Matthew 15:32-39 tells the account of Jesus feeding the 4,000 with seven loaves of bread and a few fish. This story shows us the power of God to perform amazing miracles. However, there is another interesting part of the story.

Verse 36 writes, “Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd.”

I think there is a lesson here. Jesus doesn’t go into a great long prayer explaining how he would like God to provide, he starts with what he had, thanks God for it, and gets to work.

The lesson for us is that no matter how little we may have, we should thank God for it, then get to work using it with faith that God will make things work out. Often we wish and pray for more resources, but maybe we should be praying for more faith.

Dear Lord, Help us remember to be thankful for what we have, and use it in our calling, with faith that you will provide more when we need it. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have heard it said that, “everyone learns from experience, but it doesn’t have to be your own experience.”

This is essentially the situation written about in Zechariah 1. Zechariah, who was a prophet during the time the Jews were allowed to return to Israel after the Babylonian captivity, was given a message to deliver to the Jews. In verses 4-6 he says, “Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’ Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead. But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said.”

Essentially, God was saying, “learn from someone else’s mistakes, so you can avoid the consequences that they experienced.” We can read Bible history and see the consequences of disregarding God’s direction, and we can see these things in more recent history, as well. We should be using these lessons as guidance to keep us on the right path.

Dear Lord, You provide us many examples from which to learn, in the bible and in modern times. Help us take these lessons to heart so that we avoid the problems others have made for wrong choices, and experience the blessings of following those good examples. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

How blessed those of us are whose parents brought us up to know Jesus Christ. Think of how it might have been if our parents did not lead us to our Savior. Who would have? How would we hear the story? Would we accept it? For those who came to Christ outside of their family, do you remember who invited you, and why you opened yourself up to Jesus?”

Paul describes these questions in Romans 10:14-15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Most of us may be reluctant to witness, but to overcome that reluctance, think about how wonderful it would be to be the person who helped someone else become saved.

Dear Lord, thank you for those that helped us come to know and believe in you. Help us to have the courage to help someone else come to be saved. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have heard it recommended that we schedule vacations and special events on our calendar’s several months in advance. The expectation of this pleasant experience in our future can give us enjoyment each time we think about it.

In the same way, the hope and expectation of our salvation should give us tremendous peace as we live our lives.

Paul says in Romans 15:13, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Dear Lord, thank you for the hope of our salvation with you. May we live our lives in the peace and joy that this hope brings. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Personal development coaches and motivational speakers often will say “believe you can or believe it cannot, either way you are probably right.” It is an interesting phenomenon that your belief has an effect on the outcome.

The Bible describes a similar situation in Matthew 13. Jesus arrives in his hometown, and people question how this son of the local carpenter could be so knowledgeable and be able to perform miracles. Rather than opening their hearts and having faith, the people are skeptical and resistant. Verse 58 says “He (Jesus) did not do many miracles there, because of their lack of faith.” Are we the skeptical and resistant, or do we have the faith and belief that God can and will do miracles in our lives?

Dear Lord, help us with our unbelief and give us faith in your unlimited power. In Jesus name we pray. Amen