Today’s Scripture…
The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?” Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” They replied, “Seven loaves, and a few small fish.” So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. There were 4,000 men who were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children. Matthew 15:33-39 (NLT)
Devotional Thought…
One day, Jesus was ministering to many people who just would not go away. He realized they needed edible food for their bodies at this point, just as much as they needed the spiritual food He had been serving them for many hours. As He threw the issue out to the disciples, they were focused on what they didn’t have. But Jesus wouldn’t let them stay in an area of thinking that would ultimately result in ministry paralysis. His question was basically, “So what do we have to work with?” When the little they had was collected, Jesus thanked God for it and a miracle followed.
Being thankful for what you have is a game changer. We all have areas of our lives where compared to others we seem lacking. For some it is financial, for others it is relational, health, mental or in our abilities. There are rich people who are relational paupers, and incredibly smart people who have debilitating health issues.
When you are connected to Christ, we must begin realizing that what we have in any area is not by accident. God knows exactly what we have, no matter how little it may seem. He knows what little you can do with what you have and how much He can do with what you have. The key is not getting more so you can get started; the key is being thankful for the little you have and turning it over to God. The same God who has caused donkeys to talk, slaves to become a nation, and thousands to be fed from a few sardines and biscuits is the same God who will take the little you have and show His glory to the world.
Talk to the Lord about this. Has your mental life become a self depreciating beat down as you look at everyone else and compare what you don’t have to what they do have? When is the last time you took an honest and personal inventory of what you really have and given thanks to God for it? Is there something God wants you to do that you have run from because of what you don’t have?
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