Based on “Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray for Our Needs” by Pastor Mark Balmer;
6/23-24/12, Message #MB516; Daily Devotional #2 - “It Will Be Given to You as Well”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Jesus teaches His followers, "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31-34)
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Jesus commands us to not worry about providing for ourselves that which God, Himself, ultimately supplies for us. Jesus, the Son of God, gives us the Lord’s Prayer, asking God for His provision, His pardon and His protection. All of these things come only from the Lord and can be found nowhere else. Romans 6:23 tells us that eternal life is a gift; we can’t deserve it, earn it or work for it. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." It’s all God's provision, a gift from Him alone. Everything we have, both materially and spiritually is a gift from God. Even having the strength and talent to work is a gift from God. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (1 Timothy 6:17) If we believe God has given us righteousness and eternal life in Heaven, which we cannot see, can't we also believe that He will provide all that we can see? He is very involved and at work in our daily lives. Jesus modeled and taught His followers how to have a dependent, living, vibrant relationship with The Father so that we could recognize and receive all that He has for us. We are God's beloved children in Christ Jesus!
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Jesus gives us this model for prayer, teaching us how to pray for our physical needs, after first focusing our hearts and minds on Who our God is and What His purpose is for us and the world (John 3:16). We can trust God for our physical provision just as we do for our spiritual pardon and protection because of His character. He is generous (Psalm 84:11-12). Just as we manifest our trust in God by seeking first His Kingdom and looking to Him for physical provision, we make His forgiveness a reality when we freely receive it from Him, undeservedly and give it unreservedly (1 John 4:20). How we treat the world around us, and whether we pursue things or people, is a direct indication of how our hearts are towards the Lord. Above all else, God wants an intimate, dependent, trusting relationship with everyone, beginning with His children. When we trust Him for the things that are seen, tasted, touched, felt and heard, we testify to the reality of His spiritual provision, which has been made for all men. We live in freedom and joy, trusting our Father God for all things. Jesus died to set us free, that we might have life and have it abundantly. Prayer: Thank You, Father, for giving me all things. Help me to trust you in the physical just as I do in the spiritual. Help my unbelief, Lord. Thank You that you do! You are worthy of all praise. Amen.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): John 4:10, Ephesians 2:8; Psalm 84
CH
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.