MY PROVIDER

“How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” —Mark 8:4

What we cannot do, God can do! And this is what we want to see— His power and not us trying to do things in our own strength. In the context of the verse above there was no way the disciples could provide enough food for 4,000 people in a wilderness area. But, Jesus took what was available— 7 loaves of bread and a few fish— and after He blessed them His disciples distributed them to the people. All were satisfied. There were even 7 baskets full of leftovers!

Does Jesus want you to do something, but there doesn’t appear to be enough resources available for you to do so? Well, trust Him with what you have. If He desires you to do something then He will supply the rest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9h-LPV3h2Y Trust Him!

Dear Father, thank You that what You call me to do You will provide for me to do it. I trust You for that and I am so grateful that I do not have to trust myself! Now, today, may I go forth to be and do what You desire. May I go in the strength of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son, Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGTY6H6SLOw

HEART ISSUES

For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you. —Mark 7:21-23

And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. —James 1:13-14

Whatever flows through the floodgates of our ears and eyes wind up in our brain. This is why we are to guard what we hear and see. Once these things are in our brain they can have a powerful impact as our attitudes and actions are determined by who we are on the inside. To show how this works I ask you to think back to a time when you were young when you were “hurt” by words or actions taken by another against you. See… it is still there. Maybe you have not thought about that for awhile, but the more you think about it now the more vivid the memory can become. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx65zb8AQpo

A baby does not have all these inner evils mentioned above ready to burst for once the child is born. No, these are learned behaviors that our sinful nature gravitates toward. I once asked some 5 year olds if they ever lied. They all acknowledged they had. Then I told them the story about Pinocchio and how every time he lied his nose grew longer. One little girl immediately said, “Mr. White if my nose grew every time I lied my nose would be way out here” as she extended her arm as far as it could go. This is a 5 year old! Sin shows its ugliness early in a person’s life.

On the other end of the age spectrum— I was at the State Prison this past Saturday night. The prison exists because of the sinful nature of man that exists as in the verses stated above. Think of any crime committed and it is there at the State Prison. Yet, the Good News is that, whether young or old, a person can trust the Lord Jesus Christ and become a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17). I have recently heard a four year old say to me, “Mr. White I am trusting Jesus.” Saturday night 6 men followed the Lord in baptism, 4 more men trusted the Lord Jesus Christ and 3 other men indicated their desire to follow the Lord in baptism. Praise God that He is in the business of changing lives at any age!

Fellow follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us guard our hearts, become what He desires us to become and do what He desires us to do. Dear Father, may this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus Your Son.

DON’T OVEREAT

Now the Lord sent a wind that brought quail from the sea and let them fall all around the camp. For miles in every direction there were quail flying about three feet above the ground. So the people went out and caught quail all that day and throughout the night and all the next day, too. No one gathered less than fifty bushels! They spread the quail all around the camp to dry. But while they were gorging themselves on the meat—while it was still in their mouths—the anger of the Lord blazed against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. So that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah (which means “graves of gluttony”) because there they buried the people who had craved meat from Egypt. From Kibroth-hattaavah the Israelites traveled to Hazeroth, where they stayed for some time. —Numbers 11:31-35

The craving for “meat from Egypt” and the gluttony that took place brought about the wrath of God. People were judged and died for their attitude and actions. Gluttony– we do not hear much about it today. What is it? It is eating in excess and it leads to being overweight which is not healthy for the body— physically or spiritually— “for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags” (Proverbs 23:21).

“The average restaurant meal in the United States is four times larger now than it was in the 1950s, yet we might still be fitting into the same size clothes as we always have. That’s because what was a size 14 dress in the 1970s is not the same size garment today. The Economist found that women’s size 14 (UK) clothes are about 3 inches larger in the hips than they were in 1970, thus about the equivalent of a 1970s size 18. Men’s clothes also lie: a recent Esquire investigation found that some brands of 36-inch trousers actually measured as much as 41 inches.” — http://evilbydesign.info/gluttony/ If this is true, what deception!

A short time back I was reading the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew chapter 6 and was thinking and pondering verse 11— “Give us today our daily bread.” We are asking God to give us the bread that we need for that day. Do I eat more than the bread I need for that day? God had given the Israelites what they needed each day for 40 years of their wandering (Exodus 16:35), but they were not satisfied. Am I satisfied with the daily bread God gives me? So I desire more than the daily bread He desires me to have? It was just another way I was pondering that verse. May I use His resources wisely! Gluttony is eating in excess… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PyInyZn_0M

Dear Father, I thank You for Your daily provision. Please help me discern Your desired use of those daily provisions. May it be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.

