The Habit of Recognizing God’s Provision

May 16th, 2012 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

. . . you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . —2 Peter 1:4

We are made “partakers of the divine nature,” receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. Then we have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing godly habits. The first habit to develop is the habit of recognizing God’s provision for us. We say, however, “Oh, I can’t afford it.” One of the worst lies is wrapped up in that statement. We talk as if our heavenly Father has cut us off without a penny! We think it is a sign of true humility to say at the end of the day, “Well, I just barely got by today, but it was a severe struggle.” And yet all of Almighty God is ours in the Lord Jesus! And He will reach to the last grain of sand and the remotest star to bless us if we will only obey Him. Does it really matter that our circumstances are difficult? Why shouldn’t they be! If we give way to self-pity and indulge in the luxury of misery, we remove God’s riches from our lives and hinder others from entering into His provision. No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges— always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives.

 

Before God becomes satisfied with us, He will take everything of our so-called wealth, until we learn that He is our Source; as the psalmist said, “All my springs are in You” (Psalm 87:7). If the majesty, grace, and power of God are not being exhibited in us, God holds us responsible. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you . . . may have an abundance . . .” (2 Corinthians 9:8)— then learn to lavish the grace of God on others, generously giving of yourself. Be marked and identified with God’s nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time.

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May 16, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, your promise here is very clear; that You will provide for our every need so that we will have plenty for ourselves and to give to others. I have learned through experience that it is not easy to hold onto to that promise until it is all that we have to hold on to. It is easy to say we trust You to meet all our needs, when we have no need. It is when I am truly in need that I learn to trust You completely.

And God says…”You could and would not learn to live in my hope and faith, without circumstances that require you to do so.  When you can meet all your own needs, you rely and trust yourself. When your health is good, bank account full, and your family’s wants and needs met, it is hard for you to experience my love, hope and provision. Your trials and difficulties and yes, the pain and uncertainty of your life create the megaphone for our communications. Notice how closely we are aligned and connected during difficult times? Here is where you learn to trust Me with all aspects of your life and where you build up a storehouse of faith, hope, love and grace…enough to give away.”

James 1: 2-7 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.

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