Jesus Challenges Our Hearts
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, teach us to be sensitive to the challenges you present us to grow more like you,” to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24 (NIV).
“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’” John 6:5-9 (NIV)
REFLECT:
When trouble comes our way, how often do we look at what we have, not at what God can provide? In the verses today, Jesus already had the plan in mind as to how he would provide food for those who had gathered around him, but no one else knew the plan. Philip and Andrew blurted out responses, trying to not look dumb. They were somewhat perplexed and annoyed perhaps that Jesus’ notoriety caused this problem of a large gathering. Now these people needed to be fed and Jesus was asking the disciples to fix it? No, he was looking to see where the disciples were in their faith journey…just like he is checking with you and I today – where are we on our journey of faith and trust in God?
Trusting in God for our needs is a growing challenge. The well-noted verses in Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) say to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” God wants us to grow in knowledge and reliance on him. When we do, we will be ready for even bigger acts of faith to help further his kingdom!
APPLY:
What challenges are you facing today? Do you believe God can multiply the resources you have to do amazing things? Do you believe his plan for your life is to draw you closer to him and to trust in him more? Think of it this way, when we learn things in school, we study the subject and prepare for a test. What does a test do? It demonstrates our knowledge of the subject matter. When God tests us and we encounter difficulties or challenging situations, are we able to demonstrate our knowledge and confidence of who he is and what he can do through us? Or do we tend to waver? James 1:5-6 (NIV) says “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
Let’s stand strong in Christ today, being fully persuaded in his power to move through us in every situation! Remember, “if God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 (NIV).
CLOSING PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, thank you for your love and chastening us when needed, “for I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height, nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
WORSHIP: