The other day I visited Lynn Mosher's blog Heading Home and noticed she picked a word, yes... one word! I thought that was very interesting. At first I wanted to skip picking a motto for this year, but then this morning two words came into my mind, words that I've been toiling with for the past several weeks: daily bread. And yes, I am in... I desire to learn more about our daily bread: literally, spiritually, and emotionally.
What's with daily bread? When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, He also taught them important Kingdom principles. He shared with them how to rely on God's provision on a daily basis, and we can still do so today. Give us today our daily bread (Matthew 6:11) is not a question, it is a statement or a proclamation. For most of us in the Western world daily bread is not something we worry about, we go to the store and buy it, so for many people the prayer has lost some of it's meaning. When growing up I always thought it was weird to pray for something that was already on my plate :)
But of course 'daily bread' is more than the food on our table, it is God's Word and it is daily provision. I must admit that when I pray for God's daily provision in my life, I have a tendency to also pray for needs I can see coming up in the next week or next month. I get ahead of things and that is why this year I want to concentrate on this part of the Lord's prayer and learn more and more to rely on His provision on a daily basis. Praying for what I need today, whether that is healing, wisdom, money, peace, endurance or favor, and NOT for what I think I will be needing tomorrow or later on this month. Proverbs 30:8 says: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Such wisdom in those ancient words. Have you learned to trust Him on a daily basis? Please share...
But of course 'daily bread' is more than the food on our table, it is God's Word and it is daily provision. I must admit that when I pray for God's daily provision in my life, I have a tendency to also pray for needs I can see coming up in the next week or next month. I get ahead of things and that is why this year I want to concentrate on this part of the Lord's prayer and learn more and more to rely on His provision on a daily basis. Praying for what I need today, whether that is healing, wisdom, money, peace, endurance or favor, and NOT for what I think I will be needing tomorrow or later on this month. Proverbs 30:8 says: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Such wisdom in those ancient words. Have you learned to trust Him on a daily basis? Please share...
Jesus said: I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)
Marja:
ReplyDeleteI love when these types of things happen because we are all brought together for a reason:
Here you are writing a blog post on daily bread, and I made it my mission in 2012 to read through the entire Bible in a year, a few passages daily. Hence, that is my "daily bread!"
Thank you for sharing this powerful sentiment with us. Be well.
I just got a wheat grinder and so now I have fresh ground flour. The bread I have been making with it has given me a new perspective on daily bread. I normally am tired after eating store bought bread, but I am energized after eating the bread with the fresh ground flour! Wow! I now see bread as good for me and not a burden, and it it best fresh daily! I am loving what God is teaching me through it. Thanks for sharing, it blessed me.
ReplyDeleteMarja:
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts draw me in. When we study the Lord's Prayer at church, we always discuss this section. You are right, we are to focus on our needs TODAY.
My word for this year is TRUST. Yes, I am learning to trust Him on a daily basis. Even my daily work on our house falls under his timing.
Janette, our daily bread... how wonderful that you are going to read through the Bible, you will be so blessed!
ReplyDeleteLe-Ann, isn't it great how we can learn lessons from every day events? I am sure that is why Jesus used parables.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, I LOVE your blog!
HI Marja - I think daily bread is an awesome word(s) to focus on. What an all encompassing focus on the word, Christ, all of it. And does God not encourage us to take one day at a time? And gives us enough (daily bread) for one day? Love it
ReplyDeleteGod bless precious friend and thank you for linking up. I love seeing you there.
Tracy
Hi Marja, I never realized what daily bread was before...it is God's Word and it is daily provision. I have never heard that said before, that I remember.Thank you for sharing that!
ReplyDeleteI really like what you write. Thank you also for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
Blessings...Chelle
Yes Tracy, one day at a time, why is that so hard? Thanks for your comments on this post, appreciate the feedback.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you say this. I tend to pray ahead too and not for the day that I've been given as though I can count so many more ahead. Great thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI have not learned to so completely trust Him as I should. I am a work in progress and I am thankful for His mercy and grace.
ReplyDeleteThis is a timely message for me, Marja. Lately, I've been praying that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart would be acceptable in the Lord's sight.
ReplyDeleteTerri, that's my problem too... I pray ahead, as if God doesn't know what's coming :)
ReplyDeleteKaren, sometimes I wonder IF we can completely learn that, but I strive for it. Thanks for your input, as always.
ReplyDeleteSusan, isn't it great when a message is timely, as if to confirm our thoughts. Thank you Susan, for stopping by.
Hey, Marja! Thanks so much for the mention. I love your two words. I learned a lot about breaking bread in writing my book. I look forward to see what you write about your daily bread. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn, your blog inspired me :) Thanks for your visit and kind words.
ReplyDeleteI need to remember that. My bread is daily and I go looking ahead and asking God what is He going to do with me because I want to see further than today to justify my existence perhaps.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insights Marja!