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Asking God For Help Part 2
Posted
by
arsindelve
on
11/7/2007 8:42:14 PM
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4.8 out of 5.0 in 4 votes |
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This is a very well-known Bible story; in fact it's one of the few miracles which is recorded in all four Gospels (see also Luke 9:12, Mark 6:26, Matthew 14:16). However, John's account is slightly longer and contains a detail which is not found in the others. See if you can pick it out.
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "It would take almost a year's wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." (John 6:5-15)
As I play this scene out in my mind, I imagine the apostles making their way through the crowd calling out anyone who might have a scrap of food to offer. Their desperation and their desire to please the Lord would have been written on their faces and evident in their voice.
In the midst of all of this, a boy comes forward and selflessly offers all that he has. From this simple offering, Jesus performs his miracle.
There are many ways Jesus could have solved this problem. He could have rained bread from Heaven, or he could have waved his hands and filled their stomachs. Instead, he took what was freely offered and turned it into something miraculous.
This pattern is repeated time and time again in our own lives. There are many ways God can help us during our times of need, but the most common pattern is for God to take what we offer and turn it into something greater than we can do on our own.
In conjunction with asking God for help, we need to ensure that we do the part that we can do. If we've lost our job, then we need to start working on our resume right away. If we have an exam coming up, we need to study. Only once we have done all that we can do will God take over and do what only He can do.
If we are asking God to open doors for us, we need to be standing at the doorstep, ready to enter.
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Comments
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I've tried and tried to quit chewing I do want to stay around to watch my kid grow up I HAVE PRAYED AND PRAYED i HAVE TO OVERCOME THIS TEMTATION ITS GOT A HOLD ON ME i'M VERY UPSET PLEASE RESPOND
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anonymous-
11/23/2007 3:25:56 PM
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So glad I rediscovered this site!! Thanks again....
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anonymous-
11/25/2007 3:57:57 PM
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Hi, I just wanted to reply to the 1st comment left on this page. I feel the hurt and the struggle you've been experiencing through your words. I think that reaching out for help beyond yourself is the next step...even a drug addiction rehab/treatment center. God can use those around us in the body of Christ to help us overcome sin and temptation. I just did a few google searches and there are several different ones - specifically, I reviewed a video about Pacific Hills Treatment Center. Even just making a phone call would at least give you an idea of what options you might have. God bless. Be sure that God loves you and that change is possible because all things are possible with God. He created you! love, your sister in Christ.
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anonymous-
11/26/2007 2:18:03 PM
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WHATEVER HABIT WE HAVE CAN BE GIVEN TO CHRIST TO RID US OF IT-WE NEED TO BE SINCERE & ATTEND ANY ADDICTION MEETINGS TO RECEIVE STRENGTH FROM FELLOE ADDICTED RECOVERING THRU FAITH & DOING THE 12 STEPS. I HAVE BEEN RECOVERED FROM MANY BAD BEHAVIORS. ONLY THE STRENGTH OF CHRIST KEEPS ME RECOVERED! 3ABN ADVENTIST CHANNEL ON SUNDAY @ 5PM THE COUNSELOR IS CHEERIE PEETERS-SHE TRAVELS ALL OVER THE COUNTRYSHE HERSELF WAS ON THE STREET @ 11YR OF AGE. 3 ANGELS BROADCAST. LOVE YOU IN CHRIST.
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anonymous-
1/30/2008 4:03:26 PM
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for the person in comment no.1, first of all you are not putting your trust in God. you need contine to pray, and ask God to help you with your situation, recieve,and believe and TRUST that God is going to take care of it for you.
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anonymous-
3/8/2008 12:21:03 AM
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Hello
I have applied for a job and I have been to the interview and had my references checked. I am worried that I will not get the job. I really want this job because I am really bored of my current job and I feel that I'm wasting my talent ans skills. I have been praying and I hope that God will help me. I know that I have done everything in my power to get the job. Now it is up to selection panel.
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anonymous-
5/26/2008 2:02:15 AM
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You know the comment 1 sounds like me just over a month ago. I had smoked for about 30 years and when it came time to quit as the church told me that christians don't do such things, I couldn't.
I prayed and prayed. I read about the thorn in the side and how Satan would buffet you about for such and how this could serve to keep one humble but I too wanted to do so for my health and my children and theirs.
But also because it greatly bothered the minister and teacher at the church to the point of anger, criticism and judgment which God says that we should not do anything that may seem right but it holds back or causes another to stumble in their walk with God.
I had done fasting before for healing reasons and prayer but never knowingly experienced anything for myself but they were abstinence from eating but drank fluids. This time I did a total abstinence for 30 hours and when I finished, I didn't crave cigarettes anymore and it has been awhile and I get an occasional twinge but nothing I can't handle by just saying forget it and shaking it off as Paul did the deadly snake.
I know the comment belongs elsewhere but it seems it goes where it fits at the moment. I will repost it in healing.
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shurdell-
6/15/2008 1:22:32 AM
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