Category: 7 Arrows

Jesus feeds 4,000 men plus their families by multiplying 7 rolls and a few small fish.

By this day Jesus had already fed thousands in a similar manner. No wonder word of him spread.

God delights in using the tiny and insignificant to accomplish his enormous and important work.

Even though Jesus’ disciples have seen this scenario before their faith is small.

Rest in the fact that God’s work is God’s work. You may be included, but its God’s power and resources, not yours, that makes the difference.

God enjoys displaying his ability to do what men would call impossible. This is one way mankind’s finite minds can get a glimpse of him.

God of the impossible, I believe you can do anything…and will.

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Jesus has mercy and heals many. A common denominator in these accounts are that the people on the receiving end giving “glory to God”.

The mercy of Jesus across racial, ethnic, gender, religious, and social divides was very different from any leader of the day. It’s delightfully shocking.

God is no respecter or external wrappers: race, ethnicity, gender, & the like. After all, God hold the patients to all of those.

People totally get hung up and consumed with external differences.

View people as Jesus does.

Jesus breaking down all the barriers is a great point of conversation.

Father, your boundaries are my boundaries.

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The Pharisees focus on the outward traditions of men, but Jesus focuses on the heart.

No doubt, many faithful Jews were burdened by the additions and regulations of the Pharisees.

God values the condition and attitude of the heart.

Religious people are in danger of their piety becoming the end goal- not knowing and delighting in God.

Pay attention to your focus. Guard your heart!

Religion < relationship with God.

Father, what is important to you should be important to me. When I get this wrong please set me straight.

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Great faith is shown and Jesus heals many.

Word about Jesus spread quickly, and for good reason.

God rewards rightfully placed faith.

There are faithful believers all over willing to bring the hurting to Jesus.

Place every shred of faith in Jesus.

Verse 36 is of interest- even those touching the edge of Jesus’ robe were healed. They really believed Jesus could and he did.

Jesus, put in me what I need to pursue you and help others along the way.

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Jesus and Peter walk on water.

This is an amazing story of miracles and faith.

Jesus is all powerful. His word/command/authority is all that is need to join him in what he is doing.

Faith in the right person (Jesus) is an amazing wonder.

Obey Jesus and count on him fully.

Peter gets a bad rap- but the other 11 disciples stayed in the boat.

Jesus, truly you are the Son of God.

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Jesus heals the sick, gathers a large following, and miraculously feed them all from one sack lunch.

No doubt the story of this miracle outpaced the written account.

God can multiply anything.

Most of this number may not have realized Jesus was doing miraculous works to feed them, still they were fed.

Keep your eyes on Jesus. He’s always working out more than is obvious.

Miracles like this (hard to fake, many eyewitnesses) are faith building.

Lord Jesus, you are able. Always.

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Rumors circulate that Jesus is the resurrected John the Baptist, who had recently been brutally put to death by order of Herod.

People had likely heard about what happened to the regional hero John the Baptist.

John’s suffering moved Jesus.

John’s gory death is a reminder of how depraved people can be.

Grieving is part of the human experience.

This passage points to Jesus’ humanity.

Lord, help me be faithful until the end of the road no matter what.

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Jesus unpacks big truths. Some accepted them but his hometown did not.

The hometown crowd is tough because one’s entire family is on display.

Jesus’ wisdom is limitless.

It is mind boggling to think people could know Jesus so well, yet still be filled with unbelief. It happens everyday.

Take Jesus’ truths to heart.

This passage reminds us that Jesus was not the kind of Messiah people were expecting.

Jesus, you are the Son of the Living God. My life is yours.

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Jesus teaches the parable of the hidden treasure and of the priceless pearl.

Two different two sentence parables seems easy enough on the surface…but what or who is the treasure and the pearl?

God himself is the treasure and those who completely commit everything are participating in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Man wants to be the treasure but that is short sighted.

Do whatever it takes to pursue Jesus.

The level of commitment here is worth noting.

Jesus, you are worth everything.

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Jesus teaches the parables of the weeds and the net.

These parables had to het wheels turning in people’s minds.

God lets us know that results in this world are a mixed bag and the true faithful will not be totally clear until the end of the age.

Looks can be deceiving…but God is not fooled.

Don’t be surprised because every field and net is mixed.

Take heart in knowing that God will oversee the sorting and he does not miss a thing.

Father, help me stay focused and on mission- your field, your nets, your business.

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