YOUR CONTRIBUTION IN GOD'S HANDS

Today, I encourage my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to always be ready to bless somebody - whether they be a believer in Christ or non-believer. We help move someone toward a decision for a life with Christ when we bless the non-believer. We strengthen the Body of Christ when we bless other Christians. We show the love of God in both cases as we do not neglect either.

In order to be prepared for these kind of opportunities at any moment, God instructs us to just use what we have on hand to minister one-to-another - be real, be genuine. In the miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand it is stated,

"As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, 'This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.'

Jesus replied, 'They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.'

'We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,' they answered.

'Bring them here to me,' he said." (Matthew 14:15-18)

The thrust is to be authentic in your blessing and/or relationship building. Don't try to drum something up or try really hard in this area. First, bring yourself and your blessing to Christ, then allow Him to break it, bless it and multiply it. 

"Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over." (Matthew 14:19-20)

This is exactly what He did with the amount provided and I believe He will do the same for us in all areas of our lives.

Did you know that this event had a precursor? The Feeding of the Five Thousand was foreshadowed in 2 Kings 4:42-44 with the Feeding of One Hundred.

"A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. 'Give it to the people to eat,' Elisha said.

'How can I set this before a hundred men?' his servant asked.

But Elisha answered, 'Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’ Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord."

Not only a message delivered twice in history, but the same kind of miracle! This should cause students of The Word of God to perk up and take particular notice. 

1 Peter 3:15-16 has the kind of spirit I am wanting you to acquire in your awareness.

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

However, more than waiting for someone to ask for "the reason for the hope that you have" - be proactive with your opportunities. Look for chances to bless others. Keep your radar/antenna alert for Your Contribution In God's Hands.