Daily Bread – Part 3

When you receive Communion, learn to identify the work accomplished through His broken body.

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Matthew 6:11 – Give us this day our daily bread.

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As we contemplate the “daily bread” of our Text for Today, we look into what Jesus said we are to remember – His body broken for us.  Let’s get right to this powerful revelation.  I believe it likely that the first thing one thinks of when considering the broken body of Jesus is the healing He provided for us by the stripes on His body.  That is one of the main themes of 1 Peter 2:24 and Isaiah 53:4-5.  I am so thankful for my healing that Jesus provided me by His great suffering.  To that end, I will always declare that I am healed by the stripes of Jesus, regardless of current physical circumstances, pressing symptoms, or the feelings within my body.  I look solely to the Scriptures for my position on that topic.  In Isaiah 33:24, we read, “And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.”  So, what is one to say when symptoms of sickness seem to be ravaging his body?  I fall upon the Word and declare, “Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law, and by His stripes I was healed.”  I do not speak that which my flesh and circumstances attempt to dictate; I speak what God has said about me. 

I choose to call things that be not as though they are until they become.  That is the Spirit of faith by which we are commanded to live in order to please Father.  In doing that, I am not denying the existence of sickness and disease in any way.  What I AM DOING is taking a stand by faith in God’s Word and denying the right of sickness and disease to exist in my body, for my body is the Temple of Holy Ghost.  Think of the instance in which Jesus drove the buyers and sellers from the Temple.  He said they had made the house of prayer a “den of thieves.”  Evil men had come into the temple to rob the people of God of their livelihood through fraudulent sales and exchange of money.  Now think further.  What does sickness and disease do in your body?  It robs you of your livelihood by forcing you from work, from your daily responsibilities, from tending to your love walk before the Lord and your family.  That’s Satan’s work to steal, kill, and destroy.  Just as Jesus rose up and drove such thieves from the Temple, should we not follow His example and rise up in faith, driving any and every thief from our life, including sickness and disease from our bodies?  The Temple Jesus cleansed is no longer standing, but the Temple of Holy Ghost is alive, and should be well, strong, blessed, holy, prosperous, and powerful.

Manna for Today – Luke 11:1-13; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 15:26; Mark 7:27; John 1:1; 1 John 5:7; Ecclesiastes 11:1-6; Proverbs 4:20-23; John 6:63: Matthew 6:9-13; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Daily Bread – Part 2

Natural food is a MUST for human survival.  Aren’t you glad God made it possible to enjoy it?

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Matthew 6:11 – Give us this day our daily bread.

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As I write this, I am reminded of Israel’s time in the wilderness between Egyptian captivity and arrival in the promised land.  It was during that time that our God provided them with manna to eat for a time.  That manna, often thought of as bread from heaven, would be found on the ground six days per week, with enough being found on day six to supply Israel on the seventh day, as well.  If those who daily collected it thought to collect a double portion on one day to save their labor for the next day, the next day found the manna rotted in the container in which they placed it.  It was a clear indication from Father God that manna was a food that had to be collected daily. 

The imagery that comes to mind is the human need for fresh food.  While we have many ways to preserve foods today by freezing, drying, canning, etc., the fact remains that man still needs fresh food in some way on a daily basis to remain healthy.  Our preserving techniques are simply ways of maintaining freshness over a period of time so that the foods we ingest are fresh, thus maintaining some of their “alive” status. 

Just as we need daily measures of God’s Word to keep our faith strong and growing, we need a certain measure of fresh food to keep our bodies strong and growing, or if already grown, freshly supplied with new cell growth to stay alive.  In light of our daily needs, learn a principle of faith.  Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is . . .”  Note closely, it does NOT say, “Faith is,” or “Faith was,” or “Faith will be.”  Once again, it says, “Now faith is . . .”  “Faith” is a force of the present tense.  It is by faith that we receive that for which we ask when we believe,  NOT when we see.  And faith is NOW!  NOT a few seconds ago, or in a few seconds.  Faith is NOW!  NOW is this present instant.  In an instant from NOW, it will be a while ago.   And every instant before us is the future, with every instant we enter being our NOW.  What I am indicating is you always need faith NOW.  What will be needed tomorrow is hope, and that which was needed yesterday is experience.  Faith is ALWAYS NOW!

In our Text for Today, we read, “Give us this day our daily bread.”  Jesus spoke to us in the light of “Now faith is” when He said, “Take no thought for tomorrow, what you should eat or drink, or what you shall wear.  Sufficient unto today is the evil that is present.”  What you need is your bread for today, regardless of the form it takes.  You don’t want tomorrow’s bread today, and yesterday’s bread is already gone.  Just a note here…if you want bread daily, sow daily.

