"God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will, a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to."
-Elisabeth Elliot
A few really wonderful praises to share:)
First, the money for the Ukraine is not fully in yet, but it continues to come little by litte which is huge encouragement. I found out that the deadline I wrote about a few weeks ago was only the deadline for the plane ticket money, which God had already provided almost exactly-- Praise His Name! I was so worried, thinking that we needed all of the funds by that Friday, yet even in spite of my unneccessary stress, He provided for us. He knew exactly what we needed that week and provided exactly seven dollars more than the cost of airfare that day. How great is our God? :) It will all come in in His time, and I am so encouraged by that. My faith continues to grow and be refined each day.
Also, God has confirmed in mine and my parents heart that He wants us to take a step of faith this coming fall. He has clearly called me to enroll in Houghton College! We were greatly surprised and blessed by the financial aid package we recieved the last week in April, and although we aren't fully sure how the remaining cost(after aid) will be paid, God has clearly asked us to take that step of faith and trust He will provide. Deuteronomy 7 speaks about how God called the Israelites to enter the promised land, and tells how the people were afraid that God would not overcome the obstacles still standing in their way. God spoke to them through Moses saying,
"You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?” But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out." -Deut. 7:17-19
I don't know how God is going to provide the enormous amount of funds that this college requires. But I know my Fathers voice, and I know that going to Houghton this Fall is His will for my next step. I know that I have seen His "miraculous signs and wonders" in the way He took supernatural care of me just last month, therefore I have confidence He will take care of me again throughout this future. I am learning that if I knew all the answers right now, I wouldn't get to know faith in Him. And as much as I desire having my plans all laid out, I wouldn't trade the faith God is teaching me each day for anything. God is in control, and oh so good! I am so at peace knowing that I am in the center of His mighty hands, and mighty plans.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " -Phillipians 4:7
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I have a confession to make. I have not been walking in faith in an area of my life lately. The deadline for our financial support being in for the Summer Ukraine trip is this friday, and God humbled me this morning with the stark realization that I have not truly had faith that God would bring in the final amount that we (my sister and I) need in order to go. We are only about halfway there. I know this may sound silly, considering the amount that He pulled out of the blue for me to travel to Asia so recently, but its true. It hit me as I was sitting in my lifeguard chair at work this morning, attempting to memorize Hebrews chapter 11, (of all chapters!) and came to verse 6:
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
It was kindof a huge humbling moment for me. I've realized that I do NOT want to be the child of His who sat here, in the midst of so many incredible memories of His faithfulness in the past and chose unbelief. No. From this point forward I have determined to believe my God in faith- even if He does not bless me the way I desire.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. " -James 5:16-18
The reason I am writing this right now is to ask for your prayers. I KNOW my God will provide for my needs, but when I came across ^these verses this morning, I realized I need each one of you in this faith journey along with me. Please, would you pray with me? It would mean the world.
I have a confession to make. I have not been walking in faith in an area of my life lately. The deadline for our financial support being in for the Summer Ukraine trip is this friday, and God humbled me this morning with the stark realization that I have not truly had faith that God would bring in the final amount that we (my sister and I) need in order to go. We are only about halfway there. I know this may sound silly, considering the amount that He pulled out of the blue for me to travel to Asia so recently, but its true. It hit me as I was sitting in my lifeguard chair at work this morning, attempting to memorize Hebrews chapter 11, (of all chapters!) and came to verse 6:
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
It was kindof a huge humbling moment for me. I've realized that I do NOT want to be the child of His who sat here, in the midst of so many incredible memories of His faithfulness in the past and chose unbelief. No. From this point forward I have determined to believe my God in faith- even if He does not bless me the way I desire.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. " -James 5:16-18
The reason I am writing this right now is to ask for your prayers. I KNOW my God will provide for my needs, but when I came across ^these verses this morning, I realized I need each one of you in this faith journey along with me. Please, would you pray with me? It would mean the world.
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