Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- April 9, 2014
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:10-11
It takes audacious faith to believe Jesus could take five paltry loaves and two measly fish and feed five thousand men, plus women and children. What seemed like a cruel joke (one loaf per thousand men), became a lesson in the Lord’s resourcefulness. He sometimes tests our hearts to see if we will obey and wait on His provision. We are quick to obsess over our limitations, while God has already applied His limitless assets. Audacious faith acts like God has already provided.
We are wise to confess the crumbs of our creativity, but in the hands of Jesus our meager ideas can birth radical ingenuity. What do you have that the Lord can multiply a thousand times over? Influence; give it over to God to educate people of the need for foster care and orphan adoption. Money; invest in indigenous leaders who are effective in planting churches and who serve human suffering. Audacious faith believes Christ’s best; it even waits on those with imperfect obedience.
“But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them” (1 John 2:5).
Audacious faith is not afraid to engage the ugliness of hunger and poverty. Is the Lord calling you to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty? It’s messy to mingle with the disadvantaged and the disabled, but they starve for the love of Christ. You are the hands and feet of Jesus to those shunned by the world–left to beg, borrow and plea for help. Some elderly lie in loneliness for someone to read them the Bible or to sing about God’s love. Yes, your small efforts are enlarged by the Spirit’s influence. Your audacious faith is a catalyst to draw others to serve.
Above all, feed on the Lord–the Bread of Life, and give His bread to other hungry souls. Audacious faith is fueled by belief in Christ’s spiritual food. Just as the human body gains energy with proper nutrition, so the saved soul gains strength by spiritual sustenance from its Savior Jesus. Faith comes alive and grows exponentially when energized by the Holy Spirit. Thus, we take our small or large trust and entrust it to the Lord. Our heavenly Father takes what we have, and grows it into what we need. Audacious faith flows from a humble and obedient heart.
“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, take my inadequate resources and make them more than sufficient by the power of Your Spirit.
Related Readings: Jeremiah 7:23; Matthew 21:21; 1 Corinthians 13:2; Ephesians 6:6
Post/Tweet today: Our heavenly Father takes what we have and grows it into what we need. #wisdomhunters
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Amen!
Again the timeliness of the devotion hits my heart. My husband and I are in preparation to go to Nicaragua. We are in a place where we can’t be there full time…yet. We have a few things to take care of and see how the Lord will work the miscellaneous out. My heart is to engage in the poverty and simply love the people. I am to fully love and to do it here in the states until we get to the village. Funny thing I had a dear christian friend challenge me about what it is we are going to do once we get there. I came away discouraged. Questioning again but knowing the call. I read this this morning. Audacious Faith…to get dirty. Abandon my selfish ways and love the lost, the hungry and lonely. Thank you again Wisdom Hunters! Foolishness is to abandon oneself to Christ. Radical love is to give away the comfortableness of ease and to serve.
Above all, feed on the Lord–the Bread of Life, and give His bread to other hungry souls. Audacious faith is fueled by belief in Christ’s spiritual food.
I have nineteen cents in the bank, a silver half-dollar, a partial tank of gas in the car, no job, and dreams. I dream of serving prisoners as they come through Atlanta Transitional Center, not far from the Fox Theater, to work on the outside. Can I drive a bus full from “finishing school” to churches like Andy’s Buckhead Church and Louie’s PCC?
Meanwhile, I live at home with Mom, and am testing for the Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate. I already have three other FAA Certificates, having experienced several on and off the books abnormals and emergencies.
I also have a four-year degree in Finance from GSU dated 12/20/1998.
Can I create a business that is competitive, has base pay plus productivity pay, provides a true living wage of around $60,000.00 annually or more, and helps people really get on their feet without government support?
I or someone can if God wills it.
Dear Beth~
What a blessing it is to read your story! Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to Wisdom Hunters in regards to the devotional “Audacious Faith”. Your love of the people of Nicaragua
and your willingness to serve God is such a testimony to all of us. The last line of the devotional speaks to you and your husband’s willingness to serve God through serving others. “Audacious faith flows from the humble and obedient heart”.
Would you please allow the prayer team at Wisdom Hunters to be praying for you and your husband as you go forth serving our Heavenly Father? Please keep us posted on the amazing adventure God has planned for you all.
” For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”. Jeremiah 29:11
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
Dear David~
Thank you for reminding us all that Yes, anything can happen “if God wills it”. The devotional, “Audacious Faith”
states “He sometimes tests our hearts to see if we will obey and wait on His provision. WE ARE QUICK TO OBSESS OVER OUR LIMITATIONS, while God has already applied His limitless assets”.
Your dream of serving God through serving prisoners from the Atlanta Transitional Center is amazing. What a blessing to those men and to you! Please let us know how those plans progress.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter. We look forward to hearing from you again, David.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”. Phil:4:13
Oh Yes! Please pray for us! My heart is in Nic right now! And at our home in the states. We have chosen to live in the “hood” and I see so many needs. Many times I walk the streets with my dog and pray for the people there. My God shall provide…and even though I wrestle with this it has been some of the sweetest time of relying on God..Please pray for the people of Nicaragua…they are in the middle of a heat wave that is unprecedent and was hit with another earthquake last night 6.1. Though not alot of damage any thing that would hit the country is perilous because of the 3rd world nature. Thank you again for your support!
Dear Beth~ What a prayer warrior you are, not only for your “family” in Nicaraqua, but also, your “family” of neighbors! And you are so right, the times we are relying on our Heavenly Father are the “sweetest” of times!
You remain in our prayers and we look forward to your updates.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne