I am the sole financial provider for my family, and I have been unemployed since May of last year.  Considering that I have a family of four, this is a situation that could easily crush me if my eyes were focused on the realities around me; however the promises and provision of God have been my strength.  “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)  Also, Psalms 91:9-10 NIV states, “If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the LORD, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.”  Praise the LORD for the wonderful things he has done, and the marvelous things he is going to do!

It has been comforting to know that the body of Christ has been lifting us up in prayer, believing “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8:28 NIV) Therefore there is a purpose for this season in our lives, and I am trying my best to listen to God as he prepares me for the future.  But at the same time, I am enjoying this priceless gift of time with my family.  We have been blessed even during this trial, and the LORD has proven himself faithful time and time again.  I am looking forward to seeing His hands continuing to work in our lives!

Jon A

I recently relocated out of state due to my Husbands job position.  When my husband first told me about the job oppurtunity I thought…uhh yeah right!  I just moved back home, there was no way I was leaving again. I was sure this was absolutely not Gods plan. But than once I wrapped my head around the idea I started to pray about it. I had a conversation with a very wise woman who told a very wise story…A couple owned 2 hunting dogs. These dogs were trained to point out any movement so when they took them on walks, the dog would spot a squirrel or another dog and as soon as they did, they would freeze up stiff as a board and point their tails. To get these dogs to move again, they would literally have to pick them up and turn them around the other direction to distract them. This is so how we are! We get one idea in our head and in order to get our attention God has to pick us up and turn us around in order for us to see His plan.  Even though we think we know whats best for us, God knows better. He is so good! We are so blessed!  My husband loves his job and were living in a beautiful home. I testify that God is so so good!

Nicole C

I am a newbie in my walk with Christ. At first I thought God was going to judge me harshly for my flesh walk. Imagine my surprise when I learned that is NOT His way at all!!

You see, He’s not a God of condemnation! But there are conflicts in my life I’m dealing with, so am I right in assuming these conflicts are my convictions? Well, I truly love my Savior! And I plan to serve Him for the rest of my life.

Dee B

Sometimes when you’re reading the Bible a word, a phase, or a verse can stop you and make you think. This happened to me recently with the second half a Psalm 37:23:

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way.

He delights in his way. If you look at the capitalization, it means it is God who delights in man’s way. To personalize that, God delights in my way. I have the word “delights” italicized and bolded because that is where the little, itty, bitty letter “b” was, which told me if I looked in the center column of my Bible I could find other verses that might further expose this concept of God delighting in man.

The single verse by my little letter “b” lead to a verse that talked about God favoring those who fear Him, and the little letter by “favor” lead me to another verse that talked about God “takes pleasure” in His people. After I traced out a few more verses, I went online and found access to an Interlinear Bible which allowed me to look at the Hebrew meanings for various words. The following is the scriptural trail, with the word that leads to the next verse bolded and italicized, along with the Hebrew meaning for some of the words in brackets, starting with Psalm 37:23.

The steps of a man are established {to be firm, be stable, be established} by the LORD, And He delights {to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with} in his way {way, road, distance, journey, manner}.

Psalm 37:23

The LORD favors {to be pleased with, be favourable to, accept favorably} those who fear {to fear, reverence, honour, respect} Him, Those who wait {to wait, hope, expect} for His lovingkindness {goodness, kindness, faithfulness}.

Psalm 147:11

For the LORD takes pleasure {to be pleased with, be favourable to, accept favorably} in His people ; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation {salvation, deliverance, welfare, prosperity, victory}.

Psalm 149:4

If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasures.

Job 36:11

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Psalm 16:11

These verses communicate that God enjoys being an active part in the lives of those who choose to honor Him. That He does care and will help. And this last verse, sums up what our response should be.

Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor {desiring, delighting in, having pleasure in} my vindication {justice, rightness, righteousness}; And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified, Who delights {desiring, delighting in, having pleasure in} in the prosperity {completeness, soundness, welfare, peace} of His servant.”

Psalm 35:27

To me that last verse kinda says I testify God is good…

Do any of these verses say anything to you? Your thoughts are welcomed.

(All scriptures are from the New American Standard Bible, and you can find the study tools at www.biblestudytools.com)

Technorati Tags: does God care, God help me

My husband and I were recently doing a pre-marital counseling session with a young engaged couple and talking about how taking time away for each other was very important to the health of their marriage. We shared some of the things and outings we have done to keep our marriage strong. One of those things was to take a cruise every 5 years, and how this year (our 35 anniversary) we were excited to celebrate with our son and his wife for the birth of our first granddaughter in California.

