Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
April 24, 2024
Matthew 14:13-21
13 When Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. When the crowds learned this, they followed him on foot from the cities. 14 When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them and healed those who were sick. 15 That evening his disciples came and said to him, “This is an isolated place and it’s getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “There’s no need to send them away. You give them something to eat.” 17 They replied, “We have nothing here except five loaves of bread and two fish.” 18 He said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them and broke the loaves apart and gave them to his disciples. Then the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 Everyone ate until they were full, and they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers. 21 About five thousand men plus women and children had eaten.
Good Morning! Bless the Lord, O My Soul!
Fishes and loaves! God gives us love. When we share it with others, it grows each time we give it away. When you offer all you have to God, your offering will be blessed and multiply.
I have always loved the example from our ancestors of saving a portion of the yeast dough to start the next day’s bread. You use the leftover dough as the base for your bread. The yeast within the small piece grows to make the current day’s bread. Day after day, the yeast continues to grow and work.
God’s love and blessings are like that. We can give away all of our blessings except for a small portion, and the next day they will be replenished to use again. God’s grace is abundant and continually overflowing. “God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will overflow in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Help us to give of ourselves, as you give to us. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: We are blessed when we share our blessing with others.
Share and be blessed! Pastor Liz