My friend and I were talking about our similar challenges of this year. We both reflected the similar ways in which we were laid off, the period of time we were without health insurance, and how we both had to endure temporary financial setbacks. But through it all, we remembered that God did not leave us alone, and we both learned to depend on his wisdom. Now that we are at the end of the year, it is easy to focus on the negative. It is also easy to feel sorry and depressed. But life is too short. There are a tremendous amount of blessings that we incurred as well. If we are not careful, we could forget.
Take some time this holiday season to make a few sacrifices. Donate a toy, provide a meal to a homeless person, give to the salvation army (even though they ring that annoying bell everytime you walk into the store). And as you do, you will be reminded that there is someone less fortunate than you are and that you do have a lot for which to be grateful. Hopefully, in the end, you should feel good about adding to someone else's life a blessing even if it wasn't your turn to receive. This should provide you a reason, to celebrate life.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Why would God send people to Hell?
I've heard this question and several variants many times. God has allowed us free will to choose; however, some usually think that it'd be easier if God just told us what we needed to do. There are essentially two choices. The first is life by believing salvation through Jesus Christ, or the alternative, death and destruction by rejecting the belief that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Then why even have a choice?
I force my daughter and myself to do things against our wills all the time; but if I didn't, I hate to imagine what our lives would be like. A simple image of the house in disarray, the bills unpaid, and school/work never making it on the list of priorities is enough of a motivator. I've intermittently tried methods that apply understandable logic, compromising patience, and the forceful "because I said so." I've since learned that it is never a good time to ask for help to clean and she could care less what my reasons are. However, what if there wasn't an option; what if there was a list of things that had to be done (no matter what) and no reason given as to why? Eventually, I would not be able to trust the process and I'd be back where we started, asking for a choice anyway. Isn't that what landed Eve in front of the tree, contemplating the beauty of the fruit, and not wanting to even try to understand why God told them the fruit was forbidden in the first place?
So then why, would God send people to Hell? "Because God said so", works for me.
I force my daughter and myself to do things against our wills all the time; but if I didn't, I hate to imagine what our lives would be like. A simple image of the house in disarray, the bills unpaid, and school/work never making it on the list of priorities is enough of a motivator. I've intermittently tried methods that apply understandable logic, compromising patience, and the forceful "because I said so." I've since learned that it is never a good time to ask for help to clean and she could care less what my reasons are. However, what if there wasn't an option; what if there was a list of things that had to be done (no matter what) and no reason given as to why? Eventually, I would not be able to trust the process and I'd be back where we started, asking for a choice anyway. Isn't that what landed Eve in front of the tree, contemplating the beauty of the fruit, and not wanting to even try to understand why God told them the fruit was forbidden in the first place?
So then why, would God send people to Hell? "Because God said so", works for me.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Child Support
It is a strange thing about people not wanting to pay child support. My daughter's father decided he would try to punish me by not paying child support. Years later, my faith in the Lord has kept me from having to depend on child support as a source. After speaking with him, I realized that what he used to punish me became a bondage to him. His mind is strange, his problems are very deep, and he sounds like depression could overtake him at any point. Issues that stem from this terrible mistake in theory. I also realized, what he used to try to curse me ended up being a curse to him. Until he does right by our daughter, he will never be able to begin to overcome the irrepairable damage that is causing his life to be so grim. I feel sorry for him.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Believe in God Anyway
Many times the enemy puts new and attractive ideas out that challenge our ability to remain steadfast in our faith. For instance, using people to ask questions typically designed to trap you into some kind of answer that they then use against you. As a result, you are influenced into some type of shame or guilt compelling you to waiver. As long as your beliefs are in alignment with God’s word, stay in faith. There are also times when we don’t even need to know his tricks. We just need to remain steadfast anyway. This is why I chose the following verses to dissect for a bit. Once we focus on them, we find a lot of wisdom in this situation.
John 11:39-40
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Starting with the first two words “Jesus said.” It is the positive against the negative. It is the hope when the hope is used all up. It is the answer, it is the alpha and the omega, and it is the author and the finisher of faith.
Like in Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'
Like it says in Matthew 8:13
Jesus said …Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.
Like in John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Sometimes when things in our lives don’t seem to be as rosy as they should, even when things seem as though they are dead we should look for the “Jesus Said.”
