One Sack of Food

"When Jesus heard [about the beheading of John the Baptist] he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart" (Matthew 14:13). Surely Jesus was saddened and needed a time to pray--John was his fore-runner and his relative! The foe was coming closer. 'Herod had heard of the fame of Jesus.' But just now 'the people had heard him and they followed him on foot.'

"Even so, Jesus went out to meet the multitude, and was moved with passion" and went about healing the sick. They stayed until evening, longing to hear and see more of this Jesus. His disciples approached him saying, "This is a desert place (v. 13) . . . send them away . . . to buy themselves victuals" (Matthew 14:15).

Now Jesus had been made sorrowful. Going to the Father to refresh himself, he moved on. May I quote him? "They need not depart, give ye them to eat" (Matthew 14:16). These people were now physically hungry! As for the soul, Jesus taught much in spiritual nourishment, yet he never neglected the physical needs of the crowd gathered around him.

One sack of food, offered with a smile and a concern in the voice, does make a difference to the often disappointed, abandoned and many times lonely human soul who timidly inquires for just one sack of food. Can we take time out of our day, our circumstances, perhaps even our sorrows and move into another mode, that of action? Placing our burdens at the feet of the Father, we then will be able to do as Jesus so willingly did! First he was saddened, then he prayed. He then cared for the spiritual needs of the people. His example of compassion, if there is a need--give ye them to eat. The crowd was drawn to him long before the food was served!

We too must go, being filled with that same compassion and having the courage to lay aside our own petty problems of the day, search and find the needy. Sometimes it is just only being there at the right time and with the right attitude. If it takes a sack of food for their bellies, then knowing Jesus would approve, 'give ye them to eat!' But never, never leave anyone destitute for the powerful food, the words of Jesus! The Word that fills the soul with the unbounded joy. He said, "Bring them hither to me" (Matthew 14:18). It may only take one sack of food!

~by Judy Corns

Father-God, I pray that I will live a life worthy of the calling I have received. I purpose to bless others, keeping your ways and doing what is right and just in Your sight. I pray that my offspring will be a blessing to all the nations of the earth.

Germaine Copeland - Browse all of our prayers by clicking here.

All Creation Praises the Creator

I would like to share with you some of the many things I get to enjoy when my dog, TJ, and I go for our daily walks. I will focus on today's experiences:

As we turn the first corner after walking a few blocks, we see a squirrel who has just gotten hit by a green walnut. He/She is surprised, looks at us and then he/she begins running to a tree, chattering, and to my surprise he/she begins chasing another squirrel around the tree. (Must have been the one who threw the walnut, which was a mystery.)

Laughing, we start walking down the hill, I happen to look up into a huge tree and get a another surprise. Right above me, falling, are two leaves hooked together twirling as they fall, similar to that of a helicopter's blades. What timing, if I had not looked up, I would not have seen the show of falling with excitement being performed. The Fall season is one of my favorite seasons. I just love the scenery this time of the year God gives us to enjoy.

As we continue walking, we pass a yard which is just beautiful. Looking towards the back corner is a bridge over a little creek which travels down all the back yard. As you follow the stream to the next corner, is a landscaped flower corner which has a huge bird bath and an arched trellis over it. Continuing around the yard you come upon a family of deer looking up as if they have spied something and they are petrified and don't make a move. The whole perimeter around the yard has many varieties of flowers that are breath-taking. Yep, that's my future back yard. :)

Coming upon a hedge of flowering bushes a yellow butterfly begins to keep a pace with us. It flutters back and forth, but keeps going in the same direction we are. It has been attracted to my blouse, because of it's color, which is purple and blue and is the same color of the flowers on the bushes we are now walking beside. We get closer to the bushes and it flutters off to one of the flowers.

While walking along the bushes a bee starts buzzing around my ear. I wave my hand close to my ears and bat it to a flower, it then starts buzzing around the flower. As I look at it, I realize that it is a very healthy looking bee, it could have done some damage if it would have decided to sting me. I am close enough now to see that there is not only one bee but many flying around the flowers, so I lead TJ away from the bushes. Maybe they should put up a sign which says, "CAUTION: Bee's Abound".

There are so many other things we have enjoyed and some of them are hilarious, each day we walk. I do encourage each of you to get out, take a walk and enjoy the special little things God has prepared for only you at that moment to view.

The Word says that all creation praises the Creator:

"He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the earth." (Psalm 104:10-14)

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord." (Psalm 96:11-13)

"Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away." (Psalm 148:1-6)

"Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds." (Psalm 148:7-10)

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)

Father, we thank you for all the little surprises you place in front of us to enjoy each day. You are an amazing and faithful God. Only You are the God that keeps all the promises He makes to His children and enjoys giving to us extravagantly. All creation does sing out, as we do, to give you all the praise and all the honor that only You, Lord deserve. We love you.

"What is True and Noble"

When I logged on to FB, I saw a song posted which was, "In God We Still Trust" by Diamond Rio. An awesome song! It gives an encouraging word to the families who survived the senseless killing of their loved ones on that fateful day of 9/11.

As I viewed the the video, the words, "What is Noble" came with the thought of Truth, but I could not think of the rest of the scripture, so I "Googled" it, and it was Philippians 4:8.

Written by Paul the Apostle, Philippians is in many respects, the most beautiful of Paul's letters, full of tenderness, warmth, and affection.

