Tuesday, July 8
I heard this goofy story a long time ago I'd like to share it with you today because it has a point: The Lord came to three fellows one day to ask them a favor. They all knew who He was. He said, "Boys, I want each of you to go out and get me a piece of wood." The first one was happy for the opportunity so he went out and brought back a pretty good size piece of wood. The second one thought of the One who asked the favor so he went out and found an even bigger block of wood than the first. The last man thought "These guys are dummies" so he just came back with a stick. When the Lord came back to see what they had brought Him, they all gave him their piece of wood and He immediately turned them into bread. Consequently, the third fellow only got a slice of bread, so he wasn't too happy about it. The next day Jesus came back and told them He needed one more favor from them. This time He told them to bring Him back a rock. This time they all tried to bring back the biggest rock they could handle. The third fellow, however, remembering the bread, worked all day and easily out did the other two and came back with a huge boulder. When He laid it at the lord's feet, Jesus climbed up on it and declared, "Upon this rock will I build my Church" and before He could end His declaration, the third man interrupted Him and blurted out, "No Sir, you're gonna make me some bread!"
All kidding aside, there have always been many who follow Jesus with a "Whats in it for me" mentality. There is an account in the 6th Chapter of the gospel of John about people such as these. The chapter begins with Jesus miraculously feeding a multitude. The next day, the people realized that Jesus and His Disciples had crossed the Sea of Galilee so many of them also crossed over and went looking for Him. Since He knew their hearts, Jesus told them "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill." When He told them to first seek spiritual things and that He was, in fact, the Bread of Life, this group of seekers deserted Him.
I trust that all of you who are reading this blog, serve and follow the Lord because you truly love Him, not because of what He can do for you. No, it is not a sin to seek God for our strength, help, protection, and provision. What can't be right, however, is to expect Him to be faithful to us and for us not to be faithful in return. Right after the bread seekers of John Chapter 6 deserted Him, Jesus asked His Disciples if they also wanted to leave and Peter replied, "To Whom can we go, you have the words of life." I know most of you, and I believe you truly love the Lord and you won't turn your back on Him. After all, the ones who love you won't leave you. Neither do you leave them.
Memory verse for the week: (Hebrews 13:5 KJV) "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have : for He hath said , I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
