Wednesday
Feb182009
The Moment of Provision...
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 3:12AM
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 3:12AM 
Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. This month I'll give away a gift card from Starbucks. So leave a post, share a story, and bless lots of people!
Okay, now on to my topic...
Last week we discussed the turbulent times we're living in and how important it is to be strengthened in the Word and strengthened in God's presence.
I'd like to address another aspect of our faith in light of the storm clouds gathering overhead. I said this on the air yesterday and it bears repeating: Especially during these trying and uncertain times, we must be more God-aware, than news-aware.
God's promises are still true. His promise of provision has not let up. Neither has the call to obey Him no matter what. We are still supposed to tithe, to give to those have less than us, and to believe with all our hearts - that we are called to be flow through accounts of God's blessing.
Imagine if most Believers pulled back and stopped giving to their local church because of fear over finances. First of all, their personal finances would only suffer more. Secondly, churches everywhere would start to fold (in fact, churches are closing their doors all around us). To step back and look at the bigger picture here, when a church closes, the community suffers loss. We have a personal responsibility here not to lose our heads in this crazy time.
So, just how do we maintain a mindset of faith in a day of fear?
We prepare for rain.
Think about your various areas of concern, or hopes, or dreams. Name them. Find Scripture to support these things your asking for. Set out your buckets today. Pray through each one - thanking God for hearing your prayer. Picture the raindrops starting to fall. Imagine them plunking into your bucket. Smile, because God is moving on your behalf.
Tomorrow during your prayer time, set out your buckets again. Name them. Bring your needs before the Lord, but not in a begging-pleading sort of way; in a faith-filled, thankful sort of way. Dear Lord, You promised to supply all of my needs according to Your riches, not mine. I thank you with all my heart that I have more than enough to live abundantly today. I'm believing You for great things! And I'll be back tomorrow to talk with you about these things again. I've set out my buckets of expectation and I am ready. Let it rain, Lord.
I've been naming my buckets for about seven years and they're so full, they're almost ready to spill over! Everything I'm asking for is Biblical and my faith is strengthened every time I pray through the promises God has made to me.
So, we've addressed the future concerns. We prepare for rain by setting out our buckets.
But what about today?
Today we open our hands. In fact, we take our day one moment at a time. This moment is the moment of provision. Right now, God is supply our needs for the hour. Mercy, grace, and faithful promises are available right here, right now.
I'm speaking to myself here. I'm up to my eyeballs in work right now, and I'm behind schedule in a way that makes me uncomfortable. But this morning as I prayed, I so strongly sensed the Lord saying to me, "Your deadline is not today, it's a few weeks from now. Today is a writing day, so write. Think only about the hour. Open your hands and I will supply what you need."
Don't think about the future through a worry filter. Plan for the future in light of God's promises.
Prepare for rain and daily, tenaciously, bring God's promises before Him. He loves that.
Inhale. Exhale. Now smile. God is with you.
Until next week~
PS - I hosted Along the Way yesterday (a two hour talk show). We had a great time. You can listen online or download it to your iPod if you want. Here's the link:
PSS - If you haven't signed up for my quarterly E-zine, you might want to. A number of my author-friends give away some great books, I offer some devotional insights, health and balance tips, book recommendations, great quotes, and a prayer to send you on your way. You'll enjoy it! Here's the link:
Reader Comments (10)
Ephesians 3:20-21Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
It sounds like an exciting time! What kinds of doors is God opening up before you? Can you share? Walk on in faith, my friend!
Thanks for your post.We all tend to focus on the downside of things without constant reminders to look up and embrace faith, don't you think?Here's to preparing for rain!Bless you~
God has been uniting several churches in Bloomington with a vision. It's called Connections, and we have HEARTS as our theme areas of service to the community.
HelpEncourageAdvocateRejuvenateTrainStrengthen
It started with our Wednesday night childrens program. We saw the need to help low income families.At first we were focused on one specific area in Bloomington. We now see it's bigger than that.Praise God that His will be done not mine. Churches are coming together as one body to serve our Lord Jesus Christ!I'm sure you know what I mean when I say it's very humbling when you know God is using you to further His kingdom.
God is doing so much more than this. If you like I will keep you posted.
Isaiah 58:10Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
I just found your blog. First I want to say I love your book "Mercy in the Wilderness"--your faith is inspiring.
We started tithing in Jan. 2008 and the Lord has blessed our family. Last year we paid off all our credit cards and car loans as God blessed us with money from unexpected sources (gifts, tax rebates, work bonuses). In August 2008 I was able to quit my job and be a stay-at-home mom. Since we started tithing my car has broken down twice and each time we received a check that week from an unexpected source to cover the cost. We do not have much (we live in a small apartment) but we are happier and healthier as a family since I quit my job and we are filled with faith in God who provides!
I love Proverbs 3:9-10 which says "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine". I have found this to be true in my family's life, that God keeps His Promises.
Blessings!
I can't tell you how MUCH your post inspired me! Good for you! I'm so thankful you took the time to share your story. I believe it'll bring great inspiration to the rest of us in blogosphere. May God continue to bless you for your faithfulness.And welcome to my blog!
I just got giddy reading this story of how God is using you! That's what it's all about! God has a plan for each and every one of us to work with Him in big,giant way. I'm thoroughly inspired. Bless you for your faithfulness, Rebecca!
I focus on 1 bucket that I feel is empty, yet I forget to look at my overflowing buckets!I think I just haven't put a big enough bucket out for the roof. Funny too, because if we don't get that roof we need, we will be putting buckets all over the house! LOL
I'm excited for you! God lifted your chin and now you're looking UP with expectancy! Sometimes it takes a while before we hear the sounds of raindrops in our buckets but the rain will come, that's for sure. Bless you, sister!