“Money, it’s a hit, don’t give me no @#$%^&*” sing Pink Floyd. And in
that statement in song we find truth. As the Powerball craziness exceeds 1
billion, with a b, more and more people who cannot afford it sink their hard
earned money, or allowance check into hoping to win. Only to join the
multitudes of losers who still dream and hope. To win and become rich. Money
will change their lives, but the record tells it that even though it will, it
usually has disastrous effects. No wonder Jesus warned “the poor will always be
among you,” poor in pocket, poor in spirit, and poor in hope. Poor in
Powerball. Yet willing to gamble all they have for winning moment. Not willing
to change their ways, but hoping a great influx of cash does.
Years ago God advised me to look at situations where material things were
needed, but to take money out of the equation and see the impact it had on the
problem. And almost immediately, I had to go to God, and for his advice, which
never involves money. Which we tend to put before him anyway. He wanted me to
turn to him, and his ways have always been the best. But you have to trust him,
listen to his advice, then take it. Good advice only works when applied. And
no check can cover the value of walking with Jesus in the spirit. It has been
said and wisely, that “man plans, and God laughs,” but I also believe he might
shed a few tears for us when we don’t obey. He wants to bless us, yet we want
the cash. I once told friends that”"if my house was on fire, don’t hand me a
checkbook, hand me a fire extinguisher.” And when it did, the extinguisher put
it out, the insurance money that followed led me to court. God knows, and we
saw him in the process, and we won, but in ways we wouldn’t have expected.
God’s ways are not our ways, and Jesus is the way. So get out of the way, into
his way, and trust...and receive blessings. The biggest and best one how he saw
you through it. And he does, and will...offering peace and joy. Rest in the
midst of the storm.
Good lawyers know the answer before they ask the question, and Perry Mason
was the best. He saw things in a different way, and was able to sort through
the symptoms and find the facts. We don’t have Perry when we need him, but we
do have Jesus. And on one afternoon, far from town, he was faced with a crowd
that was hungry with no way to feed them. So he asked Philip, “what should we
do?” He knew Philip had no money, nor food enough for the crowd. They were
still 2000 years from the local Big Mac, and the question must have mystified
old Phil. “Why is he asking me?” But Jesus used it to prove he was God, he
could meet the need, a physical one, in supernatural ways. And we all know the
story, 5000 fed with a few loaves of bread, and a few fish. It is never
recorded a diner popped up on the location, but what a location that might have
been? Mickey D brags about billions served, do we brag on Jesus and his 5000
served? How about the one we serve? No drive through, no coupons, no EBT, and
no one went hungry. Remember it took the disciples to pick up the uneaten, that
filled one basket for each. Talk about a take out order, do we need Jesus now
or will that be to go?
Jesus knew the answer, he wanted Philip to see how the situation was
overwhelming, and without God’s intervention was hopeless. Now, what are you
facing that seems hopeless? What is going on in your life that needs Jesus to
answer? Health, family, financial, relational, physical, mental, or even
spiritual? Jesus is the answer, talk about a hit, and he won’t give you no !@##$%^! His answer was simple, “feed the multitude,”
then he told him how. Then Phil listened and obeyed. Note his answer to Peter
when he asked Jesus after his death what he wanted of him? “Feed my sheep.”
And the stories are here for us to learn from 2000 years later.
So while churches, ministries, and other groups answer with programs,
procedures, policies, special offerings, and fund raising, Philip got ‘er done.
So beware the three p’s, and the s and f. Go to Jesus first. Who is the
answer. How do I know. Remember my house fire, we ended up being sued by a
lecherous contractor. And ended up losing the case, but winning. The house got
repaired by him for free, we kept the insurance check, and even a high priced
attorney gave us free advice! We didn’t have to spend a dime. Now, is money
still the answer?
And to back it up, one miracle I don’t often tell about. Pride and
jealousy through Christian brothers limit my audience for it. But I have
bragging rights on God in it. When I was sick, and had open heart surgery, my
bill was well over half a million. But was advised by the hospital that “not to
worry, they we’re not going to discharge me because I was indigent. We are a
not for profit hospital, and the bill will be taken care of.” A bill I never
could have covered, and with no insurance and in a coma, God was there. Would
good insurance made me any better than being insured by the one who saved my
soul? So as I continue to walk in faith, I see his hand in my life. And on my
heart. Physically and spiritually.
So don’t be like Philip. We have the answer, so did he and Jesus was right
in front of him. Take heart in the promise of the blessings of those who have
never seen him, but trust him, who live in faith. Who trust beyond bank
accounts and FICO scores. Who have the means, but don’t know the man. And
knowing Jesus will always be the answer. Today I have a scar and the records to
prove my miracle, that Jesus was there. It is in the toughest times we get the
biggest blessings, and can share the best testimonies. To encourage others, and
give God the glory. Don’t wait for a fire or a life flight and open heart
surgery to wake you up. Is Jesus asking you right now a question that only he
can answer?
Listen, the most important part of prayer...you will be surprised. An
answer from the richest man in history, who never owned property, was born in a
barn, and was buried in a borrowed tomb. Jesus asked because he already knew
what he was going to do. Money can buy a fine meal, you will only get hungry
again. Man asks “do you want to supersize that?” What we really need is
supernatural.
we need Jesus. Now I ask, is money really the answer?
love with compassion,
Mike matthew25biker.blogspot.com