The miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand as told in John's Gospel is a very well-known Bible story; in fact it's one of the few miracles which is recorded in all four Gospels (see also Luke 9:12, Mark 6:36, Matthew 14:16). However, John's account is slightly longer and contains a detail which is not found in the others. See if you can pick it out.
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "It would take almost 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. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." (John 6:5-15)
Did you find it? The detail which is missing from the other three Gospels is the little boy from whose meal Jesus creates the feast.
As I play this scene out in my mind, I imagine the apostles making their way through the crowd calling out for anyone who might have a scrap of food to share. Their desperation and their desire to please the Lord would have been written on their faces and evident in their voices.
In the midst of all of this, a boy comes forward and selflessly offers all that he has. From this simple offering, Jesus performs His miracle.
There are many ways Jesus could have solved this problem. He could have rained bread from Heaven, or He could have waved His hands and filled their stomachs. Instead, He took what was freely offered and turned it into something miraculous.
This pattern is repeated time and time again in our own lives. There are many ways God can help us during our times of need, but the most common pattern is for God to take what we offer and turn it into something greater than we can do on our own.
In conjunction with asking God for help, we need to ensure that we do the part that we can do. If we've lost our job, then we need to start working on our résumé right away. If we have an exam coming up, we need to study. Only once we have done all that we can do will God take over and do what only He can do.
If we are asking God to open doors for us, we need to be standing at the doorstep, ready to enter.
This Week @ Detonate:
It's finally here! July 4th Prayer March Out would not be possible without your vision and passion for your school! We are trusting God with faith and perseverance to win our schools for Christ:) Do check out with your team leader on time and venue to meet! NOTE There will be no youth service in our church building this week only.
"So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:6-7
I think we sometimes miss the point of petitioning (a request made for something desired) God. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking God for things we need or even things we want. The important thing to keep in mind is that actually getting the thing we're asking for is the least important part of the whole process.
This seems funny. Why ask for something if you don't care if you get it? I'm not saying you should not care about the issue which is troubling you; I'm saying you should not be concerned with the exact outcome. We need to trust God to solve the problem His way.
Suppose you're having trouble making ends meet and you're not sure how you will pay this month's bills. You may ask God to send you some extra money. You may ask God to help you find a better paying job. In all likelihood, God is not going to do either of those things, though it's certainly possible. The point is that it really doesn't matter how God decides to solve the problem. By asking God for help, you have admitted that you need Him, and that is what really matters. How God decides to deal with the issue is immaterial, but rest assured He will intervene in the best way possible.
God does not want you to depend on a particular solution; He wants you to depend on Him.
Asking for God's help in all situations is a very important part of our relationship with Him. When you ask for God to help, you are indirectly saying that you trust Him and that you need Him. You are admitting your weakness and acknowledging His strength. You are submitting and surrendering to Him.
Another reason to ask for God's help is not to seek a specific outcome, but rather to receive His comfort, support and peace. God may not provide a direct resolution to every difficulty in our lives, but He will comfort us. When you seek God during times of trouble, large or small, you are saying, "God, be with me during this time. Let my thoughts be with you and let me feel your presence."
Tell the Lord everything you need and share with Him every care and worry that is on your mind. Don't seek a resolution, but seek God instead and you will receive peace and comfort, along with God's best solution thrown in for free. It almost certainly won't be the solution you had in mind, and it may not be easy to endure, but it will be the right solution in the long run.
This Week @ Detonate!:
Absolutely no stranger to us, Brother Andrew Yeo will be here in Detonate youth to bring about the Word of God! We believe God will yet again do His work amongst us through worship and the Word as we ride along the new wave! So cya all at 4.45pm sharp:) Be part of DETONATE!
Awesomeawesome camp! This is THE best camp I've ever been to, and I believe it's agreed across all campers! Non-campers don't have to feel sad, the notes for the camp will be out soon!
One Life, One Destiny is one Spirit-filled camp and I thank God for delivering His Word to His church! Here's what was delivered on day 4 morning by Pastor Rupert:
NEW WINESKINS
Through the camp, God spoke very clearly about forgetting the former things, and start a new chapter fresh and undaunted. New wine cannot be contained in old wineskins.
Remember the ball game we played? Unless each of us play a part in being part of the new momentum, the game will not be able to continue. So long someone decides to hold back or to not commit into the 'game', we will not be able to move forward as far as we may.
So.. are you going to be part of the new wave?
Look forward to!:
PRAYER MARCH OUT!
This Week @ Detonate:
H.I.T Detonate! We are gonna put in action for our personal and ministry H.I.T list! Come prepared with your thoughts yeah! 4.45pm for an intimate time of exalting Him!
God’s purpose for the church is also his purpose for every Christian. As individual followers of Christ we’re to use our lives in worship, ministry, evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship. The church allows us to do it together. We are not alone in serving Him.
That’s why we love the church with all of our heart. It’s the most brilliant concept ever created. It has outlasted cultures, governments, skeptics, enemies from within and without, and it will continue to do so until Jesus returns.
We must love the church as Christ does and we must teach others to love the church also. “… Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.… After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church – for we are members of his body” (Ephesians 5:25, 29-30 NIV).
The truth is you can’t serve God in any other generation except your own! You may want to but it’s only wishful thinking. We cannot bring back the past. Ministry must always be done in the context of the current generation and culture. Whether we like it or not, we must minister to people in the culture as it really is, not in some past form that we may have idolized in our minds.
We don’t know what the final chapters of your story will hold, but we can be confident of this: “… that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV)
God finishes whatever he starts. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. There are many factors that influence your life, things you have no control over: your background, nationality, age, giftedness. These were determined by the sovereignty of God.
But there is one important factor that you do have control over: how much you choose to believe God! You can believe God as you serve your generation according to the will of God.
Look forward to!:
we are down to 7 days to Youth Camp - Answer The Call!Do keep a lookout at our church noticeboard and blog for the updates on meeting points and time:)
This Week @ Detonate:
It's gonna be a good time of bonding as the Young Adults and youths are in for a combined service this saturday! It's video screening on FAITH and CONQUERING FEAR:) and, to add on to the great saturday evening, we will have our dine-in dinner:):) So what are you waiting for?! See ya all at 4.45pm!
