Thanking God For Our Provisions

I just came home from breakfast with some friends.
it's just a bunch of guys that get together once a month. I am hardly able to be with them due to my travel schedule. Today, it really seemed like everyone had major concerns with the economic situations in which we live. JOBS! Truthfully, I find that when my personal world gets cloudy … the entire world might as well be off kilter.
I guess I feel sometimes like I am living my very own BP Oil Spill Crisis.
As we went around the table talking this morning it was very clear that everyone is having some degree of concern or worry about tomorrow. Where is our provision going to come from? When will it show up? What will be the next hardship to get ready for? Why is this happening to me?
Lost employment. Cut employment. Home foreclosures. Death of young loved ones. Hardships in relationships. Marital difficulties. Kids (need I say more).
Do you ever wonder why so many turn to excessive alcohol, drugs or something else to help them cope? I sure don't!
Pain and suffering are everywhere. In the USA, we know very little about pain and suffering compared to many parts of the world … but we are certainly learning how fickle our way of life is becoming.
I want to write my view on why bad things happen in another post in order to also hear your responses as well.
Tough times! Who will provide a solution? Who is the provider? I believe … HE HASN’T CHANGED A BIT!
The Bible teaches us that whether we believe in God or not … all things come from above.
James 1:17 says - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
It says … if it’s good … if it’s perfect … it comes from God above.
I will address our pain and suffering encounters in a future post. BUT just for now, just for this moment ... focus on these words: If it’s good … if it’s perfect … it comes from God! God alone is the source of all things "good".
That means … whether or not you believe it … anything from a well timed tuna sandwich to a carefully structured retirement fund is from God above. Air is from God!
Now, I know some of you don’t believe that! And I am not saying that it is true!
I am telling you it IS what the Bible says … and I'm telling you that I believe what the Bible says. You may not! And I will fight for your right to your view and ... we can still be friends.
And I just want you to know that you can think me to be an idiot for believing in such an old book! No offense taken (I actually get that a lot). But in the end I believe your argument isn't with me at all.
I believe your argument is with God.
Who is the provider? I believe … HE HASN’T CHANGED A BIT!
He is waiting on us.
Maybe we don’t talk to Him enough.
He wants relationship with us, not Churchianity. I mean it isn’t about going to church with a rubbadub-dub, sing the song, clap the hands, take communion, leave some cash and head home to get the holy suit and tie off.
God is trying to infiltrate every aspect of your life. He wants to talk to you. He wants you to talk to Him. He wants to hear your tears and pain. He wants to hear your joy and laughter. He wants to hear your praise and worship. He wants to be acknowledged as the good provider that He is for you. He loves you and gave His life for you.
Thank Him and accept His provision today!
Real quick here. So, how do I find this God that you say is as real as the car in the driveway?
Throughout the Bible there are declarations that if you really seek for God ... you ARE going to find Him. Many people think that God is trying to hide from them. In fact, quite the opposite is true on two fronts.
1. God is has been trying to get your attention ... even now when you read these words. You were brought here at the right time.
2. Many people are trying to hide from God. Deep in their guts they don't want accountability. They think if the don't fully encounter God they won't be subject to His standards. So they really are not seeking Him.
Hey, there's HOPE out there!
God loves those rebellious people! How do I know? I ARE ONE. But Thank God I found Him ... through painful and tough situations in my 53 years to be exactly who He said He is. I am still learning and still trusting (slower than most) but I am resisting less and less.
Are you really looking for God?
In Jeremiah 33:3, it says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
In Matthew 7:7-8, it says "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
If you really want to find this God ... you must be open to actually finding Him. Don't deny that He is there in your mind and tell others you are searching for Him. He's there! Wanna find Him? Earnestly pray this ... God if your out there ... help me to find you. Amen. Pray THAT every day. God wants to talk to you! And God keeps His promises! If YOU really SEEK, YOU will really FIND!
Back to Thanking God For Our Provisions.
When I worry … I like to read a passage of Scripture in Matthew 6:25-33. Jesus is talking in what is known as The Sermon on the Mount.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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.
I am still learning to trust God one day at a time.
May God bless you all in these tough times. Scatter your prayers at the feet of King of Kings!
NikonSniper Steve