Today's Verse: Luke 9:13

Tuesday, September 13, 1960

[When his disciples wondered how to feed the huge crowd who had been with them several days and were famished, Jesus] replied, "You give them something to eat."

 

They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish — unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."

— Luke 9:13
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I love the way Jesus got his disciples' attention in this situation. He challenged them "to do immeasurably more than all [they] ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20-21). Basically, Jesus told them, "You feed them, boys!" Of course, they knew that they couldn't! Yet Jesus showed them they could do amazing things if they brought their meager resources to him. When the big picnic was over, each of those limited disciples got to pick up a basket full of leftovers from the table of Jesus' grace (Luke 9:17). Let's remember our challenge is the limited resources we see but our unwillingness to bring what we have to Jesus and trust that he will do something with us, and those resources, to bless others in ways we couldn't have dreamed!

Video Commentary...

We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

All praise to you, Abba Father, for your extravagant help and mercy in times of need, your loving and generous provision in times of want, and your surprising and exciting use of my limited resources as I seek to do your will. I know that you have entrusted me with what I have to accomplish the work you have called me to do as I serve to bless others. Forgive me, Father, for not trusting you to make what I think are my meager resources more than enough to do your work in my world! In Jesus' name, I ask for your grace fully confident and praising you for your sufficiency. Amen.

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Loaves and Fishes
Illustration of Luke 9:13
Inspirational illustration of Luke 9:13 -- He replied, "You give them something to eat." They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish--unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."
Called to the Impossible
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus wanted to slip quietly away with his apostles.] But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught..."
Hold My Miracle in Your Hands!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Follower, Before you read anything else, I want you to hear the ending of the verses below from the events leading up to and then the actual..."
Broken Bread
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Why is it so important to recognize that the bread is broken? Because we are broken, too! Phil Ware continues his series of Communion Devotionals called Beyond Bread and Wine that focuses on all the depth, meaning, and significance to the Lord's Supper.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 9:13 — [When his disciples wondered how to feed the huge crowd who had been with them several days and were famished, Jesus] replied, "You give them something to eat."   They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish — unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, September 13, 1960

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'God's Treasure Revealed' (2 Co. 4:7-12)
"Dear Father, powerful sustainer, Thank you for putting your treasure in a cracked clay pot like me so that it will be evident that the treasure is..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Pursuit of the Abundant Life' (2 Co. 9:8-9)
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'The Power Behind My Growing Kingdom'
"Dear Disciple, Pentecost came, and My church was born! The presence, power, and work of the Holy Spirit in every true disciple had finally arrived......"
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Your Prayers Have Been Answered' (Acts 10:3-4)
"One afternoon about three o'clock, [Cornelius] had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. "Cornelius!" the angel said. ..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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