God Will Provide

[caption id="attachment_526" align="aligncenter" width="640"] a close meeting with a deer[/caption]

We have been given another chance to really trust God with our finances.

My husband was hit by  a deer,  and this is the damage it caused. Our van was not worth a whole lot anymore , but still reliable enough to get us around and the only vehicle we owned. We live way out in the country and having something to drive is definitely a need.

We put in a claim with the insurance thinking they would fix our vehicle or replace it. However, when all was said and done, we found out we were only clearing $695 after our $1000 deductible.

Hubby tried to convince the insurance company that it was not right of them and we expect more... but there wasn't any way to  change their minds, it seemed.

So often in the pass we took things in our own hands when in need . That is why our payments  are so high each month that we can't seem to keep up.  Often it felt like there was no choice but to borrow money, with which one usually pays a good amount of interest.

We are determined not to do that anymore and having this happen, really put us to the test on that. We wanted to depend on God to provide us with another van.

As we were about to sign the papers for the $695, I told my husband we should try calling the insurance company one more time. He said, he already tried and he didn't want to call them again, but I could go ahead.

I began to pray that God would bring the right person to the phone and dialed the number. I explained to them again that we felt they should be giving us more.  She put me on hold, while she looked at our file to see what was being done with it.

Normally,  being put on hold can make me somewhat impatient, but now it was an opportunity to pray. I asked God to appeal their decision for us and to direct their hearts. I asked him to provide us with our need in whatever way He saw fit.  I told him , I would trust him in this and be content with the decision they were now making.

When the lady I had spoken to came back on the phone, she didn't ask me any further questions and  right away told me our deductible would be $50 and they could send us $1645. It was a very special God and I moment and I could have  dropped the phone in awe.  Thank you Lord for being there!

We do not have a van yet, but it doesn't even matter to me right now. I trust God is working it all out. We have had people tell us we should be getting even more than that but I told God, I would be content with the outcome of that phone call . I am  grateful we are $1000 closer to being able to buy something than we were.  I believe we will find something for that price or God will provide us with the amount needed. It's just a matter of waiting on Him.

This is just one of the financial situations we are facing. It gave us a clearer picture of what it means to rely on God for provision. I am praying he will give us wisdom in all areas. We don't  know what will happen with our finances or how God will see us through it all, but it is  comforting to know we are in good hands.

If you are reading this, perhaps you could pray for us about these things.

If you are facing similar situations, I pray this post will encourage you to trust in the Lord for providing all your needs. Sometimes that means to wait a bit longer than we are comfortable with, but his ways are better than ours and worth waiting for.

Our wait is not over as far as a different vehicle goes. I will update you when I see the outcome of this.

You have trusted Him in a few things, and He has not failed you. Trust Him now for everything, and see if He does not do for you exceeding abundantly above all that you could ever have asked or thought, not according to your power or capacity, but according to His own mighty power, that will work in you all the good pleasure of His most blessed will. You find no difficulty in trusting the Lord with the management of the universe and all the outward creation, and can your case be any more complex or difficult than these, that you need to be anxious or troubled about His management of it?
-Hannah Whitall Smith

©Nancy Wall

 

 

Embracing Joy

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

In my last post I spoke about Depression . Now, let us go in the opposite direction and find our way to   JOY.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Can't find your way? God will show us the way. Sometimes we have to go through the wilderness to get to our destination.  He warns us a broken spirit dries the bones. He tells us having a merry heart is good for us.  He wants us to have joy.

Everyone can have happy moments or enjoy the earthly pleasures in life for a time. Those things don't last though and will not meet our real need. If that is all we have, times will come that will destroy our "happiness. " Real joy comes from God himself.

Jesus said , "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." John 16:7

When we are filled with the holy spirit, we will be filled with joy.  That is one of the ways to recognize a believer.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Matthew 7:16

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith... Galatians 5:22

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. Proverbs 10:28

There are many different seasons in our lives. We will not always feel happy. We will go through times and heartaches that will be painful.  Those are the times where we have to trust that this too shall pass and God is still good.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Even though we may not always feel happy about our circumstances, we can still keep our joy in the Lord. He remains the same and is still with us. His love is still there. Through times of weeping  is often when we find a deeper connection with God. When we allow pain to lead us closer to God , rather than fill us with resentment, we will reap good fruit and be blessed.   

...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psalm 126:5

The best answers come straight from the Bible so I will leave you with a few more verses.  

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  John 15:9-11

I have not always depended on God through through my own trials but am learning more just how much we needed Jesus to save us from our sins. Knowing that gives me so much to be thankful for. I do not want to waste my time being too depressed to fulfill my purpose, but want to embrace the joy of the Lord which He is willing to pour over all of us. We just need to put Him first in our lives.

Here are a few of my favourite quotes on this subject:

"Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God." Robert Schuller

"Joy is prayer - Joy is strength - Joy is love - Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. She gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and the people is to accept everything with joy. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen. " Mother Teresa

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy... Jude 1:24

 

 

Dealing with Depression

I am going to write about a topic I don't like to talk about very much today. The battle is on at the moment and I declare the Lord will conquer as always. I put my faith in Him and will allow myself to fall in his arms trusting He will catch me.

I have often dealt with depression.  It was after our second baby boy passed away that it really hit hard though. I blamed the circumstances at the time. I couldn't find joy in anything and it seemed like the only thing I ever felt was pain. Everything hurt.  This went on for a few years. Eventually though I had a break through. We began going to a church where I heard God`s truth in so many areas that I had been blind to. I was so encouraged by others who had put their faith in Christ. I began a journey away from the lies the enemy had filled my head with and got back on a road that was filled with hope and joy by the truth of God`s word. My heart was relieved from the anxiety and hurt that had been strangling me.

So, then the battle is done ,  and I am just free to live happily ever after, right? No, that is not exactly how it works.   I have to tell you even though I now have the truth in my heart and have found joy and peace through Jesus Christ, the battle continues. Jesus never promised it wouldn`t. He said in this world we will have tribulation but he also said in Him we may have peace because He overcame the world.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

The war is still on though and the enemy will attack us. I still have times where I feel the depression creeping up on me.  Sometimes it is after I have had a baby, or when I just havn`t gotten enough sleep for some time. Financial stress can also add to it. Sometimes it can even be because I am low on a a vitamin or mineral.  It is important to take care of our bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  As much as is in our power to do so, we should take care of ourselves.

The biggest factor is to place our trust in Jesus.  We need to fill ourselves with the word of God though prayer , scripture and song.  There are so many verses that will help us win a battle like this!

Hebrews 4:12  - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Also God knew believers would need one another to stay strong. Talking to another believer who is walking in victory is very helpful.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

If you feel like you are alone, pray God will point you to someone, or point someone to you. Be willing to open up and be honest. Perhaps you are hiding behind a wall that needs to be torn down. I know I have done that before.

Sometimes we are afraid to admit our battles because we think that being a Christian means we shouldn`t be having any. We might have gotten the impression that after accepting Christ we are suppose to be walking in victory without a fight.  The good news is that even though that is not true , the battle belongs to the Lord. We can`t win it on our own but we can let Him win it by trusting Him even when our feelings don`t match up with what we  know to be true.  If it looks as though you are not winning the fight, check who is fighting it. We will get very drained if we are trying to do it on our own and eventually will give up. Give it all to God and  we will make it to the finish line in this race of life.

Remember to always be thankful. Count your blessings rather than your tribulations.

Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:3-5

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

May our hearts not become dark because we are not thankful.

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

If you are dealing with depression, Ì want to encourage you to talk to someone about it. I know depression pills are not a good answer for it, so I could never recommend that.   I don`t know what all the circumstances are like for you but I do know God has the answer to all our needs. We have to seek Him to find them.

I have been reminded again today of what it feels like to go through these feelings.  I believe God allows me to go through some things so that I can help others when they struggle with the same thing.

These are some of the answers he has given me. What is he saying to you? If you don`t know yet cling to the word of God.  Ask God to help you deal with whatever your circumstances are.

As I search His word here to share with you all , I am being lifted up and I thank God He always sets me free and again and that HE does not give up on me!

James 1:2-4 -My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Ephesians 6:10-18  - Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

If our circumstances have been draining remember this:

“Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.”  ―  Jerry Bridges

We CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens us, It is a matter of believing it!

I would love to hear your thoughts. If you would like to comment but prefer I do not publish them to the blog, just let me know.