From the Hayward church of Christ Bulletin

A Lifetime Supply of Provisions

  A lifetime supply of what you desire is a beautiful thought.  It would be one less thing to worry about on a list of many concerns. Almost every day that passes, I see something in my household that I lack. A quick run to the store solves the problem for that single day. A USPS worker recently told me that his route sees the same volume of mail daily as the Christmas holidays. We, in general, need stuff. Two years ago, there was panic at every store in America, as citizens rushed to stores to get supplies, not knowing what would happen in the upcoming days and weeks. I recall how grateful I was to have pancake mix, noodles, eggs, bottled water, and toilet paper in my possession. There is stuff that we want. However, we know how crucial it is to possess what we need to sustain human life.

 As I think about the things we do to sustain human life, I am reminded of the words of Jesus, “But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God " (Luke 4:4). Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 when Israel lived in the wilderness where they learned to depend on God for their daily bread. They did not have weekly, monthly, or yearly provisions. Unfortunately, a person who lives paycheck to paycheck is seen as an unstable person who does not have their fiancés in order. On the contrary, there are many days of provision that God has provided for you during those 14 days.

 God would have us long for real life, which is eternal life. No matter how well you feed your body, it will die. That is why we do not live by bread alone. God’s word breathes life” into us and every situation. Scriptures feed the soul that lives forever. It is time for us to go to sleep and wake up satisfied because of the Bible that we have in our possession. If we allow God’s word to saturate our hearts, we will have a lifetime supply of the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22). While the world panics and engages in hostile behavior, enjoy the lifetime of fruit, He provides, which will usher you into eternal life.

Courtney Henderson,  Publ. 3/26/2022