Life

gtcotr/ss052806

Key Scripture: Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return."

Tomorrow we celebrate Memorial Day. A day America sets aside to honor the memory of all those noble heroes who have fallen on our battlefields, giving their life in defense of our Nation and our Nation’s decided interests. From the colonial revolution to the current day war in Iraq, American men and women have taken a course and served a cause which cost each generation their best and most brave souls.

Tomorrow at 3 p.m., take a moment from your holiday to remember those who paid for us to have this 3 day weekend. Let’s pause and thank God in heaven for those cared enough to give the ultimate sacrifice so that we might have the right and freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.

May God bless America and may we remember why.

God has a plan, He will succeed and we have been given a chance to participate.

Our chance is called life!

With this in mind, let’s turn our attention now to the Word of God.

The Psalms paint such wonderful pictures of the interaction between God and mankind. David’s way of coloring life with songs of praise and honor continues to memorialize the acts of God in the lives of His children.

We are all God’s children. Born of Adam, separated with Noah, blessed in Abraham and redeemed by Messiah. For it was He, Isaiah declared, Who was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, chastised for our peace and with His stripes we are healed.

This morning let’s allow the Psalms of David to paint God’s portrait of truth on the canvas of our hearts and minds. Will you turn with me first to Psalms 137.

Psalms 137 NKJV

1 ¶ By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion.

2 We hung our harps Upon the willows in the midst of it.

3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

4 How shall we sing the LORD’S song In a foreign land?

5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill!

6 If I do not remember you, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.

Next: Psalms 126

1 ¶ ((A Song of degrees.)) When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

4 ¶ Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

These two Psalms join together with so many others to reveal three great truths of life.

1. The Circle of Life

* Things begin and things end.

* We all return to where we began.

* Our key scripture for today tells us that from dust we came and to dust we shall return.

* Job declared that ‘naked he came into this world and naked shall he return’

* Ecclesiastes says the same

Ecclesiastes 5:15 Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labour that he can carry in his hand. (NIV)

Things begin and things end … Nothing on earth is meant to last forever … there is a circle of life.

Prepare yourself!

2. The Cycle of Life

Just as there is a circle of life where things begin and things end, there is also a cycle of life.

This means that between the beginning and the end, there are ups and downs - mountains and valleys - good times and bad times - easy times and tough times - times when things go our way and times when things seem to go against us.

This is the cycle of life. A cycle of trials and victories.

Jesus said it in

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV)

Don’t despair when things aren’t going your way … be of good cheer! - take heart - - -

If the bible teaches us anything, it teaches us that:

If it’s bad, God’s not finished yet!

Both James and Paul wrote to encourage believers not to faint under the common pressures of life. Be patient, hold on - let the process work and you will come out better, not worse.

Even with the children of Israel, when they were in slavery in Egypt, Moses wrote: (NKJV)

Exodus 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.

You see, this light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are unseen. The things which are seen are only temporary, while the things which are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

There is a circle of life, things begin and things end.

There is a cycle of life: between the beginning and the end, life has its ups and downs.

There is also a third truth in life:

The circle of life, the cycle of life and …

3. The Secret of Life

The secret of life is: Giving

Since it is a law that we reap what we sow. And since Proverbs says that anyone who digs a pit shall fall therein and whoever rolls a stone, it will roll upon him, coupled with the scripture which declares that anyone who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord and the Lord will repay - it pays to be gracious and attentive to give.

There is a Golden Rule:

Whatever you would that others would do to or for you, do first unto them.

Give love, forgiveness, mercy, understanding, blessings and patience.

* If we err, let us err on the side of grace.

Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given unto you.” Luke 6:38

Have Faith In God

Have Faith In God

gtcotr/ws052406

Key Scripture: Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. (KJV)

Rightly rendered the main focus of this scripture is better read: “Have the God kind of faith.”

