For several years, our congregation has been planning on building a multi-purpose, youth oriented building for our growing church. Yesterday was the big kick-off - they're about to begin this process. Our church has had good financial planners for building projects and improvements and staying out of debt. But more importantly, when there has been a need, our members always come through with the funds to take care of those needs. You may find this in your congregation, too, but our members have, through the years, been so blessed through faith that God will provide. He always has, too.
Sometimes, it seems that monetary blessings have come almost miraculously from out of nowhere, and some may say, "what a coincidence!" But if you are a believing Christian, you know that there are NO coincidences when one is praying in faith - there are answers - sometimes a yes, sometimes a no, sometimes a wait and sometimes - a better way! For we cannot out-give the Lord, and when we ask according to His divine will and believe that He will guide us, then we can step back and wait and see what the Lord can do through His people. I've seen this countless times, and it's happened in my own life over and over. Not just about material things, but about all kinds of life problems that arise, illness, children, job loss, YOU NAME IT. Even when we felt God was telling us NO about something, He planned a better way and gave us the strength to go through it. I have lived long enough now and been through enough of "life" to see the hand of God in my life and in the lives of those around me. Sometimes it's while you're going through it, sometimes it's looking back and seeing where you've been and how you've come through. A wonderful faith builder for the next time...
For a moment, I'll comment on our building fund because it's fresh on my mind. Tony and I have been Christians and members of the Lord's church for almost 30 years. We've seen many special needs and building funds come our way. We've not always known where the funds that we felt led to give were going to come from. But God has always come through for us - either Tony would get a bonus (which were few and far between) or we'd get a refund check, maybe something unexpected from the IRS. The money has always been there. When it would appear out of the blue, we'd look at each other almost in disbelief and smile and know together that God provided.
Mustard seeds, people. Eph. 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"..... We can't even begin to imagine all that the Lord can do through us His people! Do we limit God because of our own short-sightedness and lack of faith? I daresay we do!
Well, I didn't really mean to wax so long on giving, but my heart and mind were so full from yesterday's services, just had to go off on that tangent for a bit...
GATE 11. Ok, if you've studied Revelation you might remember in Ch. 21, it talks about the 12 gates of heaven and goes on to name them and describe them. I guess when we actually get to heaven, we'll find out exactly all about these gates. Some say Revelation is prophecy and some believe it literally. I believe that the Word is God-inspired and written for our instruction and to show us the way of Life. So, I'm not here to really argue about Revelations.
Our message conclusion yesterday morning was this -- you've always heard that one needs to have a family plan in case of an emergency, maybe to have a specific location to meet up. Our minister said yesterday that if he got to heaven before his loved ones and family at our church that he'd be waiting at Gate 11. He said he'd wait there just inside the gate 10,000 years or so before he goes on into the city of gold - since time doesn't matter in heaven! I loved that! It will be so good to see those who've gone on before us and to welcome those that come behind. I think me and my family are going to meet at Gate 11, too. I hope that you, too, have a plan.
Will I see you there?
