Do you know what all of these have in common?
- Barmbrack.
- Challah.
- Mantou.
They are all different types of bread.
Barmbrack is a traditional Irish bread made with raisins. Various objects are baked into the bread and used to tell the eater’s fortune.
Challah is a Jewish braided bread enjoyed on the Sabbath and on special holidays. Traditionally, the bread contains no dairy or meat, though sometimes it’s sprinkled with poppy seeds.
Mantou is a traditional Chinese bread that is steamed, not baked, so it has no crust. When served with sweetened condensed milk it makes an excellent dessert.
In the Gospel of Luke, the disciples ask Jesus how to pray and he answers with the famous Lord’s Prayer:
“Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11: 2-4)
The prayer features many different elements, but I was recently taken back by the simple request for daily bread.
What’s behind the petition?
Daily…
In Jesus’ time, people were hired on a day-by-day basis. A man could be hired to work on a vineyard today, but not tomorrow, or hired to take his boat out and fish tomorrow, but not the day after. This uncertainty requires trusting that God will provide the means of food each day to survive. [Tweet this]
Bread…
The Israelites fled from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. As the nation wandered in the desert waiting to enter the Promised Land, they wondered what they would eat. Would God provide? Each morning, manna-sweet bread that appeared like coriander-appeared on the ground like dew. The Israelites gathered the daily nourishment.
The twist?
Whenever the Israelites tried to keep the manna more than a day, the bread festered with wriggling maggots. Each day required its own trust that God provides. [Tweet this]
[Tweet “Today, ask God for daily bread. Choose to trust in his provision and timing.”]
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This week we are giving away THREE copies of Claire Diaz-Oritz and Samuel Ikua Gachagua’s new book, Hope Runs.
Claire is an author, speaker and technology innovator who has been named one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company. She is a frequent international speaker on social media, business and innovation and writes a popular business blog at ClaireDiazOrtiz.com. Find her via @claire on Twitter.
Sammy Ikua Gachagua was born in rural Kenya in 1992. After losing his family at a young age, he struggled to survive until he was placed in Imani Children’s Home in Nyeri, Kenya. In 2009 he received a full-ride scholarship to Maine Central Institute, granting him a rare U.S. visa and the chance to begin his sophomore year of high school under the guardianship of Claire Diaz-Oritz. Find him on Twitter @sammyikua.
Hope Runs is the emotional story of an American tourist, a Kenyan orphan, and the day that would change the course of both of their lives forever.
It’s about what it means to live in the now when the world is falling down around you.
It’s about what it means to hope for the things you cannot see. Most of all, it’s about how God can change your life in the blink of an eye.
To win a copy of Hope Runs, leave a comment on this original blog post at MargaretFeinberg.com. The winner will be selected and announced on Wednesday.
Congratulations to the winners: Tara Lanteri, Nancy Rhea, Asherita
How has God provided daily bread for you recently?
REMINDER: There are only FIVE DAYS until we kick off the Summer Bible Study here at MargaretFeinberg.com. We’re exploring how to hear God’s voice, the mysteries of unanswered prayer, and so.much.more. We want YOU to join us—It’s not too late! Click here to learn more.
Just today Margaret…after a sleepless night, thinking of a dear friend with a broken and crushed heart…I sat down for my quiet time, He is SO faithful when I show up for that savored meeting…I was reminded, how big my God is…and THAT just what I needed for TODAY. I know that is my prayer for the rest of today for my broken hearted friend. IF I win a copy if this book, I will have you send it directly to her! HUGS!
This is perfect for me today! My Dad recently died and each day is a challenge for for my family, especially my Mom. I am going to share this with her and I know she will be reminded of God’s plans to support her and provide for her. God’s “vine pruning” process is rarely fun, but very much worth it. Thanks Margaret!
This is amazing. Lately I was questioning why I deserve such love from God. He has given me so much to be thankful for. Just recently I thought of packing up and leaving the only place I know. I started being distant, deleting all tr posts, closing myself from many things, then I received many calls, texts and emails wondering if I was alright. Then I knew this is where my calling was and God has provided me with many caring. Loving people. I’m so glad I have Him in my life because I wouldn’t know where I would be. God can move mountains.
Thanks,
Deanna
I am so thankful for your post today, and Gods timing as always is perfect. After experiencing 2 car accidents in the past week, in one I was a rear seat passenger as we were rear ended, and in the other, after a tire blowout, the car lost control and hit another vehicle before hitting the guard rail head-on……..Needless to say, I am so thankful to be here, writing this and amazed at Gods miraculous protection!
I do need to hold on to hope, as the pain from my injuries is quite intense.
Thanks for reminding me that having hope in our God who will never leave us or fail us makes all the difference.
I have recently been stunned by provision – preset details of seemingly small significance in the days or weeks ahead of an event or hard situation have been critical to helping me through that unexpected event or situation.
Hope Runs looks like it will be a great read.
Interestingly enough, the “bread” I received this morning was from a new blog that I went to. My morning was teary as I realized that I had once again fallen back into some bad habits that I had turned to the Lord before and today God got my attention from some dear Christian blogger who turned my heart to lessons from Psalm 100. God is always there to give us what we need in His way and in His timing. Praise the Lord.
God consistently gives me peace in knowing that He has provided and will continue to provide for me and my family. Even when work hours get reduced. Jehovah Jireh My Provider!
God is so faithful to provide exactly what we need when we need it! The words from scripture and daily devotions almost always are what I need to hear for that particular day. Along with that, affirmations from something else you see or hear that day — just all fall into the same line of thinking. It gives you hope and strengthens your faith! It gives you courage to press on.
Ohhhh, I want that book so bad!
Gods timing is perfect. This would be a great read now for me. I hope I win
I remember going thru Kay Arthurs study on the names of God years ago & when God revealed himself to Abraham & Isaac as their Provider – our Jehovah Jirah. And of course, I will always remember his faithfulness in providing healing when diagnosed with thyroid cancer 13 years ago – Jehovah Rapha and then Jehovah Shalom, God of peace every 6 month checkup! He provides all we need in his perfect timing!
Still praying for those zeroes for you.
Hugs and prayers!!
Great post! I learned something new about the daily bread part in the prayer that Jesus shared. Thanks!
I love this reminder about the importance of trusting God each day for that day’s needs. I can’t really “bank up” trust ahead of time; each day requires faith and quiet trust, and that’s easier when I remember what God has done in the past.
He has literally provided for our daily bread through some unexpected financial blessings. He has provided too through days of rest.