Trusting God To Feed Us

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King James Bible StudyAnd when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Sunday, October 20, 2019
Chapters: Matthew 16, Mark 8
Message: Trusting God To Feed Us

Hello My Friend,

I have been reading over some devotions from previous years and notice a pattern, every year I have had the same struggle. I notice something else, I am more blessed today. Last year, at this time I was working three jobs to make what I make with one today, and it is a part-time job. There is a saying, and I do not know who said it first, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.” There is some truth in that, and while I can see just how much God has blessed me this year (He is awesome), I can also see that I have hindered Him from doing more because I keep doing the same thing year after year, expecting a different result. So, what is my fault? Me, my flesh. Rather, I keep resorting to the same tactics from my past to get the three things I have desired since I can remember. You see, when we belong to Jesus, we cannot resort to the things we use to do in our flesh as we are no longer our own. Why? We are God’s.

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” – Ephesians 5:1-5.

that no whoremonger,” I have heard this word several times this week, a word that I do not think anyone knows, which means one who practices lewdness. We God’s that means we no longer turn to our own will to get the things we need and desire, we turn to God, who will provide us with those things through our trust, and faithfulness to Him. Okay so, when the Bible says that there were so many people following Jesus around that He could barely move, it is not exaggerating, thousands of people literally followed Him. We found this out first when Jesus fed five thousand, this time there was four thousand, and they followed Him around for three days.

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.” – Mark 8:1-9.

So they did eat, and were filled:” Can you imagine so many people vying for your attention? I would feel like I was suffocating. That does not mean that they all believed, in fact, very few did, and it did not matter if He performed that miracle in front of their eyes, they refused to believe that He is the Messiah. And the majority of them just wanted to catch Him doing something to prove that they were right about him. Miracles happen all day long, but very few acknowledge that. In fact, they do not even pay any mind to them at all. When Jesus fed the five thousand did you see the disciples acknowledge that miracle? Apparently, they did not acknowledge this one either, as they left they realized they forgot to take the leftover bread.

And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:5-12.

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread,” The flesh has a way of escaping the things of God. Let me tell you, when the flesh is hungry it desires all sorts of things to feed it, and if we are not careful we will find ourselves sick from what we digest. The disciples did realize that what Jesus meant was the false doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducee’s. You see, Pharisees believed that their works were pleasing to God and He would accept them for payment of their sin, similar to the Catholics and Mormons of today. The Sadducee’s did not believe the Law was given to them by God, and are similar to Jehovah’s Witness. Our body needs more than physical provisions to sustain us, it needs spiritual provision, and this is why so many people get caught up in the leaven of false religion, they find these churches appealing to their flesh, and not their spirit. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” – Romans 14:17-19.

and things wherewith one may edify another.” Believe it or not, we are not here to please our own flesh, we are here to help others, and then God will in turn provide for us. Last week a woman that sits next to me at church gave me some money to help get some items for the kids as we are having a harvest themed party next Sunday morning for them. My reaction was, and I asked God for this, to be like this woman. I am ashamed to admit that I do not give to others as often as I should. Let me tell you how many times the Holy Spirit has spoken to me about telling someone about Jesus and what did I do, ignore it. Why? Because I was wrapped up in my problems, rather than letting God use me through those problems to reach out to someone in need of Jesus. Are we fully trusting in Jesus take care of our flesh, or trying to do it by ourselves? Matthew, goes into more detail about the conversation Jesus had with His disciples, asking them who they believe Him to be.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:13-19.

and upon this rock I will build my church;” Jesus was not talking about Peter starting His Church as many believe, Jesus was talking about Himself, upon His Rock He will build His Church. Jesus gives all who believe in and receive Him as their Saviour the keys to the kingdom of heaven, which is the Gospel. Jesus knows that the world will never see Him as the Son of God, let alone that He is a living God, they would rather believe in reincarnation than eternal life through God’s Son. And of course, this is how the Holy Spirit works, because we come to the next block of Scripture of Jesus foretelling of His death, burial, and resurrection.

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:31-38.

but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s,” When we believe in the Gospel, and receive Christ as our Saviour we lose our life, meaning we are given a new life, one that is eternal as our soul is no longer dead, it is alive through Christ. Following Christ teaches us to walk in His ways. Denying ourselves, teaches us to let go of our prideful ways, taking all our sin and burdens to cross with Christ. We all have our own cross to bear, but it does not have to define us, we can endure, and we can conquer anything as long as we have Christ in us. Following Christ is not about pleasing every lust of the flesh, it is about walking with Christ, growing in Him, and letting Him create a great work in us. If we faithfully follow Him, we will become like Him, and others will see Him in us, and in turn He will take care of our every need and then some. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10.

Today’s Prayer: God, As You know the hour that You will send Your Son to bring all Your children to safety while Jesus judges the earth, but we do not have to know it because we know where we are going. We do not always know where our steps will take us on life’s journey, but we do know where they lead, and that is to Your Son. Our steps may lead to cold, dark mountains or deep valleys, or perhaps crooked paths and rough terrain, but ultimately we will endure and be saved in the end through our faith alone in Your Son. We will no longer have questions about You or our future, for we know that we will spend eternity with You in Your Kingdom. Lord, lead us and guide us, give us Your power, wisdom, and strength to stand strong and overcome our struggles with You until You come to get us. Let us be a witness and testimony of Your amazing grace, protect us, and remind us that we are not alone, and that Jesus is right here with us, and will carry us through. Keep us fully trusting in You to care for our every need, and let us heed the warning when You tell us to walk away from temptation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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