Jesus and his disciples were on a distant shore of the Sea of Galilee. Great crowds of people had followed them to this far off place. It was an impromptu following on the part of the crowd and no one had thought about how long they would be there or how they planned to eat that day - none that is but two.
"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, 'Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?' He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, 'It would take more than half a year's wages to 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?'"(Jn 6:5-9).
Of the thousands there that day only Jesus and a little boy had thought about the need for food in advance. At some point, everyone there would begin o think about it as their stomachs reminded them that it was empty. Before that, they were content to feast on His words, not thinking about how they would feed their bodies.
The little boy thought about it before he left for he day and was prepared to eat but not prepared to feed a crowd of thousands - or so he thought. The disciples hadn't given it any thought until now and now they didn't think much of the idea of feeding the multitude. The people were simply following Jesus and gave no thought to how they would eat. Jesus, however, thought about their need and he was prepared to feed a crowd of thousands, despite the limited provisions and the distance from everyone's homes (McDonald's hadn't put a franchise there just yet).
"Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish" (v. 11). There was enough because God's ability to work through us is not limited to our limitations but fortified by our faith. He can take what little we have to offer and meet great needs with it if only we are willing to offer and others are willing to receive.
You may not think you have enough time or resources or talent to even begin to address the needs of the people around you. You may have only a few loaves and a couple of fish. But God is unlimited in his capacity to multiply what you have as you begin to address those needs.
Stop focusing on how little you have to give and start believing in how much God can do with what you've got. While you may not be able to see how you small amount of whatever can possibly meet the demand, God does see and he is able to do through you what otherwise might be impossible: "What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Lk 18:27). Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Healing The Nation
I can't believe I sat through the election night coverage until the end, which was about 90 minutes ago. I knew I should head to bed but I knew I was watching history in the making and I was determined not to miss it. What some said would be a greater upset than upset than the 1948 Truman victory over Dewey, where the Chicago Daily Tribune's banner headline erroneously read "Dewey Defeats Truman," actually happend: Trump won.
And, I was pleased to see president-elect Trump come out on the stag speaking in humble tones, stating his need for the help of those who were opposed to him, using gracious words regarding Hillary and especially stating the importance of healing a divided nation. I agree with his sentiment and I hope that he works to bring that about but it will not happen unless we, as a nation, turn to God for that healing.
I hope Trump will direct all the power at his disposal to bring people together and that he will make every effort to bind the wounds of a battered nation and set the fracture of a broken union. But while I believe that "there is no authority except that which God has established" (Rom 13:1), I do not believe that it necessarily follows that God will bless the nation in which he establishes a leader. Judgment could come just as easily.
While God may use Trump to bring about healing, it won't happen unless we the people seek the Lord's blessing, looking not unto a political power but rather unto the providence of God to what no man can do without God's blessing: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chron 7:14).
It is not up to one man but up to a nation, who accepting God's Sovereign power, turn to the Lord, asking Him to use the authority He has put in place to lead them to a place unity and healing. Will God use Trump to heal our nation? I don't know, that depends on us. Are we ready to be healed, are we ready to turn to the Lord? Jus' Ask'n.
And, I was pleased to see president-elect Trump come out on the stag speaking in humble tones, stating his need for the help of those who were opposed to him, using gracious words regarding Hillary and especially stating the importance of healing a divided nation. I agree with his sentiment and I hope that he works to bring that about but it will not happen unless we, as a nation, turn to God for that healing.
I hope Trump will direct all the power at his disposal to bring people together and that he will make every effort to bind the wounds of a battered nation and set the fracture of a broken union. But while I believe that "there is no authority except that which God has established" (Rom 13:1), I do not believe that it necessarily follows that God will bless the nation in which he establishes a leader. Judgment could come just as easily.
While God may use Trump to bring about healing, it won't happen unless we the people seek the Lord's blessing, looking not unto a political power but rather unto the providence of God to what no man can do without God's blessing: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chron 7:14).
It is not up to one man but up to a nation, who accepting God's Sovereign power, turn to the Lord, asking Him to use the authority He has put in place to lead them to a place unity and healing. Will God use Trump to heal our nation? I don't know, that depends on us. Are we ready to be healed, are we ready to turn to the Lord? Jus' Ask'n.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
After The Vote
So, Election Day is here. For me it was actually yesterday during early voting, knowing today has more in store for me than I can say grace over already. But, the votes haven't started being counted, that will be after close of polls today.
Then what? Well, I'm not sure altogether but I hope that there can be an end of some of the foolishness we've had to suffer during this campaign season. I pray we can lay aside some of the rhetoric of nonsense generated by both sides. I am looking forward to some level of sanity to replace the polarization each side blames on the other.
I encourage you to vote, if you haven't already. I hope that you will choose based on your conviction of which direction this country ought to go rather than on con-artistry of either camp. Both advance a narrative about the other that is one-sided and both highlight only the best about themselves. The media has not worked to actually uncover the differences between them but only to sensationalize and advance their own agendas. The moment has come and we need to clear the air and vote.
What I mean is that we need to close our eyes and cover our ears for a moment before we decide and think about what we want to see happen in this country, not whether we believe that Trump is more deplorable or Hillary is more dishonest. We need to decide if we want the direction to continue in the way that it has been going or take a different route - that is the real choice.
Trump, by the way, will probably move a little to the left and Hillary will probably move a little to the right when the dust is settled but she will be more left and he will be more right, she will be more socialist and he will be more capitalist - neither will be more or less godly than they've been for the last several decades. We have to decide whether more centralized government is better or more states' rights is preferred. We have to decide whether the status quo or a new turn is desired.
There are so many real issues for which to cast your vote, moral high ground is not one of them. Both of them have plenty of immoral and a-moral attributes to eclipse any semblance of that. Conservative vs liberal and capitalist vs socialist are the real dividing lines. Vote based on which direction you want us to go but lay your vote before God and rely on His Sovereignty not on your personal decision as to who ought to be President of the United States at this point in history.
While you may be convinced you know which candidate ought to be elected (I certainly do), it is God's choice ultimately "...for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God (Rom 13:1) and therefore after the election we are called to accept His Sovereign choice and then pray for "...all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Tim 2:2).
Regardless of who wins the election, Jesus is still King and there is kingdom work yet to be done. That work is not nearly fulfilled at the ballot box. The new administration will not address all of the local needs, the church will, as always, have to set about filling the gaps and pointing to the real Source of our hope: Jesus Christ alone! Jus' Say'n.
Then what? Well, I'm not sure altogether but I hope that there can be an end of some of the foolishness we've had to suffer during this campaign season. I pray we can lay aside some of the rhetoric of nonsense generated by both sides. I am looking forward to some level of sanity to replace the polarization each side blames on the other.
I encourage you to vote, if you haven't already. I hope that you will choose based on your conviction of which direction this country ought to go rather than on con-artistry of either camp. Both advance a narrative about the other that is one-sided and both highlight only the best about themselves. The media has not worked to actually uncover the differences between them but only to sensationalize and advance their own agendas. The moment has come and we need to clear the air and vote.
What I mean is that we need to close our eyes and cover our ears for a moment before we decide and think about what we want to see happen in this country, not whether we believe that Trump is more deplorable or Hillary is more dishonest. We need to decide if we want the direction to continue in the way that it has been going or take a different route - that is the real choice.
Trump, by the way, will probably move a little to the left and Hillary will probably move a little to the right when the dust is settled but she will be more left and he will be more right, she will be more socialist and he will be more capitalist - neither will be more or less godly than they've been for the last several decades. We have to decide whether more centralized government is better or more states' rights is preferred. We have to decide whether the status quo or a new turn is desired.
