Christian Living

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How God Provides and Why He Loves Providing

The first time I prayed in faith for God to provide was when I was a teenager. I’d heard of an organisation that sent mission teams to exotic places to do building work in needy communities. I was ready for an adventure with God!

I started fund-raising. After a charity dinner and a raffle I was still £500 short, and only had a week to raise it. I didn’t know anything about christian dogma, but I knew God could do the impossible.

“Dear Lord, if you want me to go on this trip, please provide me with the money, as soon as possible!” I prayed.

In my heart I heard these good bible verses: “Ask and it will be given to you…For everyone who asks receives.” (NIV Matt 7v7-8)

Later that day, a man who knew my dad gave him an envelope with £500 in for my trip. He also offered to drive me the 100 miles to the preparatory weekend, and back!

“But how did he know I needed exactly £500?” I asked my Dad.

“Well…God probably told him!” That totally blew my mind. Not only did God care for me, hear and answer my prayers, he also told other people how they could be an answer to my prayer. I was now hooked on praying and wanted to know more about this incredibly generous, involved God.

Before I left on the trip a friend gave me a card with this verse in: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God of… will guard your hearts and minds.” (NIV Phil 4v6)

I remembered these verses, and they became my strategy of handling being away from home for the first time and discovering another culture. Through them I became more aware of and dependent upon God as a Father, less anxious in general and more joyful when prayers were answered!

Since then I have read, meditated on, breathed in, declared and prayed this inspirational bible verse until it became part of me. It has become one of those quotes to live by.

I have been in need many times, and have seen many answers to prayer. When we gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, God’s provision truly blessed us! We were given a cot, pre-loved toys and baby clothes. My heart was stretching with joy and gratitude.

But the other day, I went to a mom and baby group. The only other mom there was immaculate, she looked like she had walked out of a magazine. I tried not to be intimidated and smiled.

In one glance she dismissed me, and turned away. I hadn’t even noticed the scuffs on the stroller till now.

“How dare she judge me for my appearance!” I told myself.

“Love is the most importance thing.” I consoled myself. But I kept imagining her in her perfect world, choosing whatever stroller or baby clothes she wanted She had more than enough money, and she had choice. Envy niggled in my heart.

“We’re so grateful you provide for us, Lord. But how does she get such an easy life?”

“Blessed are those who are poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NIV Mat 3v5)

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom.” (NIV Mat 19v24)

Suddenly I realised. The true pearl in my life is my relationship with Father God, which began and is sustained by my dependence upon him. The rich mom doesn’t need God’s provision, so God may never get a chance to father and care for her.

I felt such sadness in God’s heart for those who don’t think they need him. He loves providing for us because we’re his children, and he is our Daddy. Now, every time I see a rich mom I pray:

“Father, every good and perfect gift is from above (NIV Jam1v17), find a way to reach into this woman’s life and fill her up with your love, so she may meet her Father God.”

May you enjoy an adventure with God as you grow in faith and see many amazing answers to prayer!

You can find other testimonies of God’s amazing provision at www.howgodprovides.com.

P.J.Baker
[email protected]
Member # 62789
Gold 

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