Give us this day our daily bread…
“Well, I do think someone might have arranged about our meals,” said Digory.
“I’m sure Aslan would have, if you’d asked him,” said Fledge.
“Wouldn’t he know without being asked?” said Polly.
“I’ve no doubt he would,” said the Horse (still with his mouth full). “But I’ve a sort of idea he likes to be asked.” C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew
Why does God like to be asked?
1. Because it keeps us from __________________.
2. Because He is the ________.
Give us this day our daily bread…
“There are two days in my calendar: ____________ and ____________ .” Martin Luther
“He therefore, I believe, wants them to attend chiefly to two things, to eternity itself, and to that point of time, which they call the Present. For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity. Of the present moment, and of it only, humans have an experience analogous to the experience which [God] has of reality as a whole; in it alone freedom and actuality are offered them. He would therefore have them continually concerned either with eternity or with the Present--either meditating on their eternal union with, or separation from, Himself, or else obeying the present voice of conscience, bearing the present cross, receiving the present grace, giving thanks for the present pleasure.” C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
The manna (Exodus 16) was God’s established ____________ for demonstrating trust in Him.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34
"And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:18-21
“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13
Give us this day our daily bread…
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:31-33
Whatever the kingdom of God is, it is ____________ bread.
What do we focus our attention on if it’s not bread (what does Jesus mean by “seek first the kingdom”)?
1. The ____________ of God.
"And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But he answered, 'It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:3-4
2. ____________.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." 1 Timothy 6:6-8
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17
3. The bread of ____________.
"They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'" John 3:34-35
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
1. Thank the Lord for receiving food instead of ____________.
2. Discipline your mind to live in the ____________.
3. Implement a regular ____________.
4. ____________ on Jesus before you partake of food.
Answer key: self-righteousness, vine, this day, that Day, pattern, beyond, word, Godliness, life, condemnation, present, fast, Feast
QUESTIONS:
1. Where does planning for the future fit in God’s economy? How are you not trusting Him in your planning?
2. How central is food(or stuff) to your daily living? How can it become secondary?