At the end of 7 weeks of counseling the young couple thanked us with a blessing of a Caribbean cruise. We were so surprised that we couldn’t speak. I kept looking at the papers without being able to speak a word and handed the papers to Jim. They said they wanted us to be able to have our cruise for our 35 anniversary.

JIm performed the wedding ceremony for the couple on November 7, and on November 9 we embarked on our 35 anniversary gift of a cruise for the Bahamas. Our time together was wonderful and refreshing.

God truly does care about every single little detail in our lives. Things that we may think are too small to be bringing before Him; He wants to hear us ask. JIm and I mentioned to each other how we would wait and go on our cruise next year; yet God enjoyed blessing us through two very precious people on this our 35 year of marriage. God is so good, and I am truly thankful.

Debbie R, FL

I am overwhelmed and amazed at how good God is. Michael has been struggling for sometime with an inner battle and was at the end of his own strength and ready to give up but as he came to the end of himself, that is where God showed up in a BIG way. He seems to come through time and time again yet each time I can’t believe how faithful He continues to be. Even in the things that seem so small to me He takes the time to intervene and show up in such an awesome way. All we have to do is ask and believe that He has our best interest at heart and will do what needs to be done. We just have to be willing to hand it over to Him and take our hands off so we can see Him work. Amazingly, it always turns out better than we could have done ourselves so why do we hold on for so long. You think we would learn. I can’t wait to see the end result of God’s faithfulness. What a good God we serve.

LaDawna A, CA

My company called and laid me off after five years so naturally I thought my world was coming to an end. I had just moved from California to Arizona under Gods direction so I was very surprised to say the least. I was making Ca wages in Arizona so I thought how this could ever work out for me. I was to receive a severance package and vacation time so I knew I could make it one month. Then the company called and withdrew the severance package and that defiantly shortened my time.

I started applying for everything I could find with no response. It definitely seemed like panic time. I turned to God for help like I always do and it seemed as if he was not listening to me this time. Of course he was it was me not listening to him. I started fasting and lots of praying and nothing no answer I could hear.

After the first month of being off work was coming to an end my water heater broke and flooded the utility room. I have a family of six so no hot water is a problem so I asked God what to do. This time I heard an answer very clear he told me to remodel the utility room. Remodel the utility room are you crazy don’t you know I am out of work I said! I looked at what little money we had left and thought to myself I had better do as he says. So reluctantly I went to Lowe’s and bought everything I needed to remodel the utility room. I thought well when I have to sell my house at least the utility room is done.

Two days tell we have to pay mortgage 31.00 in the bank and no options. I told God I have been faithful I tithe I do what you tell me so I am standing on your promises oh God this is your problem.  The mail came that day and there in the mail was a check from an old retirement plan my wife had put in to cash out. It covered everything and then some wow! You are good God.

The next month I didn’t panic as much. I was still applying for everything I could find with but with no response.  Month 2 once again came to an end with only 17.48 in the bank and no prospect of money. God once again provided with money in the mail that paid everything and then some.

Month three however was very different. I was still applying for everything with no response. My wife’s brother had died suddenly so we had to go back to California (an added expense). We were experiencing vehicle problems so driving home was problematic at best. God provide a rental car through our church and money for the trip. One week before we were to go my elderly neighbor came over and asked me if I would clean up her yard. She had trash and things all over the place. I thought no I don’t want to do that but I figured it would be the Christian thing to do. As I started the work she said I should look into selling the steal from her property I might make enough money to pay for the gas. Pay for the gas wow it not only paid for the gas it made mortgage that month and gave me the money I needed to go to California.

One day before we left I got a call from my pastor telling me to call someone name Carol about a job. I called her and long story short she hired me that day and I started back to work the day after we came home from California. I make the same amount of money I did with the old job and not only that but I never even applied for this position it literally came from God out of nowhere. GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!

David B, Az

Sherri B.’s message regarding the funds for the window made me think of my favorite hymn…”Great is Thy Faithfulness,”  which says, “Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not, As thou hast been, thou forever will be.”  How like the Lord to leave no doubt that the funds for the window were from Him!  We are thankful for God’s blessings on your behalf Sherri B.!

We just paid for a wedding and we are amazed how God provided for even the last minute needs.  We are saying, “God multiplied our limited funds like Jesus did with the loaves and fish when feeding the multitudes.”  What do people do who do not have confidence in the Lord?  I will be telling others about this new website of encouragement.  Thanks!

Nancy A, CA