GPS-Pita Bread

JUN 16  / Sunday – Read 1 Kings 17:1-16

Overview: Bread was the most popular food in biblical times (50-75% of all calories), with over 300 references to it in the bible. But there’s more to this bread than meets the eye.

17 / Mon – Bread  |  Read 1 Kings 17:7-16

Popular cooking shows have captured the attention of many people. This summer series, Heaven’s Kitchen, will focus on how God uses food to accomplish His purposes and teach His truths. Bread (lechem) is mentioned over 300 times in the Bible. In this story, God used a widow to save Elijah’s life, and her own family, during an epic famine. It required faith and obedience to God’s unusual directions. In your life, when has God asked you to do something contrary to logic but you obeyed anyway? What happened?

18 / Tue – Daily bread  |  Read Matt 6:11 / 1 Kings 17:1-6

Jesus taught us to ask for our daily bread. Do you actually do this or are you confident you can cover the grocery bill? Elijah quite literally needed the food God provided to survive each day. What is the bread you need for today? If it’s not actually food on your table, maybe it’s money for bills or gas for your car or strength to get through the next 24 hours. Whatever the case, ask God to provide and watch what happens. Maybe the “ravens” are on the way right now.

19 / Wed – Bread from heaven  |  Read Exodus 16:11-15, 31

The newly freed slaves were well on their way to the Promised Land when they ran out of the food they’d brought with them. Their old life started looking more attractive and they began to grumble. God provided in a surprising way. There was no word in their language for this unique food. They asked, “What is it?” (in Hebrew- manna?) and the name stuck. It was God’s answer to this basic human need. What ‘bread’ from heaven have you received lately?

20 / Thu – Hunger  |  Read Deuteronomy 8:3 / Matthew 4:1-4

Bread represents essential nourishment for physical life. Jesus had not eaten for forty days and was hungry. What did the devil tempt him to do? And what was Jesus’ response? When you are experiencing some legitimate human need, do you ever hear that whispered suggestion to feed your ‘hunger’ in a way that does not honor God? What can you do in advance to prepare for those eventual temptations? Will you let that hunger draw you closer to God who is your Provider?

21 / Fri – When hunger has abated  |  Read Deuteronomy 8:10-14, 17-19

One thing about thinking you are a ‘self-made’ man or woman is the tendency to take all the credit. Everyone needs water, food, and shelter to survive. When you are struggling, it is obvious you need help and you may be quick to cry out to the Lord. But what about when you become successful in life and can provide for all these things and many extras as well? This passage contains an important caution. What can you do to avoid falling into this trap?

22 / Sat – Bread of life  |  Read John 6:30-35, 48-51, 66-68

More important than physical food is the spiritual food we all need. Jesus made this startling and sometimes confusing statement that was hard for people to understand. In John 1:1, Jesus is called the Word of God, and the words he spoke are filled with life. As we feed on his words, they help our spirits grow. What ‘words’ from the Word have you been reading and thinking about lately? How have those truths brought fresh life to your spirit? If you haven’t been ‘eating’ regularly, this might be a good time to get back to it.