John 6:11-13 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
Although Jesus could have easily multiplied the bread and fish and miraculously fed the 5000+ people, without anyone's help, He chose instead to use the disciples to distribute the meal. When it was all said and done, the disciples collected twelve baskets filled with leftovers. That was more than enough for them to take on their continued journey with Jesus. What we see here is the result of giving Jesus just a little of what we have, and then making ourselves available to be the hands and feet of Jesus; bringing the blessing to others, as He leads. When we sacrifice for others, in the Name of the Lord, we never lose. God's Word tells us that it is better to give than to receive. However, we have an amazing God who sees what we give, and the heart with which we give it, and blesses us abundantly (maybe not in the way we may want or expect). Nonetheless, the one thing that is certain is that we cannot, and will never, outgive God.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Watch What He Does
John 6:8-9 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
Andrew was an interesting character. Whenever we see Andrew mentioned, he is bringing someone to Jesus. He brought his brother Peter to the Lord, and also the lad who had the bread and the fish. When others wanted to meet Jesus, the other disciples would bring them to Andrew, who then brought them to Jesus. In this account of the Lord feeding the five thousand, Philip had no idea how this would be accomplished, as it seemed to be an impossible thing. Andrew also did not know how this would be accomplished, but he brought to Jesus what little was available. We see a mixture of faith and unbelief in Andrew's actions. Nonetheless, God tells us in His Word that faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain. So my question for us today is this, "What little thing(s) in our life are we holding back from God?" Maybe what we are holding back may seem like it is HUGE, like sacrificing a career or moving to a new location, or giving our life to service; however, in the grand scheme of things, these are little compared to eternity and all that we have already gained in Christ Jesus. We know that the Lord does not call everyone to make such great sacrifices, but He does call us to be living sacrifices, and to die to self. That means that we should be willing, at any given moment, to give of our time, talents, and resources, no matter how little or how small we think they are. Jesus did something great with the little that was brought to Him. It took a step of faith as small as a mustard seed. What little thing can we give to Jesus today that He can use to bless someone else in a big way? What have we been holding back that we can release to Him by faith? In the end, we will receive the greater blessing of knowing that the Lord used us to bless others, and that far greater rewards await us in Heaven. Trust Him, and watch what He does.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
Andrew was an interesting character. Whenever we see Andrew mentioned, he is bringing someone to Jesus. He brought his brother Peter to the Lord, and also the lad who had the bread and the fish. When others wanted to meet Jesus, the other disciples would bring them to Andrew, who then brought them to Jesus. In this account of the Lord feeding the five thousand, Philip had no idea how this would be accomplished, as it seemed to be an impossible thing. Andrew also did not know how this would be accomplished, but he brought to Jesus what little was available. We see a mixture of faith and unbelief in Andrew's actions. Nonetheless, God tells us in His Word that faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain. So my question for us today is this, "What little thing(s) in our life are we holding back from God?" Maybe what we are holding back may seem like it is HUGE, like sacrificing a career or moving to a new location, or giving our life to service; however, in the grand scheme of things, these are little compared to eternity and all that we have already gained in Christ Jesus. We know that the Lord does not call everyone to make such great sacrifices, but He does call us to be living sacrifices, and to die to self. That means that we should be willing, at any given moment, to give of our time, talents, and resources, no matter how little or how small we think they are. Jesus did something great with the little that was brought to Him. It took a step of faith as small as a mustard seed. What little thing can we give to Jesus today that He can use to bless someone else in a big way? What have we been holding back that we can release to Him by faith? In the end, we will receive the greater blessing of knowing that the Lord used us to bless others, and that far greater rewards await us in Heaven. Trust Him, and watch what He does.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
Friday, June 17, 2022
He Works In the Impossible
John 6:5-6 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
There is no doubt that we are living in crazy, and seemingly hopeless times. Everywhere we turn, we see nothing but bad news about what people are doing to each other. We see hatred, we see unkindness, and a lack of love toward one another (even amongst God's people). There are wars and rumors of wars. The economy is in shambles and getting worse, and we see only glimmers of things that bring a little cheer into our lives. However, let us stop and consider today's verses. Jesus was with His disciples, when He saw the multitude that followed. He asked Philip a question about the situation that seemed to have an impossible solution. Yet, Jesus already knew what He would do to resolve the issue. With the number of people that showed up, we can be sure that Philip thought that there would be no way to feed them all. Jesus asked the question, because it was a question that would test Philip's faith. In hard times, in these crazy and economically difficult times, is when our faith is tested. The Lord knows the condition of the world. He warned us it would go this way. He also knows what is coming, and so do we, if we are truly studying His Word. Best of all, when we have no clue about what we are going to do to survive all this, we can trust Him. Why? Because He already knows, and His specialty is working in the impossible.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
There is no doubt that we are living in crazy, and seemingly hopeless times. Everywhere we turn, we see nothing but bad news about what people are doing to each other. We see hatred, we see unkindness, and a lack of love toward one another (even amongst God's people). There are wars and rumors of wars. The economy is in shambles and getting worse, and we see only glimmers of things that bring a little cheer into our lives. However, let us stop and consider today's verses. Jesus was with His disciples, when He saw the multitude that followed. He asked Philip a question about the situation that seemed to have an impossible solution. Yet, Jesus already knew what He would do to resolve the issue. With the number of people that showed up, we can be sure that Philip thought that there would be no way to feed them all. Jesus asked the question, because it was a question that would test Philip's faith. In hard times, in these crazy and economically difficult times, is when our faith is tested. The Lord knows the condition of the world. He warned us it would go this way. He also knows what is coming, and so do we, if we are truly studying His Word. Best of all, when we have no clue about what we are going to do to survive all this, we can trust Him. Why? Because He already knows, and His specialty is working in the impossible.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
It Is Only Found In One
John 5:39-40 "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."
How disappointing and tragic it will be for those who have trusted in their own works or trusted in an erroneous belief that they were saved, simply because they believed in God and knew a few verses. The Bible tells us that even the devils believe, but they tremble. Why? Because they know that in the end they will perish. Man is no exception. If we are trusting in anything other than the finished work of Jesus on the cross and the fact that He rose again and is alive, then we have fallen short. If we are trusting in our "good" works and in being a "good" person, but have not believed and called upon the Name of the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, then we are sadly on the path to Hell. The evidence that Jesus was (and is) Messiah was right before the very eyes of the Jews, in the very Scriptures they had access to; yet they did not believe. They thought they were "okay" with God because they had His Word. Yet, these were the very Scriptures, the very Law that they themselves could not keep and often made less important than their made up traditions. What are we trusting in today? Are we trusting that we are "okay" with God because we dust off our Bibles and carry them to the church building on Sundays, and keep some religious ritual? Are we trusting in our own "good" works, and in being a "good" person? If so, then it is far past the time that we reevaluate our relationship with Jesus, or lack thereof. Knowing Bible verses, going to church every week, and being "good", will not gain us eternal life or save us. Salvation is found in only One; and that One is Jesus.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
How disappointing and tragic it will be for those who have trusted in their own works or trusted in an erroneous belief that they were saved, simply because they believed in God and knew a few verses. The Bible tells us that even the devils believe, but they tremble. Why? Because they know that in the end they will perish. Man is no exception. If we are trusting in anything other than the finished work of Jesus on the cross and the fact that He rose again and is alive, then we have fallen short. If we are trusting in our "good" works and in being a "good" person, but have not believed and called upon the Name of the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, then we are sadly on the path to Hell. The evidence that Jesus was (and is) Messiah was right before the very eyes of the Jews, in the very Scriptures they had access to; yet they did not believe. They thought they were "okay" with God because they had His Word. Yet, these were the very Scriptures, the very Law that they themselves could not keep and often made less important than their made up traditions. What are we trusting in today? Are we trusting that we are "okay" with God because we dust off our Bibles and carry them to the church building on Sundays, and keep some religious ritual? Are we trusting in our own "good" works, and in being a "good" person? If so, then it is far past the time that we reevaluate our relationship with Jesus, or lack thereof. Knowing Bible verses, going to church every week, and being "good", will not gain us eternal life or save us. Salvation is found in only One; and that One is Jesus.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
Friday, June 10, 2022
Smoking or Non-Smoking
John 5:28-29 "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."
