Today's Verse: Luke 9:13

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

[When his disciples wondered how to feed the huge crowd who had been with them several days and were famished, Jesus] replied, "You give them something to eat."

 

They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish — unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."

— Luke 9:13
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I love the way Jesus got his disciples' attention in this situation. He challenged them "to do immeasurably more than all [they] ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20-21). Basically, Jesus told them, "You feed them, boys!" Of course, they knew that they couldn't! Yet Jesus showed them they could do amazing things if they brought their meager resources to him. When the big picnic was over, each of those limited disciples got to pick up a basket full of leftovers from the table of Jesus' grace (Luke 9:17). Let's remember our challenge is the limited resources we see but our unwillingness to bring what we have to Jesus and trust that he will do something with us, and those resources, to bless others in ways we couldn't have dreamed!

Video Commentary...

We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

All praise to you, Abba Father, for your extravagant help and mercy in times of need, your loving and generous provision in times of want, and your surprising and exciting use of my limited resources as I seek to do your will. I know that you have entrusted me with what I have to accomplish the work you have called me to do as I serve to bless others. Forgive me, Father, for not trusting you to make what I think are my meager resources more than enough to do your work in my world! In Jesus' name, I ask for your grace fully confident and praising you for your sufficiency. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Loaves and Fishes
Illustration of Luke 9:13
Inspirational illustration of Luke 9:13 -- He replied, "You give them something to eat." They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish--unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."
Called to the Impossible
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus wanted to slip quietly away with his apostles.] But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught..."
Hold My Miracle in Your Hands!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Follower, Before you read anything else, I want you to hear the ending of the verses below from the events leading up to and then the actual..."
Broken Bread
Article by Phil Ware
Why is it so important to recognize that the bread is broken? Because we are broken, too! Phil Ware continues his series of Communion Devotionals called Beyond Bread and Wine that focuses on all the depth, meaning, and significance to the Lord's Supper.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 9:13 — [When his disciples wondered how to feed the huge crowd who had been with them several days and were famished, Jesus] replied, "You give them something to eat."   They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish — unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Excellence in Giving' (2 Co. 8:1-7)
"Dear Father, Show your grace to me and my family by giving us hearts so generous that we will share liberally with those who need our help. May we..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Job 40:4
"One cheering word, poor lost sinner, for thee! You think you must not come to God because you are vile. Now, there is not a saint living on earth but...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'The Only Way to God' (Jn. 14:6-7)
"Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me. If you have known me, you will also know my....."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'God-breathed Scripture'
"Dear Beloved, One of the great blessings that you have received from Us — Father, Son, and Spirit — is the Bible, the "holy Scriptures."...."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse