Author Topic: The Desire of Ages--39--Give Ye Them to Eat (Read 41885 times)

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #120 on:** June 27, 2024, 09:35:13 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon and Brother Richard!

It may not seem sufficient? Are you looking at what you see or what faith says? If we look to God in faith, we need to remember that He created the universe out of nothing. For Him to provide food for over 5000 people is easy. God's great struggle with humanity is helping us to have such a faith that trusts Him in each situation and looks to Him for how He will provide. God will sustain His people who are willing to do His work in His way. God's work done God's way will never lack supply. May we receive the greatest gift of all--a living faith that is simply "the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12) that is ever manifest in keeping all of God's commandments with the fruits of the Spirit without one missing. We can have that experience the moment we look in faith to Christ as our Savior, yield our heart fully and unreservedly, and submit to be guided by His Spirit. What a miracle takes place in such characters that are focused on God's way, and not the deceptive ways of self-serving, fear, unbelief and pride. Let us pray to have such a genuine experience with Jesus moment-by-moment!

"The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting. In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied. If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life." {The Desire of Ages, page 371, paragraph 1}

The bread of life is the world of God, and Jesus, who is the word, is inviting us to do ministry in cooperation with Him. When we face trying situations, what a joy it is to take that situation to God in prayer, look to the clear promises of His word, and allow the Holy Spirit to make clear how God will provide in such a way that glorifies Him and gives us the deep satisfaction of having grown in grace, obtaining a deeper experience in faith. "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).

Beacon · « **Reply #121 on:** September 21, 2024, 09:29:57 PM »

"The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting."

"In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied."

"If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life."

Jesus said it and I believe it --- How about you??

=================================
1
Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne,
From death into life He went for His own;
All power in earth, all power above,
Is given to Him for the flock of His love.

Only believe, only believe;
All things are possible, only believe;
Only believe, only believe;
All things are possible, only believe.
2
Fear not, little flock, He goeth ahead,
Your Shepherd selecteth the path you must tread;
The waters of Marah He’ll sweeten for thee,
He drank all the bitter in Gethsemane.
3
Fear not, little flock, whatever your lot,
He enters all rooms, “the doors being shut”
He never forsakes, He never is gone,
So count on His presence in darkness and dawn.

Lyrics:Paul Rader
Music:Paul Rader

Philip T · « **Reply #122 on:** September 22, 2024, 08:09:34 AM »

The disciples were the channel of communication between Christ and the people. This should be a great encouragement to His disciples today. Christ is the great center, the source of all strength. His disciples are to receive their supplies from Him. The most intelligent, the most spiritually minded, can bestow only as they receive. Of themselves they can supply nothing for the needs of the soul. We can impart only that which we receive from Christ; and we can receive only as we impart to others. As we continue imparting, we continue to receive; and the more we impart, the more we shall receive. Thus we may be constantly believing, trusting, receiving, and imparting.

Wonderful is it not the more we dependent on Christ the more we receive from Christ, the more we have to give to those around us, thus the cycle of Benevolence set forth at creation goes on today, even though sin has ruptured it, the other cycle the cycle of evangelism works on the same principle, and repairs through Christ the plan of Benevolence. We must surrender to Jesus who is the center.

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #123 on:** September 22, 2024, 02:02:21 PM »

Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon and Brother Philip!

Circumstances are not to dictate whether or not we go forward in doing God's work. We need to keep our eyes steadily on Christ, remembering His promises and trusting His plans. Yielding the whole heart to Him to cleanse and purify, allowing Him to work in us the miracle of all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing and gladly going into His mission service--what a joy it is! As we obey Him who first loved us because His love has melted and subdued our hearts, it is amazing to testify of all He has done and how He keeps on leading!

"The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting. In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied. If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life." {The Desire of Ages, page 371, paragraph 1}

Giving the bread of life to others is a great joy! Praise God for the blessing of being entrusted with His gifts to bless others! May the Lord find us faithful!

Richard Myers · « **Reply #124 on:** September 22, 2024, 09:17:30 PM »

Amen my dear brothers! What you say is true. Then why worry?

The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting. In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied. If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life. { DA 371.1}

We all agree!!

Beacon · « **Reply #125 on:** December 17, 2024, 09:21:15 PM »

If we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us."

"If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment."

"He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him."

"The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting."

"In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied.

"If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life."

"OUR" part is to Trust & Obey...Are "WE" Willing?? If NOT WHY NOT??
=======================
1
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
2
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3
Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
4
But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do;
Where He sends, we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey."

Lyrics:John Henry Sammis (1846-1919)
Music:Daniel Brink Towner (1850-1919)

Dorine · « **Reply #126 on:** December 18, 2024, 04:23:16 AM »

The miracle of the loaves teaches a lesson of dependence upon God. When Christ fed the five thousand, the food was not nigh at hand. Apparently He had no means at His command. Here He was, with five thousand men, besides women and children, in the wilderness. He had not invited the large multitude to follow Him; they came without invitation or command; but He knew that after they had listened so long to His instruction, they would feel hungry and faint; for He was one with them in their need of food. They were far from home, and the night was close at hand. Many of them were without means to purchase food. He who for their sake had fasted forty days in the wilderness would not suffer them to return fasting to their homes. The providence of God had placed Jesus where He was; and He depended on His heavenly Father for the means to relieve the necessity. { DA 368.2}

The miracles of Jesus fill us with confidence in His ability to supply our every need today and for the future. Not for us alone but so that we may share with others our humble fare to those in great need. It would be wise if we were practicing simple habits now for if we wait until it is forced upon us it will become a great trial that could destroy our faith in God's provisions.

JimB · « **Reply #127 on:** December 18, 2024, 04:42:09 AM »

Amen Dorine! God will supply every need in His time and when we need it.

If we plan according to our own ideas, the Lord will leave us to our own mistakes. But when, after following His directions, we are brought into strait places, He will deliver us. We are not to give up in discouragement, but in every emergency we are to seek help from Him who has infinite resources at His command. Often we shall be surrounded with trying circumstances, and then, in the fullest confidence, we must depend upon God. He will keep every soul that is brought into perplexity through trying to keep the way of the Lord. { DA 369.1}

This is a somber warning and as someone who had made my fair share of mistakes by acting out my own ideas I will say its best to lean on God's leading and cooperate with Him rather than just expecting Him to cooperate with your own ideas and plans.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #128 on:** December 18, 2024, 05:12:53 AM »

Amen my dear brothers and sister! God has promised to give us what we need to do His work.

The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting. In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied. If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life.

The Lord says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you.” “He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth with blessings shall reap also with blessings.... And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work; as it is written,— DA 371.

As Brother Beacon has pointed out, "If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment."

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #129 on:** December 18, 2024, 09:41:58 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, Brother Jim and Brother Richard!!

God's kingdom is built on the principle of multiplication. When Jesus asked the disciples how many loaves they had, they may have only thought of how nearly impossible it would be for everyone to get enough food. But Jesus was willing to work with the five loaves and two fishes, be thankful to His Father for His provision, and then trust His Father's provision in the time of a genuine necessity for the hungry multitudes. Even the disciples and Jesus were hungry, and they, too, were blessed by the multiplication of the food that happened so miraculously. We can learn a precious lesson of putting our all into God's service to be available for His kingdom's mission. As we obey the great commission to reach unreached people, well would it be for us to consider what resources and people God has already provided where He sends us, and let Him multiply in His time and way all that is available--food, people, and hearts that respond to His divine grace! Praise God for the miracle of conversion that produces all of the fruits of the Spirit in the life without one missing as long as we are obedient to God in complete surrender to His will!

"In full reliance upon God, Jesus took the small store of loaves; and although there was but a small portion for His own family of disciples, He did not invite them to eat, but began to distribute to them, bidding them serve the people. The food multiplied in His hands; and the hands of the disciples, reaching out to Christ Himself the Bread of Life, were never empty. The little store was sufficient for all. After the wants of the people had been supplied, the fragments were gathered up, and Christ and His disciples ate together of the precious, Heaven-supplied food." {The Desire of Ages, page 369, paragraph 4}

God will provide. He simply invites us each day to be available for His plans and to trust Him in every situation.

Beacon · « **Reply #130 on:** March 14, 2025, 09:05:59 PM »

"The miracle of the loaves teaches a lesson of dependence upon God. When Christ fed the five thousand, the food was not nigh at hand."

"Apparently He had no means at His command."

"He had not invited the large multitude to follow Him; they came without invitation or command; but He knew that after they had listened so long to His instruction, they would feel hungry and faint; for He was one with them in their need of food."

"They were far from home, and the night was close at hand. Many of them were without means to purchase food. He who for their sake had fasted forty days in the wilderness would not suffer them to return fasting to their homes."

"The providence of God had placed Jesus where He was; and He depended on His heavenly Father for the means to relieve the necessity."

"What a example of Trust Jesus has set for "us"

=====================
1
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all,
I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
2
All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3
All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
4
All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5
All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!

Lyrics:Judson W. Van de Venter (1855-1939)
Music:Winfield Scott Weeden (1847-190

Dorine · « **Reply #131 on:** March 15, 2025, 03:50:03 AM »

When the question comes home to your heart, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” let not your answer be the response of unbelief. When the disciples heard the Saviour’s direction, “Give ye them to eat,” all the difficulties arose in their minds. They questioned,Shall we go away into the villages to buy food? So now, when the people are destitute of the bread of life, the Lord’s children question, Shall we send for someone from afar, to come and feed them? But what said Christ? “Make the men sit down,” and He fed them there. So when you are surrounded by souls in need, know that Christ is there. Commune with Him. Bring your barley loaves to Jesus. { DA 370.4

I know from a life time of experience that this promise is true. (I could write a small book as I'm sure all that are reading could too.) If we are thinking of others (after our commitments to God) and doing all we can to relieve their burdens our own needs will be realized beyond what we expect. Jesus often gave his lunch to someone in greater need than Himself. He would rather go hungry himself than to see some poor soul go without. He knew His Father would provide for Him. We need that kind of faith in all circumstances of life.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #132 on:** March 15, 2025, 06:58:28 AM »

Amen my dear brother and sister! Yes, for many years we give testimony that God provides for our needs as we minister to others.

"Additions were made to their number, until there were assembled five thousand men besides women and children." That is a very large group!!

It is God who is every day feeding millions from earth’s harvest fields. Men are called upon to co-operate with God in the care of the grain and the preparation of the loaf, and because of this they lose sight of the divine agency. They do not give God the glory due unto His holy name. The working of His power is ascribed to natural causes or to human instrumentality. Man is glorified in place of God, and His gracious gifts are perverted to selfish uses, and made a curse instead of a blessing. God is seeking to change all this. He desires that our dull senses shall be quickened to discern His merciful kindness and to glorify Him for the working of His power. He desires us to recognize Him in His gifts, that they may be, as He intended, a blessing to us. It was to accomplish this purpose that the miracles of Christ were performed..... DA 367.

The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting. In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied. If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life.

The Lord says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you.” “He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth with blessings shall reap also with blessings.... And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work; as it is written. DA 371.

Dorine · « **Reply #133 on:** June 10, 2025, 03:51:39 AM »

The people listened to the words of mercy flowing so freely from the lips of the Son of God. They heard the gracious words, so simple and so plain that they were as the balm of Gilead to their souls. The healing of His divine hand brought gladness and life to the dying, and ease and health to those suffering with disease. The day seemed to them like heaven upon earth, and they were utterly unconscious of how long it had been since they had eaten anything. { DA 365.1}

Jesus is no longer here in person but He has left the work for you and me. Do our words bring joy and comfort to the listening ear? Does the tone of our voice bring calm and hope to the burdened soul? Do our actions harmonize with what we say? Jesus' life on earth is teaching us how we are to minister to needy souls and as we do we see the working of the Holy Spirit not just in our lives but in those we minister to.

Beacon · « **Reply #134 on:** June 10, 2025, 08:56:35 AM »

"The miracle of the loaves teaches a lesson of dependence upon God. When Christ fed the five thousand, the food was not nigh at hand."

"Apparently He had no means at His command."

"He had not invited the large multitude to follow Him; they came without invitation or command; but He knew that after they had listened so long to His instruction, they would feel hungry and faint; for He was one with them in their need of food."

"They were far from home, and the night was close at hand. Many of them were without means to purchase food. He who for their sake had fasted forty days in the wilderness would not suffer them to return fasting to their homes."

"The providence of God had placed Jesus where He was; and He depended on His heavenly Father for the means to relieve the necessity."

"What a example of Trust Jesus has set for "us"

=====================
1
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all,
I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
2
All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3
All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
4
All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5
All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!

Lyrics:Judson W. Van de Venter (1855-1939)
Music:Winfield Scott Weeden (1847-190

Richard Myers · « **Reply #135 on:** June 10, 2025, 12:21:25 PM »

Amen my dear brother and sister! We are not rocks unto ourselves, neither was Jesus. He depended upon His Father and we depend upon our Savior who will not let us down.

The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting. In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied. If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life. { DA 371.1}

Richard Myers · « **Reply #136 on:** September 03, 2025, 09:04:04 AM »

If men today were simple in their habits, living in harmony with nature’s laws, as did Adam and Eve in the beginning, there would be an abundant supply for the needs of the human family. There would be fewer imaginary wants, and more opportunities to work in God’s ways. But selfishness and the indulgence of unnatural taste have brought sin and misery into the world, from excess on the one hand, and from want on the other.

Jesus did not seek to attract the people to Him by gratifying the desire for luxury. To that great throng, weary and hungry after the long, exciting day, the simple fare was an assurance not only of His power, but of His tender care for them in the common needs of life. The Saviour has not promised His followers the luxuries of the world; their fare may be plain, and even scanty; their lot may be shut in by poverty; but His word is pledged that their need shall be supplied, and He has promised that which is far better than worldly good,—the abiding comfort of His own presence. DA 367.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #137 on:** November 30, 2025, 06:29:44 PM »

When we are doing His work, why should we be surprised when He gives us all we need to do His work? If we will begin the work, He will help us finish the work He has called us to do.

The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting. In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied. If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life. { DA 371.1}

Richard Myers · « **Reply #138 on:** February 24, 2026, 10:30:10 PM »

This truth continues to impress my mind.

The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting. In the hand of Christ the small supply of food remained undiminished until the famished multitude were satisfied. If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life. { DA 371.1}

We must keep our eyes upon Jesus. It is the unseen world that is real and eternal. God always supplies our needs. Not our wants all the time, but always our needs. I have experienced it often. He sustains us as we go forth seeking those who want to know the truth!

Dorine · « **Reply #139 on:** **Today** at 01:52:55 AM »

Amen brother Richard.
The disciples were the channel of communication between Christ and the people. This should be a great encouragement to His disciples today. Christ is the great center, the source of all strength. His disciples are to receive their supplies from Him. The most intelligent, the most spiritually minded, can bestow only as they receive. Of themselves they can supply nothing for the needs of the soul. We can impart only that which we receive from Christ; and we can receive only as we impart to others. As we continue imparting, we continue to receive; and the more we impart, the more we shall receive. Thus we may be constantly believing, trusting, receiving, and imparting. { DA 370.1}

What a beautiful principle God has put in place. He desires to partner with us in the salvation of all but He must be first, center and last in our thoughts, plans and actions.