Jesus is going to use this moment when His disciples are amazed that His spoken words have had so much affect. Jesus takes the fig tree event and their reaction as an opportunity to further their discipleship. This fig tree becomes the object lesson.

This story is set during the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry prior to the cross. It is a few days before Passover and Jesus is staying with His friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus in the town of Bethany on the Mount of Olives less than 2 miles from the city of Jerusalem.

The day before was a Monday and Jesus, on His way to the Temple, was walking across the Mount of Olives and saw a fig tree. Since He was hungry He turned and approached the fig tree. Seeing that it was boasting of ripened fruit but actually was bearing none, Jesus cursed it with the words of His mouth.

At that time His disciples thought nothing about it one way or the other. They all walked on and had their day, a very busy day, in Jerusalem. Afterward they returned to Bethany and spent the night.

Tuesday morning, on their way returning to the Temple in Holy City, Jerusalem, they walked past the fig tree once again. To their amazement it was dried up from the roots. This astounded Peter.

“Master”, he said, “The fig tree which You cursed is withered away!”

Seeing their utter amazement that words coupled with faith had such affect, Jesus decided to use this as one of His last opportunities to teach the fundamentals of faith to His disciples.

Jesus said:

“Have faith in God.”

or - “Have the God kind of faith.”

You can have the same kind of faith that God has when He speaks.

The clear implication and definite instruction from this passage is that this ‘God kind’ of faith is available to each one of Jesus’ disciples. Indeed, we find in the whole counsel of God’s word that this effective faith is available to all who will believe and act in faith.

After this initial statement, “Have faith in God.”, Jesus goes on to describe how this type of faith is put into action. Lets read on …

Mark 11 (KJV)

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

To break this scripture down we would easily see that:

* Jesus declares that He is revealing a truth that is not to be argued with. (Verily = Most Assuredly)

* Whosoever means anyone.

* ‘Say’ is a Greek word that means ‘Command’.

* The first time saith is used it is a Greek word which means ‘to describe’ or ‘to direct’

* The last time saith is used, Saith is the same Greek word that is used for the word say, which again means ‘Command’

* Doubt is a concept of being at variance with oneself - to hesitate; waver; stagger; vacillate.

So, if I may paraphrase this truth: Mark 11:22-23 Pastor Ron’s Para.

This is the God kind of faith and you can have it.

It is the truth. Anyone who commands a thing, giving specific description and direction to it, believing it will be done, and not at variance within themselves, hesitating, wavering or vacillating in their belief that they can command such things, shall have whatever they have commanded, just as they have described it.

Wow! This seems too good to be true … and yet it is!

Remember the Children of Israel on their journey through the wilderness. They were not all happy campers and often found themselves doubting God and believing that they were going to die in the wilderness.

These descendents of Jacob were confused about God’s love and God’s power toward them. At each obstacle of life they doubted God, but much more than that, they actually began to believe and confess that God had brought them out into the wilderness to kill them. That their bones would be bleached in the wilderness and birds of the air would pluck their flesh.

Through the process of continual bad confession they built a case in their minds and then actually believed their own confessions. This is an awesome combination, as Jesus reveals in Mark 11:23. The combination of believing in your heart, not having a doubt, and then speaking what you believe, is the same kind of faith that God used to create the universe. It is powerful!

The ‘Faith and Confession’ message did not begin with Kenneth Hagin or with Kenneth Copeland and what came in the 80’s to be known as the ‘Hyper-faith’, ‘Name It, Claim It’ crowd. Oh no! It did not even begin with the fig tree on the Mount of Olives 2000 years ago. Rather, it is an eternal principle that has been in effect since before God created the heavens and the earth.

In Numbers 14, we see this truth, this principle, this law in action.

Here the children of Israel have been confessing their faith once again. They did not realize they were prophesying their future with their faith filled words. Nonetheless, they were.

God wanted them to go into His promised land for them. However, they believed those who brought up a negative report and decided against God. They crossed the line.

Numbers 14 (KJV)

26 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.

28 Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:

29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; …

Notice verse 28:

This is the truth … as you have spoken in God’s ears, so will He do to you.

Wow! Don’t you know they wished they had spoken some better things about their future and God’s care and love and provision for them. They were going to get exactly what they had said about their future. We reap what we sow.

What if God told you that you could have anything you would believe and ask Him for? What if God told you that you could have anything you say? Would you be more careful with what you allowed yourself to believe and what you allowed yourself to say?

Well, God did say that to you. And it is working right now and will continue to work in your future … either for you or against you … depending on what you believe and speak.

The only difference between the hundreds of thousands of Israelites who died in that next 40 years in the wilderness without having inherited and enjoyed what God had provided for them and those other two, Joshua and Caleb, who did go into and possess their promises, was what they said. It started with what they believed because of Who they believed.

The Apostle Paul said, ‘I believe, therefore I speak.’ 2 Corinthians 4:13 This is what happens to us all. We eventually and then continually speak what we believe.

This is a powerful combination. Next Wednesday night I want to show you how to put this into practice. How to prepare yourself to speak in faith and then how to actually make sure your faith is working for you and others.

But before we close this evening, let’s read the next verse together from Mark 11, to help set the tone for the rest of our week.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

See you next week. But for this week - watch what you allow yourself to think and believe, and for your future’s sake, watch what you allow yourself to say. Believe Jesus, it does make a difference.

Romans 10:14 Faith comes by hearing the word of God.

Philemon 6 That the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing that is in you in Christ.

John 14:12 He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also, and even greater works than these shall he do …

Participation

Participation

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Key Scripture: John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. NKJV

An abundant life is a life in no need of miracles.

In the winter, spring and early summer of 2002, we conducted a bible study on the miraculous. Each Wednesday evening from January through June, we opened to the same passage of scripture in 2 Kings 4 and followed the story of a desperate widow in pursuit of her miracle.

During that six months, we learned many truths relating to miracles. One of the key factors which helped establish our perspective on receiving modern day miracles from God is encapsulated in the statement:

God demands we participate in our miracles.

As I prepared to bring the word of God to you today, I was drawn back to this particular passage in 2 Kings once again. Reading it I remembered all the time which I had spent studying each word and running each reference back in 2002.

The whole study could have been built around three key points:

1 Take what you have

2 Start where you are

3 Do the best you can

In the study we learned that with God’s guidance and intervention:

* We can take what we have and get what we want.

* We can start where we are and get where we need to be.

* We can do our best and God will do the rest.

Many today are in need of a miracle while others are living in abundance. For those of you in need of a miracle today, no worries, God will come through for you. Stay on His path for your life, take what you have, start where you are and do the best you can.

Remember:

* Don’t make it worse.

* And believe me … no matter how bad it is right now, you can make it worse.

* Don’t take a temporary situation and create a permanent problem.

* Don’t judge success on a daily or weekly basis.

* Look to God’s word and find your proper response.

* If money will fix it, time will fix it or if it’s just a tough decision that deserves to be made … it’s not really a problem but an opportunity.

* But even with real problems …

* What you are going through is not punishment for your past but positioning for your future.

* God will never leave you or forsake you … and …

* The journey is your friend.

We read earlier in our key scripture that Jesus came that we might have abundant life. A life in no need of a miracle. A ‘more than enough’ life. Continually living in the miraculous provision of God.

If you are currently living the season of abundance, or if you are just on the edge of receiving your miracle and moving into the abundant season of life, allow me to give you God’s Word on the practicalities of living the abundant life.

Moses told the children of Israel to be very careful when they came into that blessed and abundant season of life.

Deuteronomy 6:10-12 “… when you have eaten and are full - then beware lest you forget the Lord …”

This morning there are four things the Lord wants you to do in your season of abundance.

2 Kings 4 NKJV

1 ¶ A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves."

2 So Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil."

3 Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few.

4 "And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones."

5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out.

6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not another vessel." So the oil ceased.

7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest."

What do you do after you have gotten your miracle? After you have received that inheritance, that insurance settlement, that windfall …?

Like Elisha told the now ‘rich widow’ in verse 7: Stay practical and keep participating in your miracle.

1. Go keep going - keep busy - don’t get lazy - be active

Jesus told the rich man who just had a bumper crop and decided to sit and take his ease and not go further - Luke 12:20 “you fool!”

2. Sell do business - trade - increase - involved in the future

In the parable of the talents, Jesus told those whom He had blessed to - Luke 19:13 “do business till I come.”

3. Pay do what’s right - pay tithes, offerings, tribute, creditors, attention.

Paul told the believers in Rome to render to every man what is due, whether respect, tithes or taxes.

Romans 13:6-8 “Pay … let no debt remain outstanding.”

4. Live

Ecclesiastes 3:15 & 5:19 “it is a gift of God.”

for a man to enjoy the fruit of his labor is a gift of God.

Participate in your miracle and continue participating after your miracle.

Don’t be like the 9 out of 10 lepers in the bible who received what they asked Jesus for and never even returned to give Him thanks.

If a little oil produced such an abundant miracle, imagine what a full pot or two of oil would produce.

We reap what we sow, in the same measure as we sow. Sow a thimble full and reap full thimbles - sow a cup full and reap full cups in return - sow a truck load and reap full truck loads - sow a warehouse full and reap full warehouses - pressed down, shaken together and running over will God cause men to heap into your lap and with what measure you give, it will be given to you again. Luke 6:38

Also, don’t wait for the blessing to begin participating.

Take what you have

Start where you are

And do the best you can.

You do your best and God will do the rest.

Jesus came that we might have life more abundantly.

Mother's Day 2006

Mother’s Day 2006

gtcotr/ss051406

Key Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. (NKJV)

What goes on in the White House is not nearly so important to the nation as what goes on in your house.

It has been said that “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”

The Apostle Paul, late in his life and ministry while imprisoned in Rome, expecting to be executed, wrote to his young friend and disciple Timothy. What did he write?

2 Timothy 3 (NKJV)

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Just who did Timothy learn the Holy Scriptures from during his childhood?

In the beginning of the book of 2 Timothy, which would be Paul‘s last letter to Timothy, Paul gives us the answer to this question.

2 Timothy 1 (NKJV)

1 ¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,

4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,

5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

The Apostle Paul was well familiar with Timothy’s family and situation of life. Luke, during his well researched accounts of how Christianity spread from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and ultimately to the uttermost parts of the world, wrote also concerning Timothy’s family.

Acts 16 (NKJV)

1 ¶ Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.

Let me put this together for us this morning.

Timothy’s mother was named Eunice. She was a Jew who married outside her religion and her culture. She married a Greek man who was neither a Jew nor a Believer.

This, no doubt, caused some problems in her family, or at least with her mother, Lois. Eunice, married outside the culture, outside the religion and no doubt, outside expectations. This had to be disappointing.

No matter how children are raised, they will make some decisions in life which give you comfort and others which give you concern.

However, Lois had either raised Eunice up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, to fear Him and to have respect for His ways, or else, when Lois got born again, she went to her daughter right away and shared Jesus with her. Either way, both Lois and Eunice, though having some disappointing seasons of life, became one in their faith in Jesus.

Most likely they were born again during Paul’s first missionary journey when he visited Lystra as recorded in Acts 14. Years later Paul meets up with Timothy, the son of Eunice and grandson of Lois, in whom these two ladies had deposited the faith of God.

Timothy’s father, a heathen man, seemed to have less influence on his upbringing than did these two women. Their faith and faithfulness to God and His will left an indelible mark on Timothy’s life.

The bible tells us that One believing parent sanctifies a child from birth.

1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Mothers leave a lasting mark on their children.