Manna for Today – Luke 11:1-13; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Matthew 15:26; Mark 7:27; John 1:1;               1 John 5:7; Ecclesiastes 11:1-6; Proverbs 4:20-23; John 6:63: Matthew 6:9-13

Daily Bread – Part 1

I am so glad the Word of God is ageless in its clearly understandable application.

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Luke 11:3 – Give us day by day our daily bread. 

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Bread.  One word.  But what does that one word mean to the hearer?  It would depend to some degree upon the hearer’s perspective at any given moment.  Jesus is the bread of life.  Bread, a universal food made from some kind of grain, is recognized all over the globe.  When we take Communion, the bread represents the broken body of Christ.  Jesus called bread the healing of the children.  In Ecclesiastes bread is an element of sowing, or giving, and in such a reference could refer to money or element of finance. 

Today we will look at the aspect of the “bread” as the Word of God.  After He had fasted 40 days, He was hungry.  It was at that time Satan came to tempt Him, and the first of the three temptations He faced was Satan’s challenge to “turn the stones to bread.”  In all three temptations, Jesus’ response always came directly from the Word.  In all three instances, He prefaced the quoting of the Scripture with “It is written…”  But it was at the first temptation that Jesus concluded His rebuke to Satan with the words, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”  

Also, consider the truth that Jesus is the Word of God made flesh.  That happened when Mary accepted in full faith that the Word of God that came to her concerning the virgin birth was absolute truth, and yielded herself fully to Holy Ghost Who came upon her, causing the Word of God to be conceived in her womb.  And of course, we see a full confirmation of that truth when Jesus sat with His disciples at the last supper and said to them that the bread of which they partook represented His body, the Word made flesh, that was broken for them. 

It is that same Word that is received into the human spirit, and believed, that becomes the living reality of whatever it has stated to and for the believer.  The Word of God  spoken into the spirit of the believer becomes “life to them that find it, and health to all their flesh.”  The Word of God, as “life to them that find it,” signifies “bread” goes beyond that which feeds the flesh.  The “bread” of which we speak is the ”bread of life,” and that is precisely Who Jesus is.  And it is that “bread of life” that feeds “spirit and life” to the born-again human spirit.  Please note that this study is in no way exhaustive.  It is intended to present one of the great Biblical truths in a very simple way.  But let us remember that this “bread of life” that became flesh was also “full of grace and truth.”

Manna for Today – Luke 11:1-13; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Matthew 15:26; Mark 7:27; John 1:1;               1 John 5:7; Ecclesiastes 11:1-6; Proverbs 4:20-23; John 6:63

Things to Remember – Part 6

Memory, like forward thought, needs to be focused.

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Psalm 77:10-11 – And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.  I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

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Not all things of the past should be remembered.  In fact, Scriptures teach clearly that there are many things of the past that should be actively forgotten.  Many people think that forgetting is simply a passive thing, or the result of non-engagement.  They are talking about things they learned in school that they cannot at a later point call to memory.  But according to Scriptures, forgetting is just as active an undertaking as remembering.  And while there are many things the believer should actively forget, there are also many things the believer should actively pursue to remember.  Their benefits are awesome indeed.

Each year in America, we have a Superbowl, a World’s Series, a basketball championship, etc.  But in reality, what will be the value of those events in the light of eternity, or even in the light of one human lifetime?  Such events hold, at best, short-term memories that may evoke good or bad emotions, depending upon which team wins.  But what God does always carries eternal value.  Everything the Lord does carries revelation of Who He is, what He can do, why He does it, and for whom He does it.  Many of His works are recorded in the Scriptures, and therefore will build faith in those who hear it.  And it is likely that God has done many more things since the Scriptures were penned than anyone can imagine, and each one continues to be a revelation of Who He is. 

I am convinced that it is of keen importance to the body of Christ that we learn to use memories of those things the Lord holds important for our greatest benefit.  Consider our Text for Today.  While the Superbowl may be exciting for the moment, the SUPERNATURAL of God will endure for eternity.  While the Worlds Series may last for seven games, the work of the Lord will continue for eternity.  And while the NBA playoffs may highlight a few star athletes for a few days, the Kingdom of God highlights Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, along with a myriad of chosen vessels for ever and ever.  Oh God, help us to recoup the memories You have recorded for us in Your Word, and help us to walk in such a manner as to daily create new memories that continue to shine like cities set on a hill for the glory of God.  All You have done is glorious, and you have a place for us to make every day a glorious day, creating memories that are worthy of remembering.

