“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15) I was dead in my transgressions and sins, deserving of God's wrath. But because of His great love, God had mercy on me one night seven years ago and, by His grace, made me alive with Christ. (Ephesians 2:1-9)
A couple years after I was born of the Spirit (John 3:3-8), I could no longer meet my monthly expenses. The Bible instructs us “not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) So, I prayed, in faith, for an affordable home. “If you, then, though you are evil[1], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11, Matthew 6:26)
Friends and family tried to convince me that what I hoped for was unreasonable and unattainable ... I trusted in God and waited. “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.” (Hebrews 11:6) Because “this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15) “For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.” (Psalm 33:4)
A couple months later a friend of mine ran into an old friend who mentioned she would soon be moving. Through this encounter, God provided me immeasurably more than I asked or imagined! (Ephesians 3:20-21) My Father blessed me with the sweetest home - a house - even closer to the beach than my apartment. My landlord, a generous and wonderfully kind Christian, charges me well below the going rental rate. I adore him and he loves me like family. Jesus says, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23) “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
A couple years ago my day job fizzled out as my art business increased. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
It was only after my circumstances changed that I was able to help ex-husband in his time of need.
(see My Testimony, part 1)
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
I testify to the fact that God provides our needs if we believe in Him, and put our faith and trust in His son, Jesus Christ. We are here to love Him, and be loved by Him. “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread...” (Matthew 6:9-13)
Recently, a close, secular friend asked me, “Why do you think what you believe is better than what I believe?”
What I believe is not just something I agree with or think is real – I have a genuine relationship with the one who gave me life and holds my life in His hand. "The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6) "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." (1 Corinthians 2:14)
You are the object of God’s love & once you know that & accept that & seek Him with your whole heart – It will be impossible to contain the love & peace & joy & contentment found in His Son, Jesus Christ! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Jesus revealed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1)
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose." (Philippians 2:13)
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5-6)
Jesus warns, “If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15:6)
[1] ”For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23)