God Has Already Made Provision

Main Text: Matthew 6:25-32

This morning as I pulled up into my driveway after returning from the gym, I found myself smitten by these two graceful little birds with red, gray, and white colors sitting on one of the trees in front of my porch. I stayed in my vehicle for at least five minutes, watching these birds feed on the tree's fruits. It wasn't unusual to see birds on trees, but I got carried away this Monday morning watching them for some strange reason. As I was watching and admiring these little birds, God's word in Matthew 6: 26 was immediately dropped in my spirit, man. I began asking myself, "if the Lord, in his infinite mercy and greatness, provides for these birds and other animals daily, how come human beings who are made in His image are starving all over the world today? Why should people be hungry for food and lacking necessities like clothing and shelter? This should not be happening in our world! The Lord God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, gave man authority to rule over the earth, to have dominion over everything, and yet we are struggling to eat and provide for ourselves and others. From the very beginning of creation, the Lord has provided all that we need to thrive on this earth; all He requested for us to do is be good stewards of it. And so, the questions we should ask ourselves is, what has happened to the command God gave us? Why are so many people lacking the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, etc., in the world? Why are children going hungry? Where have we missed the mark? We have no reason to lack any of these things because our heavenly Father has made provision for His children.

Friends, we are created in the image of God, and His word even tells us Matthew 6: 26b, "Are you not of more value than they?" meaning we, as His image-bearers on earth, are more valuable and precious than the birds of the air which He created and consistently provides for. And so you and I have no reason to lack anything, most especially the basic needs of life, because He has made them available to us.

If you read the entire main text, you will see there is no reason for us to be anxious about anything, for the Lord God has made provision for His children. There is no reason that humankind should go hungry because God has provided more than enough to meet our needs. Unfortunately, we are living in terrible times, the last days, and things are drastically changing worldwide. Poverty can be seen even in the wealthiest countries of the world. It is disheartening to see how many children go to bed hungry and how many do not have adequate clothing or safe housing.

Friends, this holiday season, I am encouraging you to utilize this opportunity to share the love of Christ with the world we live in. It is time for you to be your brother's keeper. It is time for you and me to better show love to those in need by giving our time and resources.

You may ask. "How do I go about this?" I have never given in the past."

You can first of all start by researching the local non-profit organizations in your area. Also, consider going through your church first to see if they have a ministry they work with that caters to helping the needy and the sick in your community. Most churches will have a department that handles that. 

Ways to help include:

• Volunteering in your community to serve in the following areas

1. The soup kitchens & food banks

2. Feeding people experiencing homelessness in shelters

3. Distributing & delivering food, clothing, personal hygiene

4. Donating toys and other items to local charities that care for children.

5. Hosting holiday events in homeless shelters, skilled Nursing facilities, retirement homes, etc.

• Donating financially to support the groups and ministries that provide for those in need.

• Donating in Kind (i.e., food items, clothing, shoes, personal hygiene, etc.) to local charities and organizations that support those in need.

• Through prayers and sending of cards and letters encouraging the missionaries, the workers in the field (in your communities and globally), and those providing for those in need through their donations.

Beloved, as Christians, there is no excuse not to be a blessing to others, no reason not to sow in the lives of others, especially those who are hurting, hungry, and in need of the essential things of life.

Let us genuinely be the arms and feet of Jesus in our communities, and as you do so, it will not only transform the lives of those you serve, but it will also make the heart of the FATHER glad. And His name shall be glorified through your good works. Matthew 6:15.

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Choose Today Whom You Will Serve: GOD or SELF

Main text: Joshua 24:15 

Supporting Text: Hebrews 11:25

As individuals, our lives are typically centered on decisions we make every single day both individually & and as a group (as in personal relationships, family settings, etc.). We make choices in different situations ranging from simple things like what we will have for dinner tonight, to a more complicated decision such as choosing the right home to purchase. Whatever decisions we make; it is either going to end up as a positive experience or negative experience for us over time.


What do we mean by "Choice"?

The dictionary's definition of choice is an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.


Friends, everyone has been given free will by the Lord God, whether you believe in His existence or not. You and I have been given the power to choose between right and wrong, but know this, whatever decisions you make, will either make or mar (negatively impact) you. The choices you select shapes who you become over time.

Although human beings have been given the ability to make choices, we also have the responsibility to choose wisely. If you do not choose carefully, some consequences will negatively affect you at some point or the other. Throughout the Old Testament, you can see how the children of God suffered greatly in the hands of their enemies as a result of their poor choices, poor decision making.



Have you ever examined yourself before, the choice words you use when you are talking about your life, what you want to accomplish?


For example,

If you find yourself saying this,

When I finish with this, I am doing this, this and that, in five years, I must get this and that done. I will move to x location and will do this and that... It's I, I and I (self). Does this sound like flesh talking? Not to say there is anything wrong with wanting to be successful in your activities here on earth. It is a pleasant thing! And it is the Lord's desire for us to prosper and be in health.    3 John 2      


But my question to you is;


In all your wanting to do this or that…Have you ever included God in your conversation, your decision making? Have you ever said, "Lord show me your will for my life"? Or   "Lord, if it's your will, let me do this and that within this x period for I know your plans for me are good and not of evil." Jeremiah 29:11.



When you try to accomplish things without God's direction or approval, and it backfires, guess who you come running to or blaming for your failures?

GOD.

Human beings, even the ones who claim He doesn't exist, blame him for every single thing that happens to them.


As believers, the question you should ask ourselves when it comes to making choices in your lives are "This decision I am about to make or take, does it align with God's will"? Am I aiming to please God or please myself?

You must be true to ourselves and be ready to take ownership of the choices you make both good and bad.  

At some time in our lives, most of us have made decisions that negatively affected us. Some of us are still being impacted today by the choices we made years ago or months ago. I have made some unwise decisions in my life that has cost me dearly. I refused to allow the Lord to lead and direct my path even when He kept tugging at my inner man. As a result, I suffered the consequences of my actions; I owned my mistakes and had to repent and seek the Lord's forgiveness. 1st John 1:9. The Lord is faithful, the God of a second chance gave me another chance, and many things previously lost as a result of my disobedience and selfish acts were restored. Our God is merciful!



Joshua in our main text called on the children of Israel to choose this day whom they will serve, God or idols?  He was basically telling them to put away all these idols, fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully and if they have a problem with serving God, they need to make a choice right now, you can’t serve both God and idols.  As for him (Joshua) and his household, they will be serving the Lord for the rest of their lives.  

Beloved, in every moment of your existence, you have a choice to make. Which choice will you make today?

Are you prepared to let go of self and serve God?

Are you ready to surrender totally to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and let Him live through you?

Are you ready to put your complete trust in Him and allow Him to direct your path?



The decision you make today will prepare you for eternity, either way, the fundamental question is which direction of eternity? heaven or eternal separation from God (hell)?  I pray you will make the right decision today; 


Choose heaven, choose eternal life,

Choose today to serve God and not-self.



Shalom