The feeding of the 5000 miracle set the stage for a lot of theological study. Over all John is writing to make sure that his readers don't miss understanding that GOD meets the needs. It was Jesus and his disciples who were on a retreat up the Mountain when He witnessed the NEED of the crowd. Then He took compassion on them. This says he felt their pain.

Next he tested his Disciples a little by asking them where will WE buy food to feed this crowd. They quickly realized that it would be impossible. Suppose they had enough money there still would not have been enough Captain D's to have filled the demand for such a large order. Jesus set things up to prove to his disciples and all gathered there that God will provide when the need arises. Not only do we see the truth about God, but also the fact that Jesus performs the miracle then and there.

What really deep down inside of you makes you Happy? We all have a lot of dreams, visions, aspirations and such. A lot of us are somewhat successful at meeting the requirements and obtaining our goals. However, we have a greater need in our lives to be significant. It really does matter that we make a difference in the lives of others. Like God we can see the needs of those around us. Frequently we have opportunities to reach out and share God's love with others. This mission goes way beyond feeding their physical beings. Meeting the physical needs sometimes opens the door of their hearts to where we can begin to encourage their spiritual needs. Everyone needs to know they are significant in the lives of others. God did not create us to be lone rangers or hermits. Rather God gave us various degrees of ability to be in an ongoing relationship with God as well as with each other.

How would you describe what really makes you happy? Plan on encouraging someone else by sharing God's love with them. Amen? Amen.

     Obviously as we read about the activities of Jesus and his disciples it is clear that he was always about doing some ministry. Anytime, anywhere, with anyone we witness Jesus has compassion for people as to where he stops what he is doing to tend to their needs. While he is tending to the needs of his own disciples they are chased by a crowd of people. Jesus describes the crowd as a sheep without a shepherd. So he makes time to teach and heal the sick. His disciples even receive a lesson or two along the way.

     Doing ministry is not typically convenient, nor is it always in a comfortable setting. Truth is when we are obedient to God's call upon our lives, we often find ourselves making a sacrifice of our time, talents, resources, gifts, and prayers. Wait a minute. Those are exactly what we vowed to give God when we became United Methodist. Amazingly we have promised God and each other that we will do ministry whenever, wherever, and with whom ever we have an opportunity.

     Last, you must understand when you are obedient to God's call and great things are happening in your area of ministry, you may expect a little criticism. That's ok, as long as you are truly doing God's work. Listen, we are the hands and feet of God. There are so many little things we can accomplish each day of our lives; when we open our eyes & ears that will make a difference in the lives of others. Go now and respond to God's call upon your life. Amen.

Paul is writing a letter to the people, the church at Ephesus. First he goes through great detail explaining to them who they are. While that might sound a little peculiar on the surface, but knowing that God has adopted through his love makes you a child of God. God has chosen people, all people to incarnate the Holy Spirit of God. God transcends all time and place, so as a Spirit, God can live and be seen by everyone.

     Once we understand who we are then we must determine where we are going or what are we going to do. God created us with potential to serve God by serving others. God's love is freely given to us that we might pass it along to others. Being moral agents of God's love and reflectors of God's light extends the reach of God. We all have various vocations where opportunities abound for us to reach out to others. Hopefully we are asking God for the courage to be witnesses that allow others to see Christ by seeing the Mark of the Holy Spirit on us.

     We all have stories that help us to see and understand how God is working in and through the lives of people. God has created us as instruments of his peace. We were destined to share the Good News of our salvation through Christ.   Times come both good and bad where others watch our response to situations. When we are Marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit then those around us witness our faith to be able to face the challenges of the world. Come and discover who you are and how important you are as a Child of God. Amen.

Paul's famous THORN IN THE FLESH statement is a part of the topic for today. However, more important is the fact that God tells Paul that "Grace is Sufficient - My power is made perfect in weakness." With much speculation we join the Biblical scholars in debating Paul's thorn in the flesh that Satan had given him to make him weak in order that God's power might be revealed. The fact that bragging and being conceited are mentioned, it openly appears that perhaps Paul was aware that he could become a little big headed without proper perspective of his situation. He claims to have received numerous outstanding revelations which warrant his receiving this thorn in the flesh to torment him to not be conceited.

First we probably should return and read these four verses again. Maybe more slow, out loud, and even with a pause or two between statements. Hopefully we can move beyond the mystery of wishing to know what that thorn in the flesh really is. Now perhaps we will begin to understand the statement (revelation) God gave him, rather than removal of the thorn. "My Grace is enough (sufficient) for you, because power is made perfect in weakness."

Satan sends a messenger to Paul (a thorn in the flesh) to torment him from becoming conceited and brag about all the revelations he's received. Now this reminder gives him power in weakness so that he now brags about God's Grace. We too should gain more understanding about the Grace of God and a willingness to live our lives as moral agents of God's love and reflectors of God's light. To God be the glory, great things are done. Much like Paul, we too should be about being obedient to God and following God's call upon our lives in order that the Kingdom of God will expand across this Earth. Our bagging should be about the power and Grace of God which is evident in each of our lives. Live out your ministry, serving God even in your weakness as God's power can be evident in all things we say and do. Amen & Amen.