He Already Had In Mind

Seeing through the eyes of faith enables us to see Jesus with us through the storm.  

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Are you a logical thinker?  Are you a planner, or do you like everything spontaneous?  Does logic get in the way of believing for the impossible?  

I often have a conversation about being logical and illogical.  I don’t even like to say the word, illogical, because it has a negative connotation attached to it.

Doing the works of the Lord and believing for the impossible is beyond logic. 

Jesus is before five thousand and He said to Philip, “Where shall we get 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.”  (John 6: 5-6)  

Do you pre-think things through and through?  Or, are you an impromptu kind of person, flexible, and quick to act without letting reason talk you out of it or get in the way?

Jesus already had in mind how He was going to feed this crowd.  Philip answered the question with a question by saying, “Eight months wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”  (John 6: 6)

  • Being prepared is good, but don’t get too disappointed if God chooses to change things around and you didn’t prepare for it.  Trust Him!  
  • Being stretched will grow us up and grow us out.  It’s called expansion!  

Where was the faith level for Philip?  He really never answered Jesus; he just looked at it logically saying we don’t have the money or the resources to feed these people.  He didn’t say that verbatim, but that’s what he was implying.    

Then we have Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, he speaks up and says, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”  (John 6: 8-9)  

Two men, looking at this situation with two different opinions.

  • Philip saw through the eyes of logic.
  • Andrew, saw through the eyes of faith, with what he was given.  He just wondered how far it would go.     

Here’s what I have discovered about both opinions.

  • Seeing through the eyes of logic leaves no room for stretching or believing God for the impossible.
  • Seeing through the eyes of faith leaves room for stretching and believing. 

Which room do we want to live in?

Throughout the Word, this question is often asked by the Lord, “What do you see?”  It seems as if He is asking, “How do you see?”

Jesus then tells the men to have the people sit down.  “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.”  (John 6: 11)

Are we not told that “We are seated with Him in heavenly places.”  (Ephesians 2: 6)  

Being seated in that realm will enable us to see and partake of heavenly things.  Feeding five thousand with only five loaves and two small fish, would have come from another realm, the heavenly realm!  Miracles come from the place and dimension of heaven.  This is an example of heaven being brought to earth!

  • Those who are seated in that place with Jesus are given as much as they want.  
  • He loves to distribute to hungry believers.
  • Where we are positioned reveals a lot of how much of Jesus we want.

After they ate and evening came, the boys got into the boat and set their sail for Capernaum.  Jesus had gone ahead in advance, withdrawing himself to a mountain. While they were on the boat, a storm arose and the waters were rough.  

In the distance, they see Jesus walking toward them on the water, and they were terrified.  He calls to them saying, “It is I, don’t be afraid!”  (John 6: 20) 

  • When we encounter rough storms in our life we get to choose how to view them, through faith or logic. 
  • Seeing through the eyes of faith enables us to see Jesus with us through the storm.  
  • He is with us in the storm.  
  • With Jesus, we reach where we are going, to the other side.  
  • We can’t get to the other side without Him.  
  • Are we willing to acknowledge that we need Him with us?

Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.”  (John 6: 21)  (Shared from John 6: 1-21, Modified)

Zechariah sees God in the storm.  After seeing judgment on Israel’s enemies, he tells of the coming of Zion’s king.  He prophesies:  “Then the Lord will appear over them, His arrow will flash like lightning.  The Sovereign Lord will sound the trumpet, He will march in the storm of the south and the Lord Almighty will shield them.”  (Zechariah 9: 14-15)

In this storm, the Lord is marching forth.  What’s the result?  “The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of His people.  They will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.”  

  • A time to shine and release the new wine is coming.  (Zechariah 9: 16)  (Shared from Zechariah 9, Modified)

David had in mind to prepare for the construction of the temple.  He stated, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced and the house to be built for the Lord shall be of great magnificence, fame and splendor in the weight of all nations.  Therefore, I will make preparations for it.  So David made extensive preparations before his death.”  (1 Chronicles 22: 5)  

  • God sometimes has us make extensive preparations for someone else to step into.  
  • Let go and let God use you without wanting anything in return.  

God already had in mind for Solomon to build the temple.  David told his son what God had told him, “You will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side.  His name will be Solomon, “I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.  He is the one who will build a house for My name.”  (1 Chronicles 22: 9-10)

David then exhorted and ordered all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon build the temple.  He said, “Devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.”  (1 Chronicles 22: 19)  

Like the coffee mug, shown above, says “Have in mind what good shall I do this day?” Also, as David told his leaders to already have in mind to, “Devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord.”  When you are devoted to one, the other will follow.  (Shared from 1 Chronicles 22: 2-23: 32, Modified)

 

 

 


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About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com