The Upper Room Daily Devotional July 23, 2023
The Upper Room July 23, 2023 Daily Devotional, Sunday Message by Eugenia French Shaver (Texas, USA)
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TOPIC: A Meager Offering
TODAY’S READING
John 6:1-14
[Jesus] said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. – John 6:5-6 (NIV)
Many years ago, I assisted a local church with a children’s musical that told the story of the feeding of the five thousand. We used some stage tricks to make this miracle come to life for the audience. But Jesus didn’t need stage tricks!
A young boy who had five loaves of bread and two fish offered his meal, meager as it was for such a large crowd. In the hands of the Son of God, it fed the entire crowd, with 12 baskets of food left over. Jesus transformed that boy’s offering into something much greater! The people immediately recognized Jesus as a prophet.
It is easy to overlook the deep concern that Jesus had for the welfare of his listeners in this story. Jesus knows our needs and through God’s power provides for us. Even in the midst of the seemingly impossible, Jesus cares and provides.
God calls us to be Christ’s hands and feet to transform the world. What can we offer that Jesus can transform? A meal? A hospital visit? A telephone call? A few hours of volunteer service? When we offer what we have, we can trust Jesus to transform it into a gift from God.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for the miracles described in the Bible. Help us to offer what we have, trusting that you will continue to work miracles in the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Jesus can transform my gifts into miracles.
PRAYER FOCUS
Volunteers in my community
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More From Eugenia French Shaver
The Upper Room July 23, 2023 Devotional Message, is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More.
READ MORE TOPICS: OPEN HEAVENS, OUR DAILY BREAD, IN TOUCH, SEEDS OF DESTINY, STREAMS OF JOY, JOEL OSTEEN, MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE, DCLM DAILY MANNA, UCB WORD FOR TODAY