Manna for Today – Psalm 118; Deuteronomy 32:1-15; Genesis 9:5; 1 Chronicles 16:12; Psalm 77:6-11; Proverbs 4:20-23; Isaiah 43:26; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Philippians 2:1-11; Philippians 3:13;  Romans 12:1-2; Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 12:24; Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31

Things to Remember – Part 5

Never sell the old guys short.  They can be smarter than you can imagine.

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Deuteronomy 32:7 – Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

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In Leviticus, the Lord gives a command.  Remember, a commandment from the Lord is an order about which there is not choice and from which there is no turning.  This is a commandment.  It says, “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.”  One of the great lessons I have learned about any commandment from the Lord is so powerful that it is beyond natural thinking.  In the natural world, commands are given that may be beneficial to the person to whom they are given, but in general, benefit the organization, the company, the team, or the operations unit from whom the orders flow.  But in the kingdom of God, EVERY commandment given by the Lord to His church flows from ONE motive – LOVE.  And that love is His love for the person to whom the commandment is given. 

God commands obedience, not only because it’s right, but to be a blessing to the obedient.  God commands worship, not only because it’s right, but to be a blessing to the worshipper.  God commands us to tithe and give, not only because it’s right, but to be a blessing to the tither/giver.  No matter what commandment He has given, it is ultimately for the blessing of the obedient vessel.  That is the very heart and nature of God.  That is Who God is.  Now take another look at our Text for Today.

In this day of the upwardly mobile young, and plans for early retirement by so many of them, the older generation, those called “senior citizens,” can be so easily pushed aside.  It is not always done in an ugly manner.  It is often made to bee a kind gesture to put the older person out to pasture.  The problem here is that people are not horses.  They do not need to be “put out to pasture.”  Man is much more than a creature or instinct.  He is a vessel “made” in the likeness of God, and placed BY God in position of royalty as His children.   My friend, an old horse that has won the triple crown of horse racing CANNOT IN ANY WAY inform a younger horse, even one of its offspring, how to win even one of the triple crown races.  Our Text for Today is a command from God on how the older, more mature, wiser, more experienced believer should be treated, honored, and blessed by the younger ones.  Don’t lose or cast aside the enormous wealth of revelation, wisdom, knowledge, and faith that “senior saints” possess.

Manna for Today – Psalm 118; Deuteronomy 32:1-15; Genesis 9:5; 1 Chronicles 16:12; Psalm 77:6-11; Proverbs 4:20-23; Isaiah 43:26; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Philippians 2:1-11; Romans 12:1-2;   Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 12:24; Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31

Things to Remember – Part 4

Do you have a safe in your house?  Do you remember the combination?  Of course, you do.

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Deuteronomy 8:18 – But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

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If you have a safe in your home, but don’t know the combination, you cannot get into it to store or retrieve your valuables.  For that reason, you would surely memorize the combination.  And even if you had issues with your memory for that purpose, you would at least have the combination recorded in a place you could remember, from which you could retrieve the combination whenever you needed it.  It amazes me to think of the measures Christians will take to store their natural possessions safely from thieves, while not considering the most valuable possessions they hold valuable enough to store them securely.  And what are those possessions?  Those possessions fall under the general heading of KNOWLEDGE.  KNOWLEDGE of the Scriptures; where divine promises are found; how to use the Name of Jesus; the power of the Name of Jesus, His blood, His Word, and the mighty Holy Ghost.  These divine jewels that are the possessions of heaven’s citizenry are all too often handled with great slackness and lack of diligence.

How many Christians face financial crises in their life?  At some point, every believer has faced such issues.  So why do some rise victoriously and prosper through those places while so many others languish under the daily pressures of lack, poverty, and desperation?  God does not show favoritism of one man over another, but He DOES favor faith over doubt and unbelief.  The question must be asked; what have we done with the Word?  Have we allowed Satan to come and steal it?  We are warned that he will come for that very reason.  Do we allow our own spirit man to remain full of rocks and unplowed ground where the Word can take root and grow?  Do we allow the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things to choke out the Word in our life?  Or do we take the necessary action to make sure our spirits are well prepared to receive the Word, and once received, protect and water it until is produces fruit in our lives?

Take a moment and read our Text for Today again.  Do you see the commandment?  “Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God…”  There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and Holy Ghost; these three are One.  If you truly remember the Lord your God, then you also hold in your memory His Word, for they are One.  Put your memory to work by faith, and begin remembering your God above all else today.

