Prove It

Prove It

John 6: ⁸ One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ⁹ “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”

¹⁰ Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. ¹¹ And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. ¹² So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” ¹³ Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. ¹⁴ Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

============

Expecting the answer to be “no”, I reluctantly asked anyway. “Can we have our event?” I asked those in charge. “Perhaps… let me look into it” was one of the leader’s response. Skeptically, I waited. “I’m sorry, we do not have the budget for the event” was the final reply. “See, I knew you didn’t have the power to do anything” I thought to myself about the leader.

• Many times I have been skeptical.
• Many times I have not believed.
• Many times I desired to see what “I” wanted to see so that I could believe.

Andrew told JESUS, “All we have is a boy’s lunch to feed thousands of people.” The boy may have been the only sole willing to give. JESUS saw the crowd had left their homes to follow HIM in order to be healed. Filled with compassion, HE performed a miracle by taking the donated items and stretching them to feed everyone, with much left over.

• GOD wants me to be willing to give what little talents I have.
• GOD wants me to share in making the miracle happen.
• GOD wants me to know HIS power is absolute and I can see HIM perform every day.

Childlike faith is something GOD wants me to have, but my desires sometimes get in the way. I mean, when I want GOD to fix the situation the way I want, at the time I want, I set HIM up for failure when it doesn’t happen. GOD wants me on the other side of the “prove it” kind of thinking.

HE desires that I say “Here is my tiny part, do with it what you will.” Meanwhile, I can expect HIM to do something amazing without having to see the result. GOD does not mind showing HIS power. HE is my source of strength.

• Are you pouting because GOD has not done what you wanted, the way you wanted?
• Do you think GOD is powerless because HE has not bowed down to your request?
• Will you drop your skepticism and believe in GOD as a child by giving HIM your talent today?

It’s Not My Fault

It’s Not My Fault

John 5: ⁸ Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” ⁹ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

And that day was the Sabbath. ¹⁰ The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”

¹¹ He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”

¹² Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” ¹³ But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. ¹⁴ Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”

¹⁵ The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

============

Sneaking off to the movies with someone I was amorous with seemed like a good idea. After my day of enjoyment I found myself having to make my way home. Unfortunately, the person lived in a tough neighborhood. I was chased. “How am I going to explain getting beat up and robbed when I wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place?” Then I questioned the strictness of dating when I made it to safety.

• There were times when I wanted to leave out information so I would not get in trouble.
• There were times when I made sure that I was not the person at fault rather it was someone else’s fault.
• There were times when I was caught in the act and quickly thought of ways of trying to not make it my fault.

The crippled man was healed by JESUS but it does not say that he thanked HIM or found out HIS name. He was so excited that he ran off. Unfortunately he ran into the church leaders who judged him for carrying his bed. “It’s not my fault… I was healed” said the man in a self-protecting way. I would have done the same.

• GOD wants me to take responsibility for my sin.
• GOD wants me to understand that I need HIM so I should approach HIM with my ugly hidden sin.
• GOD wants me to stop blaming everyone else and accept the fact that I can mess up and I need HIS help every day.

Being responsible for my actions may include accepting consequence for decisions that may have hurt me or others. GOD shows me grace beyond belief and this is the great news I can share. Back to the man in this slice of history.

JESUS found him in the temple and said “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” I supposed JESUS had a reason for saying this to the man. Probably the man did something sinful to get into the crippled situation in the first place. I can’t tell. But I do know GOD wants me to sin less and less to stay out of HIS trouble.

• Are you blaming others for where you are in life?
• Do you blame GOD for what is happening to you right now?
• Will you start accepting responsibility for your sin and allow GOD to use you today?

Have to be told

Luke 22: ¹⁴ When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. ¹⁵ And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God.’

¹⁷ After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you. ¹⁸ For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’

¹⁹ And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

²⁰ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

============

“An apple?” I questioned in my mind. I mean I wanted some doughnuts or something good to eat and this “old” person hands me some fruit. “Say thank you” another adult commanded me. “Why should I be thankful?” I questioned in my head. Not too long after, the lady passed away.

• Many times I had to be told to be thankful.
• Many times I had to be pointed in the direction of what someone had done for me.
• Many times I had to have my eyes open to the blessings that have been poured out on me.

JESUS tells HIS disciples something they could not understand. HE thanked the FATHER then explains that HE would be murdered for them so please remember HIM when you eat. HE then said “This cup is the new covenant in MY blood, which is poured out for you.”

• GOD had to tell me to be thankful otherwise I would not see HIS blessings.
• GOD had to tell me what HE has done for me otherwise I would be full of complaints.
• GOD had to tell me HE rescued me otherwise I would think that I am responsible for all my blessings.

“Remember ME” is what JESUS tells me when I try to manipulate GOD into giving me what I want. I mean HE sees when I am trying to be good so I can ask for something I want to have. During those times, HE wants me to remember HIM and what HE did for me.

When I am doubtful of HIS love, “Remember ME”. When I am feeling low “Remember ME.” When I have just about had enough “Remember ME.” JESUS doesn’t give me elaborate instructions to build a temple with my bare hands. HE simply wants me to remember HIM.

• Have you forgotten what GOD has done for you?
• Do you think you deserve more than you have?
• Will you praise JESUS today and remember what HE has don for you?