Reminders Of God's Provision

December 3 (Philippians 4:19)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  (ESV)

I recently highlighted this among some of my favorite verses in the Bible about God’s provision, and then I stopped to realize yet another way God provides for us.  Have you ever considered just how many verses there are about God’s provision in scripture?  The mere fact of the number of times God has spoken about His care for us is but one more instance of that very care and concern, for He does not want us to worry.

Has God promised provision for our physical needs?  Yes, He has (see Matthew 6:31-33).  Has He promised to care for our emotional needs?  Yes, He has (see Psalm 30:5).  Has He promised to care for the state of our souls?  Yes, He has (see Romans 6:23).  Yet pull back from all this just a bit and see that He has also provided so that you do not have to question or worry about His provision by stating over and over again in the words of scripture that He will, in actual fact, take care of you.

Now, here’s the thing.  Our Father knows His children and He knows full well that we are going to worry and fret.  We do not need to, but we will, and that is why He reassures us.  If there is one thing we must do, it is to read the Bible, not just for knowledge, but to take hold of the great promises and comfort of God.  If we do not, it is like ignoring one of the best gifts under the tree as we bustle about, upset by the all the wrapping paper that litters the floor.

Father, thank You not only for Your amazing provisions, both for this life and the next, but thank You for reminding me so often of Your care for me in the words of scripture.  May those words, Your words, sink into my heart and mind, coloring everything I see in the world.  In the name of Jesus, Who made the promise of life a reality, amen.

Copyright © 2017 by Steven R. Perkins

God Is Working Through You

March 20 (2 Corinthians 9:8)

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  (ESV)

Almost all of us have programs or apps running in the background that we have forgotten or were completely unaware of.  Sometimes I will check my phone and find apps operating that I have no recollection of opening.  Do you realize that God is always at work in your life, whether you realize it or not?

In a quite stunning away I came face to face with this recently.  Omitting the details, I will simply say that God showed me very clearly how He has been using my calling as a teacher to work in lives in ways I could not possibly have imagined, and I needed to see that.  I needed to have this peek behind the scenes, and He was gracious enough to give it to me.

When you question your calling or the value of your work or just call into question what you are doing with your life, consider this verse.  God is at work in all things and at all times so that you may abound in every good work.  If you have surrendered your life to Him then He is at this moment working through you.  What more could anyone want?

Father, I have doubts sometimes about what I am doing.  Am I truly doing all that You have called me to do?  Confirm Your calling in me.  Show me how Your purposes are being accomplished in my life so that with confidence I may run my race to the finish.  I pray this in the name of Jesus, Who for the glory set before Him endured all things, even the cross.  Amen.

Copyright © 2016 by Steven R. Perkins

Trusting God So You Can Answer His Call

December 6 (Philippians 4:19)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  (ESV)

I recently had the opportunity to join a team of Christians with a particular ministry focus.  I was one of three new members, and as I listened to the team speak words of affirmation concerning the outgoing members, one thought thundered through my mind.  “You do not belong here.”  This was no false humility.  I found myself sitting with varsity level Christian leaders.  The faith, the humility, the love, the grace, the Christ-centeredness of these people and their unswerving commitment to the ministry left me feeling little more than a spiritual gate crasher.

I realized as never before that I was not part of this organization because of any certain skills of my own.  Whatever my role would be on this team, whatever I could contribute, it would be God working through me to accomplish His purposes.  I could do no other than to adopt a palms-up posture and wait to see what He would do.

Do you have certain talents and abilities?  Great!  Thank God for those and let Him show you how to use them for Kingdom purposes.  At the same time, realize that He may call you to situations that lie well beyond what you think you are good at doing.  In such times remember that He will supply all that you need to accomplish what He has called you to do.

Thank You, Lord, for calling me to opportunities where I can serve You with the gifts I know You have given me.  I also make myself available to You for any other purpose.  I am Yours.  Direct me where You will.  I will obey, confident that You will give me what I need to do all that You ask.  In the name of Jesus, the rock and foundation of my faith, amen.

Copyright © 2015 by Steven R. Perkins