Manna for Today – Psalm 118; Deuteronomy 8; Genesis 9:5; 1 Chronicles 16:12; Psalm 77:6-11; Proverbs 4:20-23; Isaiah 43:26; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Philippians 2:1-11; Romans 12:1-2;   Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 12:24

Things to Remember – Part 3

The remembrance God requires is of the highest order.  Remember it!

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1 Corinthians 11:24-25 – And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

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Yesterday in our series on Things to Remember, I wrote about taking the bread in Communion “in remembrance” of Jesus.  Today I write from that same Text for Today, but concerning the cup of Christ’s blood which is also to be taken “in remembrance” of Jesus.

Now, we know the cup represents the blood of Jesus that was shed in His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, in the beating He took from the Romans, from the smiting in His face, from the ripping out of His beard, from the crown of thorns on His head, from the re-opening of wounds when His garment was ripped from His body, from the spikes in His hand and His feet, and from the piercing of His side after His death.  So often when we think of the shed blood of Jesus, we don’t remember the total picture.  We MUST NEVER FORGET what He suffered for us. When we receive the cup of Communion, we should remember His shedding of blood in all these arenas.

Also, in our remembrance of Jesus, we should recognize more fully what His shed blood means for us.  First, and foremost, I believe, is the shedding of His blood for the remission of our sins.  It is the blood of Jesus that washes away all sin, making it possible for us to be righteous and bold as sons of God without spot or blemish.  Never discount the ability of the blood of Jesus to cleanse from sin.  But more is required than cleansing from sin.  Secondly, the shedding of His blood also opened a new and living way through the veil of the flesh that we can come boldly before the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Third, the life of the flesh is in the blood.  So, because we have been washed in the blood, and the blood of Jesus now flows in us, His live is in us, making it possible for Holy Spirit to quicken even our mortal bodies.  And fourth, the blood speaks.  If ever there was a time when believers need to hear the voice of the blood speaking of “better things,” it is this hour.  When we partake of Communion, we need to be mindful of all these things, “in remembrance” of Jesus.

Manna for Today – Psalm 118; Deuteronomy 8:18; Genesis 9:5; 1 Chronicles 16:12; Psalm 77:6-11; Proverbs 4:20-23; Isaiah 43:26; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Philippians 2:1-11; Romans 12:1-2;   Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 12:24

Things to Remember – Part 2

How far does your memory go in remembering Him?

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1 Corinthians 11:24-25 – And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

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Before we go any further today, please take the time to read our Text for Today again, perhaps even twice.  Here, the Apostle Paul writes concerning how Jesus administered certain elements of Passover to His disciples the night of His arrest.  In the sharing of both elements, notice the phrase “in remembrance of Me.”  In our churches today, we may not speak of Passover, but likely replace that term with Communion.  I will not quibble with that, but I do believe we should give more attention to our partaking of Communion in the light of the specific phrase I have cited; “In remembrance of Me.”

Let us consider for a moment today what we should remember concerning Jesus as we partake of His body and His blood.  His body was “broken for you.”  Perhaps the most obvious meaning we should take to our remembrance here is that by His stripes, we were healed (1 Peter 2:24).  If we were, then we are.  This healing is not just for a few, or even the majority.  It is for EVERY MEMBER of the body of Christ, and it is for their total and complete healing, from the crown of their head to the toes of their feet; EVERY cell, fluid, membrane, organ, and structure placed there by the Lord.  Just as Jesus drove out the buyers and sellers from the Temple (Father’s house of prayer), because they were stealing from the people, so He has fully authorized EVERY believer whose body is the temple of Holy Ghost, to yield themselves to His will and drive out every thief of life the enemy attempts to establish in the temple of Holy Ghost.  Your body IS HIS TEMPLE. 

Likewise, EVERY member of the body of Christ is a prized, treasured, and totally unique vessel of the Lord’s making, and the Lord’s equipping.  In our discerning of the Lord’s body, we likewise need to recognize that He has placed giftings and anointings in each of His people for the purpose of serving and edifying the body of Christ.  They are not there to be hidden and not used.  They are there to serve and edify, to honor the Lord.  To that end, every believer should strive to be sensitive to Holy Ghost, recognizing the gifts and anointings in each of His peculiar treasures, honoring those gifts so we may receive from them, and provoking fellow believers to use their gifts and anointings for the glory of God, and the edifying of the body of Christ.  May we truly learn to discern the Lord’s body for His glory, to honor Him in both the church and the world.

Manna for Today – Psalm 118; Deuteronomy 8:18; Genesis 9:5; 1 Chronicles 16:12; Psalm 77:6-11; Proverbs 4:20-23; Isaiah 43:26; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Philippians 2:1-11; Romans 12:1-2

Things to Remember – Part 1

The Scriptures tell us certain things should be forgotten.  Make sure to remember the rest.

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Psalm 118:24 – This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

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My friend, as I write to you today, I do so to stir in your memory those things that our Lord has set in us and before us that are worthy of remembrance.  This writing, and those following on this topic are in no way intended to be an exhaustive look at what we should remember, but prayerfully will stir you to take those that I share, and allow them to whet your spiritual taste to search for more.  The Word commands us to let the mind of Christ dwell in us.  With His mind indwelling us, if we yield to it, we will no doubt be reminded of needful remembrances.  But there is more we can do to ensure that work.  It is called “renewing of your mind.”

Today I begin with a very simple thought that we should remember every day of our lives.  It is our Text for Today.  Read it again several times.  It is likely that you already know it by memory.  Learn it by heart.  And you might also consider making this a part of the beginning of every day you live.  While we are commanded and expected to render to the Lord continual praise, this text does not make it a command.  Instead, it makes rejoicing and praising God an act of will that is dominated by the love of God.  The first statement is clear; “This is the day which the Lord hath made.”  But note closely the second statement; “We WILL rejoice and be glad in it.”  The second statement makes it very clear that this is an act of determined will.  And who would make such a determined statement, and consistently live that statement with action but someone who truly loves the Lord?

But in light of this being something to remember, think for just a moment about what is now two days past.  February 2, in the United States, is called Groundhog Day.  It is the day when, for the past 138 years, a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil is said to predict the next six weeks of general weather.  While I have no scientific data, or large group study, just from my own observations of people around me, news media, and social media, it seems more people remembered Groundhog Day than remembered that “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Imagine the results of every member of the body of Christ truly celebrating every day as “the day which the LORD hath made.”  Just a thought.

Manna for Today – Psalm 118; Deuteronomy 8:18; Genesis 9:5; 1 Chronicles 16:12; Psalm 77:6-11; Proverbs 4:20-23; Isaiah 43:26; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25; Philippians 2:1-11; Romans 12:1-2

How to Never Regret Yesterday

Have you ever regretted a “yesterday” you’ve lived?  You can live and never regret another yesterday.

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Mark 12:29-30 – And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

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Have you ever looked back on one of your YESTERDAYS with a reason to regret the memory of it?  Have you ever come to a TODAY after a regretful yesterday because of something you did, or did not, do?  I have.  And I can tell you, “I didn’t like it.”  There is nothing pleasant about it.  Oh, but how thankful I am that my Father has made a provision for my life by which I can live without having to regret a single yesterday.  That provision is so simple, and yet to many people, it seems such a remote possibility.  The provision is this . . . OBEY GOD TODAY.

Think very seriously about what I now write.  God’s Word defines the love of God has KEEPING His commandments.  Jesus said that if we loved Him, we should keep His commandments.  Jesus also called that action the state of being wise.  Without faith we cannot please Father, and faith worketh by love.  So, another Biblical way of saying OBEY GOD is to say WALK IN THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD.  Those two terms are absolutely synonymous.  They mean the same thing.  Nether of the two terms is anything to do with feelings, but with a disciplined choice made by a believer.  Now, I can assure you that when you OBEY GOD, or WALK IN THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD, you WILL experience some feelings, but feelings have never been, are not now, nor will they ever be God’s yardstick for walking in love.

Imagine living ONE DAY walking in complete obedience of the Lord.  Just ONE DAY.  To do that means you have lived ONE DAY in full compliance with Father’s Word for your life.  Just ONE DAY.  Think of this.  When a baby is born, all things being equal, the day will come when he walks.  That means that before he walks, he will take is first step.  Taking one step does not mean he is walking, but it does mean he’s on his way to walking.  At almost 72-years of age, I can clearly state I don’t’ remember my first step.  But I do know how to walk, and can do so with no handicap.  I have been practicing it daily for more than 71 years.  But it began with one step, much stumbling and falling, then some occasional stumbles, then running, skipping, and jumping.  I’ve never been a track star or a great jumper, though I can dance.  But walking is a different matter.  I do it well.  Living without a single regret of yesterday is like learning to walk.  Take it one day at a time.  YOU CAN DO IT!

Manna for Today – Mark 12:28-34; Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:34-40; John 14:112-17; 1 John 5:3; Matthew 7:24-27; Galatians 5:6