After looking at what thus said the Lord, the next part is the “Take away the stone.” The stone represents the blockage to the doorway of the tomb. Jesus instructed them to take away things that are blocking the place where the dead is buried. Use your inner strength, and move the obstacle(s). Can Jesus work the miracle with the obstacle in the way, of course he can after all Jesus can do all things, but if he does you would not know what you can do. Jesus can tell you, you can see but you are the one who has to open your eyes and look. Jesus can tell you that you have the power to walk, but you are the one who has to put one foot in front of the other. Jesus can tell you to take away the stone, but you are the one who has to exercise faith and obedience.
Following after that is the part of Martha’s observation that Lazarus had been in the tomb four days and by now the situation stinks. This is actually a good observation, it is the reality, and it points out the obvious. It is what we all do; we give reasons not to move forward with the instructions. But what if everyone in the Bible did that:
-What if Moses said, I don’t want to cross the river because I can’t swim?
-What if Elisha said, I’d rather plow my parent’s field?
-What if David said, I don’t want to fight the giant because I’m too small?
-What if Daniel said, I don’t want to go into the lions den because I’m scared?
-What if Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said, I don’t want to go into the fiery furnace because it is too hot?
-What if Joshua said, I’m tired of marching in circles?
-What if Joseph said, I don’t really want to get married?
-What if Jesus said, Martha you are right it does stink?
Sometimes the situations stink in our lives:
-It stinks when we loose our jobs and can’t seem to get ahead
-It stinks when we loose faith and courage
-It stinks when things are working the way they should
And we cover it up with these stones thinking that other people can’t smell the stink. However, doing this means we won’t be able to receive a breakthrough. Maybe Jesus wants us to uncover the stink. It may smell for a little while, but keep your focus on Jesus.
The next part, Jesus only repeated what he said. He wanted us to know, that “If you would only believe, you will see the glory of God?” If you stay obedient and stay in his word and push through all that rotten, stinking stuff, you will find out that that’s where your greatest miracle is, where the power is, and where the anointing that breaks the yokes is. That’s where your Lazarus is, and Jesus is saying that the Lazarus needs to come forth out of debt and depression, to come forth and live. But you got him blocked in while God wants to send resurrection power in your life.
And then there are those people who are bitter and angry over their Lazarus dying, they are still upset and holding onto their Lazarus in the tomb. But you need to push through all that, you need to run on home and see what the end is going to be. Stop holding your Lazarus in the tomb, roll the stone away and allow your Lazarus to come forth into life, into greatness, and into life changing encounters so that you may show forth the glory of your almighty God.
If you keep your Lazarus in the tomb, you will find that even if Jesus works a miracle in your life, no one will ever notice it because you kept it covered. You don’t want people to know what you are going through because you don’t want anyone to smell the stink. But if you keep the cover over it, it will all die in the tomb where it will stay buried and you will never be able to see some of God’s greatest miracles in your life.
Sometimes you have gotta just believe. You gotta dig down deep into the trenches of your soul and remove the stone. Remove the obstacles and believe. Jesus knows that we have good excuses, but believe anyway:
-Don’t be afraid to cross the river.
-Don’t be afraid to leave the plow in the field.
-Don’t be afraid to fight the giant even if you have to on your knees.
-Don’t be afraid to go into the lions den.
-Don’t be afraid to go into the fiery furnace even if it is seven times hotter.
-Don’t be afraid to march around in circles.
-Don’t be afraid to get married…to the one God ordained for you.
-Don’t be afraid of the stink.
When all else fails, Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Stand in faith until the Lord prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies. Believe until your cup runneth over and surely goodness and mercy follows you all the days of your life…Believe in God anyway.
John 11:39-40
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Starting with the first two words “Jesus said.” It is the positive against the negative. It is the hope when the hope is used all up. It is the answer, it is the alpha and the omega, and it is the author and the finisher of faith.
Like in Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'
Like it says in Matthew 8:13
Jesus said …Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.
Like in John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Sometimes when things in our lives don’t seem to be as rosy as they should, even when things seem as though they are dead we should look for the “Jesus Said.”
After looking at what thus said the Lord, the next part is the “Take away the stone.” The stone represents the blockage to the doorway of the tomb. Jesus instructed them to take away things that are blocking the place where the dead is buried. Use your inner strength, and move the obstacle(s). Can Jesus work the miracle with the obstacle in the way, of course he can after all Jesus can do all things, but if he does you would not know what you can do. Jesus can tell you, you can see but you are the one who has to open your eyes and look. Jesus can tell you that you have the power to walk, but you are the one who has to put one foot in front of the other. Jesus can tell you to take away the stone, but you are the one who has to exercise faith and obedience.
