The Perfect Peace of God, Provision, and a Prayer for my Husband
Posted: Thursday, November 13, 2008
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
The day was fast approaching; one filled with anticipation, anxiousness, and sadness. Just two days ago, nausea would come out of nowhere--tears would fill my eyes and impatience my soul--and then the day arrived.
This morning as we said our goodbyes, there was a sense of peace I did not expect to feel. Though tears fill my eyes as I write, my heart is at rest. I'm not sure why I am surprised, but I am nonetheless.
One of our concerns was having enough funds for his traveling and living expenses in addition to covering our on-going need. We called on our friends to pray and we trusted that the final confirmation for God's plan would be the provision of these needs. Once again, we are awed by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Last Saturday, our former Bible study leader and his wife came over to visit before Art left. We laughed and shared stories until late into the night and then closed with prayer. One of the needs mentioned was a toolbox for the truck-we could not afford one, but figured no harm in throwing it God's way. Sunday night, another friend gave us a deposit on work she wants done when he returns.
On Tuesday, Art came home to a big box on the porch. "What is this J", Art asks our son. "I don't know dad, Larry just said it was for you." Art opened the box to find a brand-new toolbox! This same day, while at work, a friend offered to pay for one tank of gas…I know awesome, huh. We were still cutting very close on financial needs, but I figured it would work out somehow.
Yesterday on my way out the door, another friend walked out with me, giving me words of encouragement. He asked me to wait a moment while he went to his car. When he came back, he reached inside my window and handed me something--it doesn't take long to recognize the feel of money--I was speechless as he walked away with a smile. What blew me away was the amount. Adding this to what we had accumulated thus far, it was the exact amount we needed to get to the figure we believed Art would need!
God never ceases to amaze me. He provided all our need by working in the hearts of those who were sensitive to His spirit. I can only pray that someday we can give back to those who gave so sacrificially and generously to us.
Pondering all these things at 4:30 this morning, led me to a passage of Scripture that has been underlined in my Bible for the longest time.
"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength" Isaiah 26:3-4
This morning, it has taken on deeper meaning and I am revived with how practical and relevant the word of God is.
Many of us are going through trials and challenges and are being stretched beyond what is comfortable. Yet, we do not have to face these things alone. God has made himself available to each one of us. All we need to do is reach out to him, humble ourselves before him and this Isaiah passage will be true for us. Its truth becomes life and security for those who trust him--not just words on a page in an old book.
With peace flooding my heart, I will move forward in the strength and grace of God--so too my husband, and you perhaps? Heavenly Father, Thank you for your incredible provision and the peace that dwells within. I am continually amazed at how your word is alive and fills every need. This morning I ask for your hand of protection over my husband as he travels, go before him and be his rear guard. Bless him with health and safety. Thank you for friends who are covering us in prayer, I can feel them. I pray that as Art is away from home he would feel them as well. I ask your blessing on Dean and his family as well and thank you for their special friendship. Thank you for the hospitality they are offering. I am so happy Art will have them to keep him company while we are apart from one another--they are family. Thank you for my mom and dad for all their help too. Gosh, Lord, so many to be thankful to and for! I know many families are apart from each other right now for a lot of different reasons and pray your special blessing upon their lives. In the most precious name of Jesus, your Son, Amen. ~~~~ "And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our Hands." Psalm 90:17 "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert
to be tempted by the devil" (Matt 4:1-2).
After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist He was led by the Holy Spirit
into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus was being tempted as a man,
not as God. Jesus came to earth as a man to live His life with the same
limitations as you and I. Satan wanted him to come out of His human condition
into His God nature to deal with His hunger. It was Jesus' first real test to be
a human being.
Some people think God would never lead His people into the desert to be
tested. Some would even say this is the devil's doing. The fact is, both
statements are true. God actually uses Satan to test His servants to help
develop obedience in their lives.
Jesus had to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit in His life just like you
must in order to have victory over temptation. God was testing His obedience. He
was not allowed to be God in this situation. This would be true for the rest of
His life. The miracles He would perform were the result of seeing what the
Father was doing and obeying His commands. Jesus said we would do even greater
works than He did because we have the same access to the Father as He did.
God led the people of Israel into the desert to learn something about
themselves. They learned about their level of obedience when life became
difficult. "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert
these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in
your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands" (Deut 8:2).
When God leads you into the desert, He is allowing you to learn something
about yourself. We all need to learn how we will respond to temptations in our
lives. As we press into God during these times the roots of our faith are forced
deeper and deeper into the soil of His grace.
Do not fear being led into the desert. This too is the way of God.
I know I sent you these, but I thought perhaps your friends may also benefit by this one today.
Love,
Cathy
Being
Led into the Desert
TGIF Today God Is First
Volume 2, by Os Hillman
11-14-2008
Blessings and love,
Avis
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