But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him.
The above words are from Gamaliel who is clearly inspired by the Holy Spirit. Nothing more is said of him, but I get the feeling that he became a Christian. Gamaliel is a prime example of how we test the Spirit of any problem we have. Gamaliel gives us a blueprint in Acts on how we test the Spirit in our lives today. Sometimes were don’t know how to proceed but a true test is to let it go and if it is the will of God, it will succeed. Gamaliel is testing the Spirit. We pray, see the results. We look for affirmation and pray some more. We repeat again looking for right or wrong and finally we come to the point where we know that something is good or bad for us. We may have to go throw this process a number of times more. Always asking the question if it is right or wrong.
When I met my wife, Anna, I somehow knew that she was the one woman that God had intended for me. She wasn’t anxious to enter into a relationship. She had just lost her husband and was raising a daughter. My mother before she died even tried to introduce us, but it never happened. Anna and I went to the same church and knew people who knew us but our paths did not immediately cross. Our’s was not love at first sight. It was a process of praying about marriage and praying again and listening to God’s will for both of us.
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”
It is amazing on how much of our church life is centered around food. We have “The Bread of Life” in the Eucharist. We have fish and meatless meals during Lent. We gather at Church picnics and fund raisers. We have pot luck and good luck meals. We share food with our neighbors and the hungry. Jesus was not trying to show off. He was declaring that He was the Son of God. He also was showing us the power of food in our lives.
So, they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
Jesus is giving us an example and a prophesy of how much more he wants to give us. He not only wants to give us the basics of life but he wants to give us an abundant amount. His generosity is limitless. One of the Characteristics of God is His generosity.
Psalm 23:1-5 The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name.4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows‘.
“Bud” a World War II Navy veteran I once knew was at D Day survivor. He drove one of the amphibious landing craft sending wave after wave of soldiers onto the beaches. He would drop one load off and go back for another group of men. The one thing that kept him sane and on track was Psalm 23.
We have learned to test the Spirit in our lives today. We have also learned of the generosity of God. He feeds us physically and emotionally and is more than generous. He also wants us to feed each other and will give us the baskets to pickup the leftovers.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please pray for Cancer victims and their care givers. Pray for peace in the Ukraine and the conversion of Russia. Pray for the salvation and spiritual and emotional health of both Ukraine and Russia.
