With the Thanksgiving season upon us it seems fitting that the next part of the Lord's prayer deals with God's provision. "Give us this day our daily bread." What a concept! Let's examine it just a little. What exactly is our daily bread?
For most of mankind's existence it has been a daily struggle to get something to eat. Modern technology has created a different world for us but in Biblical days people were truly tied to the land. What they were able to raise is what they ate. Bread was literally "the bread of life." If they failed to have a good wheat harvest they could easily starve. It was a year long process of plowing fields, sowing and harvesting to have a daily portion of bread. Considering this should make us so thankful that most of us will never go to bed hungry. To this Jesus spoke! And what strange teaching he did!
He told his disciples things like "take no thought for tomorrow" and when you go to preach take no coat, no staff, no money in your purses, etc..." He wanted them to learn to depend completely on God. He was not telling them that they didn't have to prepare. The scripture is very clear that we must work to eat. But he was reminding them, as his word reminds us now, that our very existence depends on God's mercy and love. We can work ourselves near to death and without God's blessing on it, our work is in vain. David said it like this in Psalm 127:1. "Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it."
But we are God's children and he truly does want to establish "our houses and bless our fields." This prayer starts with "our father" and what a father he is. Let us take this time that we call "Thanksgiving" to truly give thanks to God for all he has given. Even for "our daily bread."
11/21/12
11/12/12
Not my will!
Good Morning everyone,
I pray that you've had a great weekend and are looking forward to a successful work week. You know sometimes it is easy to forget how much of a blessing our jobs are. If you've ever been unemployed for a period of time you can identify with how it is to need work and not have it. You probably prayed prayers in that time period asking God to open the door for you. You may have prayed things like "God, I don't care what it is. I just want to be in your will." Sound familiar?
Well if you've ever prayed that, then the next part of the Lord's prayer is for you: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven." What exactly does this mean? I know he is king in heaven, but does he really care about what I do on earth? I believe he does. In fact Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, "whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might." Collosians 3:23 tells us to do whatever we do "heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men." Whatever I am doing today, whether church work, school, or my secular job I should do it as a praise unto God.
He gave me this day. How I spend it is my gift to him. I may not have much control over what I'm asked to do today. But whatever it is, I will consider it God's will for my life and I will endeavor to do it with a cheerful spirit. Much of life is about the mundane, ordinary task that we must do. It might be laundry for a stay-at-home mom or filing reports for a working person. The exciting things come less frequently but are no more important. If not for our faithfulness in doing the mundane the exciting would not be possible. Whatever your task today, let it be your offering to God. Consider it his will for you. Do it with a cheerful spirit. It will make all the difference.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven ....
I pray that you've had a great weekend and are looking forward to a successful work week. You know sometimes it is easy to forget how much of a blessing our jobs are. If you've ever been unemployed for a period of time you can identify with how it is to need work and not have it. You probably prayed prayers in that time period asking God to open the door for you. You may have prayed things like "God, I don't care what it is. I just want to be in your will." Sound familiar?
Well if you've ever prayed that, then the next part of the Lord's prayer is for you: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven." What exactly does this mean? I know he is king in heaven, but does he really care about what I do on earth? I believe he does. In fact Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, "whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might." Collosians 3:23 tells us to do whatever we do "heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men." Whatever I am doing today, whether church work, school, or my secular job I should do it as a praise unto God.
He gave me this day. How I spend it is my gift to him. I may not have much control over what I'm asked to do today. But whatever it is, I will consider it God's will for my life and I will endeavor to do it with a cheerful spirit. Much of life is about the mundane, ordinary task that we must do. It might be laundry for a stay-at-home mom or filing reports for a working person. The exciting things come less frequently but are no more important. If not for our faithfulness in doing the mundane the exciting would not be possible. Whatever your task today, let it be your offering to God. Consider it his will for you. Do it with a cheerful spirit. It will make all the difference.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven ....
11/5/12
Hallowed be thy Name
Good Morning everyone,
It is a rainy morning here in Jackson, MS and I'm thankful to be inside where it is warm and dry. I woke up this morning with a praise chorus running through my mind. It says in part "I'm gonna praise my Jesus 'till the walls come down. I know there's victory behind my praise. I'm gonna dance my troubles away." Then I began to think about the next part of the Lord's prayer. "Hallowed be thy name".
This is the part of the prayer where we began to thank God for his blessings. And even more so, we worship him for being who he is in our lives. He is such a constant friend and comforter. He is always right there no matter what we need. Praise and worship will take us into the presence of God quicker than anything else. In fact, to come near him we must acknowledge him, not only as saviour, but as king and Lord.
It is not just a cliche. Praise is the gateway into God's presence. If you are feeling low today just began to contemplate God's goodness. Ask him to give you a renewed appreciation for his grace and mercy. Find SOMETHING to praise him about. It will make all the difference.
HOLY IS HIS NAME!
It is a rainy morning here in Jackson, MS and I'm thankful to be inside where it is warm and dry. I woke up this morning with a praise chorus running through my mind. It says in part "I'm gonna praise my Jesus 'till the walls come down. I know there's victory behind my praise. I'm gonna dance my troubles away." Then I began to think about the next part of the Lord's prayer. "Hallowed be thy name".
This is the part of the prayer where we began to thank God for his blessings. And even more so, we worship him for being who he is in our lives. He is such a constant friend and comforter. He is always right there no matter what we need. Praise and worship will take us into the presence of God quicker than anything else. In fact, to come near him we must acknowledge him, not only as saviour, but as king and Lord.
It is not just a cliche. Praise is the gateway into God's presence. If you are feeling low today just began to contemplate God's goodness. Ask him to give you a renewed appreciation for his grace and mercy. Find SOMETHING to praise him about. It will make all the difference.
HOLY IS HIS NAME!
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