Ever wonder what God wants? What He expects of you? And then, if you have a clue, how you’re doing with that? Is your scorecard looking like a winner? Or do your grades put you in the lower half of your class, wearing a dunce cap in the hallways of heaven?

Despite what I’ve done for the Lord, I still feel like I’ve let Him down. Been a slackard, goofing off when Jesus could have used more commitment from me. Of course, can any of us ever do enough for our God?

I don’t want to think that I spent five years hosting a local testimony TV show, where we used to live and minister, just to get my mug displayed on the one-eyed monster. Or stayed for a long time at our last church, fourteen years in all, to see if the church family could stand us long-term? Or write these devotionals for over eleven years and publish two books just to make a profit; which, to be honest, has gone the other direction. Even with all of the above, I feel ashamed that more hasn’t been accomplished for my Lord.

Then I read John chapter 6, and it’s the best medicine for whatever ails you–‘And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life…’ (John 6: 39-40).

So, that’s what God wants of me? To hang in there with Him and not reject Him? To be the son He’s called me to be? Just to be His and His alone? And to act accordingly? Not to try and earn my way into His heart? Or to do enough good to outweigh the bad? Or pull some strings by getting to know the right religious folk? As in some high-powered spiritual networking?

Now, back to that question of what God wants. Simply put, to trust in Jesus. To get as close to Him as we can. Listening to Him, our ears to His ground, found in our Bible. Praying often, not only in emergencies or when all else fails. Leaning hard His way. Believing when we’re told that the evidence seems contrary. Being on His team even when we appear to lose big games. Staying loyal to Jesus as He does to us–‘And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me…’ (John 6: 39).

We are the Father’s gift to the Son. A gift, in the best sense of the word, is not earned but offered without strings, and received with heartfelt thanks. Jesus accepts us as His Father’s gift. A divine present that we’ll always be His, cherished and precious. ‘Safe and secure from all alarms,’ as the old hymn reminds us.

So, this week, let’s believe in Jesus, which can be a tall order. Nevertheless, throw caution to the wind and trust Him anyway. Follow Him wherever He leads, tossing whatever comes our way at His feet (especially when we falter and fail), staying right there with Him no matter what, never leaving His side. Never. That’s exactly where God wants us to be.

Lord Jesus, thank you for making me yours forever. Amen.

Jesus’ heart goes out to the gathered crowd that day, all those famished people. But He has only a couple of barley loaves and two fish. That’s it. However, from that meager food basket, He manages to fill the gullets of over 5000 people until their tummies are about to explode. Much to my liking (and others in my family!), there’s a ton of leftovers. Really? Absolutely, for in Jesus’ hands, a little goes a long way. Take that as a hint. Give Him whatever you have. He can do more with it than you can.

Later in John 6, we discover that the crowd hangs around looking for Jesus. They want more. Of Him and His teaching? Yeah, right. Not quite. Rather, to munch away at Jesus’ overflowing freebie feedbag of goodies. After all, grub satisfies for only a few hours. Their gratitude lasts only as long as Jesus’ prior blue-plate special.

Fear not, the Lord knows what they’re up to. No fooling Him, then or now–‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for food that perishes…’ (John 6: 26-27).

Without skipping a beat, the crowd bellows and howls like this–‘Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness…'(John 6: 30-31). Can you believe them? These are the same blokes Jesus recently fed. And now they come after Him for more. A twenty-four-hour, open daily, holidays included, don’t have to buy-one but still get-one-free, endless buffet with an unnecessary senior discount thrown in for good measure!

Their stomachs growl for blessings beyond measure. What Jesus did last time was not enough. That’s yesterday’s miracle. What about today? Why not every day, Jesus? All the time. More and more, or we won’t believe you, let alone follow. You’d better put up, or else.

They’re in it for the goodies. For His blessings. What He can and must give them. Uh oh, I sense someone looking over my shoulder. A nudge to my conscience? An unwelcome glance in the mirror? A ‘gotcha’ from on high? For am I any better than the crowd that day? In it for all I can get. Ungrateful and spoiled rotten.

All this gives me pause. Too important to just shrug off. So, I’m taking this seriously, thinking about it hard and long. I least want to be a fairweather follower of Jesus. Rather, I want to be all in, with both feet planted solidly in His corner. No matter if all God’s earthly blessings dry up and blow away. Yes! Always His and His alone. But am I?

Lord Jesus, forgive me when I’m greedy and selfish. Amen.

Why would the miracle of Jesus’ healing the paralyzed man by the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem be my favorite? Aren’t they all the best? Well, for sure. Slap my wrist to say otherwise, but still, this one rings my bell louder than others. Why? Well, let me explain.

It’s not because I had paralytic polio as a toddler. Well, maybe a little bit. But it has more to do with how much this man knew about Jesus when he was healed. Any guesses? Right. Not much. Perhaps sketchy rumors were circulating about a miracle worker from Nazareth, who was in the area that day. All the Bible says is that someone spoke words that this invalid wanted desperately to hear–‘…Get up, take up your bed, and walk’ (John 5: 8).

