The Lord's Lesson On Multiplication

My calculator quit working around three weeks ago.  I struggled for a few days without it and looked for my daughter's red super-sized calculator.  I have to admit multiplication was never my best subject in school.  I was lost without my three dollar calculator and headed to Walmart to replace it.  Last night in a business meeting we discussed how to duplicate our efforts.  Growth comes rapidly when numbers begin to multiply.  When I woke up this morning, I still had the word multiplication on my mind.  I got my Bible out to read and looked up the story about Jesus feeding the five thousand. 

MARK CHAPTER 6

In Mark 6:32-36, it tells of Jesus and his disciples going to a solitary place.  But, many who saw and recognized them leaving, ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.  When they got to their destination, not only was it not solitary any longer, a large crowd had gathered.  Without Twitter, Facebook, radio, internet, television, or any other form of communication, people actually ran and arrived before Jesus.  Can you imagine having that kind of success?

So,  Jesus began teaching them many things.  When it was late in the day the disciples asked Him to send the people away so they could go and buy themselves something to eat.  In verse 37 it says, "But he answered, you give them something to eat. They said to him, That would take eight months of a man's wages!  Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?"

The Lord was teaching a lesson in multiplication when he asked them to take care of the food.  The disciples had calculated eight months wages for the size of the crowd.  "How many loaves do you have?  He asked. Go and see.  When they found out, they said, Five - and two fish."

The lesson continued when Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the grass.  They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.  I believe there was more to the grouping of the crowd than just being orderly.  But, the best part was coming!   Jesus then took the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks.  Let me repeat that part again - He gave thanks first!  Next, the Lord started giving the broken loaves to the disciples to set before the people.  Then  Jesus "divided" the two fish.  Not only did everyone eat and were satisfied, there were twelve basketsful of broken pieces of bread and fish left over.  Little became much!

Five loaves and two fish make seven, which feeds over five thousand people, with twelve basketfuls uneaten.  I don't know about you, but I would take that multiplication any day of the week.  Jesus repeated the miracle another time for four thousand and asked his disciples, "Do you still not understand?"

PSALMS 127:1

Psalms 127:1 states, "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain."  How many times have we tried to produce large numbers, to make or become many, to increase without giving thanks and having Jesus in charge?  How many loaves do you have?  Go and see.

MY PRAYER:

I thank you Lord today that you lead me where I am to go.  Help me to become like the testimony of John the Baptist in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease."  Let us seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and  all these things will be given to us as well.   Thank you Lord and amen.

COMMENTS:

What has God "added" to you lately?  Please share your story here to bless others.

Tape Is Temporary - But Heaven Is Eternal

I don't know what the fascination of tape is, but my daughter uses it on everything.  It got to the point I had to start hiding it, especially during Christmas and birthdays, so I would have some to use.  Problems occurred when the tape quit sticking or got wet.  She just couldn't understand why it wasn't permanent like some of the markers she uses.  So, she added more tape to the existing.  The most surprising use of tape happened a few months back.  She kept trying to catch lizards in our yard with her bug catcher and a stick, but they managed to elude her.  My seven year old tried a new approach.  She came into the kitchen while I was preparing dinner
with a grin and a stressed out lizard.  How did she catch it?  With tape of course!


My daughters excessive use of tape made me think about life.  Everything here on Earth is just temporary.   Do we live our life knowing it is?  So many people have lost jobs they thought were permanent.  Foreclosed homes, lost savings and retirements.  Did the recession change us and give pause for what is eternal?


John 14:1-3

I help teach an adult Sunday School class and one of our lessons was about Jesus comforting his disciples.  In John 14: 1-3 it says, "Do not let your heart be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." That same comfort applies to us.  A promise of an eternal life and place.  We need only to accept and believe. 


My Prayer:

Dear Lord help each person reading this to trust and rest in you.  Give peace where peace is needed.  Give hope for situations which seem to never end.  "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  Corinthians 2;17-18.


Can you imagine eternity.......infinite.......unchanging.......ceaseless?  Thank you Lord.  Amen


Comments:


Please submit a comment to share something that affected you about eternity.  I want this to be an active blog.  God Bless.

Books I love!

The following books have made an impact on my life. They may not have been on a best sellers list. But, the authors writings have encouraged, inspired, and helped me through different phases of my life.

 

                                        

     A Life God Rewards 

     By Bruce Wilkinson

                                                     

     As Silver Refined
     By Kay Arthur

     My Utmost For His Highest
     By Oswald Chambers

 Meeting God At Every Turn
 By Catherine Marshall




                                                    

       Mere Christianity
       By C. S. Lewis






                                                       

Not I, But Christ
By Corrie ten Boom





           
                                    



        Out Live Your Life
        By Max Lucado





                                                          

The Road Less Traveled
By M. Scott Peck

 The Christian's Secret To A Happy Life
 By Hanna Whitall Smith






                                                          

        No Man Is An Island
        By Thomas Merton

Meet Jody

Hello.  My name is Jody.  I have been married for over fifteen years to a man God brought in my path.  We have a beautiful daughter, as well as dogs, guinea pigs, and a nineteen year old cockatiel we raise in Columbia, SC. 

I grew up in Kentucky where I was raised in the church.  My father was a dynamic Pastor, and my mother a godly servant for over forty years.  I have served as a teen leader, Missionary President, worship leader, and Sunday school teacher.

My inspiration in life comes from God's word.  The bible has been my compass, teacher, and the rock I stand upon.  I first learned about devotionals when I purchased Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost For His Highest", as a teenager.  It was a christmas present for my mother, and was covered in a lovely green velour fabric.  My mother loved to read the devotional sitting in her rocking chair over the years.  I felt myself  drawn to the encouraging messages as well.

My desire has always been to obey God wherever he takes me. The scriptures have taught me how to be a better person, filled me with joy and peace, and carried my family through tough times. My devotional blog, "Jody Martinez Reflections", is in response to the Lord's leading and helping me believe with him all things are possible.   Along with my blog, I am currently working on a children's book and novel.

Prayer Requests

O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.  Psalms 143:1




If you would like to be lifted up in prayer, please send me an e-mail at mart529@bellsouth.net