Category: provider

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Genesis 22 It takes Faith…

God tests our heart motives

Hebrews reminds us that by faith Abraham obeyed God in leaving his home and by waiting on God for a son to be born as one born out of due time. Yet, even though Abraham obeyed God, he was tested by God to prove his faithfulness. We too are tested by God to prove our faithfulness and our steadfastness. Abraham was found faithful and God recognized it and counted him as righteous. 

As we look at our lives, we can experience tests just as Abraham and like his son Isaac, we see the wood and the fire but where is the lamb? Abraham wisely answered that God Himself would provide the lamb and He did. When you face a test and wonder where the lamb is, will you stop and believe without a shadow of doubt that God will provide? 

Over and over through the OT and NT we see Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. He provided the east wind to draw the Nile back so the Israelites could walk across on dry ground. He provided water for Rahab in the desert. He provided the walls to fill down in Jericho so the city could be conquered. In Acts, God provided two angelic visitors to release Peter from prison.

Where have you seen God’s provision in your life? What was the result? 

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10.11.24.Giving From the Heart

God gifts men/women to do the work of the ministry

1 Cor 8 Giving 

We set aside one day of the week for our tithing but there are other times when we give sacrificially to meet the needs of others. Paul had been collecting monies for the Jerusalem church. Many gave out of their hearts, not out of their abundance. In fact, they had little to nothing but gave and gave and gave that they might receive the blessing of being a part of the giving. God has seen and blessed these for their names and places are recorded in heaven. Paul records this: “with abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the saints.” [2 Cor 8:2-4]

Today, as then, we have many needs before us and it is time for us to open our pocketbooks to give sacrificially beyond our weekly tithing. 

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Multi-generational relationships

1 Timothy 5 As in the time of Timothy, so today we have multi generational groups which require wisdom and patience. Paul’s wisdom to Timothy is to be wise in word and deed to those who are older, yet sometimes can be challenging to the young. Proverbs reminds us that gray heads, as my granddaughter calls them, have wisdom from their many years that they have walked through trials and blessings. Listen to them, glean words of wisdom and truth. Be grateful for their years of toil and trouble for their words come from a pure heart and a steadfast love. 

Paul reminds Timothy how he is to respond in wisdom. Do not rebuke an older gentleman but appeal to him that both of you may learn to be wise. My mother was a widow for many years, and we gave up our home to go and take care of her and now my son and daughter in law are caring for her mother. It is sweet to see that love relationship and patience which they now do as an example for their daughter. 

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The Widow’s Offering

Luke 21 God has his eye on his children and his eye is on the wee sparrow. In fact God knows about each sparrow who falls to the ground and he knows each hair on our heads because we are of more value than many sparrows. [Matt 10:31]. So it is no wonder that in Luke 21 we see that Jesus’ eye is on the precious widow and her trek to the offering box. He knew her poverty but out of her poverty she became rich in the sight of God. Notice what Jesus reveals to us about this precious widow.

Some principles we can glean from just these four verses are that when we love much we are willing to sacrifice much and secondly our giving reveals our true heart. Remember God does not need our money but it is our privilege to give to his work. God loves the cheerful giver and this dear widow’s heart must have been overflowing with the joy as she gave to the Lord’s work. And this verse’s principle extends to the reason why found in [Psa 68:5] He is a father to the fatherless and an advocate for widows.

[Luk 6:38] “Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.”

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Doing the Right Thing…

1Chron 18: The Heart of David and My Heart
David is the new king but still waging war near and far. If the Israelites had been wise, they would not have rejected God as their King. Imagine a world in which God is the King. He promised He would cleanse the land, but now it is laid at the feet of men. The tragedy is that many are affected, and so it continues today.

After the death of Saul and Jonathan, David wonders if there is any left of the house of Saul. Could it be that God has preserved even one? Do I look for others in my family who may be alive to honor? (Yes, I did, but when I found them was told never to call, write or come for a visit. Sadness overload with no reasons given) 🙁 “tears”

But, in David’s case, God has saved one individual: Mephishobeth, Jonathan’s son, who lives in Lo Debar with a man named Ziba. David seeks him out and promises him blessing upon blessing. Imagine being Mephishobeth 🙂 upon hearing that the king requests your presence and then hearing that your future is protected!!!!!

David is an example of one who chose to administer justice and kindness to those who have suffered needlessly because of the choice made by others.

Isn’t that what Jesus did for you and me? Do I/we do the same?

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Consider your way or Pay attention.

God has provided

Haggai 1-2 God had sent the Israelites into captivity for their sin, but graciously God raised up Cyrus the Persian to release them and not just release them but provided them with all they would need to rebuild the Temple. He also asked them to pray for him as he leads. [Ezra 6:10] Jesus said the fields are white unto harvest; pray for workers to go into that harvest. [Luke 10:2] So pay attention! God has provided all you need to complete the work, yet, like Martha, we are busy with many things, but they are not the most important. We are busy with extracurricular activities but are we busy about the kingdom work? Just like in Haggai’s time, God calls us to pay attention and consider our ways.

Are we listening? The returning Israelites were faced with what seemed an impossible task of rebuilding the Temple as it lay dormant for over 70 yrs. They needed to trust God. How about us? Do we trust God to do what seems like an impossible task: witnessing and evangelizing? God’s “divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.” [2 Pet 1:3]

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What Do You Want God to Do For You?

Be sure of your motives when you pray

Deut 17  God knew the Israelite kings would lose sight of Him because most of their wants were selfish. That is why God gave the king some parameters to keep their focus heavenward, not here on earth. Like the king, the Israelites were not satisfied with just manna. They wanted meat a.k.a. horses, women, and money. That is why God reminded them to not multiply them.

When Jesus came on the scene, people were looking to be fed what the world would give rather than the Bread of Life come down from heaven. In fact, while Jesus served here on earth, he often asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Not one responded I want to be more like you. Not one responded, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I lack nothing.” Not one responded I am more blessed to give than receive.

It is not wrong to ask God for things because He is our heavenly Father; “All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.” [James 1:17] God does tell us to ask for His provision in our life as well as other things. However, when we ask with wrong motives, so we may spend it on our selfish pleasures; God is not pleased.[James 4]

Are you prepared to ask God what He wants for you and not what you want?

Is your heart right before God as you enter your closet to pray?

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The Gift that Keeps on Giving

God gifts men/women to do the work of the ministry

Exodus 36 to 38 That phrase was coined in the early ’20s to sell Victor Radios, but, in reality, chapter 36 shows us the gift that keeps on giving. God is the one who gifts each person. He gifted the artisans to build the Tabernacle, but He also gifted the people with a willing heart to give to the work. No matter where God has placed you, you have been equipped to do the work of the ministry.

Thinking through all that the supervisor Bezalel had on his plate, he must have learned quite a bit in Egypt. We wonder what his “job” was there. In Exodus 5, we read “The Israelite foremen.” Was Bezalel one of those who learned how to direct a crew that would be under him to build? Where did he learn the working in gold? Did he learn it back in Egypt and now wondered how God was going to use him? That’s how I think. God and I have a conversation: I tell God, “don’t waste this,” use me in your work with the skills you have given to me. What do you say to God?

My father-in-law, was one who could “see” how something was made. If something broke, he would always say, if someone built it, then someone can fix it. He could study a broken piece and could see beneath the outer to the inner and then repair it or rebuild it into a new piece. He passed that on to DA, and he is always saying to me: if someone designed it, then someone can fix it. Both my father-in-law and my husband were/are amazing.

My own Dad didn’t live long enough for me to really understand his gifts, or for me to appreciate them, but he had an inner gift of tenderness that he passed on to me. He could see where a heart was hurting, and he could reach out to fix that broken heart. Unfortunately, his gift was short-lived, and the one person he needed to reach most, he was not able to. I can’t wait to get to heaven and talk to Bezalel and Oholiab and rekindle that relationship with “Grandpa Floyd.”

The people gave willingly and had to be restrained finally. Do I give voluntarily, or do I hold back and wait? God has blessed us. Are we giving willingly and without thinking about the amount or the gift but only that it is being used for God’s kingdom work?

Perhaps you don’t see yourself as a Bezalel or a Oholiab, but only see yourself as a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord.[Ps 84:10] God can use your talents wherever He has chosen.  All He asks is for a willing heart.

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Jehovah Jireh…

God is our Provider

Exodus 16-18 God Provides

One of God’s names is Jehovah Jireh–the God who provides no matter whether big or little, whether food or wisdom. As the Israelites leader, Moses had a mighty task not only had to lead them but guide them as God gave direction. Maybe you, too, have an enormous task just like Moses. You are overwhelmed and do not which way to turn. It is then that Isaiah’s counsel is wise: You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or the left,” Sometimes that word comes in the form of a prophecy “Do not treat prophecies with contempt.” [1 Thess 5:20] Perhaps it might come in the counsel of one who is wise as Jethro to Moses. It may not be in an earthquake or a mighty wind, but the still small voice just like Elijah heard. God is listening to His children; He hears your cry. God provides what we need when we come to Him humbly.

Today you may be among the many who are seeking help. Remember to come humbly before God, and He will hear your cry and answer from heaven through avenues we may least suspect. Keep your eyes on Him and your ear open to hear His voice. “The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer! Pay attention to my cry for help!” [Ps 102:1]

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Be Thou my Guide O thou great Jehovah

Psalm 31-33, Is God silent in your life right now? If you think he is, then you have missed the spiritual markers of his character in the OT, such as in these three psalms. Beloved,

Read the OT to learn about His character..

Read to learn about His heart.

Read to learn about yourself.

David is in, as we say, a “whole heap of trouble.” His path seems strewn with the foes that are on his trail. He needs to find safety and security and so he turns to God because he knows and trusts Him.  He knows that God is his protector. He believes God to be his stronghold, where he can be safe!

Like David, others may see us as worthless and empty like a broken jar, but God sees us through His eyes.  He looks carefully. His eye is as much on the sparrow as it is on us. Therefore, we can trust Him.  Kings come and go, warriors are strong for only a season, horses can only deliver as the horseman guides. But, God is sovereign; He is strong. He is our deliverer. Wait on Him. He knows the path we should take. It is in Him that we find peace and contentment, safety, and security. Pray as David prayed: Guide us this day.

William Williams penned these words:

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah; pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak but you are mighty, hold me with your powerful hand.

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