Monday October 11, 2021

Today is Monday, October 11 and this week we are exploring how the Bible encourages us to multiply our faith by discipling and serving others.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I quiet my busy mind and calm my thoughts. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, in these moments of stillness, let me experience your presence. Enable me to hear your voice and discover the unique message you have for me today. Come Holy Spirit, lead and guide me in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

I delight in God’s presence and praise him with the words of Psalm 111.

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. Psalm 111:2-5

Pause and Pray

Today we find Jesus and the disciples in the gospel of John. Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee and a large crowd of people followed him. The disciples did not know how they would feed the crowd as there was no place to buy food in a remote place on the side of a mountain. Philip remarked, “It would take half a year’s wages to buy bread for each person to have just one bite” (John 6:7). Meanwhile, Andrew met a young boy who was willing to share his lunch.

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 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. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. John 6:8-13

When I consider the needs of the world, the needs of my community, the needs of my neighbors, my church and my family, I often feel as Philip does in this passage. It would take half a year’s wages to provide enough for each person to have just one bite. The supply is not sufficient to satisfy the needs. I do not have enough. I do not have enough time, money, talent, gifts, capability, expertise, love, generosity, or patience. I don’t have enough (fill in the blank). I put my hands up in the air like Philip and state the obvious, it would take far more than I possess and still the needs would go unmet.

The little boy, however, does not consider the limitations of what he possesses, he just shares it. He had five loaves of bread and two fish in his lunch sack – an adequate afternoon meal for a growing boy. Out on the mountainside, it was all he had. In the heat of the day, he could have hidden from the crowd and enjoyed his lunch in peace. What the child holds in his hands will not be enough anyway, so why bother to share. The boy doesn’t see things like Philip does. He does not see limitations, he just sees Jesus. He opens his hands. He places what he has (all of it) in the hands of Jesus and trusts God’s multiplication rules.

Ask: What do I have that I am holding back from others and not sharing? What could I place in the hands of Jesus as an offering for others?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, you are a God of provision. Show me what I have in my possession that you can use to bless others. Help me let go of the things I am holding and place them in the hands of Jesus so that he can multiply them and use them for the good of the world. Forgive me of my reluctance to share what I have and trust you with my offerings, however meager they might be. I read the scripture from John again and I listen for what you are saying to me.

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 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. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. John 6:8-13

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Where do I find myself in today’s scripture? Perhaps I am like Philip, seeing the frank futility of the situation. Perhaps I am like Andrew, open to the possibility of what Jesus can do with one small lunch. Perhaps I am like the boy, willing to share whatever I have. Or perhaps I am one of the many thousands of people in the crowd, tired, hungry, frustrated and scolding myself for not bringing food or water along on the journey. Do I trust God to provide for me? Do I believe Jesus can take small things, multiply them and make them greater?

I notice that Jesus does not merely supply the people with enough food to eat, a large amount is left over. The disciples gather the leftover pieces and fill twelve baskets full. I consider what it is in my life that I think I do not have enough of, so much so that I am unwilling to share it. I name this before God.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord Jesus, all that I am and all that I have has been given to me by God. I am very blessed. Lord, even though it may not seem like much, I offer what I have to you. I open my clenched fingers ready to let go of what I clutch. I place it in your hands as an offering. I leave it there for you to take, bless, multiply and distribute. Amen.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I go with a generous spirit, trusting in God to multiply my offering. Take what I have to share so that others can be blessed in the name of Jesus. Amen.