He Provides for My Every Need - Encouragement Café - April 5, 2016

He Provides For My Every Need

Café menu for Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Today’s Special is:  A Heart-Training, Transforming, Trust Exercise

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Mindy Lee Hopman

Main Ingredient:

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day.”

Exodus 16:4 NASB

Entrée:

My teenage son ravages the pantry and refrigerator every 30 minutes.  His rapidly growing body needs constant nourishment and replenishment.  I try to keep protein-rich, healthy food available for him (since I know what his body needs), but if there are chips or candy available, he is all over them and they are gone in a swoop!  The boy is hungry!

When the pantry is empty, he looks at me with his big eyes and expects for me to fix it in a flash!  I’m sure he would prefer the licorice or potato chips, however I try to keep sandwiches, healthy snacks, or protein bars available at all times.  I know what his growing body needs!

Just as parents know what their children need for healthy physical growth, God knows exactly what we need for spiritual growth.

When the Israelites needed physical nourishment, God sent daily manna.

When the Israelites needed spiritual nourishment, God sent His Son… the “Bread of Life.”

Our Creator knows exactly what we need and He provides it in His perfect timing.  He meets us right where we are and He gives us pure nourishment to grow. 

The Israelites were content for a while, but then fear crept in.  They began to worry that God would not show up from day to day, so they hoarded some of their manna.  The Israelites quickly forgot that our Creator knows exactly what we need and He provides it in His perfect timing. 

Relying on God to meet our needs is a heart-training, transforming, trust exercise. 

Just as the manna flowed down daily, the spirit is daily nourished by the Bread of Life.  When trust replaces fear, the need for items of this world to satisfy us is eliminated.  Goodbye fear.  God provides pure nourishment daily.  

Even when the Israelites grumbled, God still provided.   

Most of the time, my son is very grateful for the food his daddy and I provide.  Regardless, I will always make sure he is well nourished... even if he makes “poor choices” or has an occasional bad attitude.

God provides spiritual nourishment, by the gift of His Son, to those who choose to believe in Him... regardless of occasional “poor choices” or bad attitudes. 

In Christ, we will never be spiritually hungry or thirsty.  For that, I am grateful!

Take Out:

May we thank God for the generous portion of “just enough” today and always.  May trust and gratitude replace fear forever in our hearts. 

Dessert:

Heavenly Father, I praise You for who You are and for knowing me so well.  As the Creator of all things created, You alone know exactly what I need.  Thank You for providing for me.  I am grateful.  May my heart be content with the fullness of Your daily presence in my life.  In the Precious Name of Jesus I Pray, Amen.

© 2016 by Mindy Lee Hopman. All rights reserved.

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