Exodus 16:  MSG
14  When the layer of dew had lifted, there on the wilderness ground was a fine flaky something, fine as frost on the ground.
15  The Israelites took one look and said to one another, man-hu (What is it?). They had no idea what it was. So Moses told them, “It’s the bread GOD has given you to eat.
16  And these are GOD’s instructions: ‘Gather enough for each person, about two quarts per person; gather enough for everyone in your tent.’”
17  The People of Israel went to work and started gathering, some more, some less,
18  but when they measured out what they had gathered, those who gathered more had no extra and those who gathered less weren’t short—each person had gathered as much as was needed.
19  Moses said to them, “Don’t leave any of it until morning.”
20  But they didn’t listen to Moses. A few of the men kept back some of it until morning. It got wormy and smelled bad. And Moses lost his temper with them.
21  They gathered it every morning, each person according to need. Then the sun heated up and it melted.
22  On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, about four quarts per person. Then the leaders of the company came to Moses and reported.
23  Moses said, “This is what GOD was talking about: Tomorrow is a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to GOD. Whatever you plan to bake, bake today; and whatever you plan to boil, boil today. Then set aside the leftovers until morning.”
24  They set aside what was left until morning, as Moses had commanded. It didn’t smell bad and there were no worms in it.
25  Moses said, “Now eat it; this is the day, a Sabbath for GOD. You won’t find any of it on the ground today.
26  Gather it every day for six days, but the seventh day is Sabbath; there won’t be any of it on the ground.”
27  On the seventh day, some of the people went out to gather anyway but they didn’t find anything.
28  GOD said to Moses, “How long are you going to disobey my commands and not follow my instructions?
29  Don’t you see that GOD has given you the Sabbath? So on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. So, each of you, stay home. Don’t leave home on the seventh day.”
30  So the people quit working on the seventh day.

Matthew 6:  KJV
9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11  Give us this day our daily bread.
12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

This article is somewhat a departure for me in that I have never used the above two passages together in a sermon or in teaching.  I have used them seperately on occasions.

Anyone who has known my ministry in the past knows that I am not one who follows trends, popularity, or the newest dogma being taught behind the pulpits around the world.

I have been known to build up a congregation, but, if I overstayed I could easily tear it down.  Reason, I was green in many areas of my ministry.  Oh yes, I strived to get it right, I would study and I would pray, but, there were things that were abrasive in my personality that would get me into troubles.  Those troubles left me with many bruises and scars spiritually, but now those same hurts are what is causing a new growth in my life.

Before I ever would preach a sermon I had the discipline to study the Word of God.  I did not have the luxury of attending a great Seminary/Bible School.  I did not have access to the best commentaries or Bible dictionairies, it was just me and an Bible that my maternal Grandmother gave me when I was.

Over the many years now there are certain precepts and concepts that I have learned to be true and timeless.

• God is not a liar – Numbers 23: MSG  19  God is not man, one given to lies, and not a son of man changing his mind. Does he speak and not do what he says? Does he promise and not come through?
• God’s Word is a Sure foundation – 2 Peter 1:19-21 MSG
  19  We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard—God’s glory, God’s voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts.
  20  The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion.
  21  And why? Because it’s not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God’s Word.
• God never Contradicts Himself – Here is what I am trying to convey.  Always use Scripture to interpret Scripture.  Anyone, including myself can take a text, take it out of context and make it pretext.  If a thought in Scripture is truth from God it will bear itself out from Genesis to Revelation by foreshadows, Moses lifts up the rod a type of Christ being lifted up on the cross. (Numbers 21: MSG 9  So Moses made a snake of fiery copper and put it on top of a flagpole. Anyone bitten by a snake who then looked at the copper snake lived.)  Also, through the Bible we have what is known as types.  Joshua was a type of Christ.
• Man’s Prophecies Do Not Supercede God’s Word – I have been alarmed lately of a trend spreading through North America where those behind pulpits saying God has given them a “new Word”.  As they go about to expound on this “new Word” when examined under the microscope of God’s Word it is found to be of error and mistruth.  We also have those who travel through the country giving “personal prophecy” over some in the gathering.  The “personal prophecy” either is too general so that it could fit almost everyone there, or, again under examination of the Word of God is full of error and mistruths

Now let us examine the two portions of Scripture at the beginning of this article.  In previous articles I have mentioned my opinion on the “prosperity gospel” and how that it is a false doctrine straight from the pits of hell.  It is a doctrine of greed, self-worth, hoarding, and much more.  I have also mentioned the only one prospering from that doctrine is the false teacher/preacher/evangelist who is expounding it.  I speak this from experience.

Please pay attention to the theme in both passages of Scripture and you will see that it is one thing and one thing only.

Ask and take only for what is sufficient for today.

To futher emphasize this listen to what Christ himself spoke:

Matthew 6:28-34 KJV
28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

When I gave up the false doctrine of greed my life changed in such a dramatic way that even to this day I am amazed of things that have transpired.

Examine the instructions that Moses gave to the people about the “manna”(bread of heaven). When followed exactly everyone had all they needed.  Those who did not follow the Word from God found that the “manna” spoiled and it rotted and stank.  They were to only gather enough for the day.

There was only one exception, the Sabbath.  On the Sabbath they were to gather double the amount of “manna” for two days.  No more, no less.

Fast forward, Mount of Olives and Christ is asked by the disciples to teach them how to pray.

The key was this, Christ did not speak of some new thing, He confirmed what God had already spoken way back there in the wilderness about the “manna”.

The key verse in Matthew I feel, and it is my opinion, it is verse 11.  “Give us this day our daily bread.“

Let me know give a word to young ministers, all of my lessons did not come in one sitting at the Word of God.

As a matter of fact, I was laying in my bed last night thinking about what to write for the new year when this message came into my spiritual heart.

Young minister do not hurry to a ministry for the road is full of pitfalls and dangers with detours at every bend.  So many seem they are barely out of the waters of baptism and jumping into ministry with very little knowledge at hand.  Those are the ones who when you look later in years cannot be found.

My advice is to get rooted in a home church under the toutledge of a seasoned Pastor/teacher.  Your ministry will wait for you.  Amazingly when the time is at hand your own pastor will know of assurance himself that you are ready.

Respect the offices of the elders, you may not respect the person in the office, but, you must respect the office he holds.  This truth I learned from my overseer in the Church of God in Christ after I was already pastoring a church.

Never take the attitude you know everything there is to know about the Scriptures for you are only fooling yourself and it will come back to bite in the future.

Every time that I have followed the prompting of God’s Holy Ghost I have found a nugget of truth that I have never known before.  Oh, it had always been there, but, maybe I was not ready or have the ability of understanding yet to grasp it.  There is a season for everything.

If someone would have said to me that I would write sermons or articles like this one I would have paid no attention.  I never wrote out my sermons, but, I did Study and pray.

 I left the ministry because I was a total burnout.  Always trying to raise finances, going from place to place and my health was also starting to suffer.

So, here I am sitting in front of my laptop in my one bedroom mobile home happy and content, bills all paid and able to study the Word of God without any clutter from the outside world.

So, in the new year 2018 make it your goal to get all of God you can.  Store His Word in your heart and cleanse yourself from all things that would hinder your walk with God.

All you need is your daily bread!