Molded Bread

"Give us day by day our daily bread."---Luke 11:3 (NKJV)

"We are not cisterns made for hoarding..."---Billy Graham

I love bread...more specifically, O'Charley's rolls. As a matter of fact, although I have the blessing of a friend who is a manager of one (which gives me the favor of a free meal from time to time), I try not to "wear out my welcome". After all, Proverbs 25:17 (NCV) does warn us, "Don't go to your neighbor's house too often; too much of you will make him hate you."

Besides, one thing I have learned the hard way is that there is a BIG difference between being tempted (I Corinthians 10:13) and tempting oneself. For many years, I wondered what "lead us not into temptation" (Matthew 6:13) meant. I mean, doesn't the Word tell us that we should never say that we are tempted of God? (James 1:13). Oh, but a little trial and error have made things much clearer. Praying that simply means that we are requesting God to keep us away from any road, course or method that would try and tempt us. As a wise man once said, the Word is not so much a map as a compass.

However, I must confess, in hindsight, that I often found myself in some foolishness all because I didn't make it a point to pray this on a daily (shoot, sometimes hourly) basis. Christ definitely knew what he was saying when he told Peter, "'Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'" (Matthew 26:41) He didn't just say pray...he said to watch and pray. We must be on the lookout (Philippians 1:9-11) AT ALL TIMES for the things which can befall us. (Which is why married folks need to take full advantage of the GIFT [gift, people] that God gave them on a consistent basis...like Christ, Paul also knew what he was talking about. The Enemy can't "get in" without you letting him.---I Corinthians 7:5)

OK, so back to me and the bread.

As I've been taking better care of myself (uh, because I deserve it--Psalm 139:18)...as I've been learning just how much life and death lie in the power of my tongue (Proverbs 18:21), I've also realized that sometimes I tend to make absolute statements that aren't, well, absolute. (You can get into a lot of trouble that way....assuming a total thing when it's only a partial issue: "I'm bad with money" as opposed to, "I need help with saving"..."I can't stand people today" as opposed to "Rudeness really irks me"...moving on.)

So in my eternal (and internal) quest for balance, I had to ask my self if I really love bread...or if I love a certain kind of bread? I mean, I rarely even keep bread in the house. I can't even remember the last time I made a sandwich (and Ma, you'd be proud to know that I cook more now that I ever have). One of the main reasons being for the same reason why I don't buy milk often...it spoils before I can get to it-in it's entirety.

And here's where the semi-quickie message for today comes in.

I am at a place in my life now, where I love all of my friends. I don't use the word as loosely as I used to (John 15:13) and so I take the ones that I have very seriously (and so should you). Like a plant, friends need consistent, purposeful, loving attention and care...and, if you consider someone to be that, it should be a mutual exchange. (I could write all day on that!) Anyway, of all of the people in my intimate space, there is not a one that I leave a conversation with not feeling like I've learned something...that will BENEFIT me.

Not too long ago, off the cuff, one of my girlfriends (shout out to Rachel Hockett), in reference to me worrying about my future (Philippians 4:6-7) said, "Girl, don't hold Manna for more than a day."

"Rachel...what did you say?"

"I don't know...what did I say?" (Indeed, out of the heart, the mouth speaks. That chile has so much wisdom, she doesn't even always catch it...Matthew 12:34)

She was so right. When I got home, I reread the story of the Israelites and the instruction(s) that God gave them concerning the provision that he made via the miracle of Manna:

"Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily."---Exodus 16:4 (NKJV)

What I didn't catch until reading it that time was that God did it that way for a reason...to test them. Of course, the Israelites were buck wild...notorious for doing their own thing. (That goes to show you can be free from bondage physically, but if you're not mentally, you're still not---whole 'nother message!) Even though they were told to gather every day, except on the Sabbath (kinda like the command even now---Exodus 20:8-11, Hebrews 4), due to rebellion, a lack of trust, or both, some hoarded Manna for longer than that. The Word goes on to say that when they did, worms infested the food and it began to stink. They weren't supposed to gather for what they thought they would need later...they were supposed to gather for what they needed now. (Exodus 16:15-31)

I think I've shared before that it was a real eye-opener for me when, after reading the Lord's Prayer and looking up "bread", I realized that so many times, I have been just like those crazy Israelites.

Bread: a staple food made from flour or meal mixed with other dry and liquid ingredients, usually combined with a leavening agent, and kneaded, shaped into loaves, and baked; something that nourishes; sustenance; means of support; livelihood; informal terms for money.

Synonyms: daily food, necessities, nurture, provision

Christ instructed us to pray TO GOD (Luke 11:2) THROUGH HIM (Colossians 3:17) for our DAILY bread; for what we need TODAY...the food we need today, the means of support we need today, the money we need today...even the nurturing we need today. (Which is why a lot of wives could stand to back up just a bit on their husbands. Is it that he never loves on you...or is it that today, you would like some extra special attention? Again, watch the absolutes...tomorrow will bring about another set of needs...be clear on what you are requiring RIGHT NOW---Proverbs 27:1...before your hoarding spoils it all!)

There have been so many times when God has provided me with something specifically for a certain day: an unexpected phone call...a surprise lunch...a card...an on-time freelance check (trust me, a miracle within itself)...a well-timed visit from an old acquaintance...even a promise in scripture or a "throwback devotional" that fit the need for right where I was at the time. And, like the Israelites, I would hoard it.

Shellie, that person "found" themselves off yesterday because I wanted them to take you to lunch to speak into your life, but they have to work TODAY....quit calling them.

Shellie, that check came in the mail to pay the rent that you were worried about on yesterday. Why would you think I would provide for that and not for the tax installment TODAY?

Shellie, I took you to those verses of scripture because you had a dilemma with that particular editor...don't use those words out of context for the discussion you are having with a different one...TODAY.

Take it from me, when you don't purpose in your mind to release the past so that you can receive the present, an experience that once seemed as sweet as honey (like Manna), can become a real stinker. What was meant to bless you can end up being more of a curse all because you did not discern the time and judgment of when to use it...and when to let it go. (Ecclesiastes 8:5)

Have you ever let a loaf of bread mold? Isn't it amazing how something that is initially meant to nourish you, over a course of just a few days, because you did not use it when you were supposed to, can then play a significant role in making you sick? When it comes to people, places, things, ideas...even memories (which is mostly to be used as life lessons), I must admit that I have held on to them and their present-day purpose (because purposes for things can change on a daily basis...and often do) longer than I should...for the same reasons as the Israelites; sometimes in rebellion (if it was that good on yesterday, surely it will be that good today no matter what God says); sometimes due to a lack of trust (what if God forgets about me today?).

But my logic never adds up to God's way of doing things. I've got an IQ in the triple digits, but when I try to get around God, I get "caught up" every time. (I Corinthians 3:19). When Christ said that we should ask for our DAILY needs, he meant it.

I'm sure it was no coincidence that a story was told with so much detail in the Old Testament about one's daily needs being met and then in the New Testament, Christ instructed us to ask that same God that provided for the Israelites for our daily needs. (Which is why you should take THE ENTIRE BIBLE into account. (2 Timothy 3:16) Again, as always, for those who love God, all things work together. (Romans 8:28)

So, have you asked God for your daily bread TODAY? If not, you should. He knows what you need even before you ask (Matthew 6:8), but he still wants you to ask (Matthew 18:19 & 21:22). There's a humility that comes in asking (I Peter 5:6-7).

On the other hand, if you think you don't need to ask because you are still holding on to yesterday's provision, take it from the testimony of me and the Israelites...yesterday's blessing on today's needs...it just doesn't taste the same. It's not as sweet and it's not meant to be.

It was for yesterday...the past...a memory...a dead moment in time.

Today is a new day. Let God do a new thing (Isaiah 43:19)....you, Manna-n-all.

After all, you are what you eat. Eat TODAY...eat LIFE. (John 10:10)

©Shellie R. Warren/2008