God is faithful...

This is not what I had intended my next post to be, but God is faithful and I wanted to share the latest He has done for me.  

A year ago I went to some Financial Peace University classes.  It is embarrassing to say, but I have credit card debt.  I have been working toward paying it off and I have been practicing Dave Ramsey's envelope system for the last year to keep from going further into debt.  I faithfully go to the bank every month and get out my cash for the month and divide up the money and when it runs out it runs out. 

I am an animal person.  My animals are a big part of my life and I take the responsibility of their care seriously.  Today, I received an unexpected call asking me to stop by the pet store to pick up flea control products on my way home from uptown.  I shop for my animals supplies at the beginning of the month and their envelope is usually empty after the first week.  I knew they needed supplies and I went to the store and picked out what they needed.  I stood in line going over in my mind where I could pull the money from.  When I got to the cash register, I planned to write a check and move money from savings when I got home.  

But the Bible says,

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

God met my needs tonight!  The cashier asked my for my store discount card.  I keep it in the "pet supply" envelope.  When I opened up the envelope, to get my card out there were two $50 bills behind the card.  I was able to pay for the supplies without having to be 'creative.'  

I forgot that when I was going over my budget at the beginning of the month that I had some extra money to use.  Most went to pay down my debt, but I put some away in the pet envelope for some reason (I don't remember why now).  I forgot the money was there.  I was amazed tonight to find it there.  I was amazed that God knew what my needs would be at the beginning of the month and not only did He supply the money but He also gave me the foresight to set it aside. 

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

 It may seem frivolous to some, but God was faithful to me tonight.  He allowed me to get what I needed to care for my pets and continue to stay on track financially.  Thank you Lord Jesus!
 

 

My Testimony...

The first time I remember saying the sinner's prayer was when I was 3 or 4 years old.  I don't remember the exact age because it was at a time when dates and times were not important to me.  I was staying at my grandmother's house and one of my cousins led me through the prayer to ask Jesus into my heart as I said my nightly prayers.  Some may say that that was not at an age to make that decision or to truly understand what I was doing, but it was a decision that I have never regretted or deviated from.  Saying that, I had a reason to believe from very early in my life.

During the last two weeks in class we have been talking about healing.  The two chapters are "Sickness, Death, and God's Response" and "Fulfillment of the Promise of Divine Healing."  I tell you this because it takes me back to the testimony I have to share.  One of the lines in our text (Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine) says "we can conclude that 'Verify, then testify' is a good path to follow."  My healing was verified many years ago, so now I will testify.

Something was not right when I began walking - my feet turned in.  I had difficulty standing without holding on to something and walking was impossible.  My brother and I were living with my grandmother and aunt while my parents moved our household across country.  My grandmother and aunt took me to the doctor to find out that I had a condition that could only possibly be treated through years or a lifetime of wearing full leg braces.  

I strapped the braces on each day.  But at the first chance my family had, they took me to church.  The elders of the church prayed for me.  They prayed until God answered that prayer.  They prayed until I was completely healed.  I was healed within three months.  Not three years! Not a lifetime! I was healed and free of my leg braces.

The healing that God did for me was always in the back of my mind, but He brought it to the front when I was a senior in high school.  During that year, I met a coworker of my mom who had the same condition.  She still had to cope with the condition.  And cope she did.  She pushed a baby stroller for support.  God reminded me at that point about the healing He had done in my life.

I know that God is the great physician.  In Exodus 15:26, God proclaims, "I am the Lord, who heals you."  I stand before the world today because He is the Lord and He healed me.

First Statement of Truth

I belong to a church that stands on 16 Statements of Fundamental Truths.  I believe that all 16 are important and it gives me comfort to see in black and white where my church takes a stand.

The first truth (and one that I take great comfort in) is 

The Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, are verbally inspired by God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. (based on 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, and 2 Peter 1:21)

 God inspired the words.  He gave the thoughts and words in the Bible to man to write down.  

He thought enough about me to give me encouragement, hope, love, rules, and boundaries in His written word.  He thought enough to give me a sword when I have to do battle (Ephesians 6:17) and hope when I am walking through a valley (Psalm 23).  Some days what gets me through is to remember that God says in His word that He has plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11).  To know that everything occurs for a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), not a lifetime, gives me encouragement for the future.  

I find comfort in the examples God gives us in His word.  Comfort that He was there for those mentioned and that He will be there for me.  He gave examples of how to live and consequences for not following them.  He shows how He follows through with those consequences.  I find comfort that He will do the same for me since "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). 

It All Begins Here...

Almost two years ago, I sat out on a new journey in life.  It was started to build my relationship with God and to make me more confident and bold in what He has for me to do.

As part of my studies, I have been required to complete an outside project.  I have taught several studies, gone on a mission trip, started a non-profit business to raise money for mission trips, and help start a community outreach program in my church.  This quarter I have decided to venture into a new world and expand my horizon, so to speak, by writing this blog.

The words you will find here are my thoughts as I study, read my Bible, attend my study group, and continue on this journey.  As a teacher, I know that in order to grow you have to be challenged.  So I invite you to respond to my thoughts.  I invite you to challenge me.  I invite you to share this journey with me.