There are so many real issues for which to cast your vote, moral high ground is not one of them. Both of them have plenty of immoral and a-moral attributes to eclipse any semblance of that. Conservative vs liberal and capitalist vs socialist are the real dividing lines. Vote based on which direction you want us to go but lay your vote before God and rely on His Sovereignty not on your personal decision as to who ought to be President of the United States at this point in history.
While you may be convinced you know which candidate ought to be elected (I certainly do), it is God's choice ultimately "...for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God (Rom 13:1) and therefore after the election we are called to accept His Sovereign choice and then pray for "...all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Tim 2:2).
Regardless of who wins the election, Jesus is still King and there is kingdom work yet to be done. That work is not nearly fulfilled at the ballot box. The new administration will not address all of the local needs, the church will, as always, have to set about filling the gaps and pointing to the real Source of our hope: Jesus Christ alone! Jus' Say'n.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Burdens
In the old spiritual, "Down By The Riverside," the author speaks of the time he will pick up his robe and crown, of a day when he will study war no more - a distance place and time when he will lay down his burdens. He speaks of Heaven, where our yoke is broken and our struggles are left far behind.
But why not now? Shouldn't we lay them down now and live burden free? Isn't the call of Jesus for us to come to him so that he can lift our burdens, so we can experience "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding..."(Phil 4:7)? Yeah, no!
We are called to experience the peace of God but not in the absence of burdens, rather in the middle of them. Far from suggesting that we should be looking for a burden-free life, the apostle Paul says, "each one should carry his own load" (Gal 6:5), unless the load is too much for one, in which case we are to "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (v. 2).
The will of God is not that we live a life free of challenges but that we freely face the challenges of life, trusting in Him and leaning on each other. He calls us to a victorious life of overcomers as opposed to a life of overcome victims. The burdens we face ought not inspire pause as we consider how awful they are but to inspire peace as we consider how awesome God is!
Jesus doesn't call us to peace by casting off our yokes and walking away from the burdens of the day, but to "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt 11:29). Our rest, our peace, our victory is found as we squarely face our burdens trusting God will provide, knowing that he is always near, that he "will never leave [us] as orphans" (Jn 14:18). Jus' Say'n.
But why not now? Shouldn't we lay them down now and live burden free? Isn't the call of Jesus for us to come to him so that he can lift our burdens, so we can experience "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding..."(Phil 4:7)? Yeah, no!
We are called to experience the peace of God but not in the absence of burdens, rather in the middle of them. Far from suggesting that we should be looking for a burden-free life, the apostle Paul says, "each one should carry his own load" (Gal 6:5), unless the load is too much for one, in which case we are to "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (v. 2).
The will of God is not that we live a life free of challenges but that we freely face the challenges of life, trusting in Him and leaning on each other. He calls us to a victorious life of overcomers as opposed to a life of overcome victims. The burdens we face ought not inspire pause as we consider how awful they are but to inspire peace as we consider how awesome God is!
Jesus doesn't call us to peace by casting off our yokes and walking away from the burdens of the day, but to "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt 11:29). Our rest, our peace, our victory is found as we squarely face our burdens trusting God will provide, knowing that he is always near, that he "will never leave [us] as orphans" (Jn 14:18). Jus' Say'n.
Friday, November 4, 2016
What God Allows
I don't remember just who I was talking to the other day when the topic of the election came up but this individual said, "Whomever becomes President is the one God allows." I couldn't disagree, I believe deeply and take great security in God's sovereignty. But that doesn't mean I believe in personal passivity as I know that one of the things God allows is the consequence of our choices: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Gal 6:7).
Just how God's sovereign choice is exercised concurrently with my selecting consequence, I don't entirely understand nor can I adequately explain it. There are some things, like the make up of the Trinity, that leave me scratching my head just a bit. In those matters, I concern myself less with clarity and more with faith.
Nonetheless, I believe in God's sovereignty and I believe in consequences directly connected with our personal choices. So, while I trust God completely with my future, I make plans and take steps to address it, but I don't worry about it knowing that despite my choice and my consequence, God is in control.
