Friday, July 31, 2026

Matthew 14:15-17 

15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 

Like most of us, the disciples focused on their lack of resources. They didn’t have enough to feed so many. How could Jesus think otherwise? 

One of my favorite “good news, bad news” jokes is a pastor telling his congregation, “I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that we have all the money we need to pay off the mortgage. The bad news is that it is still in your pockets.” 

What the disciples saw was the food in their own pockets. They did not see what food might be out there in the pockets of 5,000 people if they were inspired to share what they had. The Holy Spirit can do amazing things through ordinary people! 

– Pr. Paul  

Holy Spirit, let me never underestimate what you can make possible, especially when it comes to changing the human heart—especially mine! Change my heart. You are the potter and I am the clay. Amen.