Daily Bible Reading: Acts 22
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. - Acts 4:32-35 NIV
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
... my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me---the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. - Acts 20:24 NIV
There is an account of Jesus feeding the five thousand in each Gospel. Each version highlights different pieces of the same story. If you want to look at them further they are found in Matt. 14, Mark 6, Luke 9 and John 6.
In each version of the story Jesus tells the disciples to feed the people. In John 6 it says the request was a test and continues on to give two examples of their responses.
Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" John 6:7-9
In Matthew 14:18 Jesus directed them “Bring them to me.”
As we read each account we see Jesus took what they had and made it more than enough to feed all the people.
Philip, along with most of the others it seems, were full of suggestions to send the people away or reasons why it could not be done. Andrew responded saying, here is what we have, but how can it be enough? Their responses reveal two attitudes that we can take when doing the Lord’s work. We can make excuses and focus on the difficulties and apparent impossibilities or we can freely offer what we have and Jesus will make it more than enough to accomplish his purpose.
If we, as individuals and as a community of Christ followers, are faithful to give of what we have as the Lord leads then there is no reason to doubt that the Lord will make it more than enough to accomplish his purposes.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the God who promises to supply all our needs in Christ Jesus. I pray that you will find us faithful in our work and in our giving. Help us to freely give of what we have and trust you for the rest. You are mighty and able to do more than we can ask or imagine. Holy Spirit guide and direct us so that we may finish the race and complete the tasks the Lord Jesus has given us. What an exciting journey to be on with you. Amen
Timberlake Church One Million Reasons Daily Devotional
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