God's Provision in Christ Jesus

Devotion

4-23-10

God’s Provision in Christ Jesus

Matthew 6:5-13, 25-34

 

5-13

And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.  And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.  Therefore, do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.  Pray then in this way:

 

Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be           done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

25-34

For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? 

 

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span?  And why are you anxious about clothing?  Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these.  But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?

Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’  For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

 

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.

 

Know the Difference

Devotion

4-22-10

Know the Difference

One brisk fall afternoon, in a small town deep in the country, a little boy was walking in the woods with his daddy, talking about all the wonderful things they would like to do together during summer break. 

As they walked passed the neighbor’s property, his son saw a great big pool in the yard and said, “That’s it dad, we need a big swinging pool. Than we can swim all summer long.”  Walking on, the boy noticed a dirt hill road and said, “Dad, look at that, we need a four-wheeler to ride up and down that hill this summer; wouldn’t that be awesome?”  Dad didn’t reply, he just continued to listen as they kept walking.  Soon they came to an open field and the boy’s eyes became wide with excitement. “Dad, look over there, oh wow it is perfect, just what we need.”  Dad saw nothing but an open field and had no idea what his son was talking about when suddenly the boy ran as fast as he could ahead of him.  “Wait Johnny, slow down, what is it you see that you think we need?” his father asked. “Its right here dad, don’t you see it?  It is a perfect spot to build us a soccer field.  Oh dad we really need a soccer field. I could have all my friends over and we could play games and even have tournaments.  See dad, don’t you see it?  We need a soccer field. It would be the perfect way to spend our summer.”  As the little boy shared his ideas something occurred to his father, his son had repeated a word in everything he talked about, it was a word that he realized his son did not understand and now it was time to teach him.

 

“Johnny, do you see this great big open field we are standing on?”  “Of course I do dad. What about it?”  “Well son I want to show you something about this field, come with me.”  Johnny followed his dad as he walked to the other side of the field, then suddenly his dad turned around and walked back the other way.  “Where are we going dad?  Why did we turn around?”  “Just follow me son, don’t ask questions, just follow me and go wherever I go.”  So off they went back and forth from one side to the other.  Over and over again they walked, then jogged, ran, walked, jogged, ran again, and so on.  The boy was getting tired and he began to fuss at his dad. “Dad, what are we doing?  You aren’t showing me anything. We are just walking and running on this field.  Are you trying to see if the ground is good enough to play soccer on?”  “No!” the father replied.  “Just keep following me.” 

 

Even though is was a brisk fall day, the sun was still shinning and the boy and his dad were getting sweaty and tired.  As dad turned to see if his son was still following him, he noticed his son licking his lips.  He was getting thirsty now and his steps were really slowing down. Then the words he wanted to hear came from his son’s dry and thirsty lips, “Daddy I am so thirsty, can we please stop walking this field?  I really need a drink.”  With his son’s question the dad turned and walked to him, put his arms around him and said, “Yes son, let’s go get a drink.”  He put his son on his back and took him to the house.  Inside, they each got a tall class of cold water.  The boy drank as if he hadn’t had a drink in days.  “Come on son, I want to tell you about that field now.  Do you want to know why we walk and ran it so many times?” he asked.  “I sure do, I am so tired of being on that field that I don’t think we need a soccer field.  You might make me play all the time and I would get tired of it.”  Dad smiled as he placed his son on his lap and began to explain.

 

“Son, as we were walking in the woods you told me we needed a swimming pool, and we needed and four-wheeler. Do you remember?”  “Yes, I think we really do dad.”  “Well son, what I want you to understand is that there are some things we need and some things we just want.  Do you know the difference?”  “Aren’t they the same?” Johnny asked.  “No, my son, they are not.  Let me explain.  When you saw the big field you said that we needed a soccer field and so I took you out on the field to walk and run on it.  After a while you began to get tired and thirsty and you said to me, “Dad I need a drink.”  Your little body was tired and needed water so your lips got dry and you knew you needed to put water in it, right?”  “That’s right, I was so thirsty.”  “Ok, that is a need.  You needed water to cool down your body.  You wanted the water but because you needed it. The swimming pool, four-wheeler and soccer field are not needs, they are wants. Do you understand now?”  “Oh I get it dad, I had to have water because my body needs it to stay alive.  But I don’t need a soccer field to stay alive. Is that right dad?”  “Yes son, that is right.  I just want you to think about what you need and what you want for now on.  When you come to me and want something, tell me you want it not need it.  Ok?”

“Ok dad, I will.  But how do I know the difference?” the boy asked.  “Just ask me son, I will tell you.”

 

This story is much like our lives with God.  One of the mistakes we make when praying is in not knowing the difference between a need and a want.  Matthew 6:8 says, “Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.”  If you do not know the difference between a want and a need, than how will you ever see the fulfillment of His answer?  God wants to prove to you that He will provide your needs, but you must understand your needs to see His provision.  For example; you may be really frustrated with things at work and you think you need to go out and have a good time on the town to relax and get away from your problems.  However, is that a need or a want?  The Lord knows what you really need to be still with Him and allow Him to give you peace from the frustration, but you don’t see how sitting around reading your Bible or praying is really going to make you feel better. 

 

Think about the story.  When the boy got really thirsty it was then that he realized his body needed water.  When we get frustrated enough and nothing else can seem to make us feel better, it too may be the time we realize we need the Living Water, Jesus to refresh us.  We need Jesus; we don’t need a night on the town.  See the difference?

Now, take time and be honest with God and yourself.  What are your true needs in life?  Make a list of them and ask the Lord to reveal your needs.  The Father knows what you need before you ask. Trust Him to help you know the difference so you can pray honestly, and then you will see His answers as He provides your needs.

 

Needs                                                              Wants

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

God Does Answer

Devotion

4-21-10

God Does Answer

Philippians 4:19

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory

 in Christ Jesus.”

 

Hello!  Is any one listening? How can I be 100% sure that my prayers are not only heard but are also answered? How do I know that God really cares about my problems?  Why does it seem to take Him so long to respond to my requests?  I have been praying and praying and it seems that He isn’t listening because I am not getting any answers.  I have done everything I’m suppose to do and yet I still don’t see Him providing. When is He going to open the doors for me to do what I know He wants me to do?  Why would He give me this desire and not allow me to fulfill it?  I don’t understand and I am beginning to feel like my life is just sitting still and I am wasting time. Why would He let so much time go by with nothing getting done?  I don’t understand and I am so frustrated.

 

Have you ever said anything like the statements above?  Have you felt as if your life was just wasting away and the desires of your heart were not being met?  I am talking about desires to serve the Lord in some way.  Perhaps you have a deep desire to take care of homeless people but you lack the time due to so much debt, so you have to work extra hours.  Maybe you feel a deep desire to go on a mission trip but do not have the funds to do so.  Perhaps you want to adopt but there are too many circumstances in your life right now that will not allow you to qualify. Maybe you want more children but for some reason you are unable to have any more.  What if you have a desire to teach Sunday school but you have to work Sunday mornings?  What if you have a desire to help others by donating your time to a needy cause and yet your spouse is not in agreement? What if you have made all the plans and kept a strict budget so you could get out of debt and yet for every bill you pay off some unexpected need comes up and you just can’t get the bills paid off?  You may be facing a medical challenge that seems to keep you from being at church or serving in ministry.  No matter what the issue may be.  No matter what the desire is God is still in control and has a very good reason for the waiting time in your life.  So what is the basis for God answering your prayers and fulfilling your heart’s desire?  Let’s look at Philippians 4:19 and find the answers.

 

One of the first things we need to understand is the fourth word in the verse.  Take a look at it, what is the fourth word? _______________________________________________________

 

Does it say, maybe? No! Does it say, can? No! It says, Shall! My God shall supply! So we have to pray understanding and believing that God does give to us what we need.  God does keep His promises.  If He has given you a desire to serve Him than He will make it possible! As God He not only promises to meet your needs and answer your prayers, but He has the ability to fulfill that promise and we must never forget that.

 

Next, let me ask you a question.  Do you trust the word of someone that never follows through with their promises or commitments to you?  I think most of us would say no.  But what we need to understand about God is that He always keeps His word.  No matter what His word is He will carry through with it.  God has integrity and will not lie or falsely state anything.  If He has said He will provide our needs than He will provide our needs.  God will always follow through.

