“Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.  The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.  In this way I will test them and see whether they follow my instructions.” (Exodus 16:4)

My nature is very entrepreneural, meaning…I am about four steps forward of the center of the action, thinking of ways to maximize people’s skills, utilize for tomorrow what we are doing now and planning for a greater end result as we close out a project and move to the next one.  It trickles over into everything from daily planning, to finances, to team dynamics on the field, etc..  I am always thinking of ways to leverage my resources.

Recently…very recently, God has caused me to stop and remember a very basic part of being a child of God.  It’s not about the end results.  It’s not about tomorrow.  It’s, “Rex, need me today…utilize and enjoy what I have given you for  today, knowing whatever I supply is enough for today.  Confused?  How about this, “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)  When asked how to pray, Jesus told his Followers to ask God for the very same amount of Manna Israel was promised and given in Exodus.  This truth made me realize just how much God loves me counting on him for today and staying focused on his provision one day at a time…and take some time to simply enjoy it and marvel over all that God provides on any given day.

As a leader of a mission organization, seeking to reach two nations, mobilizing people and resources to help spread the Gospel…it’s easy to get caught up in “what I hope happens by the end of this year” and miss out on the WOW of God’s daily provision too.  I think God wants me to need him the same every day.  It’s not about whether we meet our budget goals or how many churches are planted in a given Nation…it’s about me trusting my God to supply, knowing what he supplies is enough and JUST enjoying that day with him!  Israel still had to leave their tents and collect the Manna…so it didn’t just come to them.  They had to labor.  No entitlement…pure provision for those who obeyed and collected.

I never realized just how much I was missing out on until God reminded to simply start my day with this prayer, “Lord, give me today my daily bread.  I pray to use what you are giving me today for your glory, knowing I will need you as much tomorrow too.”  When I pray these words, it causes my heart to stay focused on who my provider is and not to miss out on that which God wants to give me for just that day.  There is nothing wrong with planning and strategy at all.  But I cannot let it rob me of what God wants to provide for me today.

We Americans are so worried about tomorrow…I know this is true, I am one!  Here is what I am noticing that is starting to take place in my life.  The more I live within the “Manna” I am given today, it seems as though God is out about four steps in front of me, doing and preparing things I have tried to accomplish myself but have not been able to in the past.  Actually, it’s more like he is doing things I never dreamed could happen…far greater things than I could even think of with my entrepreneurial brain!

Now, this isn’t just for raising our financial support, running a mission organization or how to gain time in your day.  I cannot worship enough on a Sunday to satisfy a whole week!  It’s daily worship.  I cannot give a portion of my income on Sunday and not continue with the same giving heart each day till the next Sunday.  It’s daily giving.  I cannot pray enough on one day in order to not have to pray till the following week.  It’s daily prayer.

Here is a great quote that absolutely kicks hard against our culture, “You will never need more than God can supply.” J.I. Packer  So, do we live without savings?  Do we go without planning?  Nope!  But we do need to be satisfied with our daily bread.

What happened when Israel gathered more than God told them too…it rotted!  It’s not until I start enjoying “…my daily bread” did I realize how strong the odor was of my over collection!!!