Following after that is the part of Martha’s observation that Lazarus had been in the tomb four days and by now the situation stinks. This is actually a good observation, it is the reality, and it points out the obvious. It is what we all do; we give reasons not to move forward with the instructions. But what if everyone in the Bible did that:
-What if Moses said, I don’t want to cross the river because I can’t swim?
-What if Elisha said, I’d rather plow my parent’s field?
-What if David said, I don’t want to fight the giant because I’m too small?
-What if Daniel said, I don’t want to go into the lions den because I’m scared?
-What if Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said, I don’t want to go into the fiery furnace because it is too hot?
-What if Joshua said, I’m tired of marching in circles?
-What if Joseph said, I don’t really want to get married?
-What if Jesus said, Martha you are right it does stink?
Sometimes the situations stink in our lives:
-It stinks when we loose our jobs and can’t seem to get ahead
-It stinks when we loose faith and courage
-It stinks when things are working the way they should
And we cover it up with these stones thinking that other people can’t smell the stink. However, doing this means we won’t be able to receive a breakthrough. Maybe Jesus wants us to uncover the stink. It may smell for a little while, but keep your focus on Jesus.
The next part, Jesus only repeated what he said. He wanted us to know, that “If you would only believe, you will see the glory of God?” If you stay obedient and stay in his word and push through all that rotten, stinking stuff, you will find out that that’s where your greatest miracle is, where the power is, and where the anointing that breaks the yokes is. That’s where your Lazarus is, and Jesus is saying that the Lazarus needs to come forth out of debt and depression, to come forth and live. But you got him blocked in while God wants to send resurrection power in your life.
And then there are those people who are bitter and angry over their Lazarus dying, they are still upset and holding onto their Lazarus in the tomb. But you need to push through all that, you need to run on home and see what the end is going to be. Stop holding your Lazarus in the tomb, roll the stone away and allow your Lazarus to come forth into life, into greatness, and into life changing encounters so that you may show forth the glory of your almighty God.
If you keep your Lazarus in the tomb, you will find that even if Jesus works a miracle in your life, no one will ever notice it because you kept it covered. You don’t want people to know what you are going through because you don’t want anyone to smell the stink. But if you keep the cover over it, it will all die in the tomb where it will stay buried and you will never be able to see some of God’s greatest miracles in your life.
Sometimes you have gotta just believe. You gotta dig down deep into the trenches of your soul and remove the stone. Remove the obstacles and believe. Jesus knows that we have good excuses, but believe anyway:
-Don’t be afraid to cross the river.
-Don’t be afraid to leave the plow in the field.
-Don’t be afraid to fight the giant even if you have to on your knees.
-Don’t be afraid to go into the lions den.
-Don’t be afraid to go into the fiery furnace even if it is seven times hotter.
-Don’t be afraid to march around in circles.
-Don’t be afraid to get married…to the one God ordained for you.
-Don’t be afraid of the stink.
When all else fails, Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Stand in faith until the Lord prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies. Believe until your cup runneth over and surely goodness and mercy follows you all the days of your life…Believe in God anyway.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Way, The Truth, and The Light
Luke 24: 46-49
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Some may need to be reminded that every word in the Bible is important and here is no exception. In this instance we see the final words that are spoken by Christ who has risen from the dead and is about to return to heaven. He is explaining to the disciples why he had to die on the cross and what they are to do after he leaves them to return to his father in heaven. The scripture can be broken up into two sections:
-The explanation of why Christ had to do what he did
-The instructions of what the disciples had to do to carry on in their ministry.
This verse describes Christ as an understanding teacher who knows exactly what the disciples needed to hear at the time they needed to hear it. If we go to Luke 18: 32-34 it reads:
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Jesus told the disciples what was going to happen so you would think they would have known, or understood, or even been prepared. But they weren’t, if you can imagine hearing someone but not really hearing what they are saying. It gives me renewed faith as a Sunday school teacher as some days some children come in with these glassy looks in their eyes and I know they aren’t receiving at that time. Sometimes I even read the Bible and I don’t understand it, but it still needs to be read because I know that the seed isn’t until an appointed time. This is why Jesus still spoke it to the disciples. He knew they wouldn’t understand but the seed was planted and the disciples finally did later understand. We know that from Luke 24:5-8:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words,
This tells me that we must hold onto our beliefs that this word is so powerful that even when speaking it to glassy eyed people that at the appointed time the word will come back to their remembrance. Keep reminding people, over and over again, keep following Christ’s instructions that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.
