Prayer Journal

Saturday, January 24, 2004

What would you do? You were one of the disciples who saw Jesus feed five thousand men with five loaves of bread. A short time later, it's deja vu all aver again when four thousand men are gathered to hear Jesus preach. Showing them compassion, Jesus expresses his desire to feed them rather than send them home hungry. Now, what would be your response to the Lord?

Would you say, "I agree with you Jesus; Let's do it! Let's pray, ask the Father to bless what we have and watch Him multiply it. Can we? Can we, Jesus?" Hardly! We'd probably have done just what the disciples did. We would tell Jesus how close everyone was to their home and how they could make it there by dinner if they hurried. I'm afraid we're just like the disciples. We seem to always look for an easy way out and sadly miss God's blessing when we do.

You and I have seen God do so much in our lives, we don't need to see anything new; we don't need any more promises, any more opportunities. Until we begin to take what we have and ask God to multiply it for His glory, why should He bless us anymore or show us any more of His glory? We have more than enough!

Joseph brought his sons Ephraim and Manasseh to their grandfather to be blessed. Born in a foreign land by a pagan mother, Joseph's son's probably knew very little about their father's heritage. But I imagine they got an earful after his family came to Egypt. Joseph must have wondered if his sons would never experience the blessing of Abraham after being isolated in Egypt.

As sons of the prince of Egypt, I imagine Ephraim and Manasseh had it all growing up: power, influence, popularity and kingly clothes. But, when the shepherd clan of Jacob came to town, I bet their friends talked about how it would influence Ephraim and Manasseh. We learn that both boys lived long enough for their father to know their grandchildren. I also imagine all of them received both Jewish and Egyptian instruction since their bloodline was reckoned as legitimate heirs of Jacob's promise. (Gen 48:5)

Joseph kept his faith even when it seemed he would never see his family again. When the time came for him to do what God expected, he was ready. Are you learning what God wants you to know in order to serve him? That is, are you paying attention to God's word (the Bible) and listening to the Holy Spirit's prompting when he instructs you? You never know when someone might drop in and need to know what God's been teaching you.

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

1. Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Gn. 48:1-49:33 Mt.15:29-16:12 Ps.20 Pr.4:20-27 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2004 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved

Prayertower
Past Devotions
Pray4me
PrayerRm

I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers

* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans

* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself