Today's Bread

 

    

Matt 6:11

 

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

KJV

 

Ah, the season of being thankful.  November is the month that everyone starts listing all of the things/people/blessings that they are thankful for.  This is a wonderful practice, and I believe, does indeed make us more grateful.  When we are constantly looking at what we do not have, then we become discontent and dissatisfied.  But when we purposely call to mind all that the Heavenly Father has done for us, gratitude begins to well up within us.

I have heard of other countries that are not nearly as materially blessed as America having a greater attitude of Thanksgiving.  One  evangelist reported to our congregation that he knows of one country who has people working six days per week, 10-12 hours per day to make what we make in less than a day.  But he stated that when it is time to give their offering at church, that they come forward with tears of joy and Thanksgiving because they are able to give to God.  This should strike the heart of every American who is living the American Dream.

Today's verse is an excerpt from the Lord's Prayer.  Jesus himself exhorted us to pray for today's bread.  I am going to be honest.  I prefer having more security than that.  It hurts and stretches me when I have more month than  money.  But even then, our family has more than a day's worth of  food.  Even then. 

As I was praying about what to share with you during this season, I feel the Lord  urging me to remind you to be grateful for what you have, even if  it is less than you used to have.  Be thankful even if it is less than what others have.  Trust God. Ask Him for what you need each day.  Then, remember to return  thanks as He supplies.   If you have more than you need in a given day, you are richly blessed.

Dear Lord, your blessings on me are abundant.  Forgive me for greedy grabbing, always wanting more and more without realizing what you have already provided.  Help me,  Father, to constantly have an attitude of gratitude and an abiding knowledge that you are my source of today's bread. In Jesus' Name.   Amen.

 

According to His Riches

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

In my pantry there are certain staples I am seldom without.  If I have corn, tomatoes, pasta and hamburger meat (which is in the freezer instead of the pantry!), I can come up with several different dishes to cook for dinner.  If I have flour, butter, sugar and cocoa I can go in several different directions for dessert.  These are my go-to ingredients.

Today’s verse is a staple verse of my life as well. If you have been very long on this earth, you know that finances go through seasons as well. You get a raise and enjoy more prosperity. You buy a new car and things are tight.  You pay off a credit card and have more money, you have a baby and your finances are never the same again!  We go through seasons of prosperity and seasons of more limited resources.  But through it all, God is our source.  He is the only one who ultimately meets our needs.  He chooses to do it through our jobs, unexpected bonuses, raises, gifts, discounts, specials, and rebates. He is unlimited in the way He meets our need.

If you are walking in obedience in your finances- tithing, giving and being a good steward; you can rest assured that He will be faithful to do His part as well.  According to this verse, He will meet all of your needs.  Not just some of them.  But notice this passage does not promise every little desire of your heart. It is talking about basic needs.  When there is something we need, He will supply it according to His glorious riches.  Wow!  I am so glad that it is not based on my riches, or really on my need, but it is based on His riches- which are limitless!

There are other verses that talk about giving us the desires of our heart as well.  But today, just focus on the fact that no matter how bad things can look at times, God is your source and He has unlimited resources.  You can trust Him to meet your every need.

Dear Lord, thank you for all the things you have already blessed me with- salvation, my family, my health, my home and my job.  Thank you that you see my need and love me enough to meet it.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

All That You Need

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

 II Corinthians 9:8

What an awesome promise!  No matter what you are doing (provided it is Godly) or what you are in need of, God is able to make all grace abound to you.  That means that whenever you need God’s unmerited favor, it is yours.  This is one of the verses that can build confidence in your life if you concentrate on that knowledge.

If you begin a work that God has called you to, such as a ministry, He will give you whatever you need to accomplish what He has called you to do.  He will give you the strength and emotional energy to carry it out.  He will multiply your time, He will give you resources, and He will cause people to like you for no apparent reason!

This concept applies even in our secular life or home life, across all spheres that touch you.  This does not mean that you will never struggle or fight against problems.  But it does mean that you have a promise to have all that you need.  This means money for the power bill, patience for the Little League team you coach, it means ALL things.

Perhaps the most thrilling part of this verse is the promise that you will abound in every good work.  Whatever you do, it will prosper or succeed.  You will reap a harvest, an abundant supply.

We all know people who have stepped out and tried things and appear to have failed.  But we can be sure that if a child of God is involved, God can turn even our messes into messages.  He can transform any situation and work it for our good.  So even something that appears like a flop to us, God can use to build character, teach us something we need to learn or show us that He is still in control.

Dear Lord, thank you for your promises.  Thank you for your grace and your desire to put that unmerited favor on me.  Thank you that I can walk in your empowerment and favor.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri