Matthew 14:16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

There is no question that this statement by Jesus was a major shock to the disciples, because they knew full well they didn’t have enough food for 10,000 people. However, Jesus said this knowing that He would supply the resources for what He was telling His disciples to do; they just had to submit what they did have to Him. He does that today as well, and the responses are all over the map. Some people refuse to acknowledge what He’s telling them to do, because they know they don’t have the resources in themselves, and they have no vision to trust Him for the supply. Some people recognize the need, but likewise failing to trust God, they just sit around bemoaning the need. Other people recognize the need and recognize that God is more than able to supply, but they fail to submit and commit what is in their hands, because they don’t trust that God is more than able to meet their needs as well as the external need. And then there are those who recognize the need and that God’s telling them to meet it, and commit everything they have and are to the task in obedience to God. They are the people who see miracles!

I know this and can write about it, but how well do I follow through myself? I’ve seen God’s provision time and time and time again, yet I still have a tendency to hold back, particularly in the areas of my time and energy. I’ve been through financial pinches so many times that I pretty well take them in stride, knowing that God will supply at the right time in the right way, even if I have trouble imagining what those are. Such pinches do raise my stress level, though, proving that my faith still has plenty of room to grow! Where I am currently under training is in meeting spiritual and emotional needs in others. I certainly can’t meet those needs in my own strength and wisdom, but if I will offer myself for the task, God will meet those needs through me. Often I don’t see, much less understand, how my words and actions are meeting those needs, but I see the results down the line, and I can only give God thanks and praise. I am never to act in conceit or presumption, but I am to act in the assurance that God will use me for blessing, for His glory.

Father, thank You for all You are doing here. Thank You that the paperwork for transferring the title of the building from me to the church finally went through yesterday. Thank You for the necessary courage and persistence for that. Thank You for how You are working in individual hearts and lives, for the healing, deliverance, and growth that are being manifested. I pray that I would not hold back anything in any way, but be totally available to You for however You want to use me, so that Your name may be hallowed as Your kingdom comes and Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!