All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:15-16
The post “Believe and Receive” gives an example to follow in having concern for others and their needs. Because of Jesus, we can have faith that there will be a never ending supply of food for the soul.
Let us worship with the song “I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe” and be thankful for our current provision and a future beyond our wildest dreams.
This day with God, we seek and we believe. We are thankful for His provision; grateful for all we receive. Reading today in Mark 8:1-10, again we are told that Jesus fed a large crowd of people with a very small supply of food. Remembering back a few chapters ago in Mark 6, five thousand were fed. The motive for Jesus’ feeding of the four thousand in this passage is compassion. Jesus initiates the action in this passage but in the feeding of the five thousand in Mark 6, action was initiated by the disciples.
If we compare the two experiences, we see that when the disciples initiated the action, there was greater efficiency. In the first occurrence, five thousand were fed with five loaves of bread and two fish. Twelve basketfuls were left. In today’s occurrence, four thousand were fed with seven loaves of bread and a few fish. Seven basketfuls were left after everyone was satisfied.
Our attitude of concern and compassion for others adds to the power of faith because we are compelled to share with them this bounty of never ending food for the soul. The more faith we have as individuals, the greater the power as previous hopeless experiences stimulate our faith even more. It is a continuous renewable cycle as we constantly feed the heart and soul with the ultimate reward being eternal paradise.
The take away for me is to live our life with concern for others and their needs. Share food for the soul and build the bounty of never ending renewable power received from His Word, from music, from art, and nature. These unseen rewards are never depleted but continue to grow in our memories and are available to share with others so they can receive eternal blessings.
We face trials and tribulations in life on earth. There is despair, pain, drugs, alcohol, and problems with relationships but we can always be lifted up because there is the ultimate prize when we step out in faith. Believe that God will provide music for our ears, laughter for our souls, and a rainbow after every storm.
I remember one time, there was an amazing rainbow as I walked up to my office. It stretched from one end of the lake to the next. Below is a photo of the double rainbow I saw.
This day with You Lord, we are thankful for Your word today about feeding the 4,000. Help us follow this example so our attitude is one of concern for others and their needs. To know there is a bounty of never ending food for our souls. We call on You for help as we face trials in life and step ahead in faith knowing that there are huge dividends for sharing Your food for the soul with others. In You Lord, there are eternal rewards. Amen
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been reading the book of Mark. We learned in the post “Sticking To It” about never giving up. The people were skeptical of Jesus in His hometown since He came from a modest upbringing and they couldn’t get in their mind that Jesus was the Savior. It was a setback but Jesus kept pressing on. He took action by going to the other villages and getting help from His disciples.
We are thrown into the fire and face pressure each day. As the post “Choose What Will Last Forever” points out, we need to make the right choices in life. Rather than choosing to be liked by the world, let us choose the forever solid principles taught by Christ.
In the post “Unified for the Impossible”, some thoughts were shared about how Jesus organized with the twelve disciples to make what seemed impossible possible. The lesson for us is to continue this example of working together, applying our strengths, organizing, and sharing.
Within the post “Let Him In The Boat” is the thought that the first step is the hardest but each step after that provides more momentum. Let us gain momentum on a daily basis as we read God’s word, pray, and develop plans for a brighter future.
Studying and posting thoughts in the post “Reflecting On The Way”, discovered was that if we embrace grace and follow the Way, we grow in character so that every moment becomes a building block to accomplishment as we step ahead.
The take away from the post “Dilute What Pollutes” is that love comes before rules and regulations. Jesus is inside our heart so we can serve out of love rather than rules or regulations. Because of Jesus, the future is brighter as rules and regulations do not restrict us since we are free to live our lives according to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Explained in the post “Fulfilling Our Purpose Out of Love” is that Jesus’ ministry is not great because of the procedure but in the person of Christ who creatively used the sense of touch in healing a man who could not hear. Our obedience to Jesus has an effect on others so let us take special interest in others to creatively build them up and help them understand spiritual matters.
The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable in sharing about God’s word over the next few weeks. As I share about my study, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with God amazing!
Questions for Reflection
Mark 8:1-10 – What is Jesus’ motive in his action here? Who initiates the question of food? In what ways have you allowed previous hopeless experiences to stimulate your faith in God? How is Jesus’ attitude toward people and their needs an example for you?
Mark 8:11-26 – Why does Jesus refuse the Pharisees’ request? What warning does Jesus give? With what level of life are the disciples concerned? Do we need to look at reducing our efforts for our physical needs and increasing our efforts for our spiritual needs? If so, how can we take action? In healing the blind man at Bethsaida, what actions of Jesus are appropriate to the blind man and his needs?
Mark 8:27 through 9:1 – What two questions does Jesus asks and what answers are given? What new teaching does Jesus introduce? What hindrances to discipleship do you face? What can you do to keep your perspective clear? What promise does Jesus make?
Mark 9:2-13 – Why do you think, does Jesus take these three disciples with Him on the mountaintop? Is there a mountaintop experience you have that you would like to share? What does verse 7 underscore about Jesus’ identity?
Mark 9:14-29 – What are the disciples at the base of the mountain involved in when Jesus returns? What are the criterion for receiving the power needed to be effective? What insights have you gained from this case history to help you believe? What specific steps can you take to improve your prayer life?
Mark 9:30-41 – Why was there more emphasis on seclusion rather than being available to the people? What is Jesus’ concept of greatness? In what ways have you tried to become great? What characteristics of a servant attitude do you need to absorb into your daily living with your friend, neighbor, spouse, employer, employee, etc.? When have you been critical of others because they aren’t in your group or doing things your way?
Mark 9:42-50 – What thoughts and actions cause you to stumble? What can help cut away these thoughts and actions? What is the function of salt? What steps can you take to acknowledge the authority of Jesus in your life? What ideas do you have to impact others with values like humility and kindness?
Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.
Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.
Our obedience to Jesus has an effect on others so let us take special interest in others to creatively build them up and help them understand spiritual matters. Also, receive inspiration from the song “What a Beautiful Name ” by Hillsong Worship.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
Explained in the post “Fulfilling Our Purpose Out of Love” is that Jesus’ ministry is not in the procedure but in the person of Christ who creatively used the sense of touch in healing a man who could not hear. Our obedience to Jesus has an effect on others so let us take special interest in others to creatively build them up and help them understand spiritual matters.
Take inspiration today from the song What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship. The word at the beginning hidden in creation became a person named Jesus. Death could not hold Him and He was raised to…
Be inspired, hold your head high, claim a bright future for yourself, and declare victory over the negatives that hold you back. Receive optimism from the song “Clear Skies” by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound.
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13
The take away from the post “Dilute What Pollutes” is that love comes before rules and regulations. Jesus is inside our heart so we can serve out of love rather than rules or regulations.
Because of Jesus, the future is brighter because rules and regulations do not restrict us since we are free to live our lives according to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We can accept all and are fee to more easily carry out our lives in a positive manner using the unseen qualities of faith, hope, and love.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 