Your Present Possession – Part 13

You possess much more than you know.  Look to specify the need.

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Mark 11:2-3 – And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.   And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

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I often say to people, “If God said it, that settles it.”  When I travel abroad, I make it a point to try to learn that statement in the language of the country in which I am speaking.  It is a powerful statement, and in the face of tradition, can be shocking to the hearer, for it is also a true statement.  I believe it is only recorded once in Scripture that, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). That singular statement is all we need on which we can base that great truth.  Yet, our Text for Today is recorded in Matthew 21, Mark 11, and Luke 19.  I believe the Lord desires us to take firm grasp of this great truth. 

In this series of Second Milers, I am focusing on the great things God can do out of the small things, the seemingly insignificant, and even out of the ordinary things (that may seem very small).  It is often the small, insignificant, or perhaps somewhat removed things in and from our lives that Father uses in a great way to show Himself strong in our behalf.  Whether it is the loaves and fish of a lad, a non-descript rock in the desert, a small portion of oil and meal, or a meatless bone from the carcass of an ass, great things have come forth for the people of God.

In the cases we’ve examined so far, the need was abundantly supplied with what was already in hand, or close by us, awaiting discovery.  But in our Text for Today, the need was met from some distance away, another village, in fact.  Now it may not have been a great distance by today’s standards, but somethings needed from another village just a mile and a half away would have taken one or two hours of travel for retrieval.  What I am saying is that when Father works through small things, there may be work needed on our part, and some time involved for that need to be met.  But, be met, it shall.  In this case, the need was very specific.  A young ass, a foal, that no man had ever ridden.  When you face a need, don’t be put off by the fact it is not in your hands, or in your possession, or immediately available to you, or that what you presently possess is of small measure, insignificant, or somewhat removed from you.  Whether it is in small measure of a present possession, or small labor and time to attain to it, obey Father, comply with His plan, and watch small beginnings become great manifestations of triumphal entry.

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2; Luke 12:32; Luke 6:38; Mark 20:29-30; Malachi 3:6-10

Your Present Possession – Part 12

You possess much more than you know.  Look for the tree.

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Exodus 15:25 – And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet:

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Just three days after their departure from Egypt, the Israelites came upon their first crisis, that being no water to drink.  And when people run short of the absolute necessities of life, unless they are a people steeped in the faith of God, they generally turn to the leader that brought them to the crisis.  It doesn’t make any difference that this is the leader that brought them out of the hellish captivity in which they had lingered for so long.  They were no longer under the Egyptians bondage and whip, so the new critical issue is the problem of the new leader, Moses.  So, while the Israelites had not yet learned to go to the Lord, they came to the man who, fortunately, knew who his source was.  Moses called unto the Lord.

They Israelites had come three days journey into the wilderness of Shur.  It was dessert, and they had no water.  Though they had found water at Marah, they could not drink it, for it was bitter.  Perhaps that meant poisonous in some way.  Whatever the actual issue, life could not be sustained by the waters of Marah.  So, Moses called on the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree.  In all likelihood, it was a barren tree, probably dead from its roots because of the bitter waters.  But when Moses took that tree and threw it into the bitter waters of Marah, the waters became sweet, and the people could drink of the water and feed their flocks without any danger to themselves or their herds. 

That is what happens when Jesus comes into the life of someone who is lost.  In prophetic language of the Bible, the term “waters” often refers to people.  Without Christ, life will be bitter.  With Christ, life will be better.  But Christ must be in that life.  The Scriptures speak of the crucified Christ as not pleasant to look upon.  He became sin for us.  He bore our sins, carried our sorrows and the chastisement of our peace, and by His stripes we were healed.  His was not a pleasant state when He bore all that should have been ours.  But when He is lifted up, when He enters into our lives, regardless of how bitter and lacking our lives may be, He brings light to the darkness, life to death, wholeness to brokenness, blessing to cursing, abundant provision to abject poverty, and makes princely royalty of profound rejection.  The dried tree at Marah was not much to see, but it was the answer to their problems.  Regardless of how bitter things appear to be at this point, there still remains a tree called Calvary.  Bring Calvary to the table of bitterness, for it pays the full price for the sweetness of life.

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2; Luke 12:32; Luke 6:38; Mark 20:29-30; Malachi 3:6-10

Your Present Possession – Part 11

You possess much more than you know.  Look behind.

