Posts Tagged ‘finances’

God Provides

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Is there something for which you need specific provision? Take heart! God can provide.

Gotta love the story in 2 Kings 3:16-18. Three kings had banded together to attack a neighboring king. Trouble was, their plans took them on a roundabout trip through the wilderness for a week, and they couldn’t find water for themselves or their animals during that time.  In despair, they contacted Elisha and asked for his insights on the situation. Here’s what he said:

“’This valley will be filled with pools of water. You will see neither wind nor rain,’ says the LORD, ‘but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals. But this is only a simple thing for the LORD, for he will make you victorious over the army of Moab.’”

God knew the kings’ need for water, and He was able to provide in ways that surpassed human understanding. Verse 20 says, “ The next day at about the time when the morning sacrifice was offered, water suddenly appeared!”

Exciting, eh?

Have you ever experienced God’s provision in a miraculous way? Our family has. Having lived as missionaries on faith support for 18 years, we’ve had plenty of opportunity. Like when a national postal strike kept our support cheques from arriving and I didn’t know how I’d buy food to feed our family and guests who planned to visit one Sunday afternoon.

What happened? When those guests showed up, they brought several bags of groceries because, they said, they felt they should that. They had no clue beforehand of how tight our finances were due to the strike. A situation that looked impossible for us was a simple fix for the Lord.

God provides in creative ways.

Every time I’m tempted to stress over a lack of some sort or other, I remember that God knows my needs. I then express my concerns to Him, thank Him in advance for provision, and then watch with expectancy to how He answers. The creativity with which He provides never ceases to amaze me.

That’s only one example. I could go on and on. But I’d love to hear your stories. How has God provided for you when the situation seemed impossible?

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-woman-shopping-rimagefree518914-resi3440358

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A Loaded Question

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Questions are powerful. When properly used, they’re an effective tool in helping people identify the reason for their inner struggles and set a course of action to move beyond them. Jesus used them often, and He used them well. Take this question, for instance: “Why do you have so little faith?”

Jesus asked this as He spoke with the disciples about trusting God to provide their daily needs such as food and clothing (Luke 12:22-28). “If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you,” He said. And then He fired the question: “Why do you have so little faith?”

Good one, eh?

Do you worry about finances? Do you stress over bills? Do you worry about money matters? I do. Granted, my stress isn’t as intense as in years past, but it still presents a challenge once in a while. And so I ask myself, “Why do I have so little faith?”

In all honesty, the answer is, “Because my understanding of God’s character is incomplete.” If I truly understood His ownership of everything on earth, His sovereignty, His ability to provide, and His unfailing love for me as His child, then confidence would bump fear to the back seat.  

So what can I do to increase my faith? I believe one key lies in remembering God’s faithfulness in the past. Scripture is filled with commands to “remember” – read Deuteronomy 7:17-19 and 8:2 for starters. Over and over, God told the Israelites to remember His power and recall His faithfulness. He knew that doing so would breed courage for the present and the future. And so, when my faith feels weak, I do what Scripture says and recall instances when God proved Himself faithful in the past. Lo and behold, it works!

If you worry about your physical needs (not your wants) being met, ask yourself the question Jesus posed to His disciples: “Why do you have so little faith?” Be honest with your answer. And then tell the rest of us what you do to build your faith when it feels weak.

Sometimes provisions are fresh...very fresh. This guy's gills were still moving!

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God’s Reputation

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

According to Isaiah 63:14, God earned quite the reputation when He led His people through the desert wilderness for 40 years. He provided them with food and water, clothing and sandals that never wore out, and a place to sleep each night. Then He threw in a few extras like sending flames and clouds to guide them, and oh yeah, parting the Red Sea. Scripture says, “You led your people, LORD, and gained a magnificent reputation.”

I read that verse and this thought popped into mind: Does my life accurately reflect God’s magnificent reputation? Practically put, when others look at me, do they understand that God is trustworthy and able to provide for His children? Or do I cast doubt on His reputation by constantly worrying and fretting about finances?

Do I honor His reputation as a holy God by living a holy life? Or do I smear His reputation by engaging in inappropriate jokes and conversation, lingering on lustful thoughts, watching TV and literature that would not measure up to His standard?

Do I honor His reputation as a forgiving God by forgiving those who hurt me? Or do I cast a shadow on His forgiving nature by holding a grudge and wishing for revenge?

Do I reinforce His reputation as a generous God by giving generously to others? Or do I cause others to doubt His generosity by withholding from them for selfish reasons?

Do I honor His reputation as a God who can do the impossible by obeying Him when He nudges me to do what seems beyond human logic? Or do I, through fear and disobedience, cause others to think He’s limited in size and power?

God is more than able to defend His reputation to a watching world. But for some unknown reason, He wants His kids to bear some responsibility in that regard, too. Heaven help us if our attitudes and actions reflect anything negative about Him to those who don’t know Him personally or to those who are weak in their faith. May our goal be to bring glory to Him in all we say and do. May we live in such a way that others see Him as truly magnificent.

What aspect of God’s reputation do you find challenging to uphold?

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Abe Believed God

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

Abraham believed God’s promise (Gen. 15:6). Do I demonstrate the same level of trust?

Take finances, for instance. How often have I heard God’s promise to provide our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus? And yet, how often have I felt afraid in money matters? The fear comes from my lack of understanding God’s ability to provide, not from His inability to do so. Heaven knows He’s more than able.

What about His ability to give me wisdom when I’m faced with decisions about the direction I’m to go? He’s promised to direct my steps if I trust in Him (Prov. 3:5,6).

For every issue I face, there’s a God-given promise. It’s up to me whether or not I choose to believe that promise is true.

Abraham chose to believe, and God was pleased. I want to follow his example. I know it’s not always easy, but it’s always the best thing to do because God cannot lie. He’s faithful. He will fulfill.

How about you? What God-given promise are you choosing to believe even though, humanly, the odds are stacked against you?

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