Give Thanks Day 22

Today, I am very thankful for God's provision. I can truly say that if God had not stepped in on many occasions, it would have all went down the drain. There are times when we pour out our needs before Him... we may even share those with others close to us and ask them to join in prayer over those things... or it might be times when we just don't know what to do. In those last mentioned times, it gets really good seeing God show out.

I am very excited that this coming spring will complete my MDiv degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Two classes and I'm done. The bad part is that those two classes are going to run about $1100. I was wondering where that was going to come from.

God decided to show out. He decided that sometimes it's just best to get "two birds with one stone." One of my wife's uncles was looking for a new car. We just happened to be preparing to put the one we don't use on the market since we have the minivan now.

Long story short = the car sold for $3000. That takes care of the rest of my school, pays a little extra down on our minivan, a little help for Christmas, & gets rid of the car we weren't using.

The best part is that I had not even had the chance to take my "concern" before my wife before God decides to provide as only He can.

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A Few Reasons to Dive Into God's Word in 2012

As the clock strikes midnight, another year will be behind us. 2011 will be drawing to a close in a few hours. I blogged yesterday about the importance of every believer to be in the Word. Today, I'd like to share some reasons that you (and I) should get into God's word - the Bible - more.

The Word is our provision. Deuteronomy 8:3 reminds us that man lives off every word that comes from God's mouth.

The Word is protection against sin. Psalm 119:11 reminds us that as God's Word has root in our hearts, then sin has a hard time taking root.

The Word is our guide.Psalm 119:105 So many are looking for direction in life. The Bible is a directional light for us pointing us toward God's desires.

The Word is eternal. Isaiah 40:8 tells us that though everything else fades, dies, or corrupts, the Word of God stands firm and true forever.

The Word is the clearest picture we have of God. John 1:1-5, 14 shows that the Word is God and became flesh in the person of Jesus. It also shows us that the Word is personal.

The Word is alive. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God's Word is alive. It will speak to the specific needs of our lives just like a good friend.

With reasons such as these, what will keep you and me from one of the greatest treasures mankind has ever known - the Bible?

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Go Ahead, Test God

Before I get flagged for being a heretic, let me share with you from the Bible I'm coming from.

"Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way," says the Lord of Hosts
Malachi 3:10 HCSB

I have believed in and even taught this passage of Scripture in various places. Today, that passage has taken a much clearer meaning for me.

Over the past week or so, I have been trying to figure out what the near future held for me and my family. We've been on this journey for about four months now of seeking where God wants us to serve Him. You can read more about that here.

The class schedules, the need of income to provide for family's needs, and other things weren't lining up well. I kept asking how it was going to work out and trying to trust the Lord to provide. It had gotten to a point that I was beginning to look at things through my eyes and perspective. You know, how can I take care of this?

Last week, we decided that though the amount was not much, we were going to tithe from the small amount of funds that were trickling in. We wrote the check and put in the plate. (If you want to know what amount God is looking for, check this out.)



This morning, during our small group time at church, we shared with our group some of our prayer requests (school, ministry, job) very specifically. After the Bible study time, my wife was approached by one in our class with a "gift" to help. I was asked about the amount lacking for next semester to work. I told him and then he placed a check in my hand an said, " Here's God's answer." In my hand lay a check for the EXACT AMOUNT we were praying for.

God has a way of saying to us, "Trust Me. When I say something, I mean it." God spoke through His prophet centuries ago with the message of "put the Lord to the test in this" (Malachi 3:10). God spoke to our family this morning with the words, "See? I told you that I've got this."

Do you have the guts to take God at His word and let Him show you just how awesome, powerful, and sovereign He is?

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