Category: Scripture

Daily Needs

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One of the challenges of studying the Bible is defining the terms as God intended. We are prone to putting our own definitions to the words. Jesus’ example prayer tells us to ask God for our “daily bread”. This is talking about the basic needs of life. I’m sure there is debate about what needs really are.

We can ask confidently for our needs according to Jesus’ example prayer. We know God will answer according to today’s verse. As we humble ourselves before God, He will direct our prayers to ask for what is truly needed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing our needs. Thank You for sharing Your riches with us. Please guide our prayers to be humble in asking for our needs.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Daily Bread

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Jesus’ example prayer continues with “Give us this day our daily bread.” We are instructed to ask for God to provide our needs. This is another area of life, where I believe we need to seek balance. Today’s passage talks about how God provides even for the lilies. We know God is in control, but we can fall into worry about the future. That being said, we don’t sit down and do nothing. The Bible also tells us that if we don’t work, we shouldn’t eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10) .

Verse 31 tells us that seeking God’s kingdom is the most important pursuit we have in life. God’s Word tells us how to do that. Then we will find the passages such as 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that give us the day to day instructions.

Dear Heavenly Father, we need Your help to know what to do. Please guide us to seek Your kingdom and study Your Word. Please help us to remember these verses when we are prone to worry. We are often afraid of the future, and we need to remember how much You love us.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Obey the Authority

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I think this part of God’s will is often considered the same thing as suffering. Government overreach can be difficult to navigate. However, God tells us that we are to obey the government. The reason is to keep foolish people silent. Those who hate God want to silence those who seek to honor God. If we live appropriately, we will silence the critics. They will have nothing to say against us.

This can be hard to do, but is worth the effort. Those of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ have help from God to obey. He gives the strength needed to do what is right.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing authority to punish the evil. Please help us to obey the authority even when it is hard. Please help us to remember that You have a purpose for our obedience. We need Your strength to obey.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Suffering

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This is a part of God’s will that most of us don’t like. God tells us that there will be trials (James 1:2). He also gives reasons why those trials will come. James 1 tells us that trials are for the sake of perfecting us. In 1 Peter 4:12-17, we are told that we will “rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” Suffering as a believer has a purpose. That purpose points back to Jesus Christ.

When suffering comes, watch for God’s hand to be at work. Please remember if we have trusted in Christ we will see the beauty of His glory when we spend eternity with Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for having the greater good in mind. Please help us to look to You in our suffering. We need Your help to remember that eternity is our ultimate goal.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Be Filled

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Too many times we want details about God’s will. What job should I have? Whom should I marry? What car should I buy? The Bible doesn’t go into the detail we tend to want. God does give us principles to use when asking those questions. One of the principles is to be filled with the Spirit. When a person trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. The verb in this passage is passive. This isn’t something we do – although we can fight against the Holy Spirit’s work. Our passage today tells us that we need to walk in wisdom understanding God’s will.

This is one passage out of many that gives principles to follow when looking for God’s will. We need to keep searching Scripture to understand what God wants for our lives. Our decisions need to be driven by the work of the Holy Spirit, not our selfish desires. God’s way is always better.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us direction about Your will. Please help us to allow the work of the Holy Spirit so we can be wise. We need Your help.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.