Bread

Introduction

G. Mueller and Prayer

Things looked bleak for the children in George Mueller’s orphanage at Ashley Downs in England. It was time for breakfast and there was no food. A small girl whose father was a close friend of Mueller was visiting in the home. Mueller took her hand and said, "Come and see what our Father will do."

In the dining room, long tables were set with empty plates and empty mugs. Not only was there no food in the kitchen, but also there was no money in the home’s account. The children were all standing around waiting for their breakfasts, and Mr. Muller said to them, "Children, you know we must be in time for school." He then lifted his head and prayed, "Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat."

Immediately, they heard a knock at the door. When they opened it, there stood the local baker. "Mr. Muller, I could not sleep last night. Somehow I felt you didn’t have any bread for breakfast, and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at 2:00am and baked some fresh bread and here it is." Mueller thanked him and gave praise to God.

Moments later there was a second knock at the door. It was the local milkman whose milk wagon had just broken down in front of Muller’s orphanage. He offered all his milk to Muller and the orphans so he could have his wagon hauled to the nearest repair shop. [Colin Whittaker, Seven Guides to Effective Prayer, S.v. "George Muller" (Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1987), p33.

Illus.: Statistics and Research: What are you willing to do for $10,000,000?" Two-thirds of Americans polled would agree to at least one, some to several of the following:

Would abandon their entire family (25%)

Would leave their church (25%)

Would become prostitutes for a week or more (23%)

Would give up their American citizenships (16%)

Would leave their spouses (16%)

Would withhold testimony and let a murderer go free (10%)

Would kill a stranger (7%)

Would put their children up for adoption (3%)

(James Patterson and Peter Kim, "The Day America Told the Truth," 1991.)

Matthew 6:9–13 NIV

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

God’s Faithfulness in the Ordinary

“Give” is divine generosity.

Philippians 4:19 “19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

God provides for our physical needs because he cares about us. God also provides our physical needs to highlight our spiritual needs.

Our stomachs go hungry without God. Our souls starve without God.

God not only offers satisfaction for our physical needs; God offers salvation for our spiritual needs.

No One Prays Alone

“Us” is mutual concern.

Philippians 2:4 “4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

This is not about me its about the family

This Day Is Enough — Because God Is Enough

“This day” is spiritual confidence.

Psalm 118:24 24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”

Proverbs 30:8–9 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

It is right to be wise about tomorrow.

It is wrong to be worried about tomorrow.

Matthew 6:34 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

God’s Provision Comes With My Participation

“Our” is personal responsibility.

You do not have to lie to get your needs met.

You do not have to cheat to get your needs met.

You do not have to hurt people to get your needs met.

You do not have to burn bridges to get your needs met.

You do not have to use others to get your needs met.

Colossians 3:23 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Proverbs 14:23 23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

“The Supply Is Daily Because the Relationship Is Daily

“Daily” is constant supply.

Luke 9:23 “23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

We Ask for Bread — And Trust the Giver for More

“Bread” is every physical need.