Give Us Our Daily Bread

When I walk the aisles of the local supermarket, shopping for my weekly groceries and household items, I often reflect on the abundance that surrounds me with gratitude. One long aisle contains dozens of varieties of snack items. Another holds 14 kinds of pastas of various shapes.  Beautiful fresh produce fills the front of the market with healthy options. The physical shape of too many of us reveal our indulgence, consumption of too many calories that expands our waistline and threatens our health.  

How should we manage our abundance?
What is our attitude about the ‘stuff’ that is available to us? 
Those questions form my thoughts in this CoffeeBreak.

Jesus taught us to pray – “give us today our daily bread” – and He was teaching us about much more than just asking for tonight’s supper. We pray that phrase hopefully as we recognize that God is our resource and with understanding of what it means to say ‘enough.’  Yes, Christian, if we would live in the promise of God’s peace and with contentment, we will pray “give us today our daily bread” with earnestness! 

I have memorized a passage from Proverbs that parallels Jesus’ prayer: "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." (Proverbs 30:8-9, NIV) 

The Old Testament of God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt is a lesson for us in our journey from slavery to Self to fullness of life in Christ.  God promised those people that He would fully resource them on their journey. When they had a need, all they had to do was ask! For their daily food He gave them "manna" - bread from His hand. Each morning they found white flakes on the ground, which they prepared as their food. They were told only to gather what they needed for that day. He told them  “No one is to keep any of it until the next morning.”  Being human, some of them ignored that direction and learned the hard way. They found their storage full of maggots and stinking except for the Day before Sabbath, when they could gather 2 days provision and it did not spoil.

I like to think that living with that kind of daily provision would cause me to be full of thanksgiving and contented. But, the story of the Israelites is too familiar.  They soon grew unhappy, complaining!  "The Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt, and the people of Israel also began to complain. "Oh, for some meat!" they exclaimed. "We remember all the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic that we wanted. But now our appetites are gone, and day after day we have nothing to eat but this manna!" (Numbers 11:4-6, NLT) It was never enough.

When the Lord provides for all of our needs – giving us our daily bread - our prayers will include genuine thankfulness that recognizes that He is good and that what He provides is best.  Oh, yes, He is a generous Father who promises His children the desires of their hearts. Key to understanding that is knowing the changed desires of a Spirit-filled heart. The trinkets that make the temporary treasures of this world lose their shiny attraction when our hearts love God, desiring to live in His provisions with joy.

Are you contented with what He provides and where He leads?
We honor Him and joyfully say: "Yes, Lord, I receive what You've  provided."  

Are you blessed with abundance?
Enjoy it and share it.

Are you in a lean season?
Trust Him "and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." (Matthew 6:33, NLT)

The word from the Word is a reminder that "godliness with contentment is great gain."  "A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough." (1 Timothy 6:6-8)   Lord, give us today our daily bread. Amen

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Goodness Of God

(Let CeCe Winans lift you into God’s Presence)

I love You Lord
Oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days
I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God 

All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In darkest night
You are close like no other
I've known You as a father
I've known You as a friend
I have lived in the goodness of God

Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after
It's running after me

Ben Fielding | Brian Johnson | Ed Cash | Jason Ingram | Jenn Johnson
© 2018 Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

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The Big Guy in the Sky?

 

We love our casual society, don’t we? Our letters, if we write such things any more, no longer include greetings like “Dear Mr. Smith,” or even “Dear Joe.” We start with a “Hey” or “Dude.”  Titles are mostly seen as unnecessary or even phony. 

In my early years of ministry, 45 years ago (!!), it was standard to use the title “Pastor” with the last name attached. It was just the way it was done. It was a way to show respect.  Now I’m just “PJ” which I love, by the way, no formality required.   And, yes, unless I knew someone well, first names were not used. It was Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith.  

 Is informality in social interaction good? I leave that to your preference, but there is one place where I believe it has a detrimental result: when we lose our respect for the God we address in our prayers.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name.”  His prayer reflects the reverence for the Name of God that was engrained in the Jewish religion and culture. God’s name, YHWH, was so revered that the devout never uttered it aloud. Thus, we have no real knowledge of how it is pronounced. Our “Jehovah” or “Yahweh” are guesses. 

When you are reading the OT and come on the word LORD (in all caps) that is a place where God’s Name appeared (YHWH) and when the passage was read, His Name was left unspoken, with the substitution of the word Adonai, literally - Lord.  Why all this fuss? Because God is great, and our prayers are deepened with faith when we refuse to diminish Him.

“Hallowed” is one of those words that has lost meaning for us so it is better that we should read it thus- “Our Father in Heaven, Holy (or sanctified) is Your name.”   Jesus, when praying for us, uses the same word that is translated “hallowed” in the Lord’s prayer in His request.  He asks His Father to "Make them pure and holy (*hallowed) by teaching them your words of truth." (John 17:17, NLT)  Paul also prays similarly for us.  "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify (*hallow) you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NIV)

Our prayer life will suffer when we make God too small or too tame. Oh yes, He is knowable and relational, but He remains distinct and powerful. Jesus came to make Him known, but not to take away His majesty. Great faith grows in the soil of God’s majesty, His utter holiness, His unfathomable power. That is why the Proverb reminds us that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10, NIV)  When we tame God, when we rob Him of the mystery of His greatness, our prayers become timid, our ability to rest in His care is lost. 

