Scripture
Mark 8:14-15
“The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful”, Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
Observation
Someone on the planning committee screwed up. The disciples and Jesus were in a boat headed across the sea, and someone had forgotten the picnic basket at home!
Instead of getting upset and chewing them out, Jesus used it as a teaching opportunity.
He was less concerned about the logistics than he was about the influences affecting their hearts.
Application
Sometimes the ball gets dropped. Plans go awry, and strategies fail. The same God who multiplied the loaves and fishes in the Bible, can still make a way today. The bigger question is, what is the condition of my heart? Am I relying on God to sustain me and make a way, or am I trying to live life with a carnal works-based mentality, trying to earn my way through life based on my own efforts?
God is not afraid of my shortcomings, but He desires me to course-correct back to Him instead of trying to forge ahead on my own.
Prayer
God, thank you for seeing my shortcomings and yet loving me anyway. Help me to daily rely on you, and not slip into a works-based mindset like the Pharisees. Thank you for supplying all that I need, even when my best efforts fall short.
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