Category: Talents

“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.” John 6:12-13 (NIV) The lad came prepared to feed himself and perhaps share with his own family. Jesus had a much larger plan for the lad’s meal and the lad’s life. Jesus took what the little boy was willing to give and then Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fish to feed the multitudes. I remember hearing Pastor S. M. Lockridge preach on this passage in 1987 and  he said, “Jesus is the only One who can multiply two times five and get five thousand.” Jesus not only met the need, but the disciples gathered twelve baskets filled with leftovers. Just bring Jesus what you have and watch what God does with your life. God can do more with your life fully surrendered to Him in five days than you can do in five decades. Surrender to the Lordship of Christ and place your yes on the altar. Yield to His authority in your life. Over the years I have periodically taken out a legal pad and detached a sheet of paper from it. Then, I would move to the bottom of the lined paper and sign my name. Then I would pray this prayer, “Lord, I am signing my name and asking You to fill in the blanks. I am willing to do what You want me to do, go where You want me to go, and say what You want me to say. Lord, I’m Yours! Use me for Your glory!” Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

“Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 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.” John 6:10-11 (NIV) Do you think the little boy who was among the crowd had any idea what Jesus was going to do through his generosity on that day? When the lad woke up that morning, do you think he had any indication that his random act of kindness would feed the multitudes and one day be read by millions via the Bible? Life is a journey filled with mystery. We don’t know exactly what today may hold even in the midst of advance planning and disciplined energy allocation. God wants us to simply walk with Him and to trust Him every step of the way in the journey of life. God has a purpose and plan for us to fulfill as we join Him in His activity. If God let you know today everything He wants to accomplish through your life on earth, you would not have the capacity to contain it. In fact, if God chose to give you a glimpse of your entire life right now, it would overwhelm you. If God had revealed to the lad on that special morning that he was going to be responsible for feeding five thousand people, the boy would have never left his home. Will you trust God with what you know and entrust your life to Him with the unknown? Leave room for mystery and watch what God does with your life. Be available for His use and seek to practice instant obedience. There are needs God wants to meet through your life. Will you be a channel of blessing? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

“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.” John 6:12-13 (NIV) The lad came prepared to feed himself and perhaps share with his own family. Jesus had a much larger plan for the lad’s meal and the lad’s life. Jesus took what the little boy was willing to give and then Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fish to feed the multitudes. I remember hearing Pastor S. M. Lockridge preach on this passage in 1987 and  he said, “Jesus is the only One who can multiply two times five and get five thousand.” Jesus not only met the need, but the disciples gathered twelve baskets filled with leftovers. Just bring Jesus what you have and watch what God does with your life. God can do more with your life fully surrendered to Him in five days than you can do in five decades. Surrender to the Lordship of Christ and place your yes on the altar. Yield to His authority in your life. Over the years I have periodically taken out a legal pad and detached a sheet of paper from it. Then, I would move to the bottom of the lined paper and sign my name. Then I would pray this prayer, “Lord, I am signing my name and asking You to fill in the blanks. I am willing to do what You want me to do, go where You want me to go, and say what You want me to say. Lord, I’m Yours! Use me for Your glory!” Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

“Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 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.” John 6:10-11 (NIV) Do you think the little boy who was among the crowd had any idea what Jesus was going to do through his generosity on that day? When the lad woke up that morning, do you think he had any indication that his random act of kindness would feed the multitudes and one day be read by millions via the Bible? Life is a journey filled with mystery. We don’t know exactly what today may hold even in the midst of advance planning and disciplined energy allocation. God wants us to simply walk with Him and to trust Him every step of the way in the journey of life. God has a purpose and plan for us to fulfill as we join Him in His activity. If God let you know today everything He wants to accomplish through your life on earth, you would not have the capacity to contain it. In fact, if God chose to give you a glimpse of your entire life right now, it would overwhelm you. If God had revealed to the lad on that special morning that he was going to be responsible for feeding five thousand people, the boy would have never left his home. Will you trust God with what you know and entrust your life to Him with the unknown? Leave room for mystery and watch what God does with your life. Be available for His use and seek to practice instant obedience. There are needs God wants to meet through your life. Will you be a channel of blessing? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell