Jehovah Jireh     Wednesday 7th March

“A true knowledge of God and our identity in Him are the greatest determinants  of mental health” Neil Anderson ( Author of The Bondage Breaker)

The name we are studying today comes from Genesis 22:1-18

Jehovah Jireh , the LORD our Provider

God was testing Abraham, not to trip him up but to deepen his capacity to trust and obey God and thus refine his character. God’s work in our lives is to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:29 “ For He knew all about us before we were born and He destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of His Son , Jesus Christ.”

NB The parallel between the ram offered on the mountain as a substitute for Isaac and Jesus Christ offered on the cross as a substitute for us. God stopped Abraham offering his son but God did not spare His Own Son from dying on the cross for us so that we are spared from eternal death and instead receive eternal life.

Hebrews 11:17-19

Abraham responded to God’s word. Faith comes from hearing God’s word ( Rom 10:17) We have amazingly powerful words of God spoken to us. Do we trust and obey?

Matthew 6:25-34  Seek first the Kingdom of God!!

Phil 4:19 “ And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Read this scripture in context . Paul was speaking about being content whether well fed or hungry, in plenty or in want,able to do all things through Christ ’s strength. His strength is given to us so that we’ll be strong enough to do His will. Psalm 37:4 “ Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life and He will provide for you what you desire most.” The essential principle to receiving God’s provision is our obedience. Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey!

Are you obedient in

Tithing?  Many in the church argue that this is an Old Testament law but I see it as more of a gift. Malachi 3:6ff  There is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle our money. ! Timothy 6:10 “ Loving money is the first step towards all kinds of trouble. Some people run after it so much that they have given up their faith.  Craving more money pushes them away from the faith into error, compounding the misery in their lives” Money is essential in this world but our attitude to it determines whether it is a blessing or a curse.money than the

In Luke 3 John the Baptist instructs the people wanting to be baptised to share with the poor, not collect more tax than the fixed amount and to be satisfied with their wages. Luke 19:8-10  Zacchaeus was a wealthy man who was so touched and overwhelmed by Jesus that he said “Half of all that I own I will give to the poor. And Lord if I ahhve cheated anyone, I promise to pay back four times as much as I stole. Jesus said to him “This shows the today life ( salvation)has come to you and your household, for you are a true son of Abraham. The Son of man has come to seek out and give life to those who are lost.”

Back to Malachi. God says “See if I won’t open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so great that you won’t be able to contain it.”

God delights in the prosperity and well being of His servants Psalm 35:27; Deut 8:18; 2 Cor 9:6-15

Relationships Do you show love and generosity to those in need?

Marriage Husbands are you loving your wives? Love is a verb and your prayers will be hindered if you treat her harshly. Wives are you respecting your husbands, adapting yourselves to them, admiring them?

Are you being harsh with your children? are you honouring your parents?

Forgiveness Is there bitterness in your life? do you hold grudges? seek revenge?

Prove Me now by this says the Lord in Malachi. Test Me in this. I know of nowhere else in the bible where God says test Me. Its not about how much we give its about our hearts. We have only one life. It makes sense to invest in the kingdom of God Because its smart. Because you’ll never see a horse with a trailer.You can’t take it with you so send it on ahead. Psalm 49: 16 & 17 “ Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendour of his house increases for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendour will not descend with him.” Jehovah Jireh provides salvation but also significance, security, acceptance and self worth .

Col 1:27 CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY 

WH Spurgeon said in a sermon on the     12th Oct 1884 “ THE CONFIDENT SPEECH OF A BELIEVER IS AKIN TO THE LANGUAGE OF A PROPHET.”

Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, His grace is sufficient for me , for me , for me x2 My God shall supply all my needs, according to His riches in glory, He gives His angels charge over me, Jehovah Jireh cares for me , for me , for me.