The dominant note throughout the letter is that of triumphant JOY. Paul though a prisoner, was exultantly happy, and called upon his readers to rejoice in Christ always.

Listen to his practical advice in Philippians 4:8.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Beautiful words which puts the focus back on God and His truths written in His Word, The Bible. We as believers can not let those who only have destruction on their minds tear us down. If we focus on God, He promises that we can make it through any tragic situation which comes into our life. Paul, going through suffering himself, found the answer which lead him to a supernatural JOY.

Our adversary, Satan, hates us and wants to see us suffer and he goes to any length to see that accomplished. He will use any non-believer to make his plan happen. God wants us to be prepared for any battle that comes our way and He will give us the strength to make it through it. So, Paul encourages us to focus on what are True and Noble things. He says, when you search for higher things, you will elevate your own life and out of it will also come JOY. The Supernatural JOY only God can give.

I found this sermon, which I have posted below, that digs deeper into the meaning of the verse Philippians 4:8, and has another twist to it for the unbeliever.

This verse gives us eight questions to ask about our thoughts. Before you think and before you speak, ask these six questions.

1. Is it true? “Whatever is true.” Truth is the first test. Knox translates this as “all that rings true.” Before you open your mouth, are you speaking the truth? Do your words have the “ring of truth” about them? This question rules out all that is dishonest, untrue and unreliable.

2. Is it noble? “Whatever is noble.” The word means “honorable, worthy of reverence.” It refers to that which is majestic and awe-inspiring. One person translated it as “noble seriousness.” This word is used in another place to describe the proper qualities of an elder. Is your thought life honorable? Do you ponder things that are noble and of serious purpose? Or do you dwell on the frivolous and trivial?

3. Is it right? “Whatever is right.” This means “in conformity to God’s standards.” Not, “Is it right in my eyes?” or “Is it right in the eyes of others?” but “Is it right in God’s eyes?” If your thoughts were broadcast for the world to hear, would you be ashamed and embarrassed? If others knew what you were thinking, what would they think of you?

4. Is it pure? “Whatever is pure.” The word means “undefiled, chaste, clean, holy.” It touches the whole area of moral purity. Is your thought-life clean? We used to say, “Get your mind out of the gutter.” If you live in the gutter, don’t be surprised that your mind is covered with slime.

5. Is it lovely? “Whatever is lovely.” This word is used only here in the New Testament. It literally means “love towards.” It has the idea of attracting loveliness as a magnet attracts iron filings. One person translates it as “those things that grace attracts.” Do your thoughts automatically attach themselves to that which is beautiful and lovely? A thought may be true and even right but still not be lovely. Here’s a simple rule: If it’s not lovely, if it doesn’t make you lovely, don’t say it, don’t think it, don’t do it, don’t dwell on it, and don’t repeat it!

6. Is it admirable? “Whatever is admirable.” That is, is it worthy of study and contemplation? Or is it cheap and tawdry? This question asks us to focus on the things that are positive not negative, constructive not destructive, things that build up not the things that tear down. This means editing your words so that you simply delete the non-admirable things from your vocabulary.

If that’s not enough, the Apostle gives us two catch-all categories: “If anything is excellent or praiseworthy.” Excellent refers to virtue and praiseworthy means “those things that God himself would approve.” So here you have two final questions:

7. Is it morally excellent?

8. Is it something that God would approve?

Taken together, these eight questions point the way toward positive thinking. Paul says, “Think on these things.” It’s a command. It’s in the present tense. Keep on focusing your thoughts in these eight areas. Find the true and think about it. Find the noble and think about it. Find the lovely and think about it. Find the virtuous and think about it. Do it, and verse 9 tells us that “the God of peace will be with you.” Those who think on these things experience God’s peace in their lives.

If you focus on the truth, you will speak the truth.
If you look on noble things, nobility will mark your life.
If you seek out lovely things, your life will be lovely to others.
If you dwell on that which is right, that which is wrong will have no attraction to you.
If you think on pure things, you will become pure.
If you look for virtue, you will find it.
If you search for higher things, you will elevate your own life.

Here is God’s prescription for believers trapped in unhealthy living: Think On These Things! Focus on the good, the pure, the true, the holy, the right, the lovely. Find those things that elevate the mind and think on them!

“Find them,” you exclaim. “But where do I look?” Look all around you. Even in a fallen world, beauty is everywhere, truth is right by your side, purity is yours for the asking, things that are admirable are all around you.

Bits and Pieces of the sermon "Think on These Things" by Dr. Ray Pritchard

Father, gratefully we express appreciation for the fact that You have ministered to us this morning in many ways, and You have given us the privilege of sitting, as it were, at the feet of the Spirit of God to be taught. Help us, Lord, to understand the unbelievable privilege of having the mind of Christ, the wisdom of God dispensed to us by the Spirit of God so that we can properly know what is right. Help us, Lord, to protect the mind, to learn to think, to set our minds on the things that matter. Thank You, O God, for the rich repository of Your Word and all those many books that speak of Your Word that provide for us an unending well of fresh clear cool refreshing water of truth that we might truly be saturated with that which is true, which is honorable, which is right, which is pure, which is lovely, which is of good repute. And since there is excellence in the Christian life and since there are some things so worthy of praise, we would think on these things. Guard us, Lord, that we might be all the more to Your glory. Amen.

References:
Godly Thinking
NSFLB
Dr. Ray Pritchard
Video "In God We Still Trust" by Diamond Rio