Living Grace Foursquare Church

It’s easy to trust in things we can see, our experience, what we (think) we know to be trustworthy.

1. Psalm 44: 4. You are my King, [c]O God; [d]Command victories for Jacob. 5 Through You we will push down our enemies; Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us. 6 I will not trust in my bow,

2. Ps 49: Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me? 6 trust in their wealth , 7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother

3. Ps 146: Praise[a] the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! 2 While I live I will praise the Lord;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3
Nor[b]a son of man, in whom there is no [c]help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish.

4. Ezekiel 13 When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die

Heidelberg Catechism 1563
Providence is:

The almighty and everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were, by his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth, with all creatures, and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, all things come not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.

“George Washington affirmed that the liberties of America are the object of divine protection.
During the war he had words for those who refuse to acknowledge this self-evident truth telling general Thomas Nelson a signer of the Declaration of Independence: ‘The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations (but it will be time enough for me to turn preacher when my present appointment ceases).’” The American Story, David Barton, Tim Barton

1. I have learned
2. This does not mean I’m a “Super Christian” that can do anything.

Paul knew how to be abased. “See here the state to which God permitted his chief apostle to be reduced! And see how powerfully the grace of Christ supported him under the whole! How few of those who are called Christian ministers or Christian men have learned this important lesson! When want or affliction comes, their complaints are loud and frequent; and they are soon at the end of their patience.” (Clarke)

Generosity is often the key to provision.

a. By being willing to give to Elijah first, she received more than she could have ever imagined!

b. Giving to the Lord first, despite my lack, honors God.

c. Scarcity on earth does not equate to lack of God’s provision!