freedigitalphotos.net

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.”…And taking the five loaves and two fish, he looked up into heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broken 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 9:13, 16-17
 

Quick Sip

Trust me.

This is the message I’m hearing day after day in our Luke 9 study this week. As a wife, mother, and teacher, I often feel like I don’t have enough to give. I’m looking at the crowd that needs me and down at my few “loaves” and am asking, “Really, God?”

This week he’s reminding me over and over that when I first give all I have to him, he makes it enough to feed the crowd. He multiplies it.

“You have to trust me,” he speaks to my heart. Then reaches out his hand and asks, “How much are you willing to trust me?”

Full Cup

“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. ³ And he said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.'” ~ Luke 9:1-3, ESV

“²³ And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. ²⁵ For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? ²⁶ 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, ESV

“Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: ‘Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels.'” Luke 9:23-26, The Message