Wednesday, Nov 30: The Master’s Provision

“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” (v. 41).

 

All four gospel writers gave an account of this occasion when Jesus fed the multitude with a lunch the disciples felt was too small to even offer to the Master. After a busy day, the disciples’ solution was to dismiss the crowd to send them home, but Jesus said, “Give ye them to eat.” A quick survey of possible resources revealed only a lad’s lunch: five loaves and two small fish (John 6:9). Jesus blessed this offering, the disciples distributed it, and it proved to be more than enough to meet the present need.

How often does what we have to offer seem too small and insufficient? The need looks overwhelming, and our resources appear way too limited. However, the Master does not turn down the most minor offer but rather blesses it and uses it beyond what we would ever imagine. The key is to surrender what we have so the Master can bless it; the results will certainly be sufficient for the need. When we surrender what we have, the Master takes our “little” and makes it “lots”! (Rodney Stearns)

“All to Jesus I surrender;

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.”

--- Robin Mark

Our needs are never greater

Than what the Master can provide!

2022-11-28T15:12:19+00:00November 30th, 2022|Categories: God's Word for Today|Tags: , , |0 Comments

God's Provision

Ask several class members to read each of the following verses and to comment upon them with respect to the way that God provides for His children. “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” (Luke 12:24). “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Gen. 3:21). “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things” (Gen. 9:3). “The young lions . . . suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing” (Ps. 34:10). “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Ps. 84:11).

2018-01-10T08:46:18+00:00January 10th, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: |0 Comments

Provision in Famine

Read Genesis 41:53-42:7
“And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands“ (v. 57).

The greatest leader in the greatest country did not have the power to foresee or wisdom to respond to the challenges his dreams foretold. One greater than Pharaoh had foreseen the coming events and had the man of His choice in place.
Joseph had already endured an emotional famine. In prison, he had demonstrated the ability to interpret dreams accurately and give counsel based on the interpretation. He also possessed leadership and managerial skills developed in spite of his circumstances. Now God was going to use Joseph to guide Egypt and Joseph’s own family through the severe famine.
The dreams of Joseph’s youth were coming true! Others had mocked his dreams, yet those dreams had brought him to the place and time where God intended to use him. What if Joseph had become discouraged and quit believing in the dreams God had given him? What if Joseph had looked at the circumstances of his life and decided God did not care and was not able to fulfill the dreams He had given?
What famine or difficult circumstance have you experienced? Allow God to use that experience to bless someone in need today! (LAD)

Thro’ days of toil when heart doth fail . . .
When dangers fierce your path assail . . .
No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you.
— Civilla D. Martin

“God not only knows where He is taking you, but He also knows how to get you there!” (Roy Lessin).

This devotional is the Monday, January 11, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

2016-01-12T08:00:21+00:00January 12th, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

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