Basilea Schlink teaches that living in childlike dependence on God the Father leads to experiencing His daily provision and abundant blessings even in times of hardship. This sermon emphasizes the experience of God's provision in daily life, highlighting the importance of seeing God as a loving Father who is always ready to give good gifts to His children. It shares a testimony from the Lutheran Evangelical Sisterhood in Germany, showcasing how they faced financial difficulty but witnessed miraculous provision when they chose to live in total childlike dependence on God. The message encourages trust, dependence, and waiting upon God for blessings, drawing parallels to the birds of the air in Matthew 6:26.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. Do these words resound throughout our daily life because we experience his provision in the smallest details? If you long to experience God as a father who is always ready to give good gifts to his children, listen to the testimony taken from the experiences of the Lutheran Evangelical Sisterhood, whose home is on the little land of Canaan in Darmstadt, Germany. We sisters were facing a time of great financial difficulty.
It was near the end of the month, and bills amounting to $1,250 had to be paid on the 30th. And yet, at the last minute, God not only provided the necessary money in a miraculous way, but also provided the money for a very much-needed garden machine, which we had prayed about for a long time. At that time, Mother Basile was gripped by a desire to become still more dependent on the Father in Heaven, to become still poorer, in order to give him more opportunities to glorify himself.
So many people no longer look upon God as a father, nor expect anything from him. In our times, perhaps as in none before, there is a tendency towards independence, materialism, and godlessness. Mother Basile felt impelled to live in total childlike dependence on him.
It was as though God was drawing us to a way of life totally opposite from the spirit of our times. We were to be like the birds of the air, which Jesus talks about in Matthew 6.26, and yet the Heavenly Father feeds them. And so it became clear that our daily meals should be prepared from food that would be given to us, plus the harvest from our own garden.
God has dealt with us through the years in many situations. We had experienced how he pours out his blessings when we wait upon him and expect everything from him. Now we were to experience an even fuller measure of blessing.
This meant that we had to trust him in more areas of our life. We had to become even more dependent upon him. And so we started out on this pathway, seeking wherever we could to use all our money for the kingdom of God, and not for food and personal needs.
In this way, he would receive the greatest glory from us. We have gone this way now for many years, and have experienced the Heavenly Father's blessings day by day. We've actually been fed from the Father's hand, like the birds of the air.
And so we want to testify to his goodness. Especially we would like to help strengthen the faith of those whose hearts are full of anxiety at the thought of coming distress or times of famine. As Isaiah 64 verse 4 says, we have a God who works for those who wait for him.
I praise your kindness, O my heart is filled with your love, so I will bless you. You have been listening to a program written by Vassilee Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet.
If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.
Sermon Outline
I
Introduction to God's active presence today
Testimony of financial difficulty and miraculous provision
Desire to deepen dependence on the Heavenly Father
II
Contrast between worldly independence and childlike trust
Living like the birds of the air as taught in Matthew 6:26
Relying on God's provision through prayer and faith
III
Experiencing God's blessings through total dependence
Using resources for God's kingdom rather than personal needs
Encouragement to trust God in times of anxiety and famine
IV
Testimony of ongoing faith journey and God's daily provision
Invitation to listeners to strengthen their faith
Closing encouragement and offer of inspirational resources
Key Quotes
“God lives and works today.” — Basilea Schlink
“We were to be like the birds of the air, which Jesus talks about in Matthew 6.26, and yet the Heavenly Father feeds them.” — Basilea Schlink
“We have a God who works for those who wait for him.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
Trust God daily for your needs, just as the birds depend on the Father for their provision.
Practice childlike dependence by surrendering control and expecting God’s blessings.
Use your resources to further God's kingdom rather than focusing solely on personal needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main message of this sermon?
The sermon emphasizes trusting God as a loving Father who provides daily for His children, encouraging believers to live in childlike dependence on Him.
How does the speaker illustrate God's provision?
Through a real-life testimony of financial need met miraculously and ongoing daily provision like feeding the birds of the air.
Why is childlike dependence important according to the sermon?
Because it opens opportunities for God to glorify Himself and pour out blessings beyond what we can imagine.
What biblical passage is central to the sermon's theme?
Matthew 6:26, which speaks about God caring for the birds of the air, illustrating His care for us.
How can listeners apply this message in their lives?
By trusting God daily for provision, reducing reliance on materialism, and dedicating resources to God's kingdom.
Audio: Alone From the Father's Hand
Basilea Schlink
0:00
4:35
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