1 Corinthians 10:4 – And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

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When the children of Israel walked out of Egypt, there was not one feeble one among them.  All sickness, disease, brokenness, infirmity, and bodily injury was healed, and missing parts restored.  Can you imagine the joy that was in the camp?  But there is more.  The Egyptians were so perplexed by the plagues, by the failure of Pharaoh, and all they were suffering, that they literally paid the Israelites to leave, giving them massive amounts of gold, silver, brass, fine linens, and the like.  Once again, can you imagine the joy that was in the camp?  They were lacking nothing, or so it seemed.  When they got into the desert, it wasn’t long before they realized they had one great shortage – WATER.  It was then that the Lord told Moses to strike a rock where they were camped, and water came forth for every purpose of need in the camp.  God always supplies our needs.

But from a rock?  Couldn’t He have done something in a more spectacular manner.  After all, consider all the signs and wonders He performed in Egypt.  Oh, but that was not the end of the story.  The Israelites had to continue on in their journey through the wilderness.  And yet, every time they stopped to make a new camp, they needed water.  But now, something very unusual was happening; something totally supernatural.  Whenever they stopped to make a new camp, that same rock that Moses struck had followed them, and constantly provided them with all the water they needed.  To me, that is an amazing picture of the focus of our current series of Second Milers.  Think about what I am writing to you.

They entered the desert completely healed, whole, and not one feeble one among them, regardless of age.  They entered the desert made rich by the sinner; the Egyptians having paid them richly to depart.  They had all they needed, and more than enough riches to survive well in any community in which they chose to settle.  But in the wilderness, one thing was still lacking.  Water.  And that water, an element they needed far more than gold or silver, that element that is even more precious than perfect health, came to them from a rock.  When they first recognized that need, the rock was already present.  When they approached Moses to see to a water supply, the rock was already there.  When Moses called on the Lord for water, the rock was already there.  The source for the water they so desperately needed was already there, following them in the desert.  What do you need today?  Could it be that the source of your need is already there, with you daily, following you in your journey?  It may not look like silver or gold.  It may be as plain as a rock.  But perhaps you should take a moment and look behind.  After all, “goodness and mercy” should be following you “all the days of your life.”

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2; Luke 12:32; Luke 6:38; Mark 20:29-30; Malachi 3:6-10

Your Present Possession – Part 10

You possess much more than you know.  Look beyond.

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Genesis 13:14-15 – And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

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In Genesis 12, the Lord came to Abram and gave him four simple instructions and seven awesome promises.  The instructions were (1) get out of his country, (2) get away from his kindred, (3) get away from his father’s house, and (4) get to a land God would show him.  The promises were (1) God would make him a great blessing, (2) God would bless him, (3) God would make his name great, (4) God would make him a great blessing, (5) God would bless them and bless him, (6) God would curse them that curse him, and (7) through him, God would bless all the families of the earth.  As you can see, the promised blessings far outweighed the cost of the sacrifice. 

Abram, however, did not completely obey God at the start.  The first thing he did was leave his country, but he took is father and kindred with him.  Then, as he traveled, his father died, but he continued to take his kindred with him.  Finally, Abram and his kindred (Lot and his family) came to a point of contention over land.  At that point, Abram chose to settle the strife, so he struck a deal with Lot.  Abram gave him his choice of the land, and Abram would take what Lot did not want.  This brought his complete compliance with God’s command, that being to separate himself from his kindred.  Of the three sacrifices required by the Lord of Abram, this would have been the least costly.  But when Abram got his eyes (focus) off the least costly of the sacrifices he was told to make, and looked beyond where he stood, the Lord showed him his first real glimpse of the fullness of His promise.

There are many things in this life that can hold our focus, keeping us anchored to where we are, even though it is the will of God for us to move on, move forward, and move upward.  In this incident with Abram, the laws of reciprocity worked just like they do today.  You see, God and His Word never change.  God had told Abram what to give up, for what purpose, and what his follow-up would be.   Abram had been set up in a 100-fold return covenant with Jehovah.  All he had given up would be restored to him 100-fold, now in this life.  Lift up your eyes from where you are right now.  Don’t wait until you have given to look.  What you see may inspire you to give more freely and more quickly than you ever have.  There are many places one might look to find what you need, and one of those places may be beyond where you are right now. So, once again, lift up your eyes and look from the place you now stand.  Look beyond!

