Leftovers

“When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” John 6:12

With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror I’m wondering how many of you are still eating leftovers? Yesterday I saw a man standing on the street corner with a sign that read, “I eat leftovers.” When I read the sign I thought, I eat leftovers too. Eating Thanksgiving leftovers never gets tiring for me.

The only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four Gospels is the feeding of the 5000. In each recording, the Holy Spirit mentions leftovers. Why did Jesus mention this? Jesus could have performed the miracle by providing the “exact” amount of food that was needed. But he said, gather up the left overs and let nothing be wasted. There were 12 baskets left over and perhaps each of the disciples carried a basket.

I think that one lesson that we can learn from this is that Jesus always provides more than enough, more than we need.

Thought For Today: Do you enjoy leftovers? Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:20-21 that God is able to supply “more” than we ask or think. Take time today to thank God that He always supplies more than enough.

Today’s Prayer Focus: Remember that in prayer, it is okay to ask God to meet your needs. Today, what is on your heart that you want to ask God for. Jesus says you have not because you ask not. Take time to ask God and I pray that your plate will be filled with his richest “leftovers.”