You want to what?!? With how much ?1?

Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:7-11 (NIV)

So is the cup half full or half empty? Honestly which is it? That blessing God just gave you, is it enough or could you use just a little more? Do you have enough to go around again? This story has 3 different perspective in it. Let's take a look at Philip's first. Philip's thoughts on feeding the 5 thousand was not happening. Feeding these many people just isn't a possibility. He might have even thought why bother trying. He is very realistic here, a half year's wage wouldn't even buy everyone a bite. This task is just too big. Have you ever had Philip's outlook? I do. Every time I sit down to write on Esther, I think about all the work it will take and all the skill I lack. I think about how much I struggle with words and how worn out I feel after just writting 2 paragraphs. But then again Philip and I aren't focusing on the right thing, and what makes it worse for Philip is that Jesus is standing right there in front of him. So am I off the hook? I mean Philip can see and touch Jesus, he's even watched him do miracles. I've never physically seen Jesus, I can't be all that wrong cause I can't keep my focus on Him right? Um, not so much. I know how the story ends, Philip didn't at the time.

Now for Andrew's perspective. Well, we got some, but how far will it go? Andrew even points out that what they have is small. How will it be enough? Ever have a small amount and wonder if it will be enough? I've had a small amount of gas in my car and not much money and pay day was a long way off. However, I would still load my car up with kids who needed rides home after Wednesday night church. It didn't matter where in the valley they lived. I took them home. It didn't matter that it took 45 minutes to drive to work. I still did it and hoped that gas would hold out until pay day which was light years away. Andrew is quite aware that gas light should come on any second. Andrew is well aware, what they have and who they have to feed, don't add up very well. No equal sign in this equation. It needs a greater sign and it goes to the number of people and not the stuff to eat.

Now Jesus had the right perspective. He had the people sit down, not looking at the number of people. He took the bread and fish, not caring about the amount. He gave thanks and feed the 5 thousand. He was grateful for what there was and it was enough. It seemed that when I carted children around the city of Phoenix, I had enough gas. I could drive hundreds of miles and the gas gauge needle wouldn't move. Ok, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration but you get the picture. Give rides and the gas would last longer. Doesn't make sense, but with God it doesn't have to. Before I sit down to write, I thank God for using me, and the words just come. It isn't a struggle. I'm not worn out when I'm done. It isn't a battle. Be thankful makes things go further or so it seems.

Next time you get a task that is unpleasant and seems impossible, who are going to be Philip, Andrew or Jesus? Jesus was successful, He solved the problem. He handled it; they even had leftovers. God is the business of taking equations that shouldn't work, and making the work with some leftover too.

Enemies and Promises.

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. (NIV)


If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.
The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! (NLT)


Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.
The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 28:1,7

I love the verses that have promises in them. I love that ever though this in the Old Testament, I can take these promises for myself. This talk about obeying God and his commands, following the laws of Moses, but do we have to follow the laws of Moses? As New Testament Christians, not exactly. Jesus came to set us free from the law, but he did tell us that we have 2 commands we need to follow: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37,39). If you are doing these 2 things and obeying God, the promise in verse 7 is yours. I recently got a side-by-side Bible and it has been exciting to be in the word because I can see the small differences. Verse 7 is a great example of this. NIV says will grant, NKJV says will cause, but NLT says will conquer. However great these words are my favorite word is right before will. This si the one doing the action, which makes the word even better. Do you see it? It's Lord. The Lord will conquer. Not me, mainly because I'm not good enough to do the conquering. Personally though when someone like the Lord is on my side, I don't need to be good enough. He does a better job when I don't meddle, so I'll leave the conquering of my enemies to Him. I really love the end of this verse too. They will flee in seven ways. God is good. Even though verse 7 is great and exciting, lets not forget verse 1, and that we must do our part first, we must obey.