Careful What Asked For

God provides, and that is not up for debate. Yes, He even provides when we complain as He hears and wants to ensure that we are taken care of and that we know that it is He who provides so that we have the opportunity to bring glory to Him.

“¹⁸They tested God in their heart

by demanding the food they craved.

¹⁹They spoke against God, saying,

‘Can God spread a table in the wilderness?

²⁰He struck the rock so that water gushed out

and streams overflowed.

Can he also give bread

or provide meat for his people?’

²¹Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath;

a fire was kindled against Jacob;

his anger rose against Israel,

²²because they did not believe in God

and did not trust his saving power.

²³Yet he commanded the skies above

and opened the doors of heaven,

²⁴and he rained down on them manna to eat

and gave them the grain of heaven.”

— Psalm 78:18-24 (ESV)

Even with the testing of and complaining to the LORD, He still gives to His people as He has promised to care for us. Yet, the LORD is also teaching us in every moment. Notice that the LORD was still angry with the people and while he did provide for them, he did so in a teaching way as we see in the later verses of the passage.

“³⁰But before they had satisfied their craving,

while the food was still in their mouths,

³¹the anger of God rose against them,

and he killed the strongest of them

and laid low the young men of Israel.”

— Psalm 78:30-31 (ESV)

God gave the people what they wanted and then gave them the lesson that what they want was not what they needed. There was the sense of entitlement and greed that had come over the people of Israel and God worked to ensure that there greed was dealt with according to His plan.

The LORD provides for our needs and that is what we should be asking for Him to fulfill. My needs are not generally in line with my wants. My wants will wander into the world of desires and those desires will be the products of my greed beyond what is required for survival. The bread given from the LORD is that which is to sustain me in this world. Sustenance is vastly different than my desires.

God is the provider for our needs and as He is a compassionate God, He will also bless me with my wants from time to time. Those are just that, blessings that are at the will of the LORD and not at the continued want of me. I have to be sure that I am asking for that which is needed to survive and know that through my obedience, God will provide and bless me where He sees fit and not where I do. Me asking continually for my wants as the Israelite people did, will only anger the LORD and then I am subject to His wrath.

What are you asking from the LORD? Are you working through to be given the items of your desire? What if you were to petition the LORD for your true needs and allowed Him the opportunity to bless you with more than you require as opposed to asking continually for those wants?

Bread Yes, But Not Only

“³And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” – Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV)

I have known that “man does not live by bread alone” for a good portion of my life. It is important to have sustenance for the body to be able to make it through the physical demands that are presented. Yet, where the body needs the nourishment, the mind and soul are in need as well and that will come from another place other than the food we eat. Frankly, there is always food available. Yes, it may not be from a five star restaurant, and may be found on the streets, but the food can be found for the physical nourishment. Even the Israelite people in the wilderness were hungry and the LORD provided bread from heaven. I have to remember to look to the LORD for all that I am in need of and not just the food for the nourishment of the body.

“⁴Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years.” – Deuteronomy 8:4 (ESV)

The Israelite people in the forty years out in the wilderness were fully provided for by the LORD and not just the food needed. See above how they did not experience need for clothing or healthcare. God ensured that they were able to make it with what they had and He provided for all that time. I don’t see my shoes or clothing making it forty years wearing them day in and day out.

I will not make it on just the bread provided for my physical body, and there is no use worrying about it as it will be taken care of by God.

“³¹Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ³⁴Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:31-34 (ESV)

Jesus stated the above in His “Sermon on the Mount”. He made sure that the people knew that whatever they need shall be provided for by God and our job is simply to do the work of God knowing he will provide. John the Baptist, lived in the wilderness and was provided for by God, maybe not the way we would have liked to be provided for, but John was content.

“⁴Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” – Matthew 3:4 (ESV)

We worry too much about what and were we will eat. It is important to remember that God will provide for the physical nourishment. But we should also know that God will provide for all of our needs, and it is our job to follow Him to realize those provisions wherever they may come from.

What stock are you placing in the provision of God? Are you focused on what you will have for the physical nourishment only? What if you realized that God will provide for all of your needs and that you cannot live by bread alone?

