Thinking about the many blessings that people enjoy because of faith in Jesus Christ. As I look over the recent years of my life I can recognized the hand of God in many areas. There was a time when financially, things were pretty precarious. Our income dropped and we had fallen behind on bills, were dealing with phone calls from various creditors, and generally very tight as far as our budget was concerned.
Personally, I had a job that I was happy with, but not really contented as I worked each day. There was a sense of restlessness, a feeling deep down that there was something else I should be about. My wife and I remained faithful in prayer, attended our church to worship the Lord, remained faithful to tithe a full tenth of our income. We believed God would somehow bring us to more quiet waters. But even if He did not, we were willing to serve Him regardless, knowing that even though our finances were tight and scarce, we really didn't lack anything. Our priorities were set. The real necessities of our life were all met and we seemed to always work things out. It was rough at times, but we found that the Lord was always faithful. And even in those times when His schedule was different than ours {or the due date} things always smoothed out.
But today as I sit to write these things I am one who is very much aware of God's blessings and His keeping Presence. The past year and a half has been a time of provision and quiet but sure increase. Finances are the area I've chosen to highlight but there are many other aspects of our walk that God's favor and blessings are evident. Our family, our finances, our ministry, our spiritual development and insight, our influence for the Gospel's sake, all these areas of life for us are experiencing the hand of God's touch and increase. The turbulent times are behind us for now, and we live with the realization that although we are comfortable now, we do not want to become complacent in our comfort zone. Each day we receive as an opportunity to receive from the Lord, so that we may minister to others. Our tithe has gone up, as has our missions giving, and this may seem strange, but every time I send off some bills by mail, I actually pray and thank God that I can pay them as they drop into the mailbox. I actually pray for God to bless our bills! Can one do that? Well, I'm doing it!
But the greatest of all His provisions is the sense of trust and faithfulness that I have each day. Not that I trust God, but that I have learned more than ever that He is trustworthy. Not that I am faithful to pay my tithe, or give to missions, but that He is the true faithful One. I know that my faith in Him, imperfect as it is, is not misplaced.
If anyone reading today is in a tough spot of any kind, stay true in your devotion and commitment to Jesus Christ. Know that for sure, someday some way, He will surely make things better. You are never out of His care. The day will certainly come when you will sit and say, surely the mighty God has done great things for me. In fact, start saying that today! Start confessing and acknowledging the ways God has blessed and will bless you and your situation. He is not far from any of us, if we will but look for Him in the day to day, we will find Him and be greatly comforted as we see His care even in the small things of a normal day.
May God bless and fill you with overflowing confidence and hope as you face your struggle, and may you have a sense of victory that is already yours because of Jesus Christ.
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