In Matthew 6:11, the Lord Jesus taught us to pray to the Father in this manner - "Give us this day our daily bread."
The only problem with this prayer is that mankind - in praying this way - must acknowledge that God is their source of life and provision and that they are indeed dependent upon Him for both.
Most people do not want to acknowledge this truth because they know - in doing so - they will automatically become accountable to Him for the manner in which they live their life on this earth.
Interestingly enough, when Jesus started His ministry, He addressed the topic of - "bread." This is what He said to the people -
John 6:32-33,35,48-51,and 58 say - "...but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He Which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world...And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst ...I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world...This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever."
"...My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven..."
From this statement, can we conclude that there is "a false bread" which does not come from God or heaven?
Can we assume that it comes from the world, the flesh, and the devil and issues forth from the bowels of Hell?
We would all have to agree that Satan has a counterfeit for everything that God has.
Since God has His "bread from heaven," then it is only logical to believe that Satan has his "bread from hell" as well.
As we study the Scriptures, we find that there are various kinds of "bread" which every man is exposed to in his particular lifetime on this earth.
There is the "bread of tears" (Psalm 80:5) which typify a time of continual sorrow, great affliction, along with no comfort and peace. It is a time when the tears flow so copiously.
In Psalm 127:2, we read about the "bread of sorrows." This is the "bread" of care, anxiety, and trouble - gotten through much sorrow and labor.
Proverbs 4:17 tells us about the "bread of wickedness." This is enjoyed by those who live by flagrant vices - while stealing from others and getting things through wicked or unlawful means.
Proverbs 20:17 introduces us to the "bread of deceit" which includes all sin. Specifically, it refers to property unlawfully obtained or acquired by falsehood and without labor.
Proverbs 31:27 mentions the "bread of idleness." This is the "bread" eaten by those who waste their lives away in frivolity and pleasure rather than in the wise management of their time and resources.
Isaiah 30:20 speaks of the "bread of adversity" - "bread" symbolizing a time of calamity, distress, or want.
Ezekiel 4:13 tells us about "defiled bread" - the "bread" that God's so-called people partake of when they compromise their holy standards - exchanging or lowering them for the pleasures of this world.
The Prophet Malachi mentioned the "polluted bread" - the blemished sacrifices which the people of God tried to offer Him. This type of "bread" represented the people offering Him their "worst" instead of their "best" (Malachi 1:7).
Lastly, in 1 Corinthians 5:8, the Apostle Paul mentioned the "unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" which symbolized having a sincere love to God and His people.
In the midst of human life, Jesus stepped in and proclaimed - "...I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35).
In the midst of a lifetime riddled with pain, sorrow, tears, grief, and heartache - this certainly was a great offer for mankind to claim, and Jesus was certainly the Hero of the day!
After hearing His sermon for the day, the people chimed in in saying - "...Lord, evermore give us this bread" (John 6:34). But were they all serious or did they all have the same concept in mind of what they were asking from Him?
As we read through the account, we find that there were those who wanted Jesus' "bread" because they were sensual, covetous, idle, and vain. John 6:26 reveals their true motive - "Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled."
It would be great to have a continual supply of food without any charge...to never have to work for it...or to enjoy a life whereby things are so easily accessible.
Others who said - "Lord, evermore give us this bread" - were asking with a bit of skepticism in their hearts and derision in their voices. They really didn't believe that such a "bread" could be possible.
Then again, there were those whose eyes were opened to the Living Son of God - the "Bread from heaven" - and earnestly desired to live upon Him all the days of their life.
"This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:50-51).
Jesus is the "bread of life." He is the crucified Lord Whom every believer appropriates by faith. The "bread" that He offers quickens, strengthens, and satisfies the soul. It is "living bread." There is no death in it.
The Apostle John said this about Jesus in John 1:4 - "In Him was life..." In other words, He is the fountain of life - physically, morally, and eternally. He is the foundation of life - the principle or essence of it - to every living thing.
This being so - then we must ask ourselves a serious question - why is it that the description which the Prophet Isaiah drew in Isaiah 1:5 typifies so many in the church today - "...the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint"?
Why is the Church - generally speaking - so weak and spiritually sick? Why are many so wishy-washy in their convictions? Why can't they boldly stand for Jesus in this "politically correct" society? Why are they found - in many cases - "bowing down" to "Nebuchadnezzar's image"? Why are they so afraid of their enemies? Why are they "fainting in the day of adversity" (Proverbs 24:10)? Why are they "quitting their race" before reaching the finish line? Why are they "wearied with the footmen" - so soon tired in "a land of peace" where there is barely any noise or peril (Jeremiah 12:5)?
On what kind of "bread" are they feasting? Is it the "bread from heaven" or the "bread from hell"?
The answer is obvious.
If there is spiritual "death" lurking in a Christian's life or walk, it would only stand to reason that he has been partaking of the wrong kind of "bread." It is very probable that he has been partaking of the world's "dainties" as set forth by the "ruling" administration, the educational system, the entertainment world, the biased, liberal media, society as a whole, Hollywood, church denominations, or some false prophet in the Church.
The "bread" - that Jesus offers - gives and sustains life and makes strong.
If you find yourself drifting away from God or backsliding in your commitment of Bible Study and prayer, then there is a good chance that you are guilty of eating the "bread from hell" - which brings eternal death on your soul.
"Lord, evermore give us this bread."
Be careful when you pray that prayer. God is looking at the motive of your heart.
If you are going to settle for the "bread" that Jesus offers, then that means you are going to have to cast out any and all "bread" that comes from the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Are you willing to become "extreme" for God?
From this day forward, are you going to scrutinize what goes into your eye-gate and ear-gate and be sure that it is the "bread from heaven" that you are receiving into your soul and spirit?
Remember - if you partake of the "bread from heaven," you will never die spiritually.
On the other hand, if you feed your soul on the "bread from hell," you are already dying on the Vine (John 15:1-5).
"I am the living bread Which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever..." (John 6:51)
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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