A Permanent Place of Provision

I want to tell you a story about a young lady in our church. She is a single parent, a hard worker, and a faithful volunteer. She's always done her best to provide a living for her family, but always struggled in her finances. 

She has her college degree and a good job, but at the end of every month, she barely has enough to pay her bills. She wanted to take her children on vacation, but every time she tried to save up extra funds, something would break or an unexpected bill would come in. She just couldn't get ahead. But she didn't get discouraged. She didn't start complaining. She just kept being faithful and productive; she kept honoring God and loving people. I would see her all the time at the church giving, serving and helping others.

God says, "When you abide in Me, you will bear much fruit. Not only that, your fruit will remain." That means not temporary favor, but permanent favor; not a season of blessing, but a lifetime of blessing. Because you keep abiding in Him, God won't let you live a life of constant struggle. This young lady was obviously abiding in Him. You could just tell by the smile on her face and her demeanor.

About four years ago, this lady's supervisor took an unexpected, early retirement, and she was given that position. With that position came an incredible increase in her salary. She was very grateful. But then, about a month ago she told me that one of the vice-presidents of their company suddenly resigned, and she was given that position. She said, "Joel, now I'm making more than ten times what I made when I first started." Today, she doesn't live under that constant financial pressure. She has more than enough. She can take her children on vacation whenever she wants. Now, she supports another single parent family as well. She has been blessed to be a blessing!

Friend, that's what God wants for you. He wants to promote you and set you on high. You may be in tough times right now. You may be struggling. But don't let a spirit of lack get on the inside of you. Where you are today is not where you're going to stay. God has so much more in your future. If you will stay submitted to Him, if you will follow His Word and be faithful with what you have, then you're going to come in to a permanent place of provision. Keep praying, keep believing, keep hoping because your "due season" is on the way!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9, NIV).

Draw Near to God............

"Draw Near to God and He will draw near to you"
(James 4:8)

Stop for a moment and ponder this:  the Creator of the universe, the earth, and all its inhabitants, requests your presence.  Not only your presence, but He desires to be intimately close, for we are told "he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you" (Ex 42:14 NLT).

This is God's unwavering desire.  He is the One who has issue the invitation, for He longs to be known by His children.

Always - Passion 2011

NorthStar News!!!

Just A Few Reminders...........

• Three (3) Services Begins THIS SUNDAY!!!   8:45 a.m., 10:20 a.m., and 11:55 a.m.

• 20 Something: Young Adult Ladies –Cooking/Mentoring. Titus 2: Women Mentoring Women...come join us as we learn how to cook meals, homemade bread and decorate a cake. We meet the 1st Sat. of every month: Starts March 3rd. Contact Diane Johnson for more information 599-0754.

• Ladies: Daytime session for Beth Moore’s new “James: Mercy Triumphs” starts Thursday March 8th, 9am at the Carmichael Campus and runs for 8 weeks. Limited to 12 ladies.

• Conversations - Breakfast, fellowship and more on Sat. March 17th, 9-11am at the Sherrill Campus. Child care must be reserved ($1 per child). Sign ups located at Connection Point.

• Remember Church at the Joe is coming up Monday, March 5th. Bring your unchurched friends and let God do the rest.

Have a great week!!!

 

"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you.....for the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." (1 John 2:15-16 NLT)

I have read this scripture 100x before, however, something new caught my mind today:

 

This world offers us cravings for "physical pleasure" (food and other desires); "everything we see" (material items), and "pride in our achievements & possessions" (titles, accolades, and defining significance in people's opinion not God.)

I took a moment and thought about the "busy" weeks I always seem to have.  How many times had I "craved" something to eat?  How many times had I "dreamed" of the living room furniture I am so "in-love" with?  How many times did I wonder if the decisions I was making at work would define my significance? And............How many times did I "crave" to spend time with God?  

Wow........when I weighed everything out it was a lopsided equation, to say the least.  It was in that moment the Lord spoke to my heart, and reminded me that He is the source of my significance.  He has blessed me with so much, a loving husband, an amazing family, a wonderful job, church, friends, etc.  And, yet, I am always thinking of more.   It was in that moment that I just THANKED GOD.  Thanked Him for my salvation, for His Love, Kindness, Goodness, Mercy, and Grace that He gives me exceedingly more than I can ever ask each day. 

And, as I prepare for another busy week, with lots of meetings, deadlines, church commitments, striving to be a good wife, and just trying to be a Jesus girl reaching for my Father's heart, I am reminded that my life is not defined by where I live or what I do, my life is defined by my relationship with the Lord and my life that He is transforming to be more like Him.  

 

By: Kim D.