The God Who Provides

"Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, 'In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.'" -Genesis 22:14

When I was 19, two years into my journey with God, I was desperately seeking for answers. I was overweight, I felt worthless, even after my re-commitment to God I still didn't know what was wrong with me. I decided to go on a fast not really knowing how long it would be. I knew I needed breakthrough - in every area of my life. The fast ended up being 40 days. During this time God really challenged me, healed my heart and strengthened my faith in Him.
 
My mom had been praying for a new car for me since my car was on the brink, and near the end of its little life. About 20 days into my fast, a friend of my dad's called and offered them a great deal on a newer car that was just a few years old. I came down during breakfast time and my step mom told me about the car. I thought they were looking to buy the car for her, so I said, "Are you guys going to buy it?" She said, "We were actually thinking of the car for you!"
 
I was flabbergasted. I had never considered having something so nice! But I was determined not to get hopeful. I had experienced so much disappointment that I didn't know how to receive blessings from God. And I didn't feel worthy. So, with reservation I went to look at the car.
 
When we arrived the man who owned it gave me the keys and told me to take it for a spin. "Oh no," I thought, "I'm not going to get attached..." I told myself. I took it for a test drive with my dad in the front seat, and it was awesome. I love music, and that stereo system was swank! It had a sunroof too, and real power windows and locks!
 
When we were almost back from our short drive when my dad asked me to stop the car to talk about how we were going to make the money work. He offered me a suggestion that I hadn't thought about before, and was willing to work with me on it. I couldn't believe it. It seemed as though everything happened in the twinkle of an eye.
 
That day, I drove up to visit my mom in the mountains, tears streaming down my face, knowing God had given me a special gift. I thought of the scripture in Matthew 7:11, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" I knew God had provided my car.
 
Do you know God as the God who provides? If you need something from Him, step out in faith. Often this step of faith shows God that we trust Him, and He can in turn entrust us with more.

Keys of the Kingdom: Generosity

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." -2 Corinthians 9:6

 

Have you ever experienced extraordinary blessing in your life? Or, have you had the opportunity to be a conduit for blessing in someone else's life? Generosity is a huge key that unlocks the door of God's kingdom into our lives. 

I had just received a very large gift from someone that was rather unexpected. So large, in fact, that the gift was very difficult to accept! 

But, I realized this gift was as much for me as it was for the giver. After speaking with several trusted people about the gift, we joyfully received it. It was an unexpected blessing that helped us in greater ways than could have been quantified in natural terms! The uncanny thing was that we had given money to a kingdom ministry just a day before that had now returned to us 100 fold. 

All that we have is not our own. We are simply managers of what God has entrusted to us. It is by God's grace that He gives it - as it says, "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change." -(James 1:17)

God desires that generosity cover all of us - so that we are never in need. "Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.'" -Luke 12:22 & 23 He desires that we place our trust in Him so that we can have peace that He is the source of our provision. 

Generosity unlocks the windows of heaven into our own lives. Have you graciously received or been generous today?

What Is Tithing?

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”  -Genesis 14:18-20

What is tithing?  Many people might argue that tithing is outdated, that it is an “old-fashioned” idea.  But is it?  Why did God want His people to tithe?

In Hebrew, the word “tithe” actually means 10%.  Tithing is giving 10% of all our “increase” (what we get paid) to God as an act of worship to Him.  We do this for various reasons - most of which are beneficial to us versus God.  God doesn’t need our money, but he does want our obedience.  Tithing is an act of worship meaning we agree that everything we have is His.  We are managers of all that is entrusted to us.  What we have is because of His goodness.

Craig Hill, founder of Family Foundations and author of several bestselling books on money cites the following 7 reasons why he believes each of us should employ the practice of tithing as a part of our worship to God:

• It builds faith in our hearts for God as our Source of provision
• It breaks the power of greed: “money managing me” vs. “me managing it"
• It breaks the power of fear of lack
• It establishes discipline
• It distinguishes between the Source of provision and channel of provision
• It provides support to kingdom activities
• It qualifies us to be trusted with more of God’s resources

Where should we tithe?  Malachi 3:10 talks about bringing the whole tithe “into the storehouse.”  Since we don’t have physical storehouses today, we can relate a storehouse to a place where we are being spiritually fed. More that likely this is a local church, but could be more than one place.

Have you employed the practice of tithing?  Pray and ask God how you might incorporate the practice of tithing into your life. “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 there will not be room enough to store it.” -Malachi 3:10

Provision Follows Obedience

"The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy." -Genesis 26:13

 

During the time that Isaac (the son of Abraham) lived in the Old Testament, there was a famine. Isaac decided to go to the king of the Philistines for help. 

God spoke to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham." -Genesis 26:2 & 3

So Isaac did what God said. And he was blessed. So blessed, in fact, that the king of the Philistines told them to move away! "Then Abimelek said to Isaac, 'Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us.'" v.16 

There was a man close to our ministry who felt God calling him to create movies in Hollywood. He had the gift, the talent, and a passion for the craft and a passion for God. However, many months went by as he lived in Hollywood making many connections, but not receiving any work. He struggled to provide for himself and his family, and many times he considered moving back home. 

However, one day an investor called him wanting to speak with him about funding all of his projects. What an answer to prayer! Although it had been confirmed to him through other believers that he was supposed to be there, he needed the financial provision in order to make his dream a reality. 

Are you awaiting provision from God? Sometimes, we need to make the first move toward God's leading. Provision follows obedience.