Give Bread to the LORD

There is some literal as well as figurative meaning in the giving of bread to the LORD. This morning I am still in the book of Exodus as I study the word “bread”. In this morning’s passage I am looking at the Israelite “Contributions for the Tabernacle” as it is titled in my bible. Moses brought God’s command to provide for the building of the tabernacle. Everything was to be given from the metal (gold, silver, bronze…), fabric, jewels, craftsman skill, to the bread on the table.

Moses outlined all that was to be brought freely for the building of the tabernacle to the LORD. This is the givings of the figurative bread to the LORD. The people were to share of their blessings back to the LORD who provided those blessings to them. They were blessed with gold, and silver and bronze, jewels, and skills and Moses commanded them from the LORD to give back to the LORD. Aren’t we to do the same with our offerings to the LORD. I have been blessed from the LORD to have what I have and it is only right that I give a portion of that back to Him as an offering to the LORD for Him to do with and provide for others.

And now to speak of the literal bread given back. The people were to provide the bread for the table in the tabernacle. They were to ensure that the table of the LORD was properly provisioned with the bread. Fresh bread daily for the LORD as provided by the people of the LORD.

“¹³the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence;” — Exodus 35:13 (ESV)

Now for me in today’s world, there may not be a need to provide the bread for the LORD, but the need for bread is still there. I can and should not just be providing the monetary blessings that God has given, but I should also be providing the blessings of nourishment. It is “easy” to give money to a cause or project. There is little work in writing a check. But providing with food creates more ownership in the work being done for the LORD. It is one thing to provide a gift card for the homeless, but to make them a meal and serve it to them is more involved in the provision. Even buying and bringing is more meaningful.

I can remember many times I have seen someone begging for money on the side of the road. One time in particular, I had just come from a fast food joint where for some reason I bought an extra item that I really did not need (but was going to eat anyway). I came across the person begging for money and I gave them my extra item instead. The look of shear amazement on their face for providing for their immediate need and giving something of myself was fantastic. I was blessed more so and it is so much more memorable that if I would have simply given them $2-3.00.

I have been called to make contributions of bread to the LORD. Some of those contributions are monetary in nature and some are more personal for the giver and the receiver. I can and should be giving of all the blessings from the LORD. Whether those blessings are of metal, jewels, skills, or even of the sustenance value attributed to the actual bread.

What have you been giving to the LORD? Are you simply writing the checks? What if you were to give of the physical and more literally fulfilling to others?

The LORD Hears and Provides

I believe it is pretty well known and accepted that the LORD provides for our needs. He knows what it is and then provides to satisfy those needs according to His plan. He will not allow us to go without provision. And yet, He will listen to us even in our time of complaint.

“⁹Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, “Come near before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.”’” – Exodus 16:9 (ESV)

This is certainly demonstrating that the LORD is truly listening to our everything. He hears all that we are presenting. Whether positive or negative, know the LORD is hearing. I have to remember that all of my communication with the LORD is just what He wants from me. He want to hear from me and He wants to have the relationship with me. I have to bring all to Him and He will hear and how it fits into His plan will provide.

In the above scenario, the LORD was providing for the people of Israel, yet they were still not satisfied and He could hear their “grumbling” and complaints. And so what does the LORD do, he provides in the way that only He could do so.

“⁴Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.’” – Exodus 16:4 (ESV)

The LORD was literally providing daily bread for the people of Israel. Each morning there would be, on the ground the bread they would need for the day and then, as in the passage, it would expire and new would be provided the following day. The LORD had heard the people’s cries and provided for the need they had, daily.

Too often, there is a sense of despair in the minds of man. We tend to be dependent on ourselves for our needs when we should be lifting our needs to the LORD knowing that He will provide for them in His way. I have to remember not to tell the LORD how to, only ask Him to do so, knowing that He will provide in the way that is in line with His plan for me.

It is fully okay to speak with the LORD and let Him know of our petition. He will provide in His way for the needs we have. I have to remember not to put up guardrails for God to work within. I have to allow Him to work in His way and not mine. I have to know that the LORD will provide for my needs even when I seem to complain about the perceived lack coming from Him.

What complaints do you have for the LORD? Are you letting Him know and having that conversation with Him about those complaints? What if you did so and allowed Him to provide for your needs in the way that He does even to satisfy your complaints and “grumbling”?

That Which is Given

This morning I am reading in Genesis on the blessings given to Abram by Melchizedek, and I have begun a study on the word “bread”. As I read, I see, in the passage that Abram was given the bread and wine by Melchizedek and he was given blessing by Melchizedek and he would only take that which was given by the king of Sodom.

“¹⁸And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) ¹⁹And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;…²³that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich.” ²⁴I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.’” – Genesis 14:18-19, 23-24 (ESV)

Abram did not “take” anything that was not given to him. Here we see that the bread and wine, blessings, and the food and men were given to Abram. Abram lived with the blessings that were bestowed on him from the LORD. All else was left to those to which the belonged.

This passage got me to thinking: God gives to me and that is where I gain all that I have. Mind you, I am not rich in the sense of monetary value. I am what is considered middle class and make do with that which I have, so to say that I am rich, is that I am rich in the glory that God has bestowed on me. I have been given all that I have by the LORD as He has made me rich.

There are a lot of things that I could be done to make me rich. I fight with what I could have at all times. So much would it be nice to just go and do at all times without concern for cost or financial ramifications. But as I sit here this morning, I have to remember that it is not about being rich, but being content and knowing that all that I have or will have are the result of the blessings from God. He provide the bread and wine and all of those things that I “need” to do His will here in this world. God GIVES me all that I need and for that I am to be grateful.

What do you have and where did it come from? Did you get all of it on your own? What if you recognized and accepted that God gave you what you need and frankly gives you everything?

God Promises Fruitfulness, Now Act Accordingly

I have come to the last entry in my concordance with regard to fruitfulness, which means I will be moving to another word to study in God’s Word. Today I have the honor of learning to act accordingly. God made the promises that He would make me fruitful thanks to my reverence, obedience, and fear of Him. Now it is up to me to follow through and live out my end of the promise and He will certainly live out His end.

“¹¹And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.” – Ezekiel 36:11 (ESV)

The above is from Ezekiel’s prophesy to the Mountain of Israel. Ezekiel foretold the fruitfulness that will befall us. I am grateful for having God’s Word to read and review and learn from. I know what is to be going on with me and my life and relationship with God. I will fear, be reverent, and be obedient to Him and in turn, He will make me fruitful and multiply.

The thing I have to remember is that God’s promise of fruitfulness is contingent on my acting accordingly. I will not receive the blessings and then have the opportunity to worship Him. I worship Him and then He provides. I have to do the work, knowing that God will do His part according to His promise. This all starts with my giving of my life to the LORD by accepting His gift of salvation. And once I have accepted salvation, I am driven to continue in awe of the LORD.

The LORD has promised to provide for me. He will make me fruitful and will bless me as I wander this world. It is up to me to act according to those ways in demonstration of my love and reliance on Him.

What are you doing to act accordingly? Are you expecting God to do His part and then you do yours? What if you were to do your part and be in fear, be reverent, and be obedient of/to the LORD and KNOW the He will fulfill His promise of fruitfulness?

Fear the LORD and be Fruitful

This morning I was led to a simple but impacting passage in Psalm. I was reminded that I am blessed with fear of the LORD.

“Fear: profound reverence and awe especially toward God” – Merriam-Webster Online

Fear in the case that I am speaking is as defined just above. It is the awe inspiring reverence toward God. In my fear of the LORD, I am fully devoted to Him and all that He is. In return for my reverence and devotion, the LORD blesses me and my house.

“¹Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways!

²You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

³Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house;

your children will be like olive shoots

around your table.

⁴Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

who fears the LORD.”

— Psalm 128:1-4 (ESV)

I have to look carefully at the words and meaning of them as I study. I want to ensure that I am on the right thought pattern. It is not said that everyone who fears the LORD will be rich or well off or without challenges. It says that they will be blessed. Being fruitful does not necessarily mean massive procreation or other worldly visuals of “success”. Being blessed and fruitful is being content in knowing that the LORD has provided and will continue to do so even when things seem grim.

Fear of the LORD brings blessing and fruitfulness. I have to remember to fear the LORD and that in doing so, I will be blessed and made fruitful.

What are you doing to gain blessings? Are you out there trying to earn it through your works? What if you just turned to God and demonstrated fear for Him and allowed him to provide and in turn you content with God’s provision and that provision turns to blessing and fruitfulness?

