January 21, 2014: Blessing and Breaking

Matthew 14:1-21

Amplified Bible (AMP)

14 At that time Herod the governor heard the reports about Jesus,

2 And he said to his attendants, This is John the Baptist; He has been raised from the dead, and that is why the powers of performing miracles are at work in Him.

3 For Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison [to stow him out of the way] on account and for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,

4 For John had said to him, It is not lawful or right for you to have her.

5 Although he wished to have him put to death, he was afraid of the people, for they regarded John as a prophet.

6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst [before the company] and pleased and fascinated Herod,

7 And so he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8 And she, being put forward and prompted by her mother, said, Give me the head of John the Baptist right here on a platter.

9 And the king was distressed and sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered it to be given her;

10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.

11 And his head was brought in on a platter and given to the little maid, and she brought it to her mother.

12 And John’s disciples came and took up the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

13 When Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there privately in a boat to a solitary place. But when the crowds heard of it, they followed Him [by land] on foot from the towns.

14 When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cured their sick.

15 When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, This is a remote and barren place, and the day is now over; send the throngs away into the villages to buy food for themselves.

16 Jesus said, They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat.

17 They said to Him, We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.

18 He said, Bring them here to Me.

19 Then He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass; and He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and blessed and broke the loaves and handed the pieces to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve [small hand] baskets full of the broken pieces left over.

21 And those who ate were about 5,000 men, not including women and children.

Shortly after I was healed from anxiety and depression, I felt impressed to pray, "Lord, break me." Did I want to pray this? A thousand times, NO! I thought, wait a minute, I just came out of a crushing and breaking process. This makes no sense. But I obeyed. And then the blows started coming. And kept on coming. I felt like Rocky Balboa. In the boxing ring. With thousands of people gawking at me. The pain was deep. Excruciating. And it never really went away. And then another blow would come. I kept cleansing my heart and repenting, but seemingly to no avail. Eventually, my heart started to become hard. I struggled to pray. I wondered if God really knew what He was doing or cared about my pain! I came to the place where I had no more strength and I was losing desire to go on. One morning I finally broke through to healing and forgiveness. I forgave those who scorned, ridiculed, and lied on me, plus I forgave God as well. I felt thankfulness and an amazing freedom! And now I just encourage people everywhere I go! I have been blessed and broken by the hands of the Master Potter.

"Dear Lord, thank You. Thank You for the crushing and breaking process You put me through. After I prayed the simple prayer, "Crush and break me." Now You are using me to bless others like never before. I feel like I was one of those loaves of bread in Your hands, Lord. I've been blessed and broken. Now the limits are off! I am free to minister to everyone and anyone who will listen. Use me to feed the 5,000, Lord. Send me, I will go. And I pray for the friend out there today who is in the middle of the painful crushing and breaking experience. Please help her to cling to You and continue to humble herself under Your mighty hand. 

1 Peter 5:6-7

New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

And she will be exalted. It's right in Your word. She will be exalted. Thank you, Jesus. Thank You for everything. And I mean what I say. Thanks for the blessing and the breaking! And I will worship You forever and ever!!! AMEN!"