Now that the disciples had understanding, the next step was to explain why he had to do what he had to do. In Luke 24:44 it reads;
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
He knew that the disciples were puzzled and confused. He also knew that there could be a little bitterness there and also some resentment. When you witness wrong being done it does something to you. And Christ suffered a most horrifying death. He went through it but the disciples had to witness it and sometimes when you witness something that terrible, it is as if you are going through it as well. It takes awhile for your mind to recover and three days later it would still be fresh. You can imagine the various emotions they must have encountered through their grief. Sometimes when the police have to go in to view a crime scene after a murder has happened, something happens to their stomach and they have to vomit. It makes them angry at the perpetrators and they can get to the point where they want revenge. Jesus knew all of this and this is why he took the time to explain to the disciples so that their ministry would not be hindered by all these feelings.
You can’t have an effective ministry and hate the people whom you are trying to minister. His instructions needed to be very clear and this was the appointed time for the seed to be cultivated and the disciples to understand. This tells me that once seeds are planted, God will continue to cultivate the seed until that understanding comes forth.
People are crying out to hear the truth. And Jesus said in John 14:6 that he is "the way, the truth and the light." One example of this is Pilate in John 18:38 Pilate asked Jesus “What is truth?” It is a natural inclination to want to know. When they are looking for the truth, and sometimes they say it in different ways (the meaning of life, searching for themselves, etc.) they are actually crying out to hear from Jesus. They are trying to find out like Pilate, “What is truth?” And it is your job to keep telling them so that they can stop looking in the wrong places and find Jesus.
The last instruction from Jesus to the disciples was: "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
Wait on the Lord, when you go into preach the gospel you need help from the Holy Spirit. This power from on high insures that you "rightly divide the word of truth" as described in 2nd Timothy 2:15. If we are the light of the world, then we should make people hungry for the word. But if we are not the light of the world, we are considered false profits. The difference is, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God in us, and the truth that can be revealed through us.
As satan’s time is short on this earth, we also know that he will try to deceive more and more. We need to hold onto our beliefs and continue to do the work of the Lord as he instructed.
As I close, please be reminded of the truth in:
- “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
- "Repent you therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
- Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2: 36-38).
- "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10: 9,10)
- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Some may need to be reminded that every word in the Bible is important and here is no exception. In this instance we see the final words that are spoken by Christ who has risen from the dead and is about to return to heaven. He is explaining to the disciples why he had to die on the cross and what they are to do after he leaves them to return to his father in heaven. The scripture can be broken up into two sections:
-The explanation of why Christ had to do what he did
-The instructions of what the disciples had to do to carry on in their ministry.
This verse describes Christ as an understanding teacher who knows exactly what the disciples needed to hear at the time they needed to hear it. If we go to Luke 18: 32-34 it reads:
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Jesus told the disciples what was going to happen so you would think they would have known, or understood, or even been prepared. But they weren’t, if you can imagine hearing someone but not really hearing what they are saying. It gives me renewed faith as a Sunday school teacher as some days some children come in with these glassy looks in their eyes and I know they aren’t receiving at that time. Sometimes I even read the Bible and I don’t understand it, but it still needs to be read because I know that the seed isn’t until an appointed time. This is why Jesus still spoke it to the disciples. He knew they wouldn’t understand but the seed was planted and the disciples finally did later understand. We know that from Luke 24:5-8:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words,
This tells me that we must hold onto our beliefs that this word is so powerful that even when speaking it to glassy eyed people that at the appointed time the word will come back to their remembrance. Keep reminding people, over and over again, keep following Christ’s instructions that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.
Now that the disciples had understanding, the next step was to explain why he had to do what he had to do. In Luke 24:44 it reads;
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
He knew that the disciples were puzzled and confused. He also knew that there could be a little bitterness there and also some resentment. When you witness wrong being done it does something to you. And Christ suffered a most horrifying death. He went through it but the disciples had to witness it and sometimes when you witness something that terrible, it is as if you are going through it as well. It takes awhile for your mind to recover and three days later it would still be fresh. You can imagine the various emotions they must have encountered through their grief. Sometimes when the police have to go in to view a crime scene after a murder has happened, something happens to their stomach and they have to vomit. It makes them angry at the perpetrators and they can get to the point where they want revenge. Jesus knew all of this and this is why he took the time to explain to the disciples so that their ministry would not be hindered by all these feelings.
