The Zoo Kids

The Zoo Kids
Finally Together

Saturday, November 10, 2012

WALK BY FAITH

We are less than a week away from our flight to China to bring Zoe and Eli home. There is so much to be done in so short a time before we leave. And then there is so much to be done to raise 7 children when we get back. All of this could easily become overwhelming.

As I began my time with the Lord this morning part of my prayer was, "Lord, we need you if we are going to be able to raise two more children. We need you to raise all of our children, much less raise two more. We have no clue what we are doing. We are just trying to follow you and trust you. HELP!"

I read and reflected on Matthew 14:13-21 this morning (Jesus Feeds the 5,000). As I read this passage I got the answer I was looking for.

THE QUESTIONS: We have had so many people ask (and we have thought this ourselves): "How in the world are you going to raise two more children? You already have special needs children in your home and all your children need your attention. Shouldn't you focus on the needs you already have? Don't you have enough going on already?

Here is how this passage answered my question:

ANSWER: PUT MY NEEDS ASIDE! "Lay down my life-on-mission for the good of others globally to the glory of God the Father." (1 John 3:16-18; John 15:13)

In Matthew 14:13-14 Jesus had just found out that one of His best friends had been beheaded. He got in a boat to go to a desolate place and be alone. But, when He reached the desolate place He found the crowds waiting on Him. He had needs in that moment that needed to be met. He had the need to be alone to deal with the emotions of losing a loved one. However, Jesus put His needs aside to meet the needs of the people. Jesus always put priority on the needs of the people over His own.

We know we cannot meet every need and we definitely cannot adopt every orphaned child out there. The need is far greater than our ability to meet - even within our own home. However, we can put the needs of those the Lord puts in our path ahead of our own.


ANSWER: TRUST BEYOND THE PHYSICAL! Have faith!!! Faith is (my definition) trusting beyond the physical to God's promises and limitless possibilities (Hb.11:1). "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matt.19:26). "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil.4:13).

In Matthew 14:15-16 Jesus' disciples saw a need and the physical resources they had to meet the need. They knew the need was far greater than their ability to meet. But, Jesus saw beyond the physical to what was possible with God.

The orphan crisis around the world is so far beyond our ability to meet. Just meeting the needs of our 7 children is beyond our ability. We cannot do it in and of ourselves.


ANSWER: GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE to the LORD! Jesus says, "If you want to be my disciple you must renounce everything you have" (Luke 14:33). We know what we have is not enough, but when we give what we have to the Lord we know He has THE FINAL ANSWER!

In Matthew 14:17-18 Jesus, being able to see beyond the physical to what was possible with God, asked His disciples to simply give Him what little physical resources they had. They trusted the Lord and turned their physical resources over to Him.

We don't have a lot to give. I would say we are not the best parents in the world, but my bride is an amazing bride and mother. I lack so much as a father to my children and they deserve so much better. We don't have a lot to give, but what we do have we are entrusting to the Lord. We want to walk by faith knowing it is the only way to walk with the Lord (Hb.11:6). Even though we have a hard time seeing beyond the physical we have faith. And although our faith is not always strong it continues to grow each time we step out in faith.


THE FINAL ANSWER: JESUS TAKES WHAT WE ARE WILLING TO GIVE AND TOUCHES LIVES BEYOND MEASURE. Ephesians 3:20 - "He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us."

In Matthew 14:19-21 Jesus took what the disciples gave Him and touched lives beyond their wildest imagination. Everyone had their fill and there was an abundance left over.

We have seen the Lord do this over and over! When we brought Mei home we didn't have a clue what we were doing. Even before that we didn't have what we needed to bring him home. But the Lord, Jesus took what we were willing to give and He worked miracles.


Lord, help us walk by faith. Help us, even when we are unable to see beyond the physical, to trust your promises and limitless possibilities. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


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