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2; Luke 12:32; Luke 6:38; Mark 20:29-30; Malachi 3:6-10

Your Present Possession – Part 9

You possess much more than you know.  Look again.

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Judges 15:17 & 19 – And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.  ..…  But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout . . . .

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Yesterday I wrote to you of what appeared to be such a small weapon against so many armed men when Samson slew 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass.  The point was that God does not need a great weapon so much as He desires a great warrior.  Samson was willing to put his own life on the line for Israel, so Father took what appeared to be insignificant and used His man to wield it for victory.  But there is much more to see about the jawbone.

I’m sure you are familiar with the story.  After Samson had slain the 1,000 Philistines, the fight being ended, he cast aside the weapon he had used.  After all, what further need did he have of it?  His enemy was dead.  But following the slaughter, what was surely a valiant and physically exhausting battle, Samson now found himself terribly thirsty.  Whereas moments before he had needed the jawbone for a weapon, what he now desperately needed was water.  At that point he called on the Lord to supply his need.  God did not send rain, or angels to minister to him, or a rock in the wilderness, or show Samson a hidden well.  Instead, He “clave and hollow place that was in the jaw.”  In the Hebrew language, the same word was used for “jawbone” (his weapon) and “jaw” (the place from which the water flowed).  Do you see it?  The “jawbone” (or “jaw”, a type of the Word of God) that had served as his weapon also became his source of life and refreshing that that revived him after his exhausting conflict.

There is a great lesson to learn from this scenario.  Never discount that which seems to be small or insignificant that you find in your life.  It may not be what you think you need, or resemble the way you believe it should look.  But of one thing you can be eminently sure, your God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Whether it comes as a branch thrown into bitter waters, or a miniscule supply of oil, or in a small basket of fish and bread, what Father supplies ALWAYS carries sufficiency to abundantly meet your need and have abundance remaining.  He is El Shaddai, the God Who is more than enough.  What Father provided as a weapon was also life-giving, life-restoring, life-refreshing water.  As with the lion Samson slew, “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.”  Just remember, hold on to the weapons of your warfare.  They are not only your defense, they are your life.

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2; Luke 12:32; Luke 6:38; Mark 20:29-30; Malachi 3:6-10

Your Present Possession – Part 8

You possess much more than you know.  Look around.

Judges 15:15 – And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.

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The Word of God has many things to say about small things.  It is the “little foxes” that spoil the vine.  We are told to not despise “small beginnings.”  It was small portions of fish and bread that fed 5,000, and a second time, 4,000.  It was a small portion of meal and oil that fed a household throughout an entire drought.  It was a single pot of oil that saved a whole family from poverty and slavery.  The mustard seed is very small, yet produces a great tree.  Each Word of God, regardless of how small it may seem, produces faith that pleases Father.  And let us not forget that “a little leaven” leavens the whole lump. 

Time and again we see small things carrying great power, influence, and impact through God.  The events surrounding our Text for Today is an example of something small being used in a great manner for great results and supernatural work.  Samson was a man chosen, sent, anointed, and empowered supernaturally by God.  3,000 men of Judah had come imploring him to come peaceably with them to be given into the hands of the Philistines.  Samson complied, asking only that the men of Judah not attack him.  The men of Judah delivered Samson to the Philistines, and when the Philistines shouted against him, preparing to kill him, Holy Ghost came on Samson, and the ropes fell from him.  Still, Samson had no weapon, though he was facing 1,000 Philistines.  It is at this point that a small thing becomes so keenly important in the story.

The Scriptures tell us that Samson “found” a new jawbone of a donkey.  Much could be said about it being a “new jawbone of an ass.”  “New” signifies freshness, weight, and still having teeth.  “Jawbone” signifies having a voice.  “Ass” signifies a burden carrier, a servant minister.  But as the disciples asked about the five loaves and two fish, “What is so little among so many.”  A jawbone against 1,000 armed men is very little against so many.  But Samson had found it, symbolizing fresh revelation from the Word, and Samson used it.  And he used it well, killing all 1,000 Philistines who were trying to kill him.  Once again, the songwriter was right; “Little is much if God is in it.”  Though his supply was small, it would appear totally inadequate for the task at hand, Samson give all he had in service to the people of Israel for whom he fought so often.  And in giving all with all he had, while appearing so small, a great victory was won that is still spoken of today.  Perhaps in the battle you’re facing, you should look around.

