Offering Your Faith to God By Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture:
Matthew 14:19-21
"And He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children."
Introduction
In times of scarcity, it can be difficult to see how God can provide. However, in the story of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus shows us that when we offer what we have to God, He can multiply it beyond measure. Just as Jesus took the loaves and fish, blessed them, and distributed them to feed thousands, so can we entrust our limited resources to Him. This act of faith invites God's miracle-working power to manifest in our lives.
1. Offering What We Have to God
Jesus' act of lifting the five loaves and two fish to heaven is a powerful illustration of how God can multiply our offerings when we trust Him. No matter how little we have, when we bring it to God with a heart of faith, He is able to turn our offerings into blessings that far exceed what we imagined.
Scripture Reference:
"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." (Matthew 21:22)
We must believe that God is able to bless the little we have, as long as we offer it to Him with a sincere heart.
2. Trusting God in Our Challenges
The multitudes were hungry and the disciples saw the challenge of feeding so many people with so little. But Jesus did not focus on the scarcity; He focused on God's ability to provide. The key to overcoming life's challenges is to trust in God's provision rather than focusing on our limitations.
Scripture Reference:
"But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (Matthew 19:26)
In every situation, we must remind ourselves that what seems impossible to us is within God's ability to handle.
3. Letting God Multiply Your Faith
When we offer our faith and resources to God, He can multiply them to meet the needs around us. In the case of the five loaves and two fish, Jesus did not just feed the multitudes; He provided leftovers, showing that God’s blessings overflow when we place our trust in Him.
Scripture Reference:
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20)
God’s provision doesn’t just meet our needs; it exceeds them, filling us with more than enough.
4. The Battle Against Sin: Closing the Doors to the Enemy
In our walk with God, we must guard against the enemy’s attacks. The Bible encourages us to close the doors that the enemy can use to bring sin into our lives. Just as we must offer our faith to God, we must also ensure that we do not give the devil a foothold in our hearts.
Scripture Reference:
"Do not give the devil a foothold." (Ephesians 4:27)
We must remain vigilant, ensuring that we are not allowing sin to encroach upon our lives.
Conclusion:
Offering Your Life to God
When you offer your life and faith to God, He takes what seems small and makes it powerful. Like the loaves and fishes, God can multiply your efforts, your resources, and your faith to accomplish His purpose. The key is to surrender all that you have to Him, trusting that He is able to do immeasurably more than you can imagine.
Final Scripture:
"Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6)
In every moment of challenge, seek God with all your heart. He will provide and multiply your efforts as you surrender to His will.
