Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 22, 2015
At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. Matthew 12:1
Is your struggle over lack of work? Are you willing to work with your hands outside of your interests to provide for your family? Labor is labor; it can be toilsome and tiring at times. So even if your job is temporarily tedious, look at it as a gift from God. Be proud of your work, even when it is more transactional than relational. Our perspective becomes more grateful and realistic when work becomes a necessity, not an option.
Productive work keeps us focused on provision for those who depend on us, keeping us away from unproductive activities. Paul states it well, “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies’” (2 Thessalonians 3:10–11). Provision follows preparation; so prepare your heart in humility, your head in integrity, and your hands in diligence. God helps those who prepare, work hard, and trust Him.
It is bad theology to blame God, the church, and others for our needy situation. It is good theology to be resourceful and seek solutions that require humility and focus. Whom have you invested in over the years who would be honored to give back to you? When you are transparent about your needs, you give other souls an opportunity to be blessed by blessing you. Honesty is a pure platform to invite God’s provision through friends.
Lastly, do not allow religious restraints to rob you of receiving mercy and being served on the Christian Sabbath. Is there a better time for the body of Christ to care for one another than on our day of corporate worship and biblical teaching? Indeed, engage with believers when you are in need, each part of the body needs the other. If you remain silent you deny others a blessing; when you speak up God practically provides.
“But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26).
Prayer: Have I recognized and received God’s provision? Who needs my provision?
Related Readings: Joshua 9:14; Proverbs 6:8; Romans 5:17; 1 Timothy 6:17
Post/Tweet this today: Provision follows preparation; so we prepare our heart in humility, our head in integrity and our hands in diligence. #wisdomhunter
Additional Resource: 4 minute music video- Hillsong: Stronger
Taken from the March 22nd reading in Seeking Daily the Heart of God v.2
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You speak of the gathering of Christians and the Sabbath. Are you speaking of the Biblical Sabbath, or the man made one that most Christian Churches use?
Dear Albert~
Thank you so much for reaching out to us with your thought-provoking question. It always blesses me to read a question that makes me “dig deep” in the scripture and re-read the devotionals. So, thank you!
In the devotional, Boyd writes “Lastly, do not allow religious restraints to rob you of receiving mercy and being served on the Christian Sabbath. Is there a better time for the body of Christ to care for one another than on our day of corporate worship and biblical teaching?” The Sabbath mentioned in the devotional can apply to the Biblical Sabbath or the “man made” Sabbath. My thoughts are that it is intended for the Sabbath that the devotional reader practices.
The main focus of “Practical Provision” centers on the Lord’s Provision to His children when we rest our hope in Him.
Some of the key suggestions in the devotional relating to being open to God’s provision were the statements “Provision follows preparation, so prepare your heart in humility, your head in integrity, and your hands in diligence. God helps those who prepare, work hard, and trust Him.”
Albert, I hope that I haven’t made this confusing. If you would like to continue the conversation, please email me: gwynne@wisdomhunters.com
At the end of the devotional, Boyd listed a few scripture references. One of them is from 1 Timothy. I think it is a great reminder to us and one we need to read over and over, especially during the “hard times”. Our heavenly Father is always walking beside us.
“Command those who are rich in the 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
Albert, we are so thankful for you and hope to hear from you again. We are always blessed when we hear from one of our Wisdom Hunter’s family members!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne