April 2010

Greetings Friend: If this is your first time to join for Encouragement Today--WELCOME! It's been exciting sharing this series on "The Lord's Prayer". If you are joining for the first time, or if you have missed a few of the past devotionals, I invite you to scroll down to the ARCHIVES below to catch up. This month is the fourth devotional in this series. May you be drawn to your knees in prayer and worship as you meditate on these 56 words in the King James Version. The Lord's prayer has had a powerful effect on our history heritage as well as our Christian heritage.

 

This month I'm focusing on the "P" word

PROVISION

 

We focus on Matthew 6:11,

 

"Give us this day (today) our daily bread."

 

"BREAD"

 

* Who is the BREAD for? We notice in verse 11 that the BREAD is for US; it is OUR daily bread. Not just for me ONLY but for ALL OF US.

 

* What is this BREAD for? This BREAD is for every area of our life. Whatever need we have--whether it be physical spiritual, mental, emotional, financial, each and every need.

 

 

* Where does this BREAD come from? This BREAD is a gift from God, a gift of His mercy and it is for God's glory. God is the Provider. We depend upon Him to meet our deepest needs.

 

Philippians 4:19,

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

 

* When is the BREAD for? This BREAD is for today. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not yet here. Today, this minute, God will meet our need.

 

Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)

 

"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--

whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.

Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.

And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

 

"And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.

They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,

he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

 

"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?'

These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

 

Let's look again at Matthew 6:30 (NIV)

"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field,

which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,

will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

 

We do want to have mighty faith, but there are times that we only have "little faith". But we can be encouraged. Jesus says is Matthew 17:20

"Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

It is so very important that we depend on our True God. He is always faithful!"

 

GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL! Let us depend upon God. It is so neat that our Heavenly Father knows what we need, even before we ask. Plus, He is always on time to meet our need. He is never late (although sometimes, to us, it feels like God is late). God knows the number of hairs that we have on our head, so surely God knows what we need before we ask. He knows the how, where, when, why, what in regards to our need. Let us ask, seek and knock.

 

Matthew 7:7

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

 

My friend, Jesus knows we get anxious and worry from time to time. But Jesus encourages us to rely, depend, have full confidence and trust in our Heavenly Father. He is Jehovah Jireh--God our provider!!!

 

Remember in the Old Testament when the Israelites were in the desert, they received manna from heaven every day. God did not supply enough manna to last for the week, God supplied just enough for today. And so it is with us. God will supply our need for today.

 

SONG: "HIS EYES IS ON THE SPARROW AND I KNOW HE WATCHES"

 

Why should I feel discouraged,

Why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely

And long for Heav'n and home,

When Jesus is my portion?

My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

 

Refrain:

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

 

"Let not your heart be troubled,"

His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness,

I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth

But one step I may see:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

 

Whenever I am tempted,

Whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing,

When hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him,

From care He sets me free:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He cares for me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He cares for me.

 

PRAYER: Our Precious Heavenly Father, You are our Provider. Everything we have received is from Your hands. You,Jehovah Jireh, care for each one of us. Teach us to rely on You, to depend more fully on You--You alone in Jesus Name, AMEN!

 

GOD BLESS AND LEAD YOU!

 

ARCHIVES

 

2010

March "Priorities"

February "Praise"

January "The Five P's of The Lord's Prayer"

 

2009

December "Born to Die" (by Gary Barrett)

November "THANKSGIVING" acronym

October "Eagle Renewal"

September "The Eagle's Enemy"

July/August "Through the Storms"

June "The Eagle's Lifestyle"

May "Learn to Fly"

April "Eternal Eyes"

March "Under the Shelter of His wings"

February "Mount Up With Wings Like Eagles"

January "His Faithfulness"

 

2008

December "Born to Die"

November "THANKSGIVING" acronym

October "Psalm 23" conclusion

September "Psalm 23:6"

August "Psalm 23:5"

July "True Liberty"

June: "Psalm 23:4b"

May: "Psalm 23:4a"

April: "Psalm 23:3b"

March: "Psalm 23:3a"

February: "Psalm 23:2"

January: "Psalm 23:1"

 

2007

December: "Born to Die" (by Gary Barrett)

November: "Thanksgiving-Give Thanks (acronym)"

October: "Discover the Peace that God Gives"

September: "The Heart of a Pilgrim"

August: "Abide"

July "True Liberty"

June "Knowing God's Deep, Deep Love"

May "Revive Us Again"

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