There are times I share with you the difficult
things in life. I do this because God has told us that we will have suffering
in this earthly life.
1 Peter 4:12-16 12Beloved, do not
be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though
something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that
you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14If you are
insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory
and of God rests upon you. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an
evildoer or as a meddler. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (ESV)
I also share those tough times to give you hope.
Hope that God is with you through the difficult times, and hope that this life
on earth is temporary. When I mention these things it reminds us we are not
alone in our suffering, Jesus endured much more suffering than we will EVER
know, and we can support one another through our sufferings. It’s nice to have
a friend by your side when life seems overwhelming.
However, today I want us to look at the contrast
of those tough things we go through, up against the way God takes care of us. Let’s
just look at few verses where He promised He would provide for us.
Phillipians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
(ESV)
Matthew 6:30-32 30But if God so
clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown
into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31Therefore do
not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What
shall we wear?' 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your
heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (ESV)
Luke 12:6-7 6Are not five
sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Why, even the
hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many
sparrows. (ESV)
Luke 12:22-23 22 Then Jesus
said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is
more than food, and the body more than clothes. (NIV)
How many of us have truly gone without the things
we need? Before you answer, think about it. Have you ever gotten to the point
that you have had NOTHING to wear (ladies, I’m not talking about you gained a
couple of pounds and your favorite jeans feel uncomfortable, or you’re tired of
wearing the same things over and over and over. I understand.), the clothes on
your back are ALL you have? Have
you ever been without food for a day (not because you chose too), or two, or
three, because you didn’t have enough money to feed yourself? Have you ever had
to sleep on the streets, in your car, or in a shelter because you didn’t have a
home? I have to say NO to ALL 3 of these questions because my God is faithful
and has ALWAYS provided for my NEEDS!!
He even provides for my wants. I would like to
share 3 stories of how God has intervened on behalf of my family, to provide
for us in miraculous ways, just in the past two or three months. Before I even
start I want you to know, I give Him all the praise and glory for what happened
in each incident! I hope these encourage you!
God’s House
This past summer our younger son, Colton, was
preparing to transfer from a community college to the University of North Texas
in Denton, TX. He had all paperwork completed. He had been accepted months
prior. He had even registered for
all of his fall classes and had his schedule. The company he had been working
for in Midlothian had worked out a transfer to Denton, so he already had a job.
God was working everything out. We just had one problem, where was he going to
live? His financial aid covered his tuition but not housing. There was no way
he could work enough hours to pay rent on an apartment and still get his school
work done. We simply had no idea what we were going to do, we just kept praying
that God would provide something. Classes were to begin in about 3 weeks, when
a dear family friend who had been having health issues was admitted ICU. So our
family went to see him. Because of schedules we all saw him at different times.
Cecil and I saw him early in the day. We casually talked about getting Colton
ready for school. Later Colton visited him and the man asked if Colton was
ready to go to UNT. Colton said yes, but that he was very stressed because he
didn’t have a place to live. The friend then told Colton that a family member
lives close to UNT and has a cottage behind their house that they might be
willing to rent it to him while he attends UNT. Within 2 weeks Colton and his
best friend moved in. It is perfect! The rent and utilities are just what
college students can afford. We know that God provided this! He is so good!
The Apple Miracle
For several months I have been having some issues
with my computer that I have just dealt with. I am an Apple person! So to get
it fixed I had to take it to the Apple store. I get it there and begin to tell
the Genius, Bryan, what the problem is, “The screen only works when it the
laptop is open about 4-5 inches. It has gradually gotten worse. At first the
screen would go off when it was opened to about 90o. As I would
close it, the screen would come back on. Now I can only open it like 4 or 5
inches. I can’t work with it like this.” So Bryan begins to look at it. He
realizes that the battery doesn’t work and I have to keep it plugged in. There
is also a USB port that is broken. I say, “Bryan, I don’t care about getting
those things fixed, I can deal with those things. I just need the screen to
work.” I’m talking to him about how I know I can’t afford to get the whole
computer fixed, that I’m just limping this one along until I can afford a new
one. We talked about how much repairs like this usually cost and if he could
get it fixed for less, how much could I pay. Strange question, I’m thinking. I
call and talk with Cecil about it. When I get off the phone, Bryan pulls me
over away from the rest of the people and says I got approval to fix all the
problems on your computer for half what it would normally cost. At that point I
begin to cry. He then tells me he is throwing in a battery for free. All I
could say was thank you and Bryan you are a Godsend! When I returned to pick up
my computer I have to tell you I was in shock. They did much more than I ever
realized they were going to do. It looks absolutely brand new! So I waited for
Bryan to finish with a customer. He came over, I again thanked him, this time I
let him know I felt God had directed him to do this for me. I hugged him and
left. I pray that God will continue to use Bryan if he is a Christian. If he is
not, I pray God has allowed me to plant a seed.
Insurance Does a Good Thing
Last week I had to take Colton to the doctor. I
step up to the counter to check in. I get my checkbook out and get ready to
fill it out when the lady behind the counter tells me to wait. She says, “There
is a credit on the account. Let me make sure it is a real credit.” So I
wait…then she says, “It’s a real credit.” She explains that the insurance
company paid for the physical Colton had a month ago. Of course, at that time I
paid the co-pay. So she applies it
to that visit. Once again God’s timing is perfect!
These are just 3 examples of the way God works in
our lives each and every day. The main thing is we have to be aware of what He
is doing. Recognize that God is at work, performing miracles in our lives everyday.
Now I’m going to ask you for a favor. I would
like you to think of a time when God intervened on your behalf, and provided
for you when there was a need. Please leave a comment here to share with
everyone or send me an email. I can’t wait to read your stories!
Living in Grace,
Angie
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