From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Oct 6, 2023 at 5:34 AM

Subject: 10-6-23 THOUGHTS

10-6-23   THOUGHTS

Simple thoughts today.  A miracle was performed  by Jesus in our reading this morning.  Actually several miracles.  Many hurting people were healed, and 4000 were fed from almost nothing.  My take-away comes from verse 34 and the question “How many loaves do you have?"  We never seem to have enough to do the work!   When I am weak in faith, two passages come to mind...  Matt 19:26   And looking at [them] Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."   Php 4:13   “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”     God encourages THE POSSIBLE!  One more thought we need to capture.  In the middle of verse 32
Jesus says   "I feel compassion for the people,”.   We must develop and treasure compassion for souls!   It seems that the result of this day was that this crowd of people GLORIFIED THE GOD OF ISRAEL!   Matt 5:16   "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Matt 15:29-38    Departing from there, Jesus went along by the Sea of Galilee, and having gone up on the mountain, He was sitting there. 30  And large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them. 31 So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. 32  And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." 33  The disciples said to Him, "Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?"  34  And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish."  35  And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; 36  and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 37  And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. 38  And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

My Prayer:
May You, O Father, be glorified in us.  May Your love and compassion translate to us in heart and hand.  Make us true servants and disciples, we pray.  Make us keen, and awake and perceptive to souls and circumstances around us.  With little, O God, help us to bear much fruit.  Prepare us for great things, Father.  Help us to take part in Your  possibilities.      In the precious name of our Lord,      Amen.