Baskets of Leftovers

Baskets of Leftovers
Words of Faith 1-8-2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 8
[16] They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread."
[17] Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? [18] Do you have eyes but fail to see and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? [19] When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"
"Twelve," they replied.
[20] "And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"
They answered, "Seven."
[21] He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

It is something we struggle to grasp. God's mathematics is often quite surprising. His recipes produce strange quantities that serve enormously. Everyone knew that a small jar of flour and a small jug of oil was enough for Elijah to feed a family for many days. But now, the disciples had seen God's math up close twice and still did not understand. Five loaves served five thousand with twelve baskets left. Seven loaves served four thousand with seven baskets left.
Mathematically, these two events could be described as an "inverse proportion." More is actually made from less! God's formula for supply is either unrelated to the quantity of our initial investment in His work or it is inversely related. Or it is related somehow to a level of sacrifice and faith that only He knows. It is also possible that the provision is related to the scope of the need.
In each bread recipe, there was an abundance of supply beyond even the project's scope. Why are most ministries not operating with baskets full of abundance? Either we have not heard the directive of Jesus, or we have not grasped God's math principles.
We are not talking about magical theology or some greed-motivated "bless me" religion. We are talking in the context of a ministry that Jesus has clearly directed His disciples to do. When Jesus wants to do something, He gives the vision, and He gives the provision. When God calls you to do something, don't tell Him how little you have; offer Him all you have and then watch what He does.

How many great dreams and ministries directed by the Lord never get off the drawing board because we look at our ability to pay for things and realize we have too little? At just the moment when God is ready to do a miracle and provide what is needed, we often shut things down.
We often wonder what Jesus might say to His church. If Jesus could say one thing to the church-- the body of Christ in this age-- it would not be these words: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"
So, ask God what He wants you to do. Then, begin to do it using what you have. Then watch out! The baskets full of leftovers will be more than you can imagine.

Lord, give me ears to hear and eyes to see. Teach me the walk of faith so that I might serve You with my whole heart. Give me the vision that I make seek the provision for Your work. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.