 

Let’s take another look at the verse above.  This verse is quoted all the time no matter if the person is a believer or not.  However, all too often it is not quoted completely and when it isn’t than we fail to see the entire picture of what the Lord is telling us.  Look at the last three words of the verse.  What are they? _________________________________________________________

 

These three words are often left out of the quote.  We may have good intentions when we tell someone struggling that God will meet their needs, we might think we are encouraging them or even planting seeds of hope, but if that person does not understand the importance of a relationship with Jesus we are speaking the words out of context.  When we do that we are not being honest with them nor are we pleasing to God.  “In Christ Jesus” is the very basis of the verse.  Without Christ Jesus none of it is possible.

 

So, as you pray and ask the Lord to answer, evaluate to see if you are praying in a manner that tells the Lord you truly believe He will answer.

 

Let’s recap:

1. When you pray you must believe God’s promises and that He has the ability to answer your prayers.

 

2.  When you pray you must believe that God keeps His promises because He has the integrity to keep His word.

 

3.  When you read His word, read it in context and focus on the part that must not and cannot be left out in order for the scripture to be accurate so you can believe it.  In Christ Jesus ONLY can the answers you seek be possible.

 

God does hear your prayers, He does have promises for you, He will and can keep His promises to you, He does not lie and will follow through with His word – His promises to you, and it is all done in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.  God does answer!

 

Write a letter to the Lord and share with Him what you have learned today.  Ask Him to help you believe His promises and believe He can and will provide the answers to your prayers in Jesus’ name. God bless you as you seek God’s answers.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Tomorrow we will talk about the mistakes we often make when praying for answers to our needs.

 

Path of Reflection

Devotion

April 19-20, 2010

Path of Reflection

Philippians 4:19

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in

Christ Jesus.”

Have you ever sat back to look at your life and been able to see the many times God has answered your prayer? It dawned on me the other day as I was walking the path on our property and talking with a very special and dear sister in Christ, my daughter. As we talked about following our dreams and fulfilling our life long goals, I could see that the many things I had dreamed about doing, the prayers I had placed before the Lord had been answered.  My life has been full and even though I am not still doing all those things now, I did them. Let me explain.

 

As a little 7 year old girl, the day I accepted Jesus and was baptized, I prayed and asked the Lord to let me have the center cup as the try of cups were passed for the Lord’s Supper because it reminded me of Him on the center cross.  It may not seem like a very big deal to others but for me it was the first of many answered prayers in my life.  He used that simple request to teach me that He hears me and answers me. 

As my life has gone on I have watched Him provide answers to some very important prayer request such as: to free me from the effects of childhood abuse; to travel the country teaching cheerleading professionally; to get married and have four children; for my husband to become a believer; for each of my children to accept Jesus and live their lives for Him; to serve as a missionary; to work for the BGCO; to be a Chaplain; to write; to lead in worship; to teach; for my children to grow to be young men and women who know whom to turn to for guidance – the Lord; to know that if I were to die my husband and children’s faith would sustain them; and to somehow make an eternal difference in the lives of others.  Each one of these requests has been answered in my life. I have been blessed beyond measure. I can say at the end of the day, I have followed my dreams.

 

Sometimes it may seem that you have not been able to do all the things you dreamed of doing, perhaps you are struggling with knowing if you will ever make a difference in your life or the lives of others.  Well, my precious beloved, maybe it’s time to walk the path of reflection and see if the Lord has answered more of your prayers than you realize, just like I did. Take the time to look closely at your life, all the highs and lows and see if you can see how the Lord worked in your life at that time.  I do believe you will be in awe of just what He has done for you. Walk the path of reflection, the path of Life and rejoice in the amazing and wonderful work Jesus has done in you.

I may not hold a college degree, I may not be known by the world, I may not be a millionair, I may not have a top job with top pay and top honors, but nevertheless I do believe my life has been and is a success.  My success and yours dear beloved comes from the Lord.  He hears your prayers and He does answer them.  It is in seeing those answers that you will find your greatest joy and contentment, it is in your relationship with Him and the way you pass it on to your children and grandchildren that you will achieve the greatest success of all.  Are you following your dreams?  Have you fulfilled your life long goals?  Walk the path of reflection and ask the Lord to reveal His work in your life.  You will be amazed at what He shows you.