Reprint Compliments of Men At The Cross By Joe White

Mark 6: 41-44

“41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. ”


Each summer 20,000 kids from around the world come to our Christian sports camps here in Missouri to have the time of their lives. Each spring almost 2,000 are on the waiting list and can't get in because it's full. Why the abundance? The only thing I know is that we just try to glorify God and His word here the best we know how.

images/Blog Images/show/uk4i" src=" " alt=" " />I love my wife more than words can describe. I can't contain my love for her. I'd rather die than cheat on her. Why the abundance? Again, it is God's amazing provision. My four kids and I share a mutual respect that is indescribable. Yes, we've had our crazy times when we wanted to attempt "gang warfare" in the home, but through it all our mutual admiration for each other cannot be contained in words. Why? The answer is still the same.

When I consider God, I am overcome with gratitude. His love overawes me. Why He would not only put up with me, but also actually be my dad, my best friend, and my guide, is beyond my wildest dreams. His love cannot be contained in my mind. Why? It's the same reason.

On days when I go to the world for fulfillment, I find my plate half empty and I get selfish, irritable and inpatient with God, my family, and myself.

Jesus "fed the five thousand" and had twelve baskets left over. In the same way, He feeds His children love, peace, and fulfillment, and there's always an abundance left over. He gives us love for each other and we find an abundance of that as well.

QUESTIONS:
1. How do you personally find God's abundance each day?
2. Have you been going to Him for daily bread lately, or to the world's ideas of abundance? Explain if you can.
3. What's the secret of the abundant life?

LIFELINE:
If Christ can feed five thousand men, plus women and children, on a few loaves of bread and a few pieces of fish, think what He can do with a family totally yielded to Him.