30 Days with Jesus: Day 16

The Miracle of Increase

Scripture - Matthew 14:13-21; John 6:5-14

We've all heard the stories of Jesus feeding the multitude plenty of times. It was one of the first Bible stories I remember being taught as a little girl. What an amazing miracle; to take only five loaves of bread and two fish, feed thousands of people with it until they were full, and still have food left over.

This story has always been about the miracle of feeding the multitude to me until a few years ago when I read this passage from a different perspective. Yes, the miracle is important. But what I now see when I read this story is the miracle of increase.

Let's stop for a moment to see what Jesus did to create this miracle:

• He chose to give (Matt. 14:16).
• He made an assessment of what they had in their possession (Matt. 14:17).
• They brought what they had to Jesus (Matt. 14:18).
• He commanded the people to sit - i.e. rest and prepare to receive (Matt. 14:19).
• He broke what He had and blessed it (Matt. 14:19).

It wasn't until He did these things the miracle took place. This has now become my formula (if you will) for increase in my life; and when I tell you it works… it works! Jesus has been so faithful to provide and produce miracle after miracle in my life.

We know Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So if He did it then, He's doing it now and will continue to do it.

Do you need an increase in your life? If so, then follow Jesus' example. Do what He did and watch Him produce the same results in your life. Trust Him.

Journal

• Spend time meditating on today's Scripture. Write down any area(s) of your life in which you need an increase. Spend time talking to God about it. Write down anything you hear/feel.
• Apply Jesus' process to your situation and believe Him for increase.

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; --2 Corinthians 9:10, NASV