If You Feed Them

My youngest started feeding the stray cats around where we live. One stray turned into about five regulars. We live in a rural community, so for security’s sake, we also have outdoor cameras. We have realized that she’s also feeding neighborhood dogs, bobcats, foxes, and coyotes. Neighbors have also taken notice. One neighbor brought a stray dog over to us on an ATV. A very unlikely ministry we have started on our property out here. But, I’ve noticed that if you feed them…

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John 21:15‭-‬17 KJV

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. Truthfully, the story of Peter is a special one for me. Peter wasn’t one of your usual suspects. He wasn’t one who would have been voted most likely to be chosen by Jesus. I can relate.

We know Peter’s history: fisherman by trade. Chosen by Jesus to become a fisher of men. Where Peter previously fed the people fish (and they ate it), when on the day of pentecost, he stood up and fed them the bread of life, they ate it, and were filled with the Holy Ghost as evidenced by stammering lips and speaking with an unknown tongue.

Truth is no matter what you feed people, they’ll come, and they’ll eat. So what are you cooking up? What are you preparing for yourself, your family, others to eat?

I saw a commercial while watching something on YouTube, and this dude said something akin to: Parents are concerned about their children going to school and learning about homosexuality, thinking their child is going to come home “gay”. I went to school and learned about African Americans and didn’t come home black.

Sorry, not sorry, these are not the same concept.

Today, there is too much indoctrination going on. Our children are being taught by schools, television, video games, social media, society – you name it! They are being taught – indoctrinated everything that is contrary to the Word of God. Sad to say, there are even times when this bleeds into the church.

I think the question is, what will we consume? What we choose to consume for ourselves, will reflect what we feed others. Truth is, if we feed them, they will come. But, what will we feed them? Will we feed them the Bread of Life? Or will we feed them the fruit of the flesh?

Just as Peter had to make this determination, so must we, each and every day. We live in a world full of hungry people. If we feed them, they’ll come.

*Original Image by Yours Truly