(CLICK THE TITLE) Good morning everyone. Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, yes He is good. I was having a conversation with a friend a few days ago about the provisions of God. You see I had just finished an interview for a position in which I was told I was too qualified for and it upset my friend because he recommended me for the position. I just explained to him that it was not in God’s timing and that when it was He would open the right door. All of this reminded me of a message I shared a few years ago when I was going through a similar test, so I’m going to share it again today. Let it bless you.
Today’s Prayer
Father, I thank you for all the children in the world. Every one is precious, a heritage and gift from You. I pray for protection, guidance, good health, loving families, positive role models, and many blessings upon these children. So many are mistreated, Others are covered in love. Some are spoiled; others have nothing, not even bare necessities. Please reach out and touch them all, and meet every need in the way only You know how. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Receiving Only From God
The meal today deals with Abraham and Lot. Lot was Abraham’s nephew. Lot was part of Abraham’s household until the land on which they fed their flocks could no longer support their growing families and herds. Abraham allowed Lot to choose the land where he wanted to live. Lot chose the land of Sodom.
Afterwards, four kings invaded Sodom, and Lot’s family and goods were taken into captivity. When Abraham learned of this, he immediately gathered his best fighting men and pursued the armies to free Lot and his family. He was successful in freeing Lot’s family and the families of Sodom. The king of Sodom was grateful to Abraham for what he did and wanted him to keep the goods he recovered. Abraham had made a decision before the battle that he would only keep what he recovered for his nephew Lot, and goods as payment for the men who fought.
I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me-to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share. – Genesis 14:24
Abraham understood the principle of receiving from God. He was a man with great integrity in God. He didn’t want to be known as someone who became wealthy because of the kindness of a wicked king. He wanted others to know that whatever prosperity he gained was a result of the blessing from God’s hand alone. Abraham understood an important principle of receiving from God.
Jesus also modeled this principle by receiving only what His Father wanted Him to receive. God’s will for Jesus was to receive based on a carpenter’s wage even though He was the God of the universe who had access to all things. Imagine the discipline Jesus had to have, knowing what He could have had. He upheld His own financial integrity in God.
Each of us must discern what comes from the hand of God rather than the hand of man. As believers, there are situations that allow us to manipulate, sweat, and toil our way to profit. There is also profit as a result of hard work done in obedience to our calling to the workplace. Knowing the difference in these two concepts is a sign of integrity before God. Only God receives glory when we receive what God wants us to receive.
Are you receiving the fruit of your labor in God?
Ask God to show you the difference of these two concepts for your own life.
Quote of the Day
We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.
Elisabeth Elliot
WITH HOPE AND FAITH
REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY