The Daily Bread Podcast

God -> Jesus -> Bible -> God

Most of what anyone says they believe about God, Jesus, the Bible itself is found in the bible.  Many skeptics will say it’s a circular argument.  Like trying to define a word by using the word itself.

I.e. If I were to teach you about Complementary angles and say “they are angles that are complements of each other.”  Well, you might follow that up with “what are angles that are complements of each other?” to which the answer would be “Complementary angles.”  Circular arguments don’t tell you anything.

So to say I believe the Bible is the truth because the Bible says it is, sounds like a circular argument.

However, the evidences of the bible are what validate the use of the bible to corroborate your belief.

From the Bible we learn about God and also His plan of salvation that includes Jesus, His Son.

I do this little exercise, and it wasn’t for this purpose, but it is a byproduct of doing this thing…

I journal bible things and date the entries

• I take notes and date the day I took notes
• I write my prayers down as I pray (many times, but not always) then date the prayer
• I draw pictures and use bible verses or bible language as the inspiration for the picture and date the picture.

Then as I open up a journal to use an empty page, I notice how long it was since I last journaled.

Journaling was the exercise that got me climbing out of a hole I dug myself in, and am still climbing out of.  But it got me focusing on God’s word, and my need for Him.  The dating of entries only led me to analyze… “MAN!!! It’s been a little while.”

There is a reason it’s called Daily Bread!!

We need God DAILY!!!

Exodus chapter 16

The Israelites have been wandering the wilderness for a few days/weeks, and they were concerned for what they would eat.  The previous chapter they were concerned for going three days without water… all the while being led by GOD!!  At any rate, they complained because they were filled with food in Egypt, and it would’ve been better had they died in Egypt because they were fed.

Uggghhhh - how frustrating people are…  self-reliance, such a dependence on their feelings.

I will work myself to death, but at least I have a nice car

I hate my job, but at least I have ________________ insert any temporal pleasure, anything that in reality, doesn’t have much depth to it.  

MATTHEW 4:4 - Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

But I digress…  God heard the people’s complaints and caused bread to rain from heaven, but he heard them very well…

They said “we ate bread to the full” so God put a requirement that everyone only gather enough for the day for them to be full, and “Let no one leave any of it till morning.”

This is such a man’s response to this… I’m guilty of this...  Hoarding or Stretching your blessings, trying to take something extra so you can have it later, or not eating until you’re full; thinking that you can split what you have to make it last another day, or two.  They thought they were clever, and created this false sense of security - It’s from God.  How can it go bad?  How can I be wrong from keeping some for the next day?  I don’t need to work tomorrow, I have enough for two days (three days, four…).

The stuff left until the next morning spoiled, worms and stank to high holy, and Moses was furious.

Paraphrasing Moses - “I told you to get what would fill you and not have any leftovers!”  “I told you there would be some daily!”  “Yet, you fools don’t listen, and think you know best!” “UUUGGGGHHH!”

So they realized God was serious, so they got for the day what they needed to be filled, and the rest of the manna melted.

Being thankful is easy for the big stuff, you have a car, house, job, family, friends, food, etc…

Being hateful or resentful or angry…

What about being thankful for the most basic, seemingly menial, things God has given you?!

• A new day
• Opening your eyes
• Every breath of each moment of your life

It would probably become extremely difficult to name all the things God has given us, without which we would likely be lost, helpless, hopeless or nonexistent. When we lose sight of the little things we’re blessed with, it’s incredibly easy to get entitled, or expectant, or lose our thanksgiving.

We know that when Adam was made, God breathed into him the breath of life that was put into his nostrils - Genesis 2:7

Let’s take a look at what breath given by God can do:  

• Jesus Breathed on the Apostles and they received the Holy Spirit! John 20:21-22
• The Valley of the Dry Bones -  Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. - Ezekiel 37:4-5
• Psalm 104:29-30 - When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

Science has told us that circulation of blood is dependent on, or the mechanism, that transfers oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body.

Science has also told us that oxygen and carbon dioxide are brought in and expelled with every breath you take.

We do not survive without breathing.  Life does not exist without the ability to breathe.  God gave us His breath, and it is His breath that sustains us.

Job 33:4 - the breath of the Almighty gives me life

Job 27:3 - As long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils

"You gotta give respect, to get respect!"

How do you respond when you're disrespected?

• Be Forgiving
• Focus on Doing What's Right
• Practice what you Preach
• Love your Neighbor

Go to God's Word to find what we are to do when faced with the daily difficult scenario of dealing with a disrespectful person.

You are your biggest enemy! How can we overcome self? What is our standard of life, that we live for or seek to achieve?

1) Blame - who's at fault when you're life is a mess?

2) Check your ego - what can I do to take accountability?

3) Walk in the Spirit - am I demonstrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life?

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.  Proverbs 16:18

Why is it so easy to admire longsuffering and patience in others, but refuse to exhibit it within ourselves?  Patience is like protection against wrongs like clothes do for the cold.  So just like when it’s cold you bundle up by putting on more layers, you have to gird yourself up and continuously layer yourself with patience.

Romans 12:12 - Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.