Notice what God tells Joshua as he is called to stand in the place of Moses: "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates---all the Hittite country---to the Great Sea on the west" (Josh 1:3-4). God tells Joshua that he was going to give him the territory where Joshua chose to set his foot and then goes on to tell him "Here's the boundaries of the territory I will be giving you.
Joshua was one who trusted greatly in the Soverignty of God but also took seriously mankind's personal need to choose: "
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15).
Solomon seemed to agree: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Prov 16:9). We have the right of choice and the expectations of consequence but God's will remains and we do not have the power to circumvent his Soverignty. So, how does this all work out? I don't truly know except to say that God is faithful and just, and we can trust in his goodness even when we cannot trust in our good choices. Understand? Me neither! But I trust God! I also make choices. Jus' Say'n.
Just how God's sovereign choice is exercised concurrently with my selecting consequence, I don't entirely understand nor can I adequately explain it. There are some things, like the make up of the Trinity, that leave me scratching my head just a bit. In those matters, I concern myself less with clarity and more with faith.
Nonetheless, I believe in God's sovereignty and I believe in consequences directly connected with our personal choices. So, while I trust God completely with my future, I make plans and take steps to address it, but I don't worry about it knowing that despite my choice and my consequence, God is in control.
Notice what God tells Joshua as he is called to stand in the place of Moses: "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates---all the Hittite country---to the Great Sea on the west" (Josh 1:3-4). God tells Joshua that he was going to give him the territory where Joshua chose to set his foot and then goes on to tell him "Here's the boundaries of the territory I will be giving you.
Joshua was one who trusted greatly in the Soverignty of God but also took seriously mankind's personal need to choose: "
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15).
Solomon seemed to agree: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Prov 16:9). We have the right of choice and the expectations of consequence but God's will remains and we do not have the power to circumvent his Soverignty. So, how does this all work out? I don't truly know except to say that God is faithful and just, and we can trust in his goodness even when we cannot trust in our good choices. Understand? Me neither! But I trust God! I also make choices. Jus' Say'n.
What God Allows
I don't remember just who I was talking to the other day when the topic of the election came up but this individual said, "Whomever becomes President is the one God allows." I couldn't disagree, I believe deeply and take great security in God's sovereignty. But that doesn't mean I believe in personal passivity as I know that one of the things God allows is the consequence of our choices: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Gal 6:7).
Just how God's sovereign choice is exercised concurrently with my selecting consequence, I don't entirely understand nor can I adequately explain it. There are some things, like the make up of the Trinity, that leave me scratching my head just a bit. In those matters, I concern myself less with clarity and more with faith.
Nonetheless, I believe in God's sovereignty and I believe in consequences directly connected with our personal choices. So, while I trust God completely with my future, I make plans and take steps to address it, but I don't worry about it knowing that despite my choice and my consequence, God is in control.
Notice what God tells Joshua as he is called to stand in the place of Moses: "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates---all the Hittite country---to the Great Sea on the west" (Josh 1:3-4). God tells Joshua that he was going to give him the territory where Joshua chose to set his foot and then goes on to tell him "Here's the boundaries of the territory I will be giving you.
Joshua was one who trusted greatly in the Soverignty of God but also took seriously mankind's personal need to choose: "
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15).
Solomon seemed to agree: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Prov 16:9). We have the right of choice and the expectations of consequence but God's will remains and we do not have the power to circumvent his Soverignty. So, how does this all work out? I don't truly know except to say that God is faithful and just, and we can trust in his goodness even when we cannot trust in our good choices. Understand? Me neither! But I trust God! I also make choices. Jus' Say'n.
Just how God's sovereign choice is exercised concurrently with my selecting consequence, I don't entirely understand nor can I adequately explain it. There are some things, like the make up of the Trinity, that leave me scratching my head just a bit. In those matters, I concern myself less with clarity and more with faith.
