Plenty

10-24-2014    Mark 6:33-44

S.       33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.42 And they did all eat, and were filled.43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

O.      Jesus feeds the five thousand by blessing and multiplying five loves and two fishes.

A.      What you have can be enough to supply if you entrust it to Jesus. He can multiply until your need is meant. I will put everything, my home, my family, my future and my soul in the hands of Jesus.

P.       Father; I give you my all. Use me as you will. I surrender everything into your hands. Lead me by your Holy Spirit as I put my trust in you. Amen.

Storms

Share your faith at work today! Let Jesus calm your spirit like he calmed the storm! You may help a lost soul to find real peace.

10-10-2014    Mark 4:35-39

S.       35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

O.      Jesus calms the storm.

A.      Jesus brings calm to my mind and soul every time I call out his name. The storm is never bigger than my God’s ability, love or grace.

P.       Father; thank you for peace in the storm, for faith and deliverance. I speak the name of Jesus to my storm. Amen.

Protection

8-28-2014      Acts 27:38-44

S.       38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

O.      Day breaks and the sailors see land and a place to take the ship to land. The ship runs aground and is broken up. To save Paul’s life all the prisoners are told to swim or float on parts of the ship to shore. All aboard made it safe to the shore.

A.      God’s protection for us can be extended to those around us. If we are living as willing and obedient servants our journey can be a testimony to those around us. We must follow the Lord in a humble manner and “be” that testimony.

P.       Father; my request is to see and know your will for this day. I submit to your will and ask you to send your Holy 

Spirit to direct me as I go. Amen. 

Told and Re-Told

8-16-2014      Acts 25:13-21

S.       13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.14And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

O.      King Festus shares his experience with King Agrippa and Bernice concerning Paul. Festus declares that he found nothing worthy of judgment in Paul and would have the matter handled in Jerusalem by Jewish courts but Paul exercised his right as a Roman to be judged by Caesar.

A.      When we are working to spread the gospel many of our listeners will rehearse our words to others. Our work is multiplied and God’s good news becomes a point of interest. We must plant the seed willingly and vigorously to as many as possible. Then and only then is the gospel imprinted into the minds of others that will continue the spreading.  

P.       Father; lead me to the individuals today that I may plant your words in them. Fill me with your spirit and speak through me. Amen.

Instructions Please!

7-30-2014      Acts 22:9-10

S.       9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

O.      The light of God surrounds Paul and his company and he asks, “What shall I do, Lord”.

A.      I must ask God for instruction each and every day.

P.       Father; what would you have me to do today, where should I go, what should I say? Lead me by your Holy Spirit to do your perfect will. Amen.  

Lost Souls

7-28-2014      Acts 21:40

S.       40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

O.      Paul begins his speech to the Jews in the Hebrew tongue.

A.      With his life in danger Paul still wants to explain his conversion. He wants everyone to understand his faith. He is more concerned for the souls of others than for his own life. I want to have this same type of devotion and dedication to others.

P.       Father; I want to share my faith, even to people that disagree with me. I need to love others more than I love myself. Teach me this level of love. Amen. 

Work

7-18-2014      Acts 20:33-34

S.       33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

O.      Paul describes his view of labor and reward.

A.      Working to meet our need is the normal course life. Paul also meets the needs of others and so should I. Many are unable to work and earn a living. God would have me to help those around me. Christians share!

P.       Father; strengthen my ability to work and direct me in my giving. Help me to be an example, like Paul, in my giving and in my compassion. Amen.