Bonus Material

Remember the miracle of the fishes and the loaves? It's where Jesus fed the multitudes with a small lunch that a mother packed for her little boy. That story proves that there is NOTHING God cannot do. 


Mark 6: 35-43 reads: By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages^[a]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”
Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, ⁴³ and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.

Often, God may give a vision that is much bigger than our current circumstances, background, or education. This may give anyone pause and cause your delay of creating something that God have given you to create. Sometimes, you don't need more money, more education, or more luck. Sometimes, you just need more faith.


Evaluate yourself and ask God to reveal the resources, connections, knowledge, talents, gifts, and helpers that He has already assigned to you to help you take that all-important first step. It might not be all you need to get to your destination but it will surely be enough to start you off. Start where you are and trust that God will supply all of your needs for a successful journey.


Everything we need to take the first step is already in your hands. Just do it...


Soli Deo Gloria, 


Step Brown 

Before Amazon's Kindle

The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study is on the letter K. With that in mind, I thought of the word KINDLE. According to Webster, kindle means to ignite, to catch fire, to stir up and arouse.

As believers, we should be on fire for God. He created us with a purpose in mind. You were never an afterthought to God. There is a reason for this season. And you owe it to yourself and the others you will affect to ask God what is your role and purpose. After you ask Him, patiently await his perfectly-timed answer.

Isaiah 46:10 says Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass; for I do whatever I wish.

Jeremiah 10:23-24 says I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.

In the history of Israel, Joseph was born to save them from starvation, Moses was created to deliver them from slavery and Esther was divinely appointed to prevent their extinction. Even outcasts from the nation of Israel, like Rehab the prostitute who helped Joshua and his men, had their use.

Whether big or small, recorded or unrecorded, notable or unknown to the public, you were born to fulfill a need. That need arose even before your birth. Allaround you are people who need you. You might be their evangelist and share the Gospel with them. You might be their teacher and teach them the Word. You could be their exhorter and encourage them to do their purpose for God. The point is be open to what God has for you to do. Know that you have a purpose otherwise you wouldn't be here.

Allow God to light a fire in you to fulfill His divinely-appointed purposes. His will is perfect. Forget Amazon...  It's God who should be your kindle.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

Desiderarta

Webster defines desideratum (desiderata is plural) as something wanted or needed; a necessary and desired thing. I heard the musical version of this poem many years ago and now use it as my lifetime mantra. This weekend, I decided to share it on YouTube with a little video to go with it. Hopefully, the video tells the poem's story.

Go calmly...

SA Brown

Why do we settle?

I am sitting at home today and that can be dangerous. I start to think about different things. So my goal today: to make you think.

Do you find yourself settling a lot of times in your life? Settling for a job you're less than satisfied with, settling for relationships and friendships you're not 100% happy with, and just settling in general. Whether it is with little things or major things, why do we find ourselves settling for things that we are less than happy with?

Each person would have their own reasons as to why they choose to settle. I know I've settled for less than the best in my lifetime. I've settled for jobs I know I didn't really want. I've settled for situations I know I didn't really want to be in. In the end, I find I am still less than happy anyway, so what is really the point of settling? My reasons include fear, insecurity, pressure to conform to societal views, an attempt to please others, and lack of confidence to go after what I really want. Admittance is always the first step.

Settling for anything that doesn't make you completely happy is a self-defeating behavior that will halt all of your other hopes and dreams. Settling will never make you completely happy because you were never satisfied to begin with. Any gratification would be temporary and fleeting. Settling means compromising too much and not living your own life. You can't follow your dreams if you are pursuing the dreams others have for you. Settling breeds mediocrity. If you never take a chance, you will never know, right?

At the end of the day, the choices you make should be your own. Sure, people around you will always make comments, give advice, and pass judgement, but remember, they are not the ones who are living your life. They are not the ones who have to live with the consequences of the choices you make. You always have a choice about what you want to do. If you choose to settle and can honestly live with that, then by all means, go ahead. But if you feel your happiness is compromised too much for a choice you settled with, then find a mirror and ask yourself: WHY AM I SETTLING?

I'm just saying,

Step Brown

Ride of a Lifetime

The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study rolls on with the letter, J. So this week, I'd like to discuss the Journey.

Scriptures: Matthew 21: 1-5; Mark 11: 1-3; Luke 19: 29-31; John 12: 14-15

Luke 19: 29-31 reads: 'As He came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, He sent two disciplines ahead. "Go into that village over there," He told them. "As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone should ask you, 'Why are you untying that colt?', just say, The Lord needs it." '

You hear sermons on the triumphant entry many times. Different points of view reveal how every character in that story must have felt. From the disciplines to the worshippers to Jesus Himself, this story of fulfilling prophecy has so many messages. Yet, there is one point-of-view few people consider. What about that little donkey that carries Jesus on his back?

God is methodical. There is no happenstance. Everything is planned out. So it is no accident that Jesus would pick a lowly and insignificant creature to use. A little donkey--a dumb ass if you will--brings the King to His Kingdom. An animal that God knows would just simply obey and do what he was told. That's who gets the privilege of having Jesus on his back.

In addition to that, Jesus tells them 'I need that little donkey so go get him.' That little donkey was minding his own business, not knowing the Lord would ever need him for something. Plus, little donkey was all tied up but Jesus already knew He would have to free the little guy to use him. Jesus also knew little donkey's condition. Because, see, no one had ever ridden him before. So Jesus knew He would have to get little donkey ready for the ride. Jesus knows...

For me, little donkey's story resembles that of a Christian's journey. You see, the Lord knows where you are, your condition, and all the things you have been through. Yet, when He needs you, He will send for you. So maybe being a dumb ass (blind obedience) will make the journey that much easier. You can't go wrong with Jesus on your back. Sure, it may get a little hectic but that is when you think of the One who knows where you are, sends for you, knows exactly what you've been through, unties you from your previous condition and tells the world, 'I have need of him/her.' When you choose to allow Jesus on your back and let Him ride uninhibited, get ready for the ride of a lifetime.  

When the journey gets bumpy, just think of the Guy who's got your back.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown