Conspicuous Provision

He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. 

Daniel 4:35

“Your change, Sir!” the cashier called.

Three cents? Not really worth going back for, Bill thought as he turned, saying, “You can put the three cents in the penny jar.”

“What about the other eighty dollars?!” she asked, bewildered.

“What?! I gave you a Twenty,” Bill responded, recalling the three Twenties he’d placed in his pocket that morning.

“No, Sir,” she said. “You paid me with this Hundred-dollar bill. See,” she adamantly replied, pulling the bill from the drawer to show him. He watched in silent amazement as she replaced the Hundred and counted out eighty dollars change.

Placing the money in his pocket he headed for his other two stops, wondering what had happened. He was positive he’d given her a Twenty, yet couldn’t explain the Hundred she’d produced. He thought of the “loaves and fishes” in Matthew 14, but quickly dismissed it, thinking, Why would God change a Twenty into a Hundred?

His subsequent stops provided the answer. Each of the two purchases was exactly forty dollars! Using the change from the Hundred to pay for them, Bill realized this was a lesson on God’s provision…and the supernatural extremes to which He will go to meet our needs!

†

Change a Twenty into a Hundred? Impossible! Right?!

That depends on how limited or unlimited your perception of God’s power is.

Today’s scenario is the account of one of my closest friends. I believe every word. Why? For two reasons. First…Bill is a godly man of great moral character and integrity; he does not lie. Second and more important…God is capable of doing what Bill claims.

Yet, even with scriptures that exhibit the limitless scope of God’s power and creativity, there is a greater propensity for us to doubt the validity of such claims than there is to believe.

When we were children we had no trouble believing what we were told. Sadly, our grown-up reasoning tells us that these kinds of things don’t really happen.

It is paramount, where the things of God are concerned, that we return to the childlike reasoning of; God said it…I believe Him…case closed.

Prayer

“Creator God, I want a simple, childlike faith, that believes in Your complete and omnipotent power. Help me believe. Amen.”

Even Now

You are the God who performs miracles;

Psalm 77:14

In the weeks since surgery had repaired three congenital heart defects, two-month-old Nathan had failed to thrive, and was kept alive only by the machines his tiny body was connected to. Last night, the doctors had said, “We suggest you cut a lock of Nathan’s hair and take some pictures. We are going to remove him from life-support in the morning without orders to resuscitate.”

The day’s cold gray dawn, and the doctor’s fatal proclamation could not dampen Ruben and Melinda’s faith, for God had spoken His truth into this critical situation as they’d knelt to pray in the hospital’s chapel the night before. Emotionally and spiritually spent, Melinda had simply uttered, “Please, God…” And God had whispered, “Even now I perform miracles.”

Melinda had run to the Neonatal ICU to see what God had done. In truth, there had been no blinding light or instant healing. In its place was minor improvement.

“Don’t you think he looks better?” Melinda had asked the night nurse.

“Possibly,” had been the noncommittal response.

But Nathan’s ‘disconnect’ was postponed as the doctors concurred; “There are signs of improvement. Let’s see what happens over the next two days.” One month later, the Clarks, equipped with seven different medications, took Nathan home!

It’s been eighteen years since that day, and Nathan’s Gortex™ patches and reconstructive procedures…and God’s promise, “Even now I perform miracles!” have stood the test of time.

†

Death is preordained (Hebrews 9:27), our time here is known only by our Creator (Psalm 139:16). When death hits close to home we are faced with our own mortality, and when it seeks someone we love, like the Clarks, we petition for a miracle, asking God to delay the inevitable. At that time, God provides the miracle we ask for, or comforts us in its absence. God, in His infinite wisdom, knows which is best.

Regardless of the impending outcome, we should pray, asking for the supernatural believing that the God Who created us even now performs miracles.

Prayer

“LORD, grow in me a faith that believes in miracles, and trusts You even in death. In Jesus’ Name, amen”

To read more of Nathan’s story, go to Melinda’s blog at: http://whyibelieveinmiracles.blogspot.com/ Saturday, August 30, 2008

Hearing Aids and Tie Clips

A cheerful heart is good medicine

Proverbs 17:22

As T.J. got into the passenger’s seat he lost his grip on the hearing aid he’d been putting in. Grabbing at it he caught the hearing aid but the battery fell out. Figuring it had fallen between the seats he felt for it. Unable to find it he said, “I’ll look for it when we get where we’re goin’, Irene,” and dropped the hearing aid into his shirt pocket.

“Okay,” Irene said, and drove to the graduation party they were to attend.

Arriving, T.J. got out of the car and searched for the battery. Not finding it he noticed that his tie was swinging around. Standing erect he found that now his tie clip was missing! “Now where in the world did it go!” he wondered aloud.

Irene chuckled, saying, “Well, we’ll just have to find them latter. Come on, the party has already started.”

Following an enjoyable time of celebration they took their leave; said their goodbyes, and climbed into the car.

Readying himself, T.J. reached into his shirt pocket to get his hearing aid and realized there was more there than just the hearing aid. Chuckling, he pulled out the battery! “Guess it dropped into my pocket!” he quipped. After installing the battery, and placing the hearing aid in his ear, T.J. reached for the seat belt. As he pulled it into place, there, on the belt, was his tie clip. It had been plucked from his tie when he’d gotten out of the car! Their ensuing laughter was so raucous that the family came to see what was going on. Hardly able to speak through the laughter, Irene related the events of their search. Her rendition of the story brought tears of laughter to everyone.

†

When we are able to laugh at ourselves we are more likely to find joy and a light-hearted attitude. Solomon equates laughter with good health.

It’s easy to become downcast and let our mood be regulated by negative events. But if we look for the lighter side of things we just might find a more enjoyable perspective that leads to laughter instead of grumbling.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to not take things too seriously. Teach me to look for joy instead of misery. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Transitional Forgiveness

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. But if you do not forgive…your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:12, 15

Julie’s husband, Tim, had been attacked by two strangers for his wallet. Now he lay in a hospital bed, recuperating, while the two men remained on the loose. “How can God allow the guilty to go free while an innocent man suffers?” she cried.

“I’m not making light of what’s happened, Julie,” her friend, Laura said, “but he did the very same thing for you and me when He sent Jesus, an innocent man, to die for us, the guilty, to set us free from our sin.”

“It’s not the same!” Julie argued.

“Isn’t it?” Laura asked. “God asks us to forgive those who harm us, allowing Him to judge them. Jesus forgave. Hopefully they will turn from the life they now live, and accept Jesus’ sacrifice.”

“I don’t care if they never find forgiveness!” Julie spat, looking at her bruised and battered husband.

“But God does.” Laura said softly. “What if they never get caught, Julie? Do you want to hang on to this bitterness forever? It will turn your heart cold. You need to forgive…otherwise God’s peace can’t drive out the anger and growing bitterness.”

†

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian message: God, through Jesus, has forgiven us, therefore, we are to forgive others. Yet, when we are wronged, our hearts scream for vengeance. God says that’s His domain (Hebrews 10:30). We are to leave the outcome in His capable hands; otherwise, our hearts will remain in constant turmoil.

How do we transition from Julie’s heart of judgment to Jesus’ heart of forgiveness? The process begins by asking God to birth in us a willingness to forgive.

Forgiveness isn’t always a noticeable, dramatic, outward or inward event. Sometimes it begins in increments so subtle we don’t see the change taking place. Eventually, we find the anger and offense is gone. In the transition we move from a heart of judgment to one of peace; God's peace.

Prayer

“LORD, sometimes my heart’s desire is to not forgive. Help me remember what You did for me on Calvary, and no matter the wrong, create in me a heart willing to forgive. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Meeting Our Need

God…comforts us…so that we can comfort those…with the comfort we ourselves have received.

2 Corinthians 1:3, 4

Throughout the divorce and custody hearings, David hung on to God. In the end, he’d been ordered to give his ex-wife the home they had shared for eight years, but had been granted custody of the girls. Legal fees had depleted his resources. He’d even had to sell items the court had granted him to cover the bills.

Needing a new place to live, David prayed, “Lord, you’ve led me to this point…but I don’t even know where to begin looking for a place to live.” In the ensuing silence, David felt God urge him to get in the car and start driving.

So, David drove, taking each turn as he felt God nudge him. With each turn he wondered where God was leading. Turning onto Harrison Circle, he spotted a yard-sign advertising ‘House for Rent’. He pulled in the drive as a man came out the front door.

David said a silent prayer as he got out of the car and engaged the man in conversation, “Good morning,” he began. “My kids and I are looking for a home.” As the conversation progressed, David related his story of fighting for custody of his children, finishing with, “But the cost of the battle has depleted my resources.”

The man smiled a knowing smile, and said, “I’ve been where you are, David. I went through a rough divorce and custody battle several years ago. My boys and I just finished fixing up this house last night. Go take a look. If it suits your needs, we’ll work something out.”

†

In a world that sees too much brokenness, God wants to heal our heartache. And He will get very personal about it if we allow Him.

Today’s story is true, God led David to a man who understood his plight and was willing to help supply David's need.

God will supply our need as well. We must however, like David, be willing to submit to God's leading, and then follow His urging.

Prayer

“Lord, lead me to a place of healing today. Lead me to someone who knows how I feel. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Focus!

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

“I can put it in the upper ninety (top corners of the goal) any time I want,” Carson said, in response to his soccer coach’s, “Show me whatchya got!”

“Blah, blah, blah! You’re puttin’ me to sleep! Don’t tell me…do it!” Coach K hollered.

Bam! Top right corner of the goal.

“But can you do it again?”

Bam! Bam! Two more to follow the first!

Coach said, “Do it again I’ll buy you a milkshake.”

Bam! Perfect!

Coach decided to see if he could get inside the kid’s head, “I knooow you can’t do it again,” he goaded, with more than a little insolence, “You haven’t got five in-a-row in you!”

Carson set the ball, lined up the kick, and let it fly…right over top of the crossbar. “Crap…I knew I was gonna miss it!” he conceded.

“That’s why you missed,” Coach K said. “You lost focus. I watched your eyes drop to the ball in preparation for the kick, but you closed them just before contact.” He let that sink in. “It’s not enough to know how and where to kick the ball, Carson. You took your eyes off the mark by letting me distract and intimidate you. You have to learn to play through the distractions. You have to remain focused on the end-result until that end is achieved…every time!”

†

We can put in long hours of practice and look great in our uniform. Then the whistle blows, and Bam! we lose confidence and make stupid mistakes. But by allowing God to use our adversity to teach us, these experiences can tune us up for victory.

We should look to gain experience and strength when subjected to distractions through adversity, gleaning battle-wise confidence by focusing on God and what He can do, asking for spiritual wisdom and strength.

We will all face adversity on our way to the promise in today's text.

But, if we do as Coach K suggests: remain focused on the end-result until the goal is achieved, we will be able to focus on God through the adversity as we face each new day.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, adversity and life’s trials try to distract me from Your promise, help me remain focused on You and You alone. Amen.”

Just be a Thistle

But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.

Luke 21:14

As I walked, meditating on how God uses us to spread the Gospel, I was prompted to ask Him how He intended to use me. As I meditated I became concerned about what my service to the Lord would look like. Since with me concern sometimes preempts worry, God took that moment to intervene, “Look at that thistle.”

Thistles intrigue me; spiny, perfectly rounded cones with that beautiful bloom, surrounded by sweeping tendrils that look so fragile. So when God said, “Look” I did so with fascination, asking, “Okay. What?”

“Where have you found these?” He asked.

“Pretty much from the East to the West,” I responded.

His next question was two-part, “How did they get there, and did they have anything to do with it?”

I realized He was painting me into a corner, “The wind and the birds scatter the seeds, Lord. And no, the thistle has no control over it.” Then before He could ask, I added, “And no, it doesn’t worry about how it will propagate.”

“So why is it we keep having this discussion?” He gently admonished.

“Because I’m slow to trust that You’ll do what’s best,” I answered, knowing He wasn’t quite done.

“Everything without self-will serves its created purpose. A life of self-will, yielded wholly to Me, can do the same.” Then He added, “There’s a lot less stress involved.”

What could I say? Kneeling on the spot, I committed to simplicity, “I pledge right now, LORD, to just be a thistle, leaving the seeds I bear in Your hands for the scattering.”

†

We should care about the witness we share with the world…we should not be concerned in the how or where of that witness.

Jesus, in today's text, instructed the Disciples to make up their minds ahead of time to not worry about what they’d say when tested, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through them. Having heeded Jesus' instruction, the Disciple's words carried power and truth.

This directive applies to our witness as well. A life wholly yielded to God, daily giving Him our cares and concerns, empowers us with confidence through His Holy Spirit. And then, just like the thistle, God can direct us to the people and places we are meant to witness to.

Prayer

“I’ve made up my mind, LORD. I’m Your thistle. Lead on. Amen.”