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Getting Ready for Kingdom Ministry

Getting Ready for Kingdom Ministry

Words of Faith 7-3-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 9

   [13] He replied, "You give them something to eat."

   They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish--unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."  [14] (About five thousand men were there.)

   But he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each."  [15] The disciples did so, and everybody sat down.  [16] Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people.  [17] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 

 

       It was one of those amazing moments. The Disciples had prepared a finance report that showed clearly that this was a foolhardy endeavor. Interestingly, Jesus did not even comment on the finance report or the needs assessment.  It wasn't really what He had asked for.  Instead, Jesus gave them a plan. 

       We talk about a “fish or cut bait” moment. This was one. Break the people into groups of fifty.  That would be about 300 groups for this crowd of 15,000. Somehow the bewildered disciples knew to obey. 

       Then Jesus just did it.  He began to feed them.  He gave thanks over what God had already provided.  He got to work and started feeding.  God made it more than enough.  Actually it was exactly the same principle that the disciples had seen at work when they had gone out to minister in pairs, just on a larger scale.  God always provides for the ministry He wants done.  When they were all done there was so much left that they had to gather it up in baskets.

       We are going to stay here at Bethsaida for a couple of days because there is much to learn here.  But the first and biggest ministry lesson is to see that God is quite able to finish what He starts.  God gives His vision and then His provision.  God guides and then He provides.  It doesn't really take any more to feed 15,000 people than it does to walk out of town without a tunic or any extra money.  It is mostly a matter of trusting and obeying.

       We also see that God usually starts us with smaller things.  He has big plans but He usually starts us with a smaller mission.  Trust me to go without a tunic and a money bag.  This is where we learn to walk with Him.  Then there comes a bigger task. 

       My experience has been that when God reveals His big vision it usually takes our breath away and we are usually tempted to scale it down.  This doesn't mean we are supposed to "dream up" something impossible "for God".  He is perfectly capable of that.  It does mean that we need to listen for possibilities that are beyond our means and abilities. 

       Here are a few questions.  Has God been training you for something?  Have you been learning to trust Him for a smaller journey?  Are you walking in it?  Is God calling you to something big?  Is God calling you to something that seems just completely impossible?  If so, then the most exciting of days are ahead of you. Receive His training, listen for His vision, and then watch for His provision.

 

       Lord, help me to hear You clearly.  Teach me how to trust You in the daily walk of faith.  Build my faith so that when the big and impossible tasks come, I am ready to trust You for that miracle.  In Jesus' name.