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2; Luke 12:32; Luke 6:38; Mark 20:29-30; Malachi 3:6-10

Your Present Possession – Part 7

You possess much more than you know.  Look for opportunity.

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Matthew 15:34 – And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

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Yesterday we looked at the miracle of the loaves and fish recorded in Matthew 14 and John 6.  In that story, the loaves and fish were given by a lad.  In the second miracle of Jesus feeding the multitudes, no lad is mentioned.  It would appear that the loaves and fish for this miracle came from the supply of food the disciples had with them as they traveled.  However, regardless of the source, whoever gave it expected something great to arise from it, for no comment was made about what so little could do for so many.  Still, when it was placed in the hands of the Lord for His purpose, His work, and His blessing, the God Who is more than enough made that small portion to be more than enough for all who were present, and seven baskets of fragments were collected.  The point that needs to be seen here is that the source of the giving is not so important as the availability of the gift and the willingness to trust the Lord with all of it.

At this point in time, the disciples were already well aware of the power of Jesus as it related to miracles of provision.  They had witnessed water becoming wine, a great, net-breaking draught of fish, and five thousand being fed with five loaves and two small fish.  Knowing what Jesus could do, somehow I believe the disciples may have been looking for an opportunity to invest more of their own time, talent, and treasure into the Lord’s hands.  Once again, it seems that the loaves and fish they had was their own food supply, and when Jesus needed it, based on their past experience, they gave it freely, quickly, and completely. 

I encourage you today to be of the same mind as that of the disciples, especially if you have known the Lord Jesus for any length of time.  How often as He restored health to your body?  How often has He met your need according to His riches in glory?  How often has He sustained you in times of personal tribulation?  How often has He revealed the answer to a situation that appeared ready to devour you?  Whatever you face, face it in faith based on God’s Word.  What God said He will do, He will do.  And handle it with a knowing confidence that what He has done, He can and will do again.  Turn opposition into opportunity.  Turn distraction into a display of Father’s faithfulness.  Keep your eyes as wide open for opportunity to serve the Lord with your smallest possession as Holy Spirit has His eyes open to show Himself mighty to those who serve Him.  His ability makes your availability powerful beyond imagination.

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2; Luke 12:32; Luke 6:38; Mark 20:29-30; Malachi 3:6-10

Your Present Possession – Part 6

You possess much more than you know.  Look to be available.

John 6:9 – There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

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Imagine the following scenario.  There are two men.  One has millions of dollars to in his account to freely spend, while the other only has $5.  From the natural standpoint, which one is more disposed to giving?  Which one is more likely to be looking for opportunities to give?  Which one is more likely to be considering opportunities for investment?  I believe the answer is clear.  In the natural, the man who has millions of dollars to freely spend (or invest) is much more likely to be open to the opportunities described.

Even the human body works that way.  If you are starving, the body fights to hold on to every life-preserving calorie.  It will slow metabolism to preserve itself.  All that is natural.  And, of course, that same thing is carried over into man’s natural possessions.  But the passage from which our Text for Today is taken is NOT an example of that natural mindset.

Before we go any further, an old, quite traditional view of the lad with the bread and fish needs to be accurately established.  The bread and fish he possessed was NOT his lunch. It was his entrepreneurial business.  Around the Sea of Galilee, young boys would take their mother’s day-old bread, exchange a few loaves with hungry fishermen coming in from a long night of fishing for a few small fish, and then sell the bread and fish to passers-by. 

Now here is a question for your consideration.  How did Andrew know there was a lad present who had five barley loaves and two small fish?  I suppose he could have asked the boy what he had in the basket.  However, I am more persuaded that the boy was close enough to hear Jesus ask how they were going to feed such a crowd, and since Jesus seemed to be the man-in-charge, the lad made his business assets available to Jesus.  You can think as you will on that, but the fact still remains, he gave the entire stock of his business assets into the hands of Jesus to use as He would. 

Of course, you know the story from there.  But one more point needs to be clarified.  I’ve heard ministers say that when Jesus retrieved the 12 baskets of fragments, there was a basket for each disciple.  But that’s not the way God works.  The disciples had given nothing to feed the people, but the lad gave all he had.  If God’s laws of reciprocity were carried out, all twelve baskets went to the lad.  He started with one basket, five loaves, and two fish.  He departed with 12 baskets full of fish and bread, and a widely expanded franchise operation.  He gave all he had, which was a time amount when examined in light of the need, but just look at the return.  Are you looking to be available with all you have for the Lord?

