WHAT DO YOU NEED?

“Give us today our daily bread.” – Matthew 6:11

I vividly remember my short encounter with her during our prayer group’s outreach program at a government hospital. She looked extremely shy when I first saw her. She tried to cover her face with the pillow when I smiled at her. She remained silent when I asked for her name. I handed her a sandwich but she just stared at it. I showed her a book. She pointed to the side of her bed as if to say, “Just leave it there.” 

I learned from a nurse that the young girl attempted suicide a few days ago. She refused to talk to anyone since her confinement. Then our leader announced that our outreach program was ending in a few minutes. I looked at the shy patient again. This time, her pillow covered only half of her face. She looked curious. I approached her bedside, closed my eyes, clasped my hands and said a short vocal prayer for her healing. I took one final glance at her. She smiled back. I realized that this young girl needed not a sandwich, a book or a Christmas carol. She needed a prayer. 

God also knows what we need each moment. This is the reason why He teaches us to pray for our “daily bread.” He does not want us to worry about tomorrow. His love assures us that He will provide whatever we need at the moment we need it. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you seriously done your part in your faith covenant with God?
 
http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2015-02-24
 

JESUS IS ALWAYS AHEAD OF YOU

Philip was in for a surprise that day.

It happened at the early stage of Jesus' ministry. Jesus was performing great signs and miracles. His actions attracted a big crowd. The crowd was around five thousand and that was counting the men only (John 6:10).

Philip’s surprised came in a form of a question – “when Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?’” (John 6:5) 

That question must have shocked Philip. Maybe he was not ready to give a reply. If I was Philip I would have ask Jesus – “when did I get my assignment as official caterer in our ministry?” or “They followed us. They should bring their own food, right?” 

Philip’s reaction was more logical than my would be reply. He made a mental calculation and replied “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little” (John 6:7). 

Philip’s reply could be summed up in two words – “It’s impossible!”

I agree with Philip. Feeding five thousand right at that very moment would take a miracle. But there is one point that we need to remember. The task was impossible if he was talking to a mere man. But he was not. He was with Jesus. He was with God. And we know “with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27) 

The right reaction is to rely on God. Because verse 6 says that – “He (Jesus) said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.” (John 6:6) 

Jesus knew all along what He had to do. He was miles ahead of Philip.Way way way ahead.

There are times in our life when we also encounter something that catches us by surprise. We questioned God. We try to give our own solution or answer. We worry. We panic. We forget that He is God.

When we faced difficult and shocking situations we are called to trust Jesus. We should have faith that Jesus is way ahead of us all the time. He loves us too much to leave us alone.

Aim to trust Jesus more starting today.