ONE TO TWO
As we were headed to the first test of the week, Lauren and I began to visit about the many people that we come in contact with on our journey. Most of these people will end up having some connection. There is one gentleman that just happened to end up being a chemo nurse, and he knows Jay. He has even fished at the reservoir. One day when we were visiting with him, he asked if Jay could send rice to a food bank ministry. Jay, of course, said sure and not very long after that the man ended up with a truckload of rice. From this conversation led us to the talk about rice. Lauren said rice makes a lot and feeds a lot of people. Of course, it does I said because one cup makes two cups. At the same time, Lauren and I said, “that would make a great story.”
When turning to the Bible, we know that there are many situations where God multiplies. We know that if we give to God, He will multiply. When God asks us to do something, and we obey, it ultimately works out to benefit us.
Matthew 14:16-21 New International Version (NIV)
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Matthew 15:32-39
And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” The disciples said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said,“Seven, and a few small fish.”
And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.
WOW Jesus fed over 5000 and then 4000 with baskets of leftovers, several loaves of bread and a few small fish! This is the extraordinary multiplication of God.
The theme of multiplication runs throughout the Bible.
• A widow’s olive oil was multiplied to pay her debts and live on. (1 Kings 4:1-7)
• A lady and her son gave their only food to the prophet, and God multiplied the tiny amount so that they never ran out! (1 Kings 17:8-16)
• Every good “seed” we plant in our lives, reaps a harvest far greater. (Galatians 6:8-10)
This theme of Jesus multiplying is a woven thread. In this woven thread He doesn’t do it alone. He involves others. He does this so that you will see and remember what He can do. With the feeding of the people Jesus allows the disciples to think their way towards a solution. He then gets them to help by asking them for the food that they have. It is at that point that he performs the miracle of multiplying. Jesus loves to involve you in his plans and work.
You give of your time; God will increase your time. You give of your money God will increase your money. Just as the the chemo nurse asked Jay for a small amount of rice and Jay sent a truckload. When we ask, trust and pray God will provide.
To make differences, you must have everyone giving, everyone praying, and everyone serving. When we make differences, we will multiply the blessings for others and for ourselves.
We can make one cup of rice two cups. We can do this by sharing our faith, sharing our miracles, and giving of self, being selfless.
God will multiply, He will make 1 to 2, but we have to be actively involved. When we get involved, we make others feel they have received two cups when they have only received one.
CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK:
- Begin with the daily appointment with God every morning
- Dive deep into His word
- Pray to God to where you should give and help others
- Fill your cup with Christ so that you can fill other cups
EXTRA READING:
https://www.bibleinoneyear.org/bioy/commentary/2458
All scripture from Bible gateway.
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