Today we celebrate mother’s day, but in reality, everyday is Mother’s Day.

What do we learn from the scriptures this morning?

1. God has designed it so that Mothers reproduce themselves in her children.

2. God has made it so that Mothers carry and shape the future.

3. Mothers feed the dreams and the fears of their children.

4. Mothers, teach the Holy Scriptures to your children in their childhood and in their adulthood so they will know how to live when they grow up and have children of their own.

New & Improved

New & Improved

gtcotr/ss050706

Text for Today: 2 Corinthians 5 KJV

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Wednesday evening, during the worship time, we heard a prophecy. The Spirit of the Lord spoke and said that He was visiting people once again and stirring up gifts and dreams. Gifts and dreams that had gotten old and cold from time or lack of use. Those gifts and dreams that were almost forgotten and laid aside.

Right now, in the Name of Jesus, be stirred up in the spirit of your mind. Do not neglect the gift or dream God has given you, even those from long ago. I speak to the gift and dream of God in you … ‘Come Forth!’

Why is this necessary?

God is determined to have His way. For all the world to hear and believe the Gospel of His Dear Son, Jesus, the Christ, and be born again.

God has a plan

He will succeed

We have a chance to participate

You might say: “Me? How could I ever do anything for God? Why would He want me?”

Isaiah 65:8 KJV says that:

Isaiah 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: …

You see, you are just what God needs to make the blend He wants. You are a part of the cluster. A necessary ingredient in the formula He knows will work. You are a part of God’s plan for success.

There is a blessing in you, the prophet said.

God has deposited in you a secret part of His overall plan. It is a hidden treasure which God has strategically placed in earthen vessels.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. KJV

Right now God wants your attention.

He is bringing a new season upon the earth. I know some of you have been hearing this for a while. That is what I said to the Lord and I believe He answered me.

He said, “Well it takes a while.”

There is an ongoing process unveiling itself to some, already unfolding in others. The process of transformation. God is changing you little by little on the inside and it will show on the outside.

You are the earthen vessel He has made to carry the treasure of His kingdom and to contain the new wine. You make it and you carry it.

Luke 5:38 "But new wine must be put into new wineskins, … (NKJV)

God wants to make you new so that you can contain and preserve the new. God can make you new all over again.

He has a plan

He will succeed

And you have a chance to participate

The plan of God is unfolding. Therefore, in order for us to continue participating, we must also continue our transformation process.

To be born again is to become a new creature.

However, even the new creature must continue to be re-newed.

Continual transformation of the new creature takes place through this spiritual process of renewing. The Apostle Paul admonished every believer in:

Romans 12:2 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

This morning let our individual and collective prayer to God be:

“Make me new once again O Lord!”

“Renew me”

“Refresh me”

“Visit me … Use me”

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing …

Revelation 21:5 Behold, I make all things new …

Become a new and continually renewed creature today.

How? Ask God to do it. Say this to God:

#1 Take me to Yourself.

#2 Make me more like You.

New & Improved! God is awakening your dreams.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread

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Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, which means ‘House of Bread’. He declared Himself to be the Bread of Life. He was that manna which came down from heaven in the wilderness. (John 6)

Jesus is also clearly understood to be the Living Word of God. He was in the beginning with God and was used by God to create all things. (John 1)

1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Jesus is the Living Word of God and the Word of God is the Bread of Life.

When Jesus spoke to the multitudes on a Galilean hillside, recorded in Matthew 5;6;7 & 8, He included instruction on how to pray.

Years later, on another hill outside the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem, Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray.

In both cases: early in Jesus’ ministry, teaching the multitudes and late in His ministry instructing His closest disciples, Jesus used the same model prayer.

We know it by heart:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Notice the petition “Give us this day our daily bread.”

This speaks of provision. God wants us to petition Him for daily provision. Not only financial provision, but also and much more, daily spiritual provision.

This is the Bread of Life - The Living Word of God.

This bread comes from heaven but must be gathered daily.