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2; Luke 12:32; Luke 6:38; Mark 20:29-30; Malachi 3:6-10

Your Present Possession – Part 5

You possess much more than you know.  Look deeper.

Exodus 30:18-19 – Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.  For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:

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When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, one of their great undertakings was the building of the Tabernacle and all its furnishings.  Among the furnishings was the brazen laver.  According to our Text for Today, its purpose was to be where the priests who served the Tabernacle could wash their hands and feet as a cleansing act in their service.  Compared to the brazen altar on which sacrifices were made, or the golden lampstand, the table of shewbread, and the altar of incense in the holy place, and especially to the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat in the holy of holies, the laver could seem small; something you simply used in passing on a daily basis, almost mundane in its intended use..  But the purpose of the laver, though holding what appeared to be a lesser significance was far deeper than it appeared.

When the priests came to the laver to wash for their term of service, they would look first at the calm surface of the water in the laver, seeing their reflection as in a mirror there.  That reflection was as clear a reflection of their physical appearance as was possible.  But as they would wash, the surface of the water would be disturbed, and the surface reflection lost.  But as they looked more deeply into the laver, they would see another reflection.  They would begin to see their reflection from the polished brass mirrors that had belonged to the Israelite women who gave them to the work of the Lord to line the brazen laver.  Compared to all the gold and silver, and the fine-twined linen used in the Tabernacle construction, brass was inexpensive, and spoke of judgment.  So, in the overall scheme of things, the contribution of brass mirrors by the women of Israel was a rather small gift. 

That brings us to the true consideration of this writing.  As a songwriter once put it, “Little is much if God is in it.”  Those brass mirrors that reflected God’s judgment of the appearance of the priests carried a far greater weight of worth than the casual observer would think.  Today I urge you to look more deeply into your life in Christ.  Regardless of the role to which He has called you, your destiny in Him is great.  By looking more deeply into the Word of God, things that may have seemed insignificant may rise to a monumental level of importance in your life.  When you invest all you have, though it may seem small to you when compared to the riches of this world, you will find the true riches of God poured into your life.

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2; Luke 12:32; Luke 6:38; Mark 20:29-30; Malachi 3:6-10

Your Present Possession – Part 4

You possess much more than you know.  Look outward.

2 Kings 4:2 – And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

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Imagine the following scenario.  You are a widow with children still living at home.  You cannot pay your debts, nor can you even take care of day-to-day necessities such as feeding your family.  It appears to you that your sons are about to be sold into what we would call indentured servanthood, which is little more than a fancy name for slavery.  How many of your neighbors know what you are facing is unknown, but it would appear you have no hope of getting any help from them, or you would likely have asked.  Enter the man of God.

The student and young protégé of Elijah, Elisha has come on the scene.  He inquires of the woman what it is she desires, and she relates her story to him.  You’ve already read her scenario in the preceding paragraph.  What is a widow to do in such a situation?  She knew her plight, and she knew that her only answer was a word from the Lord.  It was her great blessing to be in the presence of a true man of God, the prophet Elisha.  But Elisha had asked two questions.  The first was about what she desired.  The second was, “What have you got in the house?”  I’m not sure she was expecting that question.  After all, what is a value of a single pot of oil applied against such awesome debt that was about to ravage her family? 

Yet, when the prophet spoke to her, she responded with immediate compliance.  There are two key words in her response.  “Immediate” and “compliance.”  This is worthy of special note that  it will be those who are willing and obedient who eat the good of the land.  I’m sure you’re aware of the end of the story.  She borrowed all the vessels she could, filled them all from her single pot, and the flow of oil did not stop until every borrowed pot was filled.  You see, God’s supply is never based on His abundance, but is rather based on your capacity to receive.  God is not wasteful, so your capacity determines the amount of His abundance you receive.  Oh, but do not forget the key words, “immediate” and “compliance.”  Your response to the Word of God profoundly impacts Father’s response to you.  And once again we see how so little can become so much when one complies immediately with the direction of the Lord.  It’s up to you, my dear friend.  Father will not force the issue, but He will move heaven and earth for that individual who, with joy, will immediately comply with His commands.

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2; Luke 12:32; Luke 6:38; Mark 20:29-30; Malachi 3:6-10