LISTEN AND OBEY!
LISTEN AND OBEY!
Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. —Luke 9:12-17
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. —Luke 9:23-26
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” —Luke 9:35
Are we listening to what Jesus has to say to us in these verses above? As you read those verses, what was He saying to you? Here is what I am hearing from Him.
See I can feed multitudes, starting with a little and multiplying it a great host! “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Jesus did this with bread to show us His power and authority that He has given us that same power and authority to make disciples all over the world— “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 28:18-20; 4:19; Acts 1:8). As Jesus multiplied the bread to feed multitudes, He wants to multiply the seed of His Word in you to reach multitudes for Him and for His glory and their benefit! Will we be obedient and multiply the seed of His Word that He has given us in the lives of others that they too could know Him? Or, will we keep the seed of His Word to ourselves?
Also, if we are truly going to follow Jesus we are to: 1-deny our selves 2- take up His cross daily and 3-follow Jesus. We are not to be selfish, but seek to be sensitive to how His Holy Spirit is leading us and be obedient. Our natural selves want comfort and following Jesus means it will not be comfortable at times. We are to take up His cross daily. We are to be an acceptable, holy, living sacrifice, not conforming to this world and then we will know His will. Be about the work that He has for us (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14). Be holy and be working, have a godly character and be about our God-given commission and 3- Follow Jesus— “let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith “Hebrews 12:1-2).
Now will we be obedient to His Word or be ashamed of His Word? Will we proclaim His Word or will we keep His Word quiet? Will we go in the self-denial Authority He has given us or live selfishly? Will we allow Him to multiply the bread of His Word through us or keep what we have to ourselves? Will we trust and obey? How will I do so today?
Dear Father be pleased to help me see how You want to multiply the bread of Your Word through me to multitudes of others. Oh that this would be done in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY