Matthew 16:9-10

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Scripture: Matthew 16:9-10 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the give loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets yet took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Observation: Jesus' disciples had forgotten to get provisions and it was on their mind when Jesus gave them their next lesson... and because they took their eyes of the Master and got concerned about their situation, they twisted the lesson to meet their circumstances... but more than that, they missed the chance to obey and to trust that Jesus would take care of them.  Matthew 6:31-33 tells us to seek God and trust Him to take care of us.  

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Application: It's easy to trust the God loves us and is taking care of us... until we start looking around at the things that are going on in our lives... the gas tank on empty days before payday, the cabinets bare of food, the needs the mount up all around us... Like the disciples, we begin to put our own twist on what the bible says...we get consumed with making sure that the lessons fit us and our situation rather than on making our lives fit what the bible says. Jesus warned the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees and they applied it to the physical lack of bread rather than the spiritual lesson Jesus was teaching. They were too consumed with what was going on around them to hear the Lord... When we get our eyes off the Lord, we miss the lessons He is trying to teach us. We miss the chance to see Him working in our lives - the miraculous provision of meat and potatoes for our table... the gas gauge that stays just above empty for a week... the simple little things that God does that are impossible to men.  God loves us, He knows what we need, and more than that, He promises to take care of us... which allows our mind to be free of the burdens that hinder us from learning from the Lord.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Miracles come to mind when I look back at the times when we had all odds against us. You have blessed my family, provided for us and encouraged us during those trials. Thank You for each and every one of them. Please forgive me for times I was so wrapped up in my situation that I did not notice Your blessings. Lord, I can never thank You enough for Your love and for the ways You provide for me... and more than that Lord, I can't thank You enough for taking that burden from me and allowing me to be free to sit at Your feet and learn from You. Lord, please help me to point others to You, that they may know the rest and relief that comes from trusting You to take care of us. Help me to be an example and an encouragement. I know Lord, that this prayer is often answered through trial, but Lord, if it draws another soul to You... then it is worth it all. I pray Lord that You would continue to be lifted up in my life and that You would use my life to draw men to You. Help me Lord, to keep my eyes on You... In Jesus name, Amen.