1. The needy never ask at a good time (Jesus was trying to be alone for a while).
2. The needy always ask for more than you have.
3. Jesus asks only that I use what have, and He’ll take care of the rest.
4. Even after a long day, Jesus has time to help.
5. Even when it would be reasonable, Jesus doesn’t send people away who want His help.
6. Sharing Jesus’ love with someone can mean filling any kind of need, not just a spiritual one.
7. Jesus uses people to help other people so that both are blessed. “You give them something to eat.”
8. Jesus gave thanks before the meal. Even someone who has everything can be thankful.
9. When I give what little I have away, it multiplies in return. With leftovers.
10. Jesus does miracles that look rather ordinary. Then and today.

A small boy gave Jesus 5 small barley loaves and 2 small fish and Jesus fed 5,000 men; not including women and children and there were 12 baskets of left over pieces. Jesus is Mighty to Save and Strong to provide. No matter how meager your resources are, God will provide.

Here is the question:

Have you brought your meager broken pieces to Jesus Christ?

Have you brought your 5 loaves and 2 fish to Christ?

When we bring our meager resources to Jesus Christ – and it passes through the hands of Jesus Christ – it becomes enough – more than enough – an abundance of blessings!

When we bring our meager little selves to Jesus Christ, it is absolutely miraculous what miracles and wonders God can do through us!

What is holding you back from surrendering yourself and giving yourself and your gifts to God? (SOURCE UNKNOWN)

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is virtues (graces) that influence the character of the Christian.  In order to live the life that God wants us, His sons and daughters, to live, He didn’t leave us alone, with only our own abilities, but rather gave us His Spirit to produce fruit (manifest itself) in our lives. 

The internal character

Love– this is an unselfish love like that found in Jesus Christ – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Joy– this is a happiness or contentment that lasts even when there are reasons to feel sad – 2 Corinthians 6:10; Philippians 4:4; Hebrews 10:34

Peace– this is a tranquillity of spirit that doesn’t change as circumstances alter – Philippians 4:7,9

The character as expressed toward men (outwardly)

Patience – this is not getting upset or angry when one thinks he has a reason to do so or when someone “does you wrong”; includes perseverance and not becoming upset or angered when one thinks he is right or being mistreated – 1 Peter 2:20

Kindness – this is a kind attitude expressed toward other people; it is not a weakness of conviction or character

Goodness – this is doing (and being) good to other people, like the example God has given us

The character in its relationship to God

Faithfulness – here the idea is faithfulness to the Lord and in what one does for Him – Luke 8:15

Gentleness – this is not having a higher opinion of oneself than one should; not getting angry easily; it is seen in        our relationships with others – Matthew 11:29; Colossians 3:12

Self-control –  this   is    personal discipline or control in all aspects of one’s life, especially with passions; it also relates to things like the consumption of food and drink, the use of leisure time, and the way we handle our money – Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:13

(SOURCE UNKNOWN)

In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at  a  nearby  church  and  talk  to the  minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned. “If Christians have caste differences also,” he said, “I might as well remain a Hindu.” That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior. (Our Daily Bread)

Francois Fenelon was the court preacher for King Louis XIV of France in the 17th century. One Sunday when the king and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular service, no one else was there but the preacher. King Louis demanded, “What does this mean?” Fenelon replied, “I had published that you would not come to church today, in order that your Majesty might see who serves God in truth and who flatters the king.”   (Source Unknown)

One blistering hot day when they had guests for dinner, Mother asked 4-year old Johnny to give thanks. “But I don’t know what to say!” the boy complained. “Oh, just say what you hear me say” his mother replied. Obediently the boy bowed his head and mumbled, “Oh Lord, why did I invite these people over on a hot day like this?” (Source Unknown.)

Things are going well, no crisis, no conflicts to speak of, pretty much smooth sailing.

Then seemingly out of nowhere, a storm hits. Maybe it’s a crisis, or a hardship. Maybe it’s a personal tragedy.

So what do you do when a hurricane-force storm hits and water is filling your boat? Answer: You take heart. Because you are not alone.

When Paul was at sea on his way to Rome and the mighty tempest hit him and the others on board, he was able to courageously encourage others. He told them, “But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me” (Acts 27:22-23).

How was Paul able to be so confident? He was conscious of the presence of God in the face of danger. He knew that God was there with him.

And God is with us in our storms as well. God will always give us what we need when we need it.

You remember that Paul had what he called his “thorn in the flesh,” which was presumably some kind of physical disability or illness. He asked the Lord three times to remove it (see 2 Corinthians 12). God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9), which is another way of saying, “I will be with you, Paul. Instead of a healing, I will personally be there in a special and sufficient way.”

A. B. Simpson wrote these words:
“Once it was the Blessing, now it is the Lord.
Once it was the Feeling, now it is His Word.
Once His Gifts I wanted, now the Giver alone.
Once I sought Healing, now Himself alone.”

God is with you right now, regardless of the storm or even the shipwreck. We may not hear an audible voice, but you may hear that “still small voice” of God’s Holy Spirit. Or He will speak to you through His Word. You can take heart in the face of danger or uncertainty because you are aware of God’s presence with you.

When your boss says, “I’m really sorry, but I’m going to have to let you go!” Or when the doctor says, “The test results are back and I need you to come in.” Or when the telephone rings and someone says, “There’s been an accident.”

You are not alone. The Lord is standing next to you. He cares. Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

I have been teaching my granddaughter Stella a new Bible verse that I will leave you with today: “Jesus said, I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) (GREG LAURIE)

It really depends upon what you are aiming for. Like most parents you long for your children to “succeed” in life. But what does that mean? Is it merely getting into the right schools, having the right grades, the right friends and the right skills so that they can get the right job?

Ask yourself this question: “Am I helping my kids develop the ‘right stuff’ from a Biblical perspective?” Are you, like an archer, carefully aiming your parenting to produce Godly children who will not only have a vital relationship with Jesus Christ, but embody God’s Kingdom values in the way they live their lives?

What can you do to help your kids develop spiritually? Merely sending them to church activities isn’t enough. Studies show that 90% of youth who have heavily participated in church drop out after 2 years in college. For many youth, the checking out begins as early as the age of 16. They find packaged religion to be irrelevant to the real world. What can you do to counter this trend?

1. Embrace God’s Kingdom agenda. Whether you know it or not, you are now teaching them values that either conform to or conflict with God’s Kingdom. When you decide to participate in an activity that regularly interferes with spiritual responsibilities (church attendance, Bible study, spiritual service) you have taught them that personal fulfillment is more important than obedience to and fellowship with God. You are on display to them 24/7. They watch your every move, how you spend your time, how you spend your money. They listen to what you talk about. Do they see in you generosity, compassion, and a love of God and His Word? Do they see you ordering your life around God’s priorities? You are the first Bible they have read and they started reading right after birth. What have they learned?

2. Create the environment. How does the environment of your home aesthetically and socially reflect God’s Kingdom agenda? Children swim in the environment of the home. Things dear to God’s heart can be reflected even in the way you decorate your home. Have you as carefully thought about the “value environment” in your home as you have how you have selected its décor? Think of how you celebrate holidays…what can you do to turn them into “teaching moments” that zero in on what God values?

3. Teach by using experience. Jesus taught people by taking them to places and exposing them to real life. The world and all its activity became a textbook of illustrations Jesus used to drive home Biblical truth. The quickest and easiest way to do this is to begin to serve Christ as a family. Go on family mission trips together. Serve in your local area together. God has placed gifts and abilities in your family and He expects you to use them.     (J. RANDALL WALLACE)