Do what? Get up? Walk? After 38 years, unable to work those infirm legs, after all the failed attempts to be healed by the spirited waters of this Pool, when no one would help him, that’s when Jesus mosies by and calls out to him–‘get up, walk.’ Hey, why not? Costs nary a shekel. And guess what?–‘…at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked’ (John 5: 9). Bingo. Presto. Healed and well. Who’d a thunk?

The reaction of the religious elite? Those who snobbishly know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they themselves are closest to God? Arrogant so-and-so’s, who have little time for any down-and-out? They reek of spiritual superiority. And go ballistic at Jesus’ effrontery, daring to heal on the Sabbath.

Couldn’t he wait a measly couple of hours until after sundown when Sabbath is over? Oy vey, what a schlemiel. So, they confront the newly healed man about who has performed such a dastardly deed. Who? ‘Fess up, already. The healed man hadn’t a clue–‘Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn…’ (John 5: 13).

Here’s something else that’s unexpected–“Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, ‘See, you are well! Sin no more…'” (John 5: 14). Who found whom? Jesus waits in the wings, goes down the back alleys of Jerusalem, looking for this very man. He seeks him until he’s found. Never giving up until the lost one is found.

That’s what happened to me. Jesus found me. He was after me from way back when, until one Sunday evening, listening to the radio in my bedroom, I heard about Jesus loving me and wanting to be in my life. Really? Is He that desperate? Jesus wants me? A nobody from nowhere? Is this for real?

By the way, how come I never heard this before? I was confirmed in my home church. A member in good standing. Whatever. Who cares? All I know is that I prayed that night, asking Jesus into my life, and He came and has never left, even though I’ve given Him plenty of reasons to do just that. Too many, really. He’s here to stay, despite myself.

Jesus sought me. He knocked on my front door. Who’s there? I knew so little about Him. Almost nothing. But it didn’t matter. He loves me. So, I opened my heart to Him. How about you? Time for some company, the best kind?

You’ll discover that the longer we hang around Him, the more time we spend in prayer and in our Bibles, and following what He wants, then we’ll get to know Him like never before.

See why this is my favorite miracle? Puts salvation, first and foremost, in God’s court. His serve. His point. Aced by Jesus! That’s a miracle, par excellence. Still my favorite!

Lord Jesus, I love you for finding me and placing me in your family. Amen.

Some have wondered how many devotional books I’ve sold, hinting that they’d like to know how much money I’ve made. Nosey Parkers! Since these weekly devotionals, which I’ve written and published for over 11 years, cost you nothing and me just a modest annual charge from the web organizer, I assume they refer to royalties from my two published books, which are still very available on Amazon and would make marvelous Christmas presents! Shame on me! But, to be painfully honest, those book purchases have put me in a lower tax bracket! Get it? Satisfied? Prying buttinskies!

It’s also true that people from over sixty countries have discovered my website. All right, already, maybe only three to five new people every day. Add that up, and it’s still but a drop in the bucket. It could have more readers. I pray for such. To be a blessing. To make my contribution to God’s Kingdom.

Yes, I’m a small fish in a big pond. Wee potatoes. A bit player. Chump change. And? You’re point? Should I quit? Pack it up and call it a day? Stop fighting the rip tide and come to shore? Well, since I can’t swim, I’ll keep doing what I’m doing for my Lord Jesus.

You must know that the idea for all this devotional writing comes from God. Okay, I never heard an audible voice. No skywriting or colossal sign, either. Just an impression in my mind of a mission from my Lord. To write devotionals. For Him. For others. Never for personal gain. Not to advance a career. But, again, for Him and for others. Does it make me sound like a goody two-shoes? If so, too bad, so sad!

Like God’s people in Zechariah 4, when they eyeball the modest sight of their newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and hear stories about the magnificence of Solomon’s original worship complex, they break down in tears, grieving this ‘day of small things’ (v. 10). How the mighty have fallen, so they think.

That’s when God encourages them to keep on keeping on–“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you'” (Zech. 4: 8-9). It’s about God’s plans and not merely your own. You’re disappointed? Embarrassed? Let down? Get over it and get with it.

Whatever you do for Jesus, please, keep at it. Maybe it’ll be in a new place. Doing something somewhat different. Or you need to dig in your heels and not give up. I don’t know. But ask Jesus what He wants you to do. Wait on Him. Watch for little hints and signals. Don’t be in such a blasted hurry as I usually am. Wait, while you’re at it. And then, that’s right, do it!

Hudson Taylor, the 19th-century missionary to China, said this–‘Little things are little things. But faithfulness in little things is a big thing.’ Read that again and let what he said over a century ago sink in. Certainly grabs my attention. Just mine?

Lord Jesus, I love doing what you call me to do. What an honor. Always for your sake. Amen.