August 3, 2023: What Do You Have?

"And he asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven." (Mark 8:5, ESV)

So often, the starting point of God with us when we are looking for a miracle or answer to prayer is, "What do you have?" Jesus always starts with that question, and with the little we have, before changing it into the answer to prayer or the answer to a need.
    
Faith often begins with the little bit we hold in our hands and our willingness to give it to God. Elijah encountered a widow with just a little bit of flour and a little bit of oil. She was about to make her and her son their last meal when Elijah asked for the bread that the last little bit of meal and oil would make. On the surface, this seems almost cruel that Elijah would ask for their last meal. But the widow's miracle was in her hand. What she possessed had to be put into the hand of God for her and her son's miracle to manifest. The promise was: If you do this, your oil and flour will never run out until the drought is over.
    
Jesus asked for the seven loaves and a few fish from which thousands would be fed. The miracle was in the hands of a willing few that were willing to share. What do you have in your hand that is miracle material? Open your hand and heart to God and see what He will do!