Welcome to Day 21. There are moments in life we will face that will challenge our faith and walk with Jesus. We sometimes deceive ourselves believing that without any preparation we will be able to endure those difficult times. But it is the small and mundane moments with Jesus or the unseen moments that will prepare us for those battles. Though you may not be able to see the results, do not be discouraged! For these moments with the King are like adding yeast to dough. It will rise. Find your place and welcome Him with me as we spend the next 10-15 minutes in prayer and study. Here are some helpful tips to best utilize your time.
- Choose an ordinary place to become a sacred-ordinary holy ground. This could be your favorite chair, the back porch steps, or a coffee shop.
- Set aside anything that could distract you for the next 10-15 minutes. If you are using your phone or laptop for these devotionals put it on do not disturb. If you are using a printout, set aside your phone or smartwatch. This time is intentionally meant to be with The King.
- I suggest picking up a journal so that you can jot down some ideas that stick out to you from your time with Jesus. As you continue to meditate on it throughout your day, write it down.
- Pick a consistent time. For you, it may be the final moments in your day, early in the morning before anyone wakes up, or your daily office lunch break. When doesn’t matter as much as being consistent.
I pray that during this time of meditation, reflection, and prayer God will reveal himself to us so we can draw near to him. Shall we begin?
August 24 John 6:1-15
- Let’s Begin with Prayer. Pick a posture whether kneeling, sitting, or sitting up straight with the palms of your hands facing upward.
- In this season of prayer, In this season of prayer, be honest with God about what you don’t understand, whatever it may be. Perhaps you don’t understand why you believe something you believe (e.g. the Trinity, Sabbath keeping, etc.) or don’t understand why something is happening to you or someone you love. Today, pray and journal honestly.
- Read John 6:1-15 Write some of your thoughts down. Here are some questions to consider to help navigate your time studying scripture.
- Where did I feel resistance? Where did I feel delight? What portion of scripture did I experience God’s nearness?
Some Thoughts I Like To Share,
We must not forget the timing in which this miracle occurs. This is during the time when the people of Israel should be remembering what God did ages ago with the ancestors. God set them free from the bondage of slavery and He began to lead them into the new promised land. While in the desert, God would send manna from heaven to feed His Children. Now that you understand the past let’s continue into this story.
Jesus is the one who asks the question, “Where shall we buy bread that these may eat?” Jesus’ goal is to train his disciples. He wants them to see the way He sees. As the disciples see an impossible situation, Jesus is helping them discover that nothing is impossible. But in order to get there, it will take time. It will take discipleship. This encourages me because the Spirit tells me He is in it for the long game.
The disciples can’t see the way Jesus sees yet. But they bring what they have with the expectation that He can do something. Even if they don’t know what it will be. That is a beautiful point that I really want to draw out.
Though you may not be able to tell what He can do, bring to Him what you have and sit back and enjoy the show. Faith is able to be used when He takes you to places that are impossible. So bring what you have even if it looks impossible.
The final thing that I would like to suggest to each of you, Jesus cannot be put into the boxes of our own making. Jesus’ mission was something far greater than momentary freedom from the Romans. Every other time Jesus set them free from oppression, the Israelites would find a way to be put underneath the thumb of another kingdom. Obviously, the issue wasn’t freedom from a government but from a corrupt heart. Therefore follow him don’t ask him to follow you.
- Let’s Begin with Prayer. Pick a posture whether kneeling, sitting, or sitting up straight with the palms of your hands facing upward.