Mark 6 - 7.15.25

SCRIPTURE:  MARK 6:35 – 44

“By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 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. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.”

OBSERVATION

The disciples share their human concern for the five thousand people, knowing they will need to eat. Their idea is to send them away. Jesus wants to show them a spiritual lesson of not just seeing things in the human way but in God’s way.

This Sunday, Pastor Levi continued his series on Moses and spoke about “What’s in Your Hand.” The sermon focused on when God spoke to Moses and instructed him about going to Pharoah. Although Moses had concerns about his ability, God used what was in his hand, a staff, as an instrument to help Moses and to prove to those around him that God spoke to him and is empowering him.  If you haven’t listened to the sermon, I highly recommend it. You can always find the links to all sermons here:  https://www.desertstreams.com/sermons

Just the same way God used what was in Moses hand, Jesus used the same process of taking what was readily available and in the disciple’s hand to miraculously show Jesus’ power and abilities.

I love the fact that Jesus did not only feed the 5,000 (and more since this is counting only the men), there were 12 basketfulls of leftovers! He abundantly and exceedingly provided for their needs and then some. This is exactly showing God’s heart and mission.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” Ephesians 3:20

APPLICATION

In the story about Moses and the Disciples, God / Jesus used what was in their hand, a simple staff or bread and fish, to encourage, empower and embrace that God can use the simple things in life, what’s in your hand or abilities, for miraculous uses and God’s glory.

One thing to consider is that Moses and the Disciples were willing vessels. Each were asked to do something, and they complied through faith. They had no idea what would happen, but knew who they were talking to:  God / Jesus. They were all showing their faith and trust in God / Jesus by complying to their request – especially not knowing what would happen next. If they didn’t have that faith and trust, they would not have complied.

God can use everything and anything in your life and hands to further God’s kingdom. If you’re like Moses or the Disciples (and we can probably say we are), you’ll probably question some things:  Am I qualified?  Do I have all that’s needed?  In God’s eyes, you have everything that’s needed once you trust and believe in Him. He can use your current gifts and talents for His Kingdom.

You are his masterpiece – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13 - 14

He chose you just as you are – “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love” Ephesians 1:4

He equips you – “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” Ephesians 4:11-12

You have everything you need in God’s word -  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

I’ve often struggled with feeling inadequate or not equipped to the point of avoidance. Have you ever done that – completely avoided something because you feel not ready?  Sure, I’ll do what I can (study / prayer) to help, but I still struggle, at times, in stepping outside my comfort zone. When I do take that initial step, God miraculously comes through and shows that all things are possible. Just like Moses and the Disciples, when you step out and follow through with His lead, God will make the miraculous happen.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for all these examples in the Scriptures that show I can take what’s in my hand to do your work. Please forgive me for the times I’ve not followed through or avoided what I should be doing in your name. Lord, guide and direct me to take what’s in my hand, to know it’s enough, in your service. You have equipped me and chose me – even with my shortcomings and inadequacies – to do Your work. Thank you and praise you for taking all of us just as we are, and using us for your Kingdom. In Jesus name!  Amen

- Mary Oberg

Mark 5 - 7.14.25

Scripture:

Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”

Observation:

The demon possessed man was just healed by Jesus. Witnesses of this healing told other people and those people pleaded with Jesus to leave their region. As He was leaving, the (former) demon possessed man BEGGED to go with Him, but Jesus told him to go back to his own people and tell them what He had done for him. The man ended up going to the Decapolis to spread the good news of what Jesus had done for him! Scripture says that ALL of them were amazed!

What was the Decapolis? The Decapolis were ten cities primarily inhabited by Greeks. (Eaton’s Bible dictionary on Biblestudytools.com)

Basically, he spread the news about Jesus to 10 cities! That was God’s mission for Him and that’s why He didn’t want the man to physically follow Him.

Application:

Jesus has a mission for us here on earth to further His Kingdom. We must complete that mission.

