A Momma’s Love
Sometimes when reading the bible, my imagination kicks in. It makes for interesting reading as the people seem more real versus like characters in a book. During a recent bible study, we were reading about the feeding of 5000 in the book of Luke. As we were reading, I remembered there was some place in the gospels where a little boy is mentioned. The feeding of the 5000 can be found in all four gospels, but it is in the Gospel of John we read about the owner of the lunch bag.
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:9 NIV
Not much there about the boy! But of course there is no need for a big explanation of the little boy. The point was to see Jesus at work during this massive, but very orderly picnic. It occurred to me out of all those folks only one person had sense enough to bring food. Not quite sure of the boy’s age, but I’m sure he had a mother who loved him dearly. She loved him enough to make sure he had a hearty lunch while he was away from home.
I remember when I was in school, there were many years in which I preferred to bring my lunch versus eating the cafeteria lunch. My mom took great care in adding lunch items that were nutritious but tasted good. I imagine the same care was apparent as this mom packed five loaves and two fish. Little did mother or child know that this little act of love would be used by Jesus to show loving care for many! They say 5000 was just the number of men – this did not include the women and children.
Praise God for a momma’s love! Praise God even more for the His love!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV
Happy Mother’s Day!
Solitude Management
Being an introvert, I enjoy my alone time. Why? I value being alone because it gives me a chance to recharge. After buzzing around people all day, I crave the quietness of the house, the drone of the computer screen at night (I’m a night owl) or curling up on the couch with a book. Whether a person is an introvert or extrovert, we all need time away to reflect or just relax on our own. We can only receive the valuable benefits of solitude based on how well we manage this time.
During a recent session, my bible study group was reading chapter eight of Luke. Within this chapter is a story of a man and the dark forces that sought to destroy him.
When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. Luke 8:27-29 NIV
I have read this passage several times, but the words “solitary places” captured my attention. It caused me to pause and think how often my thoughts drove me to despair when I was alone. I imagine the man who called himself “Legion (v. 30)” was at one time a normal man. Like any of us, he probably went through some trials that weighed him down. Unfortunately one too many times these thoughts (the whispers from the dark) overtook him … until he lost himself. Lost, entangled and powerless to the dark forces that tormented him.
Praise God! No matter how far off we may stray or be lost in the dark, God is there to reel us back in. In this particular situation, the man received a special visit from Jesus himself. While others tried to chain him down, Jesus came to set him free! Jesus set him free by giving him back his “mind.”
When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Luke 8:35-36 NIV
How are you using your times of solitude? Are you taking some time alone time? I’m still learning, but in those times when I’m alone and I’m down in the dumps, I can’t let myself be idle or let my thoughts make me anxious. I must tell Jesus! Jesus is our perfect example. In Mark 1:35, it says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” We often see in the gospels where Jesus goes off by himself. The key element to how he managed his times of solitude … he PRAYED to his Father in Heaven. God longs for his children to communicate with Him. If you have not taken time to go off to a solitary place, I encourage you to do it soon! Be on a mission to meet with God when you get there!
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
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