24 JULY

SIGNS OF JESUS’ DIVINITY (5)

“One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,   There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes…And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore, they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

(John 6:8-13, KJV)

The lad handed over what he had brought – maybe for himself or maybe for sale – and after Jesus had blessed it, it fed over five thousand people, with twelve baskets of leftovers.

When planted in good soil, watered and tendered, a seed brings forth multiples of its type. What do we have that we need to hand over to Jesus for His blessing of multiplication – time, ability, resources? Young or old, rich or poor, Jesus takes whatever we offer Him willingly and multiples its effectiveness beyond our wildest imaginations, especially to enhance the work of the Kingdom. Jesus is divine. Who else can cause multiplication?

Are you a kingdom builder? An old Scripture Union chorus says: “Give me that old time religion…” This was what the missionaries who evangelised our country, Nigeria, and Africa had – sacrificing all they had, including their lives, to bring the Gospel to us. They built us schools and hospitals, and fought for the freedom of slaves. One of them, David Livingstone, said:  “I place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of God. If anything will advance the interests of the kingdom, it shall be given away or kept, only as by giving or keeping it I shall most promote the glory of Him to whom I owe all my hopes in time or eternity.”

Jesus is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. He is more than enough!

ACTION: How much of yourself have you given to the Lord, and how much are you keeping back? Reflect and repent, where necessary.

PRAYER: Lord, give me grace to say like David Livingstone: “I place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the Kingdom of God.”