I feel for the former demon possessed man. He just wanted to physically go where Jesus went, but God had a different plan for him. His mission was to go to his own people and tell them about how He had healed him!

In verse 17, it says, “Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.”

‭If people wanted Jesus to leave their region, the only hope of spreading what Jesus had done was through the healed demon possessed man!

(Side note: The reason they wanted Jesus to leave the region was because “they feared the power Jesus displayed and the disruption his presence caused to their way of life, which was heavily reliant on pig farming.”) (Reference: ebible.com)

I think of the disciples as another example of those who wanted to stay with Jesus. They did not want Him to leave them again after He resurrected. However, Jesus said He was leaving His Holy Spirit with them and they still had work to do on this earth.

I personally pray that the Lord would come back sooner than later and look forward to His 2nd coming! However, I’m reminded that there’s still work that Jesus needs me to do here on this earth as well.

What has the Lord called you to do while you (we) wait for His return? Who does He want you and I to tell His story and our story (testimony) to?

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” -‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” -John‬ ‭14‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for leaving me Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for giving me a purpose on this earth to further Your Kingdom and that You are always with me through it. I pray that I would steward that purpose well.  Give me compassion for all the people who have yet to accept You into their lives before You return. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Job 27 - 07.13.25

SCRIPTURE Job 27:11 NIV

“I will teach you about the power of God; the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal.”

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OBSERVATION

This is Job’s closing monologue. Job has been having a lengthy discourse with three “friends” who have each claimed to have wisdom from God that was worth listening to. They believed they understood God’s Power and His Ways AND they had no doubt that Job’s suffering was the result of his own wickedness and sinful lifestyle (22:5).

But Job’s friends seemed to lack wisdom, along with good judgment in how they applied the knowledge they had. The suffering Job was experiencing had nothing to do with hidden sin. God was allowing a refining work to take place in Job—while at the same time, Satan was being shown that Job’s trust in God was steadfast and true.

“I, [godly] wisdom, reside with good judgment [moral courage and astute common sense], And I know where to find knowledge and discretion.” (Proverbs 8:12)

“HE spreads out the northern skies over empty space;

HE suspends the earth over nothing. HE wraps up the waters in his clouds,

yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.

And these are but the outer fringe of HIS works;

how faint the whisper we hear of Him!

Who then—can understand—the thunder of His power?””

‭‭(Job‬ ‭26‬:‭7‬-‭8‬, ‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.

And—MY—ways are—FAR—Beyond—ANYTHING—you could imagine.

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” ‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Job’s friends tried to put a VERY Powerful God and HIS ways—into a cookie cutter box showing their lack of wisdom and good judgment. What might have happened if they had offered to intercede WITH and FOR their friend instead of the constant public defamation. And as Job’s friends—Not one—offered their personal help or aid.

““I have told you these things, so that IN Me—you may—have—peace. In this world you WILL have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” ‭‭(John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

APPLICATION

Seek—God’s—Wisdom

First, as I near the end of my journey in Job..I again am reminded of how very blessed I am to have gone through recent trials with the comfort and blessings of so many godly friends who prayed me through AND spiritually supported me. I am so deeply thankful to God and to each of them.

Second, In this closing monologue Job talks about SEEKING wisdom.

Job says that men go to extraordinary lengths to search for riches. They will go to the ends of the earth and endanger their lives to gain earthly riches. But any earthly riches—no matter how valuable-the Diamonds, Gold, Silver, and any precious gems could not begin to match incomparable worth of Wisdom.

Wisdom cannot be purchased. The Price is FAR too PRECIOUS. So where will you go to find it?

“God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’””

‭‭Job‬ ‭28‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Forgive me for anytime I think that I am wise in my own eyes. Forgive me for anytime I have plans that I don’t seek You First. Forgive me for the times I begin to answer someone and don’t first speak a quick prayer (Lord what would YOU have me say).

Forgive me for the times I don’t pause and listen better. Help me to be a better listener to YOU and to others. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that are never ending. Here I am Lord. Send me. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka