~ Not Enough? ~

[Lani]

Matthew 15:29-39
29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala,


Jesus looked at [the disciples] and said, "for mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 (NRSV)


When I was asked to lead a Bible study on the Book of Romans, I immediately thought that I didn't have enough knowledge or experience. But after a few weeks of study, lots of prayer, and some help from my pastor, I began to see that I could lead the study and make it worthwhile and interesting for the people who attended. Like me, many of us when confronted with a task or asked to be in charge of a project lament that we do not have enough - enough help, enough money, enough time, or enough talent.

The reaction of the disciples must have been similar when Jesus told them to feed the huge crowd of followers with only seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. I can see them looking at each other, maybe rolling their eyes, and saying under their breath, "This will never be enough to feed all these people." Then when thousands had eaten their fill and leftovers were gathered up, the disciples must have been astonished. However, they also must have realized that this was simply another example of the unlimited power of their Lord.

Sometimes we forget to consider this power. If we ask Christ to help in working for the Kindergarten kingdom, help is sure to come; with God anything is possible. instead of being discouraged when we think we don't have "enough," we can decide to be open to the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Lord, strengthen our trust in your however to help us work for you, even when we feel overwhelmed.

Prayer Focus of Day: Bible Teachers

Thought for the Day: God makes the impossible possible

Story shared by: J. Jackson, (DE)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional 7/13/11