Nonetheless, I believe in God's sovereignty and I believe in consequences directly connected with our personal choices. So, while I trust God completely with my future, I make plans and take steps to address it, but I don't worry about it knowing that despite my choice and my consequence, God is in control.
Notice what God tells Joshua as he is called to stand in the place of Moses: "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates---all the Hittite country---to the Great Sea on the west" (Josh 1:3-4). God tells Joshua that he was going to give him the territory where Joshua chose to set his foot and then goes on to tell him "Here's the boundaries of the territory I will be giving you.
Joshua was one who trusted greatly in the Soverignty of God but also took seriously mankind's personal need to choose: "
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15).
Solomon seemed to agree: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Prov 16:9). We have the right of choice and the expectations of consequence but God's will remains and we do not have the power to circumvent his Soverignty. So, how does this all work out? I don't truly know except to say that God is faithful and just, and we can trust in his goodness even when we cannot trust in our good choices. Understand? Me neither! But I trust God! I also make choices. Jus' Say'n.
What God Allows
I don't remember just who I was talking to the other day when the topic of the election came up but this individual said, "Whomever becomes President is the one God allows." I couldn't disagree, I believe deeply and take great security in God's sovereignty. But that doesn't mean I believe in personal passivity as I know that one of the things God allows is the consequence of our choices: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Gal 6:7).
Just how God's sovereign choice is exercised concurrently with my selecting consequence, I don't entirely understand nor can I adequately explain it. There are some things, like the make up of the Trinity, that leave me scratching my head just a bit. In those matters, I concern myself less with clarity and more with faith.
Nonetheless, I believe in God's sovereignty and I believe in consequences directly connected with our personal choices. So, while I trust God completely with my future, I make plans and take steps to address it, but I don't worry about it knowing that despite my choice and my consequence, God is in control.
Notice what God tells Joshua as he is called to stand in the place of Moses: "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates---all the Hittite country---to the Great Sea on the west" (Josh 1:3-4). God tells Joshua that he was going to give him the territory where Joshua chose to set his foot and then goes on to tell him "Here's the boundaries of the territory I will be giving you.
Joshua was one who trusted greatly in the Soverignty of God but also took seriously mankind's personal need to choose: "
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15).
Solomon seemed to agree: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Prov 16:9). We have the right of choice and the expectations of consequence but God's will remains and we do not have the power to circumvent his Soverignty. So, how does this all work out? I don't truly know except to say that God is faithful and just, and we can trust in his goodness even when we cannot trust in our good choices. Understand? Me neither! But I trust God! I also make choices. Jus' Say'n.
Just how God's sovereign choice is exercised concurrently with my selecting consequence, I don't entirely understand nor can I adequately explain it. There are some things, like the make up of the Trinity, that leave me scratching my head just a bit. In those matters, I concern myself less with clarity and more with faith.
Nonetheless, I believe in God's sovereignty and I believe in consequences directly connected with our personal choices. So, while I trust God completely with my future, I make plans and take steps to address it, but I don't worry about it knowing that despite my choice and my consequence, God is in control.
Notice what God tells Joshua as he is called to stand in the place of Moses: "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates---all the Hittite country---to the Great Sea on the west" (Josh 1:3-4). God tells Joshua that he was going to give him the territory where Joshua chose to set his foot and then goes on to tell him "Here's the boundaries of the territory I will be giving you.
Joshua was one who trusted greatly in the Soverignty of God but also took seriously mankind's personal need to choose: "
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15).
Solomon seemed to agree: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Prov 16:9). We have the right of choice and the expectations of consequence but God's will remains and we do not have the power to circumvent his Soverignty. So, how does this all work out? I don't truly know except to say that God is faithful and just, and we can trust in his goodness even when we cannot trust in our good choices. Understand? Me neither! But I trust God! I also make choices. Jus' Say'n.
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