Today's verses are a wonderful reminder, and a warning, for both the saved and the unsaved. To the unsaved, it is a warning that the Day of Judgement is coming, and it is not as far away as you may think. First, because we are not guaranteed tomorrow, and once you close your eyes in death, it is way too late to choose eternal life. Jesus told His audience not to marvel, or not to be surprised, at what He had just said about the fact that He is the Giver of life eternal and also Judge. In other words, stop wasting time and make a decision, because you do not have much of it to waste; and, "If you think that's something, greater things are coming." He gave a message of hope for us who have believed, repented, and called on His Name. In the midst of the times that we are living in, we can easily let our burdens and troubles overshadow the truth of what is in store for us. We need to take our eyes off the circumstances that the enemy and the evildoers of this world want us to focus on, and refocus on the promises of God and the hope we have of His return. Even if we leave this earth by way of death, we will be present with Him and one day be resurrected to physically be with Him while He rules and reigns here on earth. If we cannot get excited about that, then we should check our pulse and make sure we are still alive. The fact of the matter is that we either accept Him and reserve our place in Heaven, or we reject Him and reserve our place in Hell. The choice is very clear...smoking or non-smoking.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
What Are We Waiting For?
John 5:24-27 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man."
A time is coming when those who read this will no longer have an opportunity to make the single most important decision any one of us could make. What is that decision, you ask? The decision to believe, and put your trust in the only begotten Son of God, the One who gave His life so that we could have eternal life in Him. You say you are not ready and you want to wait. Okay, well, answer this for me, "Who gave you the written guarantee that you will be here tomorrow, or even later today, to make that decision?" The truth is that life is like a vapor, and we are never guaranteed tomorrow, or even the next moment. Jesus made something very clear. There are two choices. The first is to believe in Him, respond to His Word and receive eternal life, or choose unbelief, ignore His voice, and be condemned for eternity. Hell and the Lake of Fire are just as real as Heaven. If you do not know Jesus, then right now, not later or tomorrow, is the time to repent, call on His Name by faith, and accept the free gift of salvation He offers. If you have already done that, and you are enjoying a life of faith and hope, then my question to you is this, "Do you also believe that Hell is as real as Heaven?" If so, is that belief reflected in how diligent we are to tell others about Jesus, and warn them about the consequences of rejecting Him, and waiting too long to make that decision? If not...what are we waiting for?
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
Monday, June 6, 2022
Be Sober, Be Vigilant, and Don't Forsake the Assembling...
I'll just leave this right here... 1 Peter 5:8-9; Hebrew 10:23-25
STOP and START
John 5:19-20 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel."
If we have ever wondered how we should live the Christian life, today we can stop wondering and simply follow Jesus' example. He made it clear in these verses that He simply did whatever the Father did. To follow Jesus' example is to follow the Father. Far too often we complicate the Christian life by trying to reinvent the wheel. God has provided everything we need to live a life of faith that will be pleasing to Him. He gave us His Word and gave us His Spirit. We have been equipped with everything we need to live out a life that will bring honor and glory to our God. As we live out this life, in accordance with God's Word, and by the leading of the Spirit, we will see God do great things in our life and the lives of others. Notice that I did not say that we will do great things. No, He will do great things, because this life is not about us, it is about Him. Besides, He did tell us that without Him we can do nothing; but praise be to God that with Him all things are possible. The Father loved Jesus and showed Him all things. Jesus loved us and showed us all we needed to see and learn. So, let us STOP making excuses, and START living the life God has called us to live, so that we too can be the example that others can follow, knowing that if they follow us they will really be following Jesus.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
Friday, June 3, 2022
The Need to Heed
John 5:14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
Jesus issued a warning to this man that we all need to heed and act upon. The man suffered from an illness that left him incapacitated to the point that he could not, in and of himself, reach the pool to touch the water and be healed. However, the real problem was not his physical condition. His real problem was his spiritual condition. Jesus healed him physically, but made it clear that the real healing was the healing of his soul. The real illness was his sin. There are far too many who are walking on a path that is leading to eternal condemnation; the path to Hell and the Lake of Fire. We have the answer and the cure, in Christ Jesus. There are others, like us, who know Jesus, but are sickly Christians because we are holding on to "pet" unconfessed sins. Jesus is ready and willing to forgive the unsaved and give them eternal life, if they will believe, repent, and call on Him. However, we must bring them the Good News. For us, we need to repent and ask for the Lord's forgiveness. He promised in 1 John 1:8-9 that He would. However, to all who have done this and accepted His forgiveness, He repeats the same warning, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” We need to heed the warning and be careful to act upon it...now!
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
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