The Lord and I have been having an ongoing conversation lately. Now that I am divorced. Single. A single mom. A single, sick mom. I've been asking God what should I be doing to earn money. Would He bring me something that I could do from home? I keep asking and do you know what He keeps saying?
Give.
Huh?
Hold on a second, Lord...You aren't even letting me get through my whole sentence and You keep telling me to GIVE??? Is that really what you're saying?
Yep! (ok, I know the Lord probably doesn't say YEP, but He does in my mind)
It has been the strangest thing. I do not hear God audibly but in my heart, my spirit, I just know it's Him. And truly each time I ask about earning money He tells me to give. So I have begun to do that. I am not relaying this story to you to boast about giving but to have a record of how God is working in my life.
Honestly there has never been a time in my life where I really NEEDED God to meet all of my needs. Sure there would be weeks where money was tight but this "new life" of mine is completely out of my hands. Completely!! I need Him in a way I've never needed Him before. I have no way to earn extra money. I have no way of healing myself. I have no way of protecting my kids from heartache.
But HE does. His ways are higher than my ways. (ok, as you know I write these things on the fly, I don't plan them out...I have to tell you what JUST happened) I was in the middle of that last sentence when my dad came into my house. He had taken my car to the shop because it's "acting up". He just told me that it will be ready tomorrow and it will be $800!!!! Okay I just cracked up.
Good thing I have decided that God is control and I am trusting HIM alone. I've been wondering what my next memory verse should be and I think it should be something about God supplying my needs but I'm led now to believe it's even more than that. I am going to memorize Malachi 3:10 (and no, I don't just know these verses, I googled verses that speak about supplying needs). Here is the verse:
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
What is God saying to you that seems ridiculous? Where do you need to trust Him?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
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23 comments:
His answers are "crazy" sometimes, huh? :) Blessings to you today as you trust Him fully.
Sweet Sheryl. I pray that He blesses you through this time of giving. I truly believe and agree that He is telling you to give. You will reap what you sow sweet one! Love ya!
Trusting in agreement with you,
Nicole
From one of your OLD friends, this reminds me of the hymn: Trust and Obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.
I emailed you about your verse before I read this post. I'll repeat myself: This verse seems perfect for you.
Love, Linda
Soemtimes his answers make no sense to me...but I know the giving works...That was a lesson my adult son taught me several years ago..I will blog about it one day...Praying for you.
Great post. And, what a perfect verse.
Thanks for sharing!
Blessings!
Cheryl
Sherly,
Praying for you always in your new season of life and giving. "Great is Thy Faithfulness" comes to mind-all you have needed God's Hand has provided. Thanking God for your giving of yourself to so many in so many ways! You truly are an amazing person!
Love ya to pieces,
kb
Sheryl, my husband and I have been praying, memorizing and standing on the promise of that very verse for the last few months -- and you know what?
God is faithful! He will do what He says He will do! We've been in an extremely tight financial season too, and yesterday I went to my front door to find on my porch 5 bags of groceries. EVERYTHING we needed was in there!!
You're living in exciting days! God will not be out-given. He's telling you to give and He WILL give back -- pressed down, shaken together, running over, will men pour into your lap. Look out, here comes God's supply! I love your obedience to Him and your vulnerability with us!
Praying God makes a way where there seems to be no way! I am reminded of the scripture that talks about God clothing the fields and taking care of the birds. How much more important to Him are we than the birds?? He will take care of you. Continue to trust and let you light shine. You are an inspiration to many others!
This being tax day, my hubby informed me that we are very tight at least until the end of the month. I have been seeking God's direction for my life a lot lately. I feel He is leading me away from a ministry I've been in for the last 6 years...a ministry that is also my job! With these tough economic times, I don't feel I can just quit my job. I definitely need to be trusting Him more about this.
I pray that He blesses you abundantly as you show your faithfulness in obeying Him.
God has provided for us, all because we give. God's Word works, and He is faithful. And I think God does say yep.
I truly believe this giving concept. Over Christmas, we decided to give and give and give some more. You would not believe how the Lord blessed and provided for our family. It was unreal. God is good. He will bless you and your family too as you follow His leading. Perfect verse.
I'm in between 'ridiculous' requests. bracing.
I have to keep reminding myself that God has never let me down before. So why would He start now. I pray that as you follow His will, He will fill you with peace and joy.
Take care my friend!
I hope everything gets worked out with the car!
Whoa! Without going into it on your blog.....I find it funny that so many times all of us siestas find ourselves in the same place at the same time!
I'm so glad He's faithful!
Rebecca
Hey Sheryl,
I'm so sorry it's been so long since I stopped in. I've read many of your posts I missed.
First, I'm just so sorry to read all you have been going through.
You've been such a testimony to me, and countless others through all your struggles.
You continually GLORIFY GOD in your journeys.
Today's post was no different.
I KNOW you are hearing God's voice when He told you to give in your greatest need.
That's how it is in the Kingdom. Give and you shall RECIEVE!!
He does everything just the opposite of how the world or we would do.
I'm glad you are being obedient. I'm glad you shared this with us.
What a beautiful lesson for us all.
God will take care you, He's so faithful.
Praying for you daily♥
Sheryl, It is with great interest that I have read your post today. So much about our Monday Bible Study stands out in my mind, but it would take to long to go into it. What I do know is that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills...it is ALL His. My dad used to tell us quite often, that no matter what, you can NEVER out give God. Keep hanging on. Keep trusting. By reading all of the comments, I have once again been made aware of how many people love and support you in blogland. I am one of them. Thank you for sharing your heart this evening.
I want to say something, but I don't know how to say it. something about people who suffer poverty in this world, how they are the truly faithful...
I don't know how to say it. But I know you're experiencing God in a way that many of us have not. In spite of the uncertainty and doubt, He will provide.
And you will inspire.
Peace,
Heather
The blessings that you "reap" will be more than you ever expected!!!
It may not come back to you monitarily, but you will BE BLESSED!!
Love that verse. It's the only time He tells us to test Him. I've always been strongly opinionated about giving our tithes to the Lord and trusting Him to do the rest.
Can't think of anything crazy He's asking me right now.
I know I've had a dog heavy on my heart and don't know if that is my flesh wanting to satisify some emotional needs with the love of a companion (even though I greatly dislike animals). Yet, I can't escape the cuteness of Yorkies, little Yorkies. Linda at 2nd cup has one named Zoe. I even had the name Chloe come to mind. Not sure what that's all about. We shall see once I get settled in the new house.
Dear Sheryl, wait on the Lord andHe will direct your paths. Its a very difficult situation you are facing. I understand your loneliness and helplessness.
God will open doors for you
Sheryl,
Sometime we'll have to sit down and have a good talk about this subject! This is an area where Mike has been so good for me. There have been times I've fought his generosity, but no more. So many times God has come through and blessed us after we've been generous to someone else. Someday ask me about the chicken - don't want to go into it here. The last verses I worked on memorizing were good for this too. 2 Cor. 9: 10-11. Still praying for you my friend.
Love,
Hulie
Hey, Friend! I hope all goes well with your car. Sometimes it seems that when it rains.. it POURS!
I wanted to say THANKS for your prayers for Zach... I TRULY APPRECIATE you for remembering him! I'm just SO HAPPY that things are "okay". (I wonder sometimes how much my mind/heart can take) ☺
I hope you have a WONDERFUL week!
Love you,
Tonya
Wow, your faith and trust in God are just amazing. It is so easy to ignore what you feel from Him and do what you or others think you should be doing. Hold on, and you will end up right where you need to.
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