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“Give
Us This Day Our Daily Bread” By
Eddie R. Littrell On
the surface this would seem a simple and straightforward
instruction by the Lord. Yet in this part of the Lord's model prayer,
Jesus teaches two great principles of which every disciple of the Lord should
ever be conscious. Every
Good Gift Is From Above First,
we should realize that bread may come with or without
prayer, but the disciple recognizes its source and the constant need to
depend on the Father for sustenance. Most likely this petition
is patterned in its origin from the manna episodes of the Old Testament. The
task of providing food for such a large number of people, especially
while in the wilderness, was an enormous one. As the people murmured because of
the scarcity of food, Jehovah provided for
this necessity. And yet, they were to follow
very stringent rules regarding the manna itself. They could only gather
that which was necessary for each day. Thus, they learned
to depend on God for their most basic needs. Today, bread may
stand as typical of all material necessities. Jesus said, "But
seek first the "Daily"
offers something of a problem, since it is only used in
the references to this occasion in the New Testament and is discovered
only on rare occasions in ancient literature. Two main suggestions as to
its meaning are offered. One is that it means one's bread for today, as the
daily rations of a soldier, slave, or workman. The other is that it means
"bread for the morrow". It would
seem that the former would be most likely since Jesus also said,
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry
about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matt.
6:34) In
either case, however, there must be a constant dependence on God, whether the
present or coming day. The apostle Paul further emphasizes the point by saying, "Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Phil.
4:6). Godliness
with Contentment Second,
just as the Israelites were to be content with the portion
of manna allotted by God for each day, we are likewise to be content with
that which the Lord provides. Too often we are
like the rich and prosperous man who felt compelled to "store up"
this world's goods in deference to his trust in God. To this action God
responded, "'Fool! This night your soul
will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have
provided?"' (Luke
12:20) This well illustrates the end of those who have "pierced
themselves through with many sorrows" because
they strive only for the wealth of this world. On the other hand, Jesus
instructs His disciples to "lay up for
yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in
and steal." (Matt. 6:20) After all, "godliness
with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it
is certain we can carry nothing out. And
having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." (1
Tim. 6:6-8) Thus Paul had learned "in
whatever state I am, to be content." (Phil. 4:11) Constancy
in Prayer Prayer
to God for the daily necessities should, therefore, be a daily activity on the
part of every disciple. "So I say to
you, ask,
and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and
it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and
he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Luke
11:9-10) & "The
Sting of Death is Sin" By
Wendell Ward Certain
simple passages of scripture have a way of escaping our
understanding. The story recorded in Numbers 20:1-13 tells
us Moses was denied entrance to the Promised Land because of his unbelief at
Kadesh. The people complained because of
lack of water. God told Moses what to do about the situation but the
Bible says that Moses' actions were very displeasing to God.
God
told Moses and Aaron, "Therefore because you believed
me not to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Moses'
failure of faith caused him to smite the rock with his staff rather than speak
to it. His failure of faith caused him to speak
unadvisedly to the people thru anger. His failure of faith
caused him not to sanctify God in the eyes of the people.
The actions Moses took were performed because he "failed
to believe God" in this situation. Moses, it seems, had a
temporary failure of faith in God. Another
scripture that escapes the understanding of some is found
in 1 Corinthians 15:56. Paul states that, "The sting of death is sin."
What does Paul say the sting of death is? Sin. Just saying that all men fear or
dread death cannot explain this
verse away. God
gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as sure
as Christ arose from the grave the third
day, we have assurance that we will be raised when he comes
again. The great thing about all this is that if we have overcome
sin while in this life we will be raised to eternal life in
heaven. Death will have no damaging consequences to us if we die in the
Lord. On
the other hand, dying outside of Christ and not having overcome sin in this life
assures us that death will bring a condemnation
of eternal punishment in a lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death. Friend, that is the sting of death. Sin's
sting, which was brought on by Adam's transgression in the garden, is likened to
the bruising of heels. Compare that to bruising Satan's head when Christ arose
victoriously over
death, Genesis 3:15. The
sting of death is sin. &
(Via the Needmore Barnabas,
the Exhorter By
Bob Myhan Because
of intense prejudice between Jews and Gentiles in the first century, there was a
need for someone who could gain acceptance by both groups, and encourage them to
be reconciled to God, through the Gospel. “Joseph,
who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of
encouragement),”
rose to the occasion. The
name, “Barnabas,” was evidently given him because he encouraged others (Acts
4:36). It is no small wonder, then, that he befriended Saul of Tarsus, when no
one else seemed to trust this former persecutor of the church (Acts 9:26-28).
Nor is it surprising that, when the church in Jerusalem heard of a great number
of conversions in Antioch of Syria, “they
sent Barnabas,” who “exhorted
them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose”
(Acts 11:19-23). Apparently seeing a greater need than he alone could fill—and
another opportunity to be an encouragement to Saul—he went to Later,
Barnabas and Saul were chosen and sent out by the Holy Spirit on their first
missionary journey. As
they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate
to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts
13:2) So,
being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Paul
was the chief speaker (Acts 14:12) but both were apostles (14:14). Barnabas may
have taken the lead on the return trip, as they were: …strengthening
the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and
saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the When
they discussed a return visit to the areas they had evangelized, Paul and
Barnabas disagreed on whether or not to take John Mark (Acts 15:36-38). So
Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Perhaps
John Mark just needed encouragement to reach his full potential. It is he to
whom the second Gospel is attributed. Barnabas
had his weak moments, to be sure (Gal. 2:11-13). But he was an encouragement to
many. Have
you ever lacked the courage to do what you knew to be the Lord’s will, when
there was no one there to encourage you? Barnabas would have been there for you!
Let’s all try to be like Barnabas! & |