5 Loaves and 2 Fish by Corrinne May

John 6:8-9

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up,"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

The disciples are contrasted with the youngster who brought what he had. They certainly had more resources than the boy, but they knew they didn't have enough, so they didn't give anything at all. The boy gave what little he had, and it made all the difference. If we offer nothing to God, He will have nothing to use. But He can take what little we have and turn it into something great.

In performing His miracles, Jesus usually preferred to work through people. Here He took what a young child offered and used it to accomplish one of the most spectacular miracles recorded in the Gospels. Age is no barrier to Christ. Never think you are too young or old to be of service to Him.

adapted from Life Application Study Bible

Love by Jaeson Ma

Great contemporary song by Jaeson Ma. Check out www.jaesonma.com for more of his details.

He shared that 3 decades ago, his mother was about to make a decision in the hospital to abort him as she was unstable financially and emotionally. A nurse who attended the same church walked passed and saw her, greeted her and blessed her before she left. Ms.Ma took that blessing as a sign from God to give up abortion, thus giving birth to such a talented artist, God-fearing pastor who has planted 200 churches presently.

Psalm 22:10

From birth I was cast upon you;

from my mother's womb you have been my God.

True Prosperity by Joe Stowell

A few years ago, the banking empire Citicorp ran a series of billboards about money: “Money changes hands—just be sure it doesn’t change the rest of you!” and “If people say you’re made of money, you should work on your personality!” These ads gave a refreshingly new perspective on riches.

God also has a surprising spin on wealth. From His perspective, you can be “well off” when it comes to worldly treasures and yet be in dire poverty in your soul. Or you can be poor in terms of earthside stuff and be lavishly rich by God’s standards.

The distorting power of wealth reminds me of the story of the rich young ruler. After a discussion about eternal life, Jesus asked him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. Unfortunately, the man “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22). This prompted Jesus’ lesson to the disciples: “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (v.23).

It’s not that Jesus is against wealth. It’s just that He is grieved by anything that we value more than Him. We can work hard and make money, but when those things are the main pursuit of life, then Jesus isn’t. Placing Him first and foremost in our lives is the key to true prosperity.

He possessed all the world had to give him,
He had reached every coveted goal;
But, alas, his life was a failure,
For he had forgotten his soul. —Denison

Don’t let riches—or the pursuit of riches— derail your pursuit of Jesus.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our UM graduates!

From left: Clarence and Eliana