When I can, I like to listen to the radio program by Nancy Leigh DeMoss of Revive Our Hearts Ministries. She and I disagree fundamentally on the issue of homosexuality being acceptable to God as part of a life devoted to Him. Other than that, however, I almost always get a lot out of her teachings. Sometimes I take notes.
Lately she's been doing a series on the Lord's prayer; going into each phrase in depth. Today she was talking about "give us this day our daily bread."
I took a few notes from what she said today and I wanted to share them. Hopefully someone will get as much out of this as I did. So, all of the following is attributed to the teaching of Nancy Leigh DeMoss... not all direct quotes, but I tried to capture the meaning. I pray it feeds your soul!
We might demand things out of a spirit of expectation – but should not demand that God meet our gluttonous requests.
To ask God for our daily bread is to acknowledge that He is our provider and our source. We are unable to sustain ourselves apart from Him. I cannot survive a second apart from the Creator. Pray for daily bread.
When we say “I need” we’re using that word loosely. It’s hard to have that sense of deep dependence on God to meet our daily needs. God is our provider and we would not be able to survive apart from Him.
He needs no one and nothing. He is indebted to no one.
The vast majority of us have so much. We must recognize that we still need Him for everything including those necessities that may be plenteous in our lives. We need to realize we need to be thankful for what God is providing.
A child of God that doesn’t ask God to meet His daily needs is unlikely to be grateful.
Know the importance of having a grateful and humble heart. Be content.
God tests you to know what is in your heart. Like the Israelites in the desert, depending on Him for manna for food... God sometimes lets us hunger and be without what we consider basic necessities to test us; to see what's in our hearts.
Depend on God consciously for daily provision.
Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. It’s because we are hungry, literally or figuratively, that we cry out and say, “God, we need you.” He’s the source.
Keep God’s commandments. Don’t forget the Lord. The Lord fed Israel in the wilderness. You shall remember the Lord your God; it is He who gives you power to get wealth.
Have an attitude of gratitude. Bless the Lord whether we have little or plenty. People who are starving have an easier time remembering God than those of us who have plenty.
Know the importance of humility, gratitude and remembering God. We ask God for daily bread. For the basic necessities of life.
Remember today to ask Him, “Lord, give us this day our daily bread.” Don’t pray with vain repetitions; offer heartfelt gratitude.
