished with thirst. God told Moses to gather the people together and He would supply their need. The children of God began to sing praises to the Lord and they began to dig in the sands, and God sent springs of water.
The real instrument of digging the wells for the Israelites was their praise to God in the midst of difficult circumstances. Turn your difficulties into opportunities of praise. And God will send refreshing wells of strength in your life.
"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs;" (Ps. 84: 4-5a)
"Baca" is from Hebrew for "weeping". We all face valleys of weeping in our lives. There are times of difficulty and struggle. The person who has placed their faith and confidence in God will not only find their strength to go through these valleys in victory, they will find a way to turn the valleys into wells, springs of strength for others. Their example, their testimony will lead others to find a way.
In the book of Numbers we read, "Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it." (21:17). The Israelites had been traveling over the barren sands of the desert. They were famished with thirst. God told Moses to gather the people together and He would supply their need. The children of God began to sing praises to the Lord and they began to dig in the sands, and God sent springs of water.
The real instrument of digging the wells for the Israelites was their praise to God in the midst of difficult circumstances. Turn your difficulties into opportunities of praise. And God will send refreshing wells of strength in your life.
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