{I want to share a simple, yet profoundly impacting approach to gathering the daily bread which God makes available each morning.

After the pattern of the Children of Israel in the wilderness, God rains down His Word on the earth each day. Fresh morsels of sweet sustenance, without which, we could not be strong to survive this world’s wilderness.

It was a custom of Abraham, David and Jesus, (Genesis 19:27; Psalms 5:3; Mark 1:35), along with countless other men and women of God throughout the pages of the bible, to rise fresh each morning to meet with God. In fact the scriptures speak of this as instruction for life coupled with a promise.

Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

For the balance of almost 30 years now I have followed a course of gathering the fresh manna of God each morning. It is a practice which both Brenda and I have found to be irreplaceable in our lives.

Long ago I realized that I just did not have the wisdom it would take to lead the church God had called me to pastor. I needed help. My constant prayer has been that, like Solomon, God would give me the wisdom necessary to come in and go out before a people so great that He would call them His own.

It was a result of this constant prayer that I was led to a simple daily bible study.

So often people want to be consistent in their time with God but really don’t know where to turn in their bibles or what to read. Aimlessly they thumb through their bibles, haphazardly stopping and reading disconnected scriptures, never settling on a real bible study plan.

This would be the same as trying to learn a new language by thumbing through the pages of a text book, picking out words here and there, never building a foundation or developing a system to follow.}

There are basically two groups of believers.

* Those who need to be convinced of the value of daily time with God and His Word.

* Those who are already convinced of the importance of time with the Word, and only need to be shown an effective way to gather their daily bread.

Tonight, I want to speak to this second group. Since this a Wednesday evening service, I have pre-supposed that you are serious about your walk with God and only need some direction from your Pastor in how you can be transformed into the image of Christ.

If you do not have a consistent early morning approach to God’s word I have something I want you to try … and, if you already do have a morning ritual of gathering fresh manna from God’s Word, then I am going to ask you to consider adding this to your daily routine.

Lets turn to the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs is a book of wisdom ascribed to King Solomon, son of David, said by God to be the wisest man who would ever lived. (2 Chronicles 1) Endowed with wisdom by God, Solomon penned these nuggets of truth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, which have become guide to generations since.

There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs, basically one chapter for each day of the month. Each chapter contains an average of less than 30 verses. It takes hardly any time to read through one chapter each morning.

Here is the plan. Each day, depending on which day of the month it is, you read the corresponding chapter of Proverbs. On the first of each month you read Proverbs, Chapter one. And on the 12^th of each month, chapter 12 and so on. This way, even if you miss a day or two for some reason, you always have a plan of attack and know exactly where to go to gather fresh manna from God.

If you will be consistent, you will end up reading through the book of Proverbs 12 times each year. You will be surprised just how this will affect your spirit and mind. Answers to the questions of life will become readily available from this book of wisdom. You will build a reservoir of wisdom and knowledge to guide you even in the most difficult of times.

I can’t tell you the numbers of times I have needed a word from God only to find it right where He knew I would be, gathering my daily bread from His Living Word.

Now this does not have to be your only source of bread each day, but it can sure become your staple and rich supply.

To add to this dynamic, in accordance with:

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

I attempt to zero in on one scripture or one thought for the day and meditate on it as my ‘Proverbs for the Day’.

Let me show you how it works.

Today is May 3^rd. So, this morning I read Proverbs 3, one of my favorite chapters in Proverbs. Reading through, my spirit was especially drawn to verse 7.

Proverbs 3:7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

So today I have been meditating on this scripture. I have taken it apart and looked at it in several different applications of life. Sometimes these scriptures reveal what God is speaking to me while at other times what God wants to speak through me. Nonetheless, I rehearse it and commit to its wisdom.

So, what does this scripture mean to me? More importantly, What does this scripture mean to you?

Make the Word of God your Daily Bread. God is waiting to speak to you. Seek Him early and find Him.