The Lord Provided Today
By Tim on Oct 30, 2007 in STEWARDSHIP, THOUGHTS
About an hour ago I scribbled out in my sporadically-kept journal a quick story of how the Lord provided for HeLives today. Instead of letting it just sit dormant in my journal, I thought I’d type it out real quick here in hopes that it might encourage someone else to trust the Lord in His timing.
Over a week ago we sent out our Fall 2007 ministry newsletter. In it we asked people if they would join us in trying to raise an additional $20,000 for HeLives. In the past, we asked for $5,000 once and within a week over $7,000 had been donated. Well, the Lord has done something different. This time there has been absolutely no response! Our quarterly taxes are due tomorrow. We were about $100 short.
I told Patty last night that I was praying for $100 to be provided by the Lord by the end of the day today. Patty and I got on our knees and asked of the Lord to provide $100 within 24 hours. I was encouraged this morning when I checked the mail and found a $40 donation. I wondered if maybe my math had been wrong and the Lord knew better that we only needed $40. I sat down and reworked our taxes and some additional beginning of the month expenses. We needed $1,596.35. After the $40 donation, we were actually only short by $5.60.
So, I started wondering if the last $5.60 would be covered today? Well, Patty just called to tell me that we had overlooked a check in one of my daughter’s birthday cards. In addition to a small check for my daughter, a relative had sent the ministry $50! Patty and I were so thrilled to see the Lord provide. Yesterday, we had asked the Lord for $100. Then I noticed that we actually only needed $45.60, but He still provided $90.00! What an adventure waiting on Him and His timing.
It takes a lot more than $90 to fund HeLives, but the last 24 hours have been a good reminder that God is aware of and the provider of every dime which comes our way.
What a great testimony. Please know that you have a kindred spirit in me. It was also on the 30th of this month that I awoke with great worry about my family’s financial situation. As is my habit, I read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds with the day of the month. It was then when the word of God again quieted my worries and brought calm to my mind. Proverbs 30:7-9 “Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say “Who is the Lord?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. I continue to strive to understand live out what Matthew 6 calls us to do as Christians. Father continue to give us our daily bread. May we not look at our accounts for tomorrow, for you will provide tomorrow’s needs, tomorrow. Feasting on today’s bread!
Chad | Nov 1, 2007 | Reply
Well said Chad…Proverbs 30:7-9 is amazing. How easily we can forget these things.
Tim | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
I was thinking about Proverbs 30:7-9 a bit more today and the lyrics from Switchfoot’s new CD kept coming to mind…here’s the lyrics to “American Dream:”
When success is equated with excess
The ambition for excess wrecks us
As top of the mind becomes the bottom line
When success is equated with excess
If your time ain’t been nothing for money
I start to feel really bad for you, honey
Maybe honey, put your money where your mouth’s been running
If your time ain’t been nothing but money
I want out of this machine
It doesn’t feel like freedom
This ain’t my American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
I’m tired of fighting for just me
This ain’t my American dream
When success is equated with excess
When we’re fighting for the Beamer, the Lexus
As the heart and soul breath in the company goals
Where success is equated with excess
‘Cause baby’s always talkin’ ’bout a ring
And talk has always been the cheapest thing
Is it true would you do what I want you to
If I show up with the right amount of bling?
Like a puppet on a monetary string
Maybe we’ve been caught singing
Red, white, blue, and green
But that ain’t my America,
That ain’t my American dream
Tim | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply