Here is how God has blessed us offering up our 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed many.
I subscribed my Dad to the newsletter. He loves it and now has renewed his faith. It has helped his wife through the loss of her mother. His comments-“ I am very grateful that you thought of me and sent me Stepping Stones Devotional. I had backslid so far that I didn't even realize it enough for it to bother me! It's like I'm Lazarus "coming forth" from the dead!' he suddenly died at age 67 just before he was to be baptized.
If left to my own devices, I tend to think of God as always ready to smack me for my sin. In my twisted thinking, God is only that way towards me – everyone else is accepted and lovingly forgiven. Stepping Stones is such a tangible reminder of God’s grace and unbelievable love for me (& everyone!!).
I do Bible studies with women in prison. I took about 20 of your devotionals in this past week and the women were so blessed. I had them look briefly through the devotionals and when one of them captured their heart, they would choose it and then read it and tell why they chose it. One by one, each shared how the one they chose was exactly where God had been speaking to them. It was a wonderful exercise in how God always confirms what it is He is trying to get across to us and how He speaks directly to the heart. So, thank you!
They are also being read by an Appalachian woman from the sticks who is in her 40's, who does not attend church, and no one around her does, whose husband is experiencing serious heart failure at present. She's at the end of her rope. She is learning about God in ways she has never even heard of before. She does not want to subscribe, but she asked me to keep forwarding them when I think they're "right." (And believe me, I send her 4-5 per week.)
As missionaries in Tanzania and your daily devotions are very fitting with many of the issues we face here. After the Father’s Day message, I went outside and played with my 7 and 8 yo daughters, hide-and-seek, kick the can, and capture the flag. It was the most fun we have all had in a long time.
Sometimes, I forget that it is up to the Lord God, to let me live one more day. I tend to assume that I will be here on earth tomorrow. But God wants us to live for today and today only, the future is His. You have been a great blessing to me, and now I know why my girlfriend loves your devotionals so much!
Today, go to www.SteppingStones-LN.blogspot.com, offer up your fish to grow others.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being willing to partner with us even though we are fallen and make lots of mistakes. Your faith in me and willingness to work through me to bless others is both loving and empowering. I pray others experience this same closeness with You. In Jesus’ Healing name – AMEN!
The Truth
They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.
Matthew 14:17-20
