Topic: God Will Provide
Hey everyone! So this week it took me a little while to come up with a topic for this article. You see, some weeks are very eventful, and some are not. This past week was a little bit more on the eventful side; an effect of this being that I acquired a few things that I could talk about. A few weeks ago when my Nanni (my Grandmother) and I went to Cracker Barrel, we decided to look around in the store part of the restaurant (as per usual). As I was wondering and looking, I spotted a box that had 52 “Verses of the Week”, which I ended up acquiring. This week’s verse card says “God Will Provide” (Philippians 4:19).
Looking back on my week, I realized how true this statement is (and always will be). You see, a little over two weeks ago my best friend, Megyn, moved to Costa Rica to pursue missions. It has been very hard for me, personally, because I do not have the ability to call her up or see her any time that I would like to. A lot of the time we would go for walks or just hang out and talk about our lives, and on Saturdays we would drive to our D (discipleship) Group at our mentor Jen’s house. So, basically, a large chunk of my time was spent with her, and I loved it. But, I am surrounded by some pretty awesome people and an even greater God who never forgets about me. Looking back now, I have realized that in the past few months I have been growing relationships with some really cool people from my church. I see some of them during the week, and we talk and grow in our walk together. God knew what was coming (I mean, He always does), and He provided me with more people in my life who I could build lasting friendships with. He didn’t leave me to fend for myself when close friend left to go to another country. He hasn’t left me lonely while I am going through this rough patch.
Here is something else that is pretty awesome that happened during this past week: So, for a while, my Nanni has been looking for a house. At times when houses didn't work out it was discouraging, which is hard. All that we could do was pray that God would show her the path, and eventually show her the house that He has planned for her. Not too long ago, my Nanni found a house that she really liked. And, after praying about it, God revealed to her that this is the house that He has set aside for her. It is a part of His will for her life. We had to have faith throughout the entire process, and, in the end, He provided.
God has always provided for His people, and He always will for those who have a heart after Him. I learned this last week at a Bible Study that I attend on Thursdays. We are going through 1 John, and a man named Gil has been taking us through this chapter. 1 John 2:16 (KJV) says “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” We will not always get what we want when we want it. Here is how this whole thing goes: He either says “Yes”, “No”, or “Not yet”. It’s not up to us, and it never will be. Because of sin, our desires aren’t always what God’s desires are. So, when He says no, it is because He has set ahead of us what we NEED. Just like that house. Or those relationships. And EVERYTHING ELSE. So don’t worry or get discouraged when things don’t go your way 100% of the time, because there is a reason for everything that happens. He provides.
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This is part of what I read from my devotional "Portraits Of Devotion" by Beth Moore earlier in the week:
"They (Hophni and Phineas) were treating the ark of the covenant as a good-luck charm. The ark had no power to save. ONLY the God who graced the ark with His presence had that power."
This refers to 1 Samuel 4:1-11.
Beth also says that "genuinely spiritual people recognize that the trappings of God's presence- such as church buildings,human organizations, even the sacred ark- have no meaning APART FROM HIM."
Now, she didn't capitalize those words, but that truth just really stood out to me as I was reading this. I know that I have forgotten this at times, so I just really liked this truth that she reminded me of. Sometimes we get caught up in the things that we can touch and see (I mean, I know that I do), and then forget that they are JUST things without God.
So thank you, Beth, for reminding me. I really appreciate it.
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My “The Insanity Of God” by Nik Ripken mini novel of a review (I posted this on Facebook after finding out that there is going to be an encore screening September 13th):
For anyone who hasn't seen it, I URGE you to go! I have a feeling that the trailer people saw from the Facebook page may have scared some people away, but TRUST me, there is NOTHING that will make you want to close your eyes or turn away! You can ask my grandmother who went with me (she was thinking that she was going to have to cover her eyes during some parts before we saw it). It is not some typical Hollywood war movie filled with gore. It is SO different! This story of faith and persecution will change you. It gave me goosebumps at different points, it was so good! After watching it, you won't be the same (I know that I wasn't). It reveals so many truths and asks us important questions that we might not necessarily think to ask ourselves. I plan on seeing it again with some people that I know who have not seen it yet! (Oh, and I believe that it will be playing at Regal movie theaters.)
*And, as always, I am going to tell you the names of three of my favorite songs from this week:
