What does it mean to cast your bread upon the waters? If we cast our bread upon the water, will not the water take it away? How then will we find it after many days?
We cast our bread upon the water by doing good not only to those we know, but especially to those we do not know, for just as scripture reminds us, we do not know the way of the wind, or the works of God who sees and knows everything, and just as we help those in need, God will send someone to help us in our time of need, and therefore, your bread that you have cast upon the waters, will then be returned to you.
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)
We read in Ecclesiastes chapter 9 that wisdom is better than strength, wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. My brothers and sisters in Christ, “Be ye therefore wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove, for wisdom brings success. A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart is at his left, even when a fool walks along the way he lacks wisdom and he shows everyone that he is a fool. The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up, the words of his mouth begin with foolishness and the end of his talk is raving madness. The lips of the righteous feeds many, but fools die for lack of wisdom. The lips of the righteous knows what is acceptable to God, but the mouth of the wicked knows only what is perverse.” Daily we are sent out as sheep in the midst of wolves, therefore, we must fear God to know his ways, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
It is good to give God thanks and praise and to declare God’s loving –kindness in the morning and his faithfulness every night; for you, O Lord, have me glad through you work, I will triumph in the works of your hands. Psalm 92
“O Lord, how great are your works! Your thoughts are very deep, a senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand.” Thank you, Lord, that you have blessed us with the understanding to know that you are the giver of all good things. Lord, you open your hands and shower us with blessings, blessings we could not earn or deserve. Who else could love us so much? Thank you, Lord, that you cover us with your love, you protect us with your care, show us how to faithfully serve you and do all such things which are pleasing to you, let us continually lift you up in praise, for you are worthy. Thank you, Lord!
He drew me out of many waters, he delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. Psalm 18: 16-17
“They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support, he also brought me out into a broad place, he delivered me because he delighted in me. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands, for I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God, for all his judgments were before me.” Praise the Lord!
Every setback we encounter in our lives is a set up for the future and God is in the midst. When Joseph’s brothers became envious of him and sold him into slavery, scripture tells us that God was with him, and what was meant to hurt him, God turned it around for good. Praise the Lord!
Lord, give us the faith and patience to believe, that, you are the giver of all good things and that you make no mistakes; for your ways are perfect. Lord, you promised us that your blessings do not come with trouble, therefore, if we believe your word and that you have predestined good things for us, we should not become faithless or fearful because your plan cannot fail; we just need to allow you O God, to work your purpose out. What we see as trouble along the way is just a test of our faith, to see if we would really trust God to bring his plan to completion. We are reminded in Acts chapter 7 verses 9-10 that when Joseph’s brothers became envious and sold him into slavery that God was with him, and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, who made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Was Joseph’s trouble a curse or a blessing? Think about this as God begins to work his purpose out in your life. His plans are not always straight, but he already knows the beginning and the end. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.
“All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my Guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.” Amen!
“All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread, gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living Bread; though my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be, gushing from the Rock before me, lo! A spring of joy I see. All the way my Savior leads me, Oh, the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised, in my Father’s house above, when my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day, this my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way; this my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way.” Thank you, Lord!
“Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?” Increase my faith Lord, to withstand my daily trials and whatever I ask in your name this day, let it be done according to my faith in you. Thank you, Lord!
The disciples came to Jesus and said, “Why can’t we cast it out?” Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief;” for assuredly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. (Matthew 17:19-21) Lord, give me such a faith as this, and give me the understanding to know how to pray aright, so that all that I ask, I will receive. This is my prayer this morning, grant it O Father, for Jesus Christ sake. Amen!
Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am Lord, send me.” Isaiah 6:8
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness, plant my feet where they should go, make an instrument of your peace, guide me O thou Great Jehovah; for you have called me by my name, you are ordering my steps, so, here I am Lord, send me. Show me where and how to reach out to those who are hurting, let me be a beacon to the lost soul, give me cup of encouragement Lord, to take to those who are discouraged. Lord, every day we look to you, and we understand, that you will position us where you want us to be, give us willing feet Lord, and able hands to do your will, bless us Lord, so that we may be a blessing to others. This is my prayer in Jesus name. Amen!
Lord, I have declared your ways and you answered me; teach me your statutes, make me understand the way of your precepts, so I shall meditate on your wonderful works. Strengthen me according to your word. Psalm 119
“Teach me O Lord, the way of your statutes and I shall keep it to the end, give me understanding, and I shall keep your law, indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart, make me walk in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it, incline my heart to your testimonies and not to covetousness, turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things, and revive me in your way, behold I long for your precepts, revive me in your righteousness. Let your mercies O Lord, also come unto to me, and salvation according to thy word.” Amen!