FRAGMENTS!

 

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

 

FRAGMENTS!

 

John 6:12-13

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

 

           There is sufficient teaching in these verses to keep one busy for quite a long time. I hardly know where to begin and fear I will not be able to conclude. But, like a toddler with his birthday cake, let’s plunge in face first!

 

           Five thousand men, and we rightfully think women also because the Greek Anthropos means human being or man in the generic and collective sense. As we read, we sense that Jesus is a master at using double meanings in all His phrases. Consider the simple command: “make the men to sit down” and immediately our mind jumps to Psalm 23 where the psalmist says “he maketh me to lie down in green pastures.”

 

           Skipping so very much, I see “gather up the fragments” as Jesus must have seen them. Not bread only but broken and disconnected people! Un-gathered were they and in danger of perishing – for that is the sense of the phrase “that nothing be lost.” Bits and pieces, scraps of humanity, individually of little value but gathered together they fill many baskets. So, we view our congregation. It is WHY we gather. It is why Satan tries to keep us apart.

 

           “Over and above” is a phrase that is translated from a single Greek word and that word is perisseuo which means “to superabound in both quantity and quality.” Jesus takes our little and makes it much. Do not withhold your little because it seems insignificant. Let God break it and distribute it. He will return to you your basketful.

 

Rev 3:8

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

 

Lord, I am often guilty of faulty accounting. I think myself to be useless, and possibly worthless, but I am a child of God! Redeemed and made worthy! Thank you, Lord. AMEN

BE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER!

Monday, August 2, 2021

 

BE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER!

 

Eph 4:31-32

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

 

           The level of guilt that these verses form in me is uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter that I likely stand in large company, I cannot hide in a crowd of those like me. I must repent of my bitterness.

 

           Adam Clarke uses antiquated language to add a bit of salt. “It is astonishing that any who profess the Christian name should indulge bitterness of spirit. Those who are censorious, who are unmerciful to the failings of others, who have fixed a certain standard by which they measure all persons in all circumstances, and unchristian everyone that does not come up to this standard, these have the bitterness against which the apostle speaks.

(from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1996, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

 

           When bitterness is found, its opposite is needed. We are to be kind, chrestos, useful in manner and morals. Not all Bible teaching limits itself solely to the church. This one is for husbands!

 

 Col 3:19

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

 

Dear Lord, let me practice kindness today until kindness becomes my habit. AMEN

 

WEARY!

Sunday, August 1, 2021

 

WEARY!

 

Luke 18:1-5

18 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

 

           The word “weary” is found in the Authorized version 42 times! In verse 5, above, it is translated from the Greek hupopiazo and the literal meaning is interesting. It means “to hit under the eye.” We chuckle a bit when we try to imagine an irreligious judge who is so troubled by a persistent widow that he likens her pestilence as a “sock in the eye!”

 

           Beyond physical weariness, are you just tired of it all? Maybe you are what we often call “sick and tired.” You have reached your LIMIT of resources and endurance. You need some relief! If that is your case, then you need to finish reading Jesus’ parable.

 

Luke 18:6-7

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

 

He Giveth More Grace

By Annie Johnson Flint

 

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

 

Lord, I’m sorry to “sock you in the eye” with my burdens again, but there are many who need you today. Please rush to their aid. AMEN