And yet, as Christians we can come close to Him, loving Him.  Paul speaks of Him as “Abba” a term of intimacy. "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:15-16, NIV)  Abba is a term similar to our Dad. My kids call me Dad or Pops, not out of disrespect, but because we are connected by familial love.  So, we enter the Presence of our Father, deeply respectful, yet able to address Him as our Abba, One who loves us, cares for our needs, desires our worship.

Let us pray with true love and deep respect.  Resist the informality of our age that could lead you to rush into His Presence without your heart prepared. Remember, He is not "the Big Guy in the sky." He is God, Almighty.

Here is a word from the Word. As you meditate on them, may the Spirit bring you near to the Father so that you can feel the warmth of your ‘Abba’ in Heaven.

"Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
He is to be revered above all the gods.
The gods of other nations are merely idols,
but the Lord made the heavens!

Honor and majesty surround him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. ...
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him." (Psalm 96:4-6, 9 NLT)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Good, Good Father
(a prayer song!)

 

I've heard a thousand stories
Of what they think You’re like
But I've heard the tender whisper
Of love in the dead of night
You tell me that You’re pleased
And that I'm never alone

You're a Good Good Father
It's who You are, It's who You are
It's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, It's who I am
It's who I am

I've seen many searching for answers
Far and wide
But I know we're all searching for answers
Only You provide
Because You know just what we need
Before we say a word

 You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us 

Love so undeniable I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
Into love love love

 

Anthony Brown | Pat Barrett © 2014 Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Common Hymnal Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Housefires Sounds (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

 

Spirit-led?

 

Charismatic Christians, those who emphasize a personal experience of the Holy Spirit, will often use this this phrase when speaking of some choice they have made:  "I felt led."   Christian should be led of the Spirit.  My daily prayer is “Lord, lead me.”  My choices include prayer for the ‘will of God’ to be known in my life.   Those first generation followers of Christ demonstrated for us that we can and should be led by the Spirit. Paul says that "those who are led by the Spirit are children of God." (Gal. 6.14)   

The upside of keeping step with the Spirit is great assurance and peace but there is a downside when the privilege is abused. Far too often I hear Christians say, “I felt led”  but it quite clear that they have allowed emotionalism to govern. Worse, some justify doing their own thing with a covering of spiritual language.  After all, how can you reason with that person who claims God’s approval on their choices?

My dear friend, God has blessed us with a wonderful thing called a brain! He does not ask us to ignore the working of our mind, to set aside counsel or wisdom as we live each day.  Our heart and mind operate equally to bring about His purposes and will. Isaiah, when calling for change in ancient Jerusalem, told them that God wanted them to think clearly. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD.” Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) The word, 'reason' is a word meaning, "argue your case, talk it over, work it out!"   

Simplistic thinking, refusing to wrestle with our thoughts, our emotions, our conflicted desires, can cause us to make very poor choices and to excuse ourselves from responsibility by saying, “I felt led!”

Knowing the daily leading of the Spirit is part of a life that is God-centered, when we are fully engaged in knowing Him, intent on living for Him. Paul encourages us to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1 (NKJV) In the original language of the Bible the word, "reasonable"  is the word, logikos, from which we get our word, logical. 

As we serve God, we do so with reason intact.  When we offer ourselves - where we go, how we spend our money, what we value, how we interact with our family, the way that we work  - to God;  a higher life of devotion that knows the mind of God is the logical result.

Yes, of course, we must ask “what of faith?” Are we to be locked into rationalism, living only by what can be proven or tested by natural means?  No!  Pure rationalism eliminates the possibility of revelation. We, as individual Believers and as the Church of Jesus Christ must be led by the Spirit, open to truth that is revealed to us outside of the usual channels of discovery and learning.  Even as I write those words I chuckle because I know that in our culture if we claim to hear from God, to know His voice, we may regarded as a person suffering from delusions or self-deceptions that are based in a psychological need to have a god.

However, both the Scripture and the experience of Christians of the ages gives us reason to believe that God speaks to His people, individually and collectively. There will be moments when His leading defies our natural reasoning powers, when what we believe God is asking of us flies in the face of the facts that surround us. We do not offend God in those moments when we take time to evaluate what we believe He is saying to us. Asking God to give us discerning minds, to keep us from impulse or gullibility is not the same as refusing to follow His lead. It is a humble recognition that we are imperfect, that we can get it wrong.

John tells us - "do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets (people claiming to speak with God’s voice) in the world." 1 John 4:1 (NLT) The passage goes on to say that the primary test to determine who is a genuine 'prophet' - that is one who is claiming to hear from God and speak for God- is the way he conducts himself day to day. His life must be marked by overt evidence of submission to Jesus Christ as Lord. There is no one so dangerous to your spiritual health as the person who is a rebellious rogue, who submits to no authority but himself, who claims - "God speaks to me and I speak for Him."

Become a person who lives with assurance and peace, a person who knows the voice of the Shepherd, who responds quickly to the leading of the Spirit, living wisely and beautifully in this present.

The word from the Word is worthy of meditation today, full of promise. May the Spirit reveal this truth to you.
“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. . . .My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand." (John 10:14-16, 27-28, The Message)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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The Potter's Hand

Beautiful Lord wonderful Savior
I know for sure all of my days are
Held in Your hand crafted into
Your perfect plan

You gently call me into Your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life
Through Your eyes

I'm captured by Your holy calling
Set me apart I know You're drawing
Me to Yourself
Lead me Lord I pray

Take me mold me
Use me fill me
I give my life
To the Potter's hand
Call me guide me
Lead me walk beside me
I give my life
To the Potter's hand

Darlene Zschech© 1997 Wondrous Worship (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055