Every Need Supplied

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

Our church drama team has spent the last four months preparing the biggest production we’ve ever done on our own. Countless hours were spent memorizing and practicing lines, preparing props and sets, rehearsing and praying for our audience.

Saturday evening’s presentation went off without a hitch. Sunday morning, the snow started. Roads quickly got bad, and the wind polished ice made them worse. My police officer husband texted me to just get home from church, and don’t go back out onto accident strewn streets.

My heart sank to think of all the people who had planned to see the second night’s presentation. Postponing until next Sunday and competing with the Super Bowl seemed like a poor Plan B. So we simply prayed that if it might be His will, God would sufficiently clear the skies and roads for the show to go on.

He did. A good sized-crowd turned out. And then God answered more prayers, when five people asked for a pastor to contact them and two more made decisions to follow Jesus.

God knew people had a need. He used our presentation to begin meeting it. He gave us peace about the possiblity of cancellation—another need met. He gave us the gift of seeing the fruit of our labors.

That one is simply a gift. I thank Him for meeting needs. I thank Him for the gift of being used by Him.

Cache of Hope

Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:39-40 NKJV)

I don’t know about you, but I have the audacity to invite God to step in to bring me life in a situation, and then hesitate and draw back when things get messy.

And the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew 27:51-53 NKJV)

I know well that no matter how far gone a situation, no matter how long it’s been laid at His feet, the fact that I’ve not yet received my anticipated answer to prayer doesn’t mean that the Lord doesn’t yet intend to surprise me with a response bigger than anything I might have imagined.

image source: thecampagn.com

Behold, there were very many [bones] in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones … ” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
(Ezekiel 37:1-10 NKJV)

I rejoice that God is bringing life in a relationship I thought dead. I am exceedingly grateful that I belong to a Creator Who delights in bringing life, light, and love wherever He is invited.

Thank You, Lord, for a cache of hope deeper than my doubt.

Old from the New

As new as I felt when I became aware of the Holy Spirit working in my life, I am being renewed to understand that Jesus wishes to constantly renew me. He makes me a new creation when I am born again. And He wishes to give me new life in Him everyday.

That’s the work He’s doing right now. Perhaps He needs to bring me to a place of feeling old to renew the desire to be something new. While I don’t enjoy the former, I’m excited about the latter. I’m feeling older and slower these days. I sense that a renewal of spirit will exceed the weakness of flesh—if I will cooperate.

Thank You, Lord, for making all things new, EVERY day.

Asking for Directions

And though the Lord gives you
The bread of adversity and the water of affliction …
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it” …
~ Isaiah 30:20-21 (NKJV)

Yesterday morning I was praying about a situation that has caused me a great deal of stress. The Lord had given me new insight into it. I felt like I better understood where I needed to go.

But I had no clue how to get there.

I asked the Lord for direction. The way remained dark. I can sometimes get A.D.D. during prayer, trying to sort out a problem on my own when I don’t immediately discern the Lord’s will.

Not this time.

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
~ Luke 11:9 (NKJV)

This time I persisted. I told the Lord I couldn’t do it without Him. I kept on knocking, unwilling to turn away, asking Him for the directions I had no hope to find on my own.

And He opened my eyes to the answer. The directions aren’t easy, nor will I be able to follow them without Him. I already know I’ll need more directions along the way. But I also know that my God is faithful to lead where I am willing to follow, to speak where I am willing to hear.

For that I am grateful.

Testimonies: November 7, 2011

Our precious Lord has an amazing way of bringing praise to Himself and blessing us in the process that defies explanation.

Worship dance is a ministry my schedule usually won’t permit without the sacrifice of something important. More than once, I’ve contented myself with the knowledge that I have only a few short hours on earth for other ministries, but all eternity awaits me to dance praise to my God.

For the second time, God has orchestrated an impossible set of circumstances that will allow me to minister praise via worship dance for an evening dedicated to Christmas worship next month.

Sometimes, eternity seems entirely too far away. And then, God manages to bring eternity to the earth—in the birth of His Son, in the opportunity to praise Him now as I will in Heaven.

Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise His name with the dance …
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people.
~ Psalm 149:2-4 (NKJV)

Testimonies: October 24, 2011

image source: CoolestPicture.com

A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
~ Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV)

Returning a soft answer is especially difficult when a harsh word is personal and critical.

Last night I received such an email. Several replies came to mind that weren’t necessarily harsh, but definitely weren’t soft. When more humble words failed me, I decided to sleep on the matter.

Overnight we had an long thunderstorm. Thunder and lightning both exhilarate and calm me, because they evoke the presence of God. I lost sleep listening, but awoke with a fresh perspective—and a soft answer.

Right now, I’m praying my soft answer in a vital matter will bear fruit, even as I thank God for providing it.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
~ Ephesians 5:2 (NKJV)

Testimonies: October 10, 2011

It’s sometimes difficult to share a testimony to God and make sure He gets all the glory.
My prayer is that God will enable that here today.

A few months back, our daughter obtained both her driver’s licence and a summer job. Juggling three drivers and two vehicles since then has been inconvenient, but nothing we haven’t managed to work out with some give and take.

Purchasing a third vehicle has been a priority. Twice, we thought we could swing it but decided to wait. Two weeks ago, a long awaited settlement check arrived, and we gave thanks to God that we could finally obtain another car.

“He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none …”
~ Luke 3:11 (NKJV)

We knew that a family friend owns a car with some problems. I asked my husband if he’d object to offering her a little help with a portion of our modest windfall. To my pleasant surprise, he suggested maybe we should instead put the money into our better-condition old van and simply give it to her. I say pleasant because I’d secretly hoped to do just that, but wasn’t willing to ask other family members to make such a sacrifice. When we asked our daughter how she felt about the situation, she had absolutely no hesitation about the idea.

When I took our friend to drive our 169,000 mile van with rust showing, I felt almost embarrassed to offer it. But she squealed with delight when it started smoothly. The newer brakes startled her when they worked. She thanked God repeatedly for the heater, since she drives a car without heat—unthinkable in Michigan.

I had no idea her car was so bad. And I can hardly write this without crying over the goodness of God.

He knew about a desperate need. He put in our hands the means to meet that need. He put it in the hearts of three people to give when it would involve personal sacrifice.

And then He gave us an incredible blessing, in richly experiencing the truth spoken by Jesus, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Whatever our family’s trivial cost to share, it is nothing compared the joy which has resulted.

I hesitated to share this testimony, lest I parade good works before men. So I ask everyone who reads this for a favor—please?

Simply share this incredible joy God has brought to four people, and be sure to give Him all the glory for it.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
~ Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)