PLOW, PLANT AND BE PATIENT!

Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” —Mark 4:26-29

The farmer sows the seed, but he cannot make it grow. While he sleeps or while he is awake the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not MAKE it grow! While it is underground he cannot see it starting to germinate. The Farmer can only see it when the sprout pokes through the soil. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlkNpoqOXEU

“After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.” –I Corinthians 3:5-8

How many around us have had the seed of the Word of God planted in their hearts? We cannot see it at this point, but God is doing a work below the surface in their hearts. Praise the Lord when we see the seed grow and then is ready to harvest! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Lx2DjMENY&index=42&list=PLcHqC9YNzSaD-O-rkP9o8hDA9jJ_oja4l

Prison ministry has been an area of fertile soil. Praise God for yet another man, Ernie, as he trusted the Lord Jesus yesterday. Praise the Lord also for 4 more men following the Lord in baptism this coming Saturday evening. I am blessed to be a part of this process and it is so exciting to see these men taking this step in following our Lord Jesus Christ. People planted seed in their lives and God made it grow and it is exciting to see the harvest that God brings.

Our responsibility as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ is to be planting seed and trusting God to make grow what He desires to make grow. Then when harvest time comes we need to be faithful in discipling these new followers of Jesus, these babes in Christ and encourage them to grow up in Jesus

So, are you sowing seeds? If not, why not? That is one priority He has called His followers to do? If you are sowing, be patient. God will make some of that seed grow!

Dear Father, may I sow bountifully and may You be please to cause the seed to bountifully sprout. Yes, please help me to be faithfully plowing and planting the seed of Your Word, being patient as You cause it to grow. May this be done in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.

THE LORD BLESS YOU!

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. —Numbers 6:24-26

Yes, may you not only be blessed today, but may you also be a blessing to someone else today. May the Lord give you His protection today. Oh, that He would smile upon you today and be wonderfully gracious to you. May you experience His awesome favor today and have the peace that only He can give. Yes, may it be so!

Dear Father, thank You for Your goodness toward us. Out of loving gratitude may we be the type of people you desire us to be today and do those things that are pleasing in Your sight. May it be so in the authority of Jesus and by the power of Your Holy Spirit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zARVp3420I&list=PLcHqC9YNzSaD-O-rkP9o8hDA9jJ_oja4l&index=4

YOUR ARE CRAZY!

One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. —Mark 3:20-21

Can you imagine? Jesus’ family tried to redirect Him from what He was doing, thinking He was “out of his mind.” Wow, think of it. They thought the One who created and sustains all things was going off the deep end. If that is how His own family felt about Him then don’t be surprised if people think that about you for following Jesus!

I remember when we were getting ready to move 1000 miles away to attend school. We had a house that did not sell. We had 3 pre-schoolers. I got done my crane operator job at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and we did not have a place to stay yet in South Carolina where we were headed. Some of our family thought we had lost it and were crazy to make this move at this time in our lives.

We packed up a 26 foot Ryder moving truck. The Lord sent people to rent our house a couple days before we left and a brother in the Lord said he would oversee it while we were gone. The Lord provided a house for us to buy in South Carolina and provided for us the 3 years we were in school there. Those were some interesting times, but the Lord led us all the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m_sWJQm2fs

If may appear that we are crazy to the world with some of the things we say or do. But, the world does not understand. They do not understand Jesus and they do not understand those who follow Him. So, do not be surprise if someone thinks you have lost your mind. You are in company. They thought Jesus did as well!

Dear Father, may I be faithful to my Lord Jesus whatever the circumstances may bring. May it be so in His authority and by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

JESUS CAME TO PREACH THE TRUTH

But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” —Mark 1:38

Jesus came to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37) and He wanted to share that truth with many while He was on the Earth. That is why He went from town to town. He wanted people to hear His Word. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zaaiFp4RSM It is His Word that people need to hear today as well!

If Jesus went from town to town to share His Truth with others… am I? Am I concerned with people in other towns and not just my own? Truly, am I even concerned about people in my own town? How am I seeking to share His Word with those around me? Do I have a plan and purpose for sharing His Word? Am I willing to travel elsewhere for the specific reason to share His Word with others? Am I just focused on those in my immediate sphere of influence or am I seeking to share His Word outside my immediate area of influence? Am I being purposeful in this or is it just by “happenstance” that I might share His Word with someone? When is the last time I was intentional in this area?

Will I be sensitive to those around me today? May I not miss those around me who are ready to hear! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEhRucEVzH8 Jesus specifically went to other towns to share His Word with people. Will I go to people in my own town? In other towns? May it be so.

Dear Father, please help me to be intentional in sharing Your Word with others. May it be so today in the authority of Jesus and by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

GRASPING AT RIDICULOUS EXPLANATIONS

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. —Matthew 28:11-15

I stopped at the store last night on my way home from the State Prison. It was about 9:45pm and the store closed at 10pm. Good, made it. You know Valentine’s Day and I had a couple things in mind that I wanted to give my wife. I knew she would chuckle when I gave one gift to her. Anyway, I was talking with the cashier about Jesus. He told me he likes to keep an open mind to any belief a person may have and went on to tell me some weird explanation his history teacher had told him (probably the class and who knows how many classes) about Jesus. It was so pathetic I just skip over even talking about it and share the Biblical Jesus with him and left him with something to read— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw&t=25s. Who knows how many people this history teacher has pointed away from Jesus? I pointed him right back to Jesus.

In the above passage the guards were in trouble. They had let a Roman sealed tomb be “broken” into. This was the death penalty. Their only hope of survival was to go to the Jewish leadership and some of them did. They were bribed with money and were told they would be kept out of trouble if they said, “Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body” and “So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.” This is utterly a stupid explanation that was being spread. Yet people who do not want to trust the Lord Jesus and be accountable to God will come up with all kinds of brainless explanations and treat them as “wisdom.” For those who reject Jesus it is slippery slope when God says to them that “He let them go” (Romans 1:18-32). If you have not trusted the Lord Jesus, please consider the link about the Lamb. If you have trusted Jesus, rejoice today in the awesome grace God has extended to us who were “dead in our sin” which have been “made alive in Christ” (Ephesians 2:1-10).

Thank You, Dear Heavenly Father for making me alive through Your Son Jesus. Now, in gratitude, may I live according to Your desires in the authority of Jesus and by the power of Your Holy Spirit. May it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkunT7BYCqw

A DARK DAY

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. —Matthew 27:45

Bloody red sky

Of night and morn

Tis a witness

His body torn

And was for me

Planned cross forlorn

That I could be

Once again born —tw

A dark day indeed as Jesus took the penalty and punishment for the sins of the world— “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world” (I John 2:2). But the darkness of that day would flee from the light of His glorious resurrection three days later. Every day we are reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross when there are blood red sunrises and sunsets. Darkness flees from the Sonrise and we are set free from the power of darkness by the Son of Light. Let us rejoice as we walk through another day He has given us and be filled with joy! Yes, may you and I be grateful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cff7jo97X4o

Dear Father, Thank You for Jesus being willing to go through that dark day for us. Oh, may I live a faithful life of gratitude in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. May I shine for You and may You be please to work in and through me today to impact someone for eternity. May it be so.

THEY HATED JESUS

Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?” The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!” Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!” Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!” And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!” So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. —Matthew 27:21-31

Worldliness and religiosity is against the Lord of this world and the Lord all of creation. Look what they did to the King of the Universe. They asked for a murderer instead of the pure, spotless Lamb of God. They demanded the innocent one to be crucified as a condemned criminal. They were responsible for the blood of the innocent Son of God. They flogged the guiltless Son of Man. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on His head. They placed a reed in His right hand as a scepter. They knelt before Him in mockery. They mocked Him as King of the Jews. They spit on Him. They struck Him on the head. They led Him off to crucify Him. They… we were guilty of treating the King of kings and Lord of lords like this because of our filthy sin which, in the plan of God, He would be sacrificed for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joae-7A7Mgs

Praise “God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6). We who were formerly in “the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (II Timothy 2:26). Rejoice fellow follower of Jesus for the mercy and grace God has shown to us through His Son. Yes, rejoice!

Dear Father, thank You for allowing me to know Jesus and to be set free from sin, Satan and death and to a relationship with You through Your Son. May I live faithfully for Him out eternal gratitude. Yes, may it be so!