I have to recognize that I am not a person that naturally believes in God's provision.
It does not come easily to me.
It is a true discipline.
This year, I have been reading Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" and two days ago he said this about "The Habit of Recognizing God's Provision"
2 Peter 1:4 "...You may be partakers of the divine nature..."
"We are made 'partakers of God's nature,' receiving and sharing God's own nature through His promises. Then we have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing godly habits. The first habit to develop is the recognition of God's provision for us. We say, however, "Oh, I can't afford it." One of the worst lies is wrapped up in that statement. We talk as if our heavenly Father has cut us off without a penny! We think it is true humility to say at the end of the day, "Well I just barely got by today, but it was a severe struggle." And yet all of Almighty God is ours in the Lord Jesus! And He will reach to the last grain of sand and the remotest star to bless us if we will only obey Him. Does it really matter that our circumstances are difficult? Why shouldn't they be? If we give way to self-pity and indulge in the luxury of misery,we remove God's riches from our lives and hinder others from entering into His provision. No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges-always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives.
Before God becomes satisfied with us, He will take everything of our so-called wealth, until we learn that He is our Source; as the psalmist said "All my springs are in you"(Psalm 87:7). If the majesty, grace, and power of God are not being exhibited in us, God holds us responsible. "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you...may have an abundance..." (2 Corinthians 9:8)-then learn to lavish the grace of God on others, generously giving of yourself. Be marked and identified with God's nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time."
May 16//Oswald Chambers.
I love that. "Be marked and identified with God's nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time."
But I am not typically a believer in God's provision.
I am a sponge.
A complainer.
Not satisfied. Not lovely or generous.
But in recent weeks my heart has been on the move. And this passage really set it in stone.
Then Matt was talking to a high school kid who we love.
He is a tough spot. Loves Jesus. But need a fresh start.
A work crew spot opened up on our assignment, that we leave for in less than 5 days.
This boy would miss his high school graduation.
The first in his family to walk across the stage to get his diploma.
AND he simply can't afford it.
He has been working like a dog just to raise money from donors to go to camp this summer for a week. Add on top of that Work Crew? No way.
This passage has come to mind. And we just want to see. Can we make it happen? Can we see God's provision at work in the lives of our friends and family?
Maybe. Maybe it will be just our blessing to get to see him at camp.
But maybe it will be yours too.
We created a small fundraising opportunity to help send him to camp. (And maybe a few others if we go over the goal. We believe in a big GOD!) All you have to do is click on this link. And give some money. See what happens!
Give
We can't wait to see OUR friends become partakers in God's nature in the life of a high school student. It will be so cool.
