On Tuesday night our church's Leadership Team met to work on the budget. Like almost every ministry in America today, we are looking at the effects of high energy costs and the impact of an economy in recession on our church's financial resources. We took time, as we planned, to look back over several years and remember the times when God has done the 'impossible' for us. We are charged to be prudent, wise managers but that mandate is paired with the command to be full of faith, ready to go where the Lord leads! God has never provided for our ministries by sending us a benefactor with $millions, nor has He chosen to fill our accounts to overflowing, but He has made it possible for us to do what we believe He wants us to do. I am learning to look at things differently. Where some might see lack, I see provision!
The Bible says that Faith is {Hebrews 11:1 ASV} the assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. I do not read that line as requiring us to pretend nor do I see any requirement for denial of reality. However, I do see a need for a different kind of vision. As Believers, we need to ask God to give us 'eyes of faith!' I pray daily, "Lord, do not let me only see the obvious; let me see the possible; the potential; Your Hand working through situations of my life." Some people look for evidence of God's absence. I want to be a faithful man who looks for evidence of His Presence. Some people complain about what God does not do.I want to be a faithful man who thanks Him for the myriad blessings: seen and unseen, that He pours on me day to day.
You will find what you seek! If you seek for Him, you WILL find Him! The exiles of Judah, far from home in Babylon, received this promise from the Lord through his spokesman - Jeremiah. It still holds for Believers today. Read it with faith to receive it. "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land." (Jeremiah 29:11-14, NLT)
In 1948, George DeMestral was out hunting in the mountains in France with his dog. The dog disappeared into the brush and George went after him. When he returned home, he noticed burrs tangled in the dog's fur and locked onto his wool pants. 99.999% of us would have been aggravated by the burrs and the 'stupid' dog whose venture into the brush caused us to have extra work. George was fascinated by the holding power of the tiny burrs. He took them to his microscope and examined them carefully. His observation led him to invent "locking tape" with the trademark name of Velcro. Today Velcro is found everywhere as a quick and easy fastener. George DeMestral was always curious, an inventor/engineer who 'saw' beyond the obvious because he looked.
Maybe you've concluded that your problem has no solution or that God has forgotten your name. I urge you to look again. Your impossibility is God's opportunity. Today, instead of crying before God for what you think you lack, present your life need to Him with the request for new 'eyes' to see the answers tangled in those situations. Instead of telling God to get rid of the burrs that bug you, ask Him what answers are hiding in them. Instead of looking for a new job, a new church, a new _________________ . . .ask God to make a new YOU!
"Come and see what God has done,
how awesome his works in man's behalf! ...
Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer."
(Psalm 66:5, 16-19, NIV)
_______________________
Awesome power, boundless grace;
None can fathom all Your ways.
Truth and love are found
In Your heart alone;
Righteousness surrounds Your throne.
Holy, holy
Holy Lord most high.
Holy, holy
Holy Lord most high.
Awesome Power
John Elliott© 1990 BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)CCLI License No. 810055
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