Philip knows where to buy bread in his hometown and he knows that they could come up with 200 denarii but it wouldn't buy enough bread. 200 Denarri!!!! One denarii is a day's wage. 200!!!! That's six months of daily wages. What disciple had that kind of wealth? In today's economy, at minimum wage, six months of working every single day would net almost $12,000. And that still wouldn't be enough to feed them a full meal.
And where could Philip find that much barley bread and fish in Bethsaida? The town was emptied----they were all there. There were 15,000, maybe 20,000 hungry people sitting there. It would take 15,000 pounds of bread and fish to feed that many. And how long would that take to serve 20,000 people? Have you ever tried to serve 500 people at a reception real fast? 20,000!!!!
This is a major miracle before their eyes. Not only does Christ have the power to deliver the food instantaneously (each disciple taking one second to feed the 20,000----you can make it through no more than 3,000 per hour and probably collapse right there staring at another 17,000 hungry people), but there are 12 baskets left over. No delays with God's Hand, God's Power.
You know, some of those 20,000 people are poverty-stricken and don't eat that well. Yet, they weren't grabbing for more. They were satisfied. This is a parable of Abundance.
Do I know His Power to supply all of my needs and so much more? Am I trusting Him for more? He is stirring up faith in our hearts. He will fulfill every desire we have to do what's right. Those desires aren't coming from the enemy of your soul. May you press into and lean hard on the Christ, this day, our Abundant Provider and His Infinite Resources for whatever need you hold in your heart!
Whatever you face this day, there are 5 barley loaves and 2 fish waiting. At the lowest point of my life, a friend said to me when I cried out to him for help: "Five Loaves & Two Fish." Somehow, at that moment, I knew a little bit more than the moment before, that God was going to show up in my despair. And He did...with so much more than I could have ever imagined!
I love the thought of desires coming from Jesus, He wants to provide abundantly to show us his power. We are in England visiting Mike's family. I have a couple of prayer requests.......1. Mike is sick, coughing so much. He was on antibiotics, but has been sick for a couple of weeks, we don't leave until Saturday and could use a miracle today........2.the family doesn't know Jesus. Please pray for openings to share Him. Thanks, pearls.
ReplyDeleteChrist always gave thanks before He broke bread.....1000 Gifts..she pointed that out and I as I re-read it the other day and then today, it said to me....being grateful in ALL things is what is necessary. I believe it helps to unleash the power and everything that He wants to give to us. He wants to give to us more of Him. Are we thankful enough when He does show up?
ReplyDeleteBev, thank you for the verse last night. One that I have clung to for so long. I am concerned about you. You did not say what the doctor said when he finally saw you. Praying for His power to be unleashed for you today and be showered on you abundantly in more ways than you ever thought possible. Eph. 3:20
Bev....left you a msg on FB....explains what happened today.
ReplyDeleteThe logistics of feeding 20,000 are amazing in themselves. But His provision and love is unfathomable.
ReplyDeleteHe is so abundantly MORE.
Praying for Mike today, Jan, for healing... and for Mary Lou to be whole again with a strong and regularly beating heart...for Angie for safe travels home...for Bev for good test results...for Deborah for restoration...for Sylvia for rest and patience in letting God order her steps...for the reader who stopped by here today for refreshment...May we all find our abundance in Christ Jesus.
And know a little bit more
ReplyDeletethat there is so much more...
I didn't say what the doctor said cause I never know until 24 hours later when my tumor markers come back which will probably be tomorrow or Friday. I did ask him this question: Does anyone ever score a "0" on a tumor marker. No. Almost everyone will show markers in their body---that was new for me! Tumor markers are substances that can be found in the body when cancer is present. Along with other tests, tumor markers can be used to help show if cancer is present, to determine the type of cancer, and in some cases to help show if treatment is working. So, I asked my oncologist what he thought about my low #'s and his response was u.n.b.e.l.i.e.v.a.b.l.e
and I'll blog about it when I got my tumor markers back manana.
Love you guys!
Whoa, Bev! I pray today is not a roller coaster for you but for peace and joy as we continue to celebrate your healing. He shows up so beautifully in your life, not because of what He does for you, but because His love is all over you. Love you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying the slow read of the New Testament. Every verse speaks.
ReplyDeleteBroken bread reminds me of the body of Christ given for my sins.
Abundant baskets of food with leftover...His sacrifice is enough. More than enough.
Bev, I love your doctor's response concerning your markers. I really don't have words for how He has graced me through every wife's nightmare, not once...but twice! And I see His beautiful grace in your life, too.
I have a situation at work right now that I won't to get mad over. It's so unfair! But because of the things I've been through, I don't have time for Ugly in my life right now. I'm no saint, but I trust Jesus more because of the past months we've been seeing His hand in our suffering. He deserves my heart to be in the right place. Even when I don't understand. He is bringing me through some "rapids," and the waters are swift. I've got to learn to ride the current and trust Him.
Love and prayers to all. Thank you, Annette, for the prayer! Jan, enjoy your trip and may God work in your family's life. Mary Lou, you are a blessing to me! I pray that your irregular heartbeat is due to something very simple that can be corrected with no drama.
Trusting Him...
Deborah