God Changes Us Then Makes Us Fruitful

I recently wrote about God making us fruitful. Now that is correct, there is a bit more to it. God does not just make us fruitful, before that He changes us. When I look at the three men God made fruitful in my previous writing, He first changed them. Adam was created, Noah had his life and world turned upside down, and Abram had his name changed by God. All of these where significant changes to the men and then, after the change, God made them fruitful. This continues this morning with Jacob as God changed his name to Israel and then made him fruitful.

‘¹⁰And God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.’ So he called his name Israel. ¹¹And God said to him, ‘I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body.’” – Genesis 35:10-11 (ESV)

Now, I want to be careful that changing your name does not get it done in the eyes of God. It is not about the name you have. It is your heart that is where the change takes place and you are then made fruitful. These men all were changed in their lives and at that point they demonstrated to God that they indeed were different. It was not a momentary thing, but something that came about over time. They were truly changed.

Doesn’t that happen with us as well. I know that I have changed a number of times over my years. I was saved, I got married, I had children, I have been studying God’s Word more intently, I have grown content. All of these have certainly made me different over the years. And that is the thing, it has taken years for these changes in me to be realized. It all did not happen in an instant. And neither did the changes for the men discussed above.

I am not saying that God has revealed to me the change and has said I would be fruitful, at least that I am aware (with me it take a sledge hammer to the head). What I am saying is that before we can be fruitful, we have to be changed. We have to do away with the old self and take on the new self and allow God to do the work in our lives to bring us around to the change manifestation. Once we are changed, we will then be made fruitful by God.

What change have you realized in your life? Were you expecting to be fruitful without making or experiencing change? What if you leaned on God, allow Him to change you and then accepted the idea that He will make you fruitful?

God Makes us Fruitful

It is not something that we do for ourselves, although it may be something that we believe we are in control of. I have a job and I earn money and that makes me fruitful. I have the common sense to be nice to people and multiply goodness to them and that makes me fruitful. I am the one who provides for my family and ensures that they have what they need to be successful and that makes me fruitful.

“⁶I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.” – Genesis 17:6 (ESV)

God did not say to Abraham that he, Abraham, would make great nations. What He said was that He, God, would make Abraham into nations. God would make Abraham fruitful. God controls it all for me as well. My success. My fruitfulness. My growth. My provisions. All of it is granted by God. He makes/made me what I am.

Don’t get me wrong, I have work to do in order to realize all that God has made and promised for me. I have to follow His commands. I have to do His will. I have to ensure that I am always moving toward Him. And when I am, I will be blessed with fruitfulness all around me. God will ensure that He keeps His part of the covenant He made with me.

God makes us. From the beginning in day six to eternity He makes us. Not just our form, but our entire selves. He makes us even to be fruitful in the growing of His kingdom from here on earth to there in heaven. I am made fruitful by God and not of my own.

Where does your fruitfulness come from? Are really believe that you are in control of you being? What if you allowed God to continue as He did on the sixth day of creation, to make you all that you are and will become?

Be Fruitful to the World

“¹And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.’” – Genesis 9:1 (ESV)

Upon Noah and his family exiting the ark following the flood, God gave him a task to “fill the earth”. And that is what was done. We know this by our simple existence here in this world as God’s flood of the earth removed all others from it and left it to Noah and his family.

Now, Noah and his family filled the earth that they knew, the one that was where they were. He did not send His sons to the “Americas” to fill here, but he and his family filled the world they were in obedience to God and knew that God would do the rest.

I have to remember that it is my duty to “fill the earth” beginning with the world I am in. I believe that is one reason that I identify with the church vision of where we as a family attend. We long to see “A gospel movement that reaches every person in the hill country and is carried to the ends of the earth.” We are not being fruitful in all the earth, just our little corner of it and then it is carried further, allowing for our filling of the earth. It all starts with doing the work where we are.

I do believe that too often we do not recognize and realize the impact we make or can make due to our want to do the big thing. I have to remember to be fruitful where I am and do the work of the LORD here. I have to allow for God to work through me where I am and not ignore the need right in my backyard because I see a “bigger” more “visible” need in the yard over there.

God calls on me to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth”. Even when calling on Noah, He called on him to start right where he was and do the work there. I am called to do the same, do the work in the world I am in.

What are you maybe not doing because you are looking to far away? Are you focused on making the big splash? What if you did the work where you are and filled the earth by starting in the world you are in?