God’s In Control!

‘This peace will control the way you think and feel.’ Philippians 4:7 CEV

Ever heard it said that God won’t give you anything you can’t handle? Truth is that He won’t give you anything that you and He together can’t handle! Let this Scripture sink in: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ (Romans 15:13 NIV)

The way to have peace right in the middle of a troubled situation is by staying filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. How do you do that? By developing a spiritual hunger and letting God fill you. He can give you a sense of serenity when you’re surrounded by stress.

So, if you’re in over your head today, pray this: ‘Heavenly Father, You said no weapon formed against me shall prosper (see Isaiah 54:17). I can’t keep the enemy’s weapons from being formed, but I know You will keep them from striking me down. You said if I ask anything according to Your will, You will grant my request (see 1 John 5:14–15). You said that, when I walk in obedience, I will be blessed when I come in, when I go out, when I lie down, and when I get up (see Deuteronomy 28:6; Psalms 1:1;  3:5). You told me to turn all my troubles over to You and You will take care of me (see 1 Peter 5:7). So here all those troubles are—every one! Today I’m standing on Your promises. You said it! I believe it! That settles it! In the name of Jesus. Amen.’

SoulFood: 2 Kings 4:42–44, Mark 6:30–44

word4today an adaptation of The Word For Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2022

Today’s Readings

2 Kings 4:42–44

42 A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” 43 But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” 44 So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the LORD.

Mark 6:30–44

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.