Review – the steps

• ●  Everything starts on the top stair – Abiding
• ●  If I start as a negotiation I am obeying for the wrong reason –to get or to earn
• ●  I start without power or ability if I don’t start with a relationship with God
• ●  I start with surrender –repentanceMatthew 6:9–14 (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.’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.Ephesians 1:7–10 (NIV) 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

1. You give us our daily bread – He is the giver of good things

• ●  Acknowledging that what we have comes from Him
• ●  It’s His and I am the steward
  Deuteronomy 10:14 (NIV) 14 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.
  Colossians 1:15–18 (NIV) 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
  James 1:17 (NIV) 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.2. Me–Us

● You know me and our brothers and sisters
2 Corinthians 9:10–11 (NIV) 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

3. Bread – what is needed –the basic sustenance Thoughts

1. I often take the basics for granted – it’s not enough – rather we should say we need it – you give it –it’s enough –thank you
2. What I pray about and don’t pray about reveals what I think about what I already have
3. I can and will live with the essentials with joy
4. Prayer reveals what I believe is worthwhile – Anything else is extra
5. He is enough spiritually – He is enough physically
6. Don’t compare your life to others – trust Him to be enough and know you well enough –HE is your Father

Matthew 4:4 (NIV) 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
John 6:32–34 (NIV) 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV) 10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

4. Daily –Take care of my today – the food necessary for my sustenance

• ●  He wants us to communicate with Him daily – time –relationship
• ●  Prayer reveals reliance on God
• ●  to control or know –fear/anxiety
• ●  Trusting He paid for our past –believing He will take care of our future
• ●  Confidence creates hope for tomorrowJames 4:13–17 (NIV) 13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
  Deuteronomy 8:1–3 (NIV) Psalm 23:1–6 (NIV) Philippians 4:4–13 (NIV)The Lord is actually counteracting the way the enemy works

• ●  Trust yourself – you do it for yourself
• ●  Bread isn’t enough – you need more
• ●  You can’t trust God for tomorrow
• ●  You can do a better jobFor Small Group Discussion
  Opening Question: What were you most tempted to “store up” during 2020?Main Point: When we worry too much about storing up or accumulating, it leads to selfishness. The more we rely on God, the more we get to rejoice when He provides.Main Scripture: Matthew 6:11Head Questions

• ●  Where else in scripture do you see God providing for our daily needs?
• ●  What daily needs do you have currently in your life? Heart Questions

• ●  When have you seen God’s provision in your life?
• ●  What role does self-reliance play in your life? Where do you get to exercise God-reliance? Hands Questions

• ●  What do you have an abundance of that brings you a feeling of security?
• ●  How can your prayer life begin to reflect more God-reliance and less self-reliance? Additional Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21, Deuteronomy 8:11-18, 1 Timothy 6:17Questions about prayer?Email [email protected] and we will address your questions throughout the series and through additional podcasts.
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