Be The CRACKPOT!

(Why is it that I always find myself posting in the wee, small hours of the morning??? O_O)

I've been talking to a lot of people recently who have been blessed by something that I've posted or something that I've shared with them. Cool, right? Definitely! But that crystalized a thought that I wanted to share.

John 6:1-9
Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" 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?"

Now imagine this. See it in your mind. What happened next is DEFINITELY an act of love! This boy had followed Jesus for days now, seeing miracle after miracle. Maybe he was one of many people healed at the hands of Jesus. After following Jesus and his disciples for so long, perhaps he knew that the disciples hadn't packed any lunch for anyone. Maybe he had been looking for a way, SOME way to show how much he appreciated all that Jesus had done for him. It's then that his heart whispered, "Offer Jesus your lunch! At least you can do that much for Him!" It was just a little sack lunch his mom packed for him, but at least Jesus wouldn't have to go hungry. Besides, his mom was known for her wonderful bread!

John 6:11-13
Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

What I want to say is this. Everyone has something to offer. Everyone has a word of encouragement, a talent, a testimony, or gift to offer to Jesus.

1Cor. 14:26
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

Maybe God has brought you through some tough times. Maybe you are really good at encouraging people. Or maybe, you just like hugging on folks! All the boy had was a lunch. And look what happened! Even if you feel like all you have is a crust of bread, give it to Jesus for His use! When the boy offered his lunch to Jesus, Jesus brought the increase!

Even if you feel shy about sharing with people, get out there! DO IT! When I started this blog, I was tempted to feel so nervous. "What are people going to think about me??" Tell that little voice to can it. Jesus has done so much for me! He's brought me SO far! When I read these posts over again I get blessed! Maybe these aren't the most elegant entries, but glory to God, they've born fruit!

2Cor 3:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence has come from God.

Don't worry about how you look or how you come across! Share your testimonies with people! As you put yourself out there and trust in the Lord, the Holy Spirit will teach you how to speak and how to act. It's even more powerful when someone who is a complete MESS on their own starts allowing Jesus to flow through them!

One last verse:

2Cor. 4:5-7
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness, " made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.