Faith Rewarded

"It is not about the money, it is about the message". That was the answer I gave to a church a few weeks ago. It was a 5 hour trip to the church and they really wanted to have me come to speak. I did not have a set fee and operate by a love offering basis. It was a small church. The smallest church I have ever been in. I told them that if they wanted me to speak, God will take care of everything else. We stayed with a family to help alleviate costs and they were more than ready for the five of us. With 4 children along with grandchildren, they were amply prepared. It was a wonderful time of fellowship. They gave me a check. I casually stuck it into my pocket. As we left, I looked at the check and saw that it helped cover the cost of food for the trip. That Sunday afternoon, we received a card. It brought us to our knees with a spirit of thanksgiving and praise. It was a $100 gas card to be used at any Shell station in the US. Suddenly, the trip cost us nothing. God did take care of it, in a way in which I did not expect. 3 days later, I went to the post office and found in my box a barely legible hand written envelope. I opened the mail and read with tears in my eyes a letter from a couple of a church I had previously preached at. God had laid upon their heart to send me monetary support. I did not ask for any support, I just simply trusted in God to provide for our needs and He did, above and beyond what we could imagine. Last night, April went to the store to pick up some things and the van started causing problems. Tomorrow, we are to go on the road again to speak at another church. The devil was out in full force planting seeds of doubt. Then, I remember the gas card, the financial support in the mail, and the fact that God has richly blessed us spiritually and financially as I have found myself preaching in 4 states in the first 7 weeks of 2012. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19). The van is fixed now and we are preparing to live for Belleview, IL to minister to the people of Belleview Community Church this Sunday. God has blessed us and will continue to bless us. The repair cost us a couple of hundred dollars but all is well since our tax refund has long since arrived and is sufficient enough to cover the cost. God took care of our needs. I do believe He allowed it to happen now when we had the means to deal with it than at an earlier time when the means were meager. His timing.....impeccable. Don't quit on God. He will take care of you and provide for your every needs. I know this because He has promised it and He has done it.