Thanksgiving Thought
All four gospels record the story of Jesus multiplying the five loaves and two fish. And all four gospels say that Jesus gave thanks! Read the story. It doesn't say that Jesus asked for what he wanted. It says that Jesus gave thanks for what he had.
Scripture is kaleidoscopic.
On one level, this is a story about the mathematics of faith. When you have faith, 5 + 2 = 5000 R12. But it is also a story about thanksgiving. Jesus gave thanks for what little he had and the Father multipled what little he had so it was more than enough. A little thanksgiving was the difference between being 4,993 meals short and having 12 baskets of leftovers!
I think there is a profound spiritual truth in this story: if you keep giving thanks God will keep multiplying blessings! I think the natural tendency is to focus on what we don't have. And if we focus on the 5000, we won't be grateful for the 5 loaves and 2 fish. But if we keep giving thanks for the 5 loaves and 2 fish, God will keep feeding the 5000! The key to multiplication is thanksgiving!
If we keep giving thanks for the little stuff then God will keep doing the big stuff.
Scripture is kaleidoscopic.
On one level, this is a story about the mathematics of faith. When you have faith, 5 + 2 = 5000 R12. But it is also a story about thanksgiving. Jesus gave thanks for what little he had and the Father multipled what little he had so it was more than enough. A little thanksgiving was the difference between being 4,993 meals short and having 12 baskets of leftovers!
I think there is a profound spiritual truth in this story: if you keep giving thanks God will keep multiplying blessings! I think the natural tendency is to focus on what we don't have. And if we focus on the 5000, we won't be grateful for the 5 loaves and 2 fish. But if we keep giving thanks for the 5 loaves and 2 fish, God will keep feeding the 5000! The key to multiplication is thanksgiving!
If we keep giving thanks for the little stuff then God will keep doing the big stuff.
7 Comments:
What a great reminder. It really changes your perspective for the situation you are in. Thanks Mark
Hey! You just stold my Thanksgiving message! Seriously, I'm preaching on pretty much the exact same idea.
I guess great minds think alike! :)
Thanks for everything you've done for us personally and for everything you've done for our church.
I know you didn't have to do any of it, but it's really made a difference in our lives and helped our church to exist!
Thanks, Mark!
I'm visiting family in the area and searched the internet for a church like I attend in Tennessee. Seems as if your church fills the bill. I'm going to try and attend a service while in the area.
Our church is HOPE Presbyterian in Cordova TN. It has meant so much to me to be in an environment of peace and love. Truely a life changing and saving experience. God always leads us where we need to be. At times it's may not be where we want to be, but always where we NEED to be...It's all part of His plan.
Thanks
Blessings,
Mike R.
Cordova, Tennessee
Mark,
Great thoughts again...I've used the "math" you described several times in the past 30 days as we did our "Ripple Effect" series...
Check out my Ripple Effect posts at http://pastorpreneur.typepad.com/pastorpreneur/
It is our way of Chasing the Lion.
Blessings Mark...
Mark,
Thank you for the beautiful thought, and for reminding me to be thankful for the little things.
And we'll be thankful for Packers -- even in their losses.
Thanks for the reminder. As pastors we do often dwell on the ones that haven't followed Christ yet, or the ones that just can't see the obvious. Let's pause and say thanks for those who have received Christ, and for those His love is closing in on.
Thanks for the reminder. I really needed to hear that. God bless.
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