Baking cookies
Dennis the Menace and his friend Joey were walking down the street after getting cookies from Mrs. Wilson. Joey asked Dennis, “What did we do good to get cookies from Mrs. Wilson?” Dennis replied, “We didn’t get cookies because we’re good. We got cookies because Mrs. Wilson is good.” And that is also true when it comes to our receiving blessings from God. We get His blessings, not because we deserve them—because we don’t. We receive His blessings because God is gracious and good. The Bible warns us about testing God, trying to force Him to prove himself to us by our imposing conditions upon Him. As the ancient Israelites traveled through the wilderness, they got thirsty and demanded God prove His presence and concern for them by giving them water. God gave the people water, but He did not forget their lack of faith in Him. Forty years later Moses told them, “You must not test the LORD your God as you did when you complained at Massah.” Jesus refused to put God to a foolish test when Satan tempted Him. Like Jesus, we can trust our Heavenly Father to care for us, His children, not because we are good and deserving but because He is good and gracious.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
