"How many loaves do you have? ". With this question, Jesus turns the whole perspective on the situation around. Instead of looking at what they hadn't got, as the disciples were doing, Jesus looks at what they have got. Jesus hadn't actually asked the disciples to provide the bread. He'd simply shared his concern for ... Read more

"Ill-gotten treasures are of no value". It is not what value your treasure is on the open market, but how you acquired it. This may be something that only you and God know. Because of the importance attached to how we acquire what we have, the proverb goes on to say that righteousness delivers from ... Read more

"Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient". No! Neither is two hundred thousand pennyworth, nor all the bread from all the bakeries in the land enough, if mankind is to be truly fed! For, man shall not live by bread alone. But give these people Jesus and all their needs will soon be met. ... Read more

"and I will bless you". The Lord promised Abram that if he would leave his country, his people and his father's household and go to the land of which the Lord would show him, the Lord would bless Him. Abram obeyed and became the father of all who exercise this faith and obedience. The Israelites ... Read more

"he who believes in me has everlasting life". Underwritten by His own atoning death and effectively sealed by His glorious resurrection, Jesus has no difficulty in fulfilling His promise. The deepest sinner need have no difficulty in accepting it, for beginning with the malefactor who hung next to Him at Calvary, men ever since have ... Read more

"Who has believed our report? ". What Isaiah foretold in prophecy was witnessed by dwellers in Palestine 200 years later. For nearly two thousand years the followers of Jesus have born testimony to the truth of the gospel in their lives as the news has spread all around the world. The Jews could not accept ... Read more

"let not your hands be weak". These words are part of the prophesy of Azariah spoken to King Asa. They were days when 'there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in'. In a world of war, disease and sorrow we are tempted to say, 'There is nothing I ... Read more

"everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required". Better a little well used than a lot wasted. You are more likely to get five out of five than ten out of ten so why covet the lifestyle of those who have more than you? God gives His gifts knowing what is ... Read more

"My times are in your hand". Because we do not know what a day may bring forth, it is reassuring to read today's verse. Doing God's will now is more important than trying to anticipate what tomorrow may bring. If it is a time of waiting or of preparation remember it is still of purpose ... Read more

"For the Lamb … will be their shepherd". Here is a wonderful turn of phrase. Lambs usually need to be cared for by the shepherd, but in the Kingdom of God it is the Lamb who becomes the shepherd. John the Baptist spoke of Christ as the 'Lamb of God' who would be offered as ... Read more