You can’t have an effective ministry and hate the people whom you are trying to minister. His instructions needed to be very clear and this was the appointed time for the seed to be cultivated and the disciples to understand. This tells me that once seeds are planted, God will continue to cultivate the seed until that understanding comes forth.
People are crying out to hear the truth. And Jesus said in John 14:6 that he is "the way, the truth and the light." One example of this is Pilate in John 18:38 Pilate asked Jesus “What is truth?” It is a natural inclination to want to know. When they are looking for the truth, and sometimes they say it in different ways (the meaning of life, searching for themselves, etc.) they are actually crying out to hear from Jesus. They are trying to find out like Pilate, “What is truth?” And it is your job to keep telling them so that they can stop looking in the wrong places and find Jesus.
The last instruction from Jesus to the disciples was: "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
Wait on the Lord, when you go into preach the gospel you need help from the Holy Spirit. This power from on high insures that you "rightly divide the word of truth" as described in 2nd Timothy 2:15. If we are the light of the world, then we should make people hungry for the word. But if we are not the light of the world, we are considered false profits. The difference is, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God in us, and the truth that can be revealed through us.
As satan’s time is short on this earth, we also know that he will try to deceive more and more. We need to hold onto our beliefs and continue to do the work of the Lord as he instructed.
As I close, please be reminded of the truth in:
- “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
- "Repent you therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
- Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2: 36-38).
- "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10: 9,10)
- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Follow Jesus
During Bible Study tonight, the greatest revelation came to me. It was almost as if the "Word" just jumped out of the pages and grabbed my attention. What I saw was in John chapter 6 but can also be found in (Mt 14:13-23; Mk 6:30-46; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-16). In this chapter it describes, in the well-known scriptures, how the lad donated five barley loaves and two fish to Jesus. Then Jesus blessed it and this meal fed the multitude of five thousand until they were full. Afterwards, they were able to gather up the remains which turned out to be twelve baskets full of food.
What jumped out at me was this, when the multitude followed Jesus it created a problem. The problem was that Jesus wanted to feed them. Jesus went to his disciples to see if they knew of a solution. More specifically, when Jesus spoke to Philip he asked him "From whence will we buy food so that these may eat?" It goes on to inform us that Jesus already knew the answer but he wanted to prove Philip. Apparently Philip knew what they had in treasury because his response was to provide Jesus with the amount of their reserved financial resources. It was evident that they didn't have enough. The second possible solution was to send the multitude away so that they could fend for themselves. The third solution was the five barley loaves and two fish offered by the lad. Jesus took the third and final solution offered and blessed it until it multiplied into more than enough.
It is amazing how the solution that Jesus chose to bless and honor was the least selfish of the solutions. It is easy to buy your way out of a problem. It is easy to send your problems away and hide from them. But how easy is it to make the sacrifice to give all you have to Jesus and demonstrate your faith in him to resolve the problem.
Bring all your problems to Jesus reminds me of the following refrain from the song "Yield not to temptation":
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
In this situation you can easily see that money is not the solution, food is not the solution, and giving up is definitely not the solution. The solution was Jesus the whole time.
What jumped out at me was this, when the multitude followed Jesus it created a problem. The problem was that Jesus wanted to feed them. Jesus went to his disciples to see if they knew of a solution. More specifically, when Jesus spoke to Philip he asked him "From whence will we buy food so that these may eat?" It goes on to inform us that Jesus already knew the answer but he wanted to prove Philip. Apparently Philip knew what they had in treasury because his response was to provide Jesus with the amount of their reserved financial resources. It was evident that they didn't have enough. The second possible solution was to send the multitude away so that they could fend for themselves. The third solution was the five barley loaves and two fish offered by the lad. Jesus took the third and final solution offered and blessed it until it multiplied into more than enough.
It is amazing how the solution that Jesus chose to bless and honor was the least selfish of the solutions. It is easy to buy your way out of a problem. It is easy to send your problems away and hide from them. But how easy is it to make the sacrifice to give all you have to Jesus and demonstrate your faith in him to resolve the problem.
Bring all your problems to Jesus reminds me of the following refrain from the song "Yield not to temptation":
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
In this situation you can easily see that money is not the solution, food is not the solution, and giving up is definitely not the solution. The solution was Jesus the whole time.
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