Foolish Faith

I arrived in Phoenix, AZ last night a little later than I had planned. There was snow in Utah and when I arrived in Kingman, AZ, a gentleman pointed out that my tire was low. A long story short, I ended up replacing the tires on the Jeep. It just seemed wise to make sure that I was safe for the remainder of the trip.
This morning as I read in Proverbs and journaled a bit, I prayed about the reality of 35 days away. My ticket to return to Germany is April 28~ and there is still $1000 in monthly support to come in. Living by faith sometimes feels very foolish…plodding ahead, planning to get on that plane- even though there is a lot of money yet to come in. One of my favorite quotes from a book called “The Journey of Victorious Prayer” is, “…sometimes God uses prayer to purify our desires. To make sure that our desires are not to make us appear successful, but to truly honor Him.”
I don’t know if God’s plan IS to provide that money, but one of the definitions I have learned of faith is “To live as if what is unseen, is seen”. So, I continue to live as a fool, believing that despite the result, God will be honored.

Money=Fear? Another lesson on faith

Last week I was sharing about Cadence with a Sunday School class in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was the first time in quite a while where I had the full hour to share what God is doing in the lives of women in Germany. I was a little nervous, as I think anyone speaking in front of people should be, but as the stories began to flow about the women I know in Germany and how God has proven Himself faithful...I sensed my heart begin to calm.

As a missionary of a faith-based organization, I am required to raise my own support to sustain ministry and life in Germany. There have been many challenges, often related to finances, but God has been incredibly faithful. Stories of amazing provision at just the right moment; stories that remind me that it is really NOT about the money, but whether or not I serve a faithful God.

I have a return ticket to head back to Germany on April 28th. I also have around $2500 of additional monthly support that must be raised in order for me to return on that plane. As I listen to the radio, the TV, people at the supermarket, even my pastor talk about the economic crisis and how we must all tighten our belts for the current times- my heart begins to fill with fear. Where in the world will this money come from? I am fortunate enough to have my current supporters stay with me- let alone additional supporters to join me. Such was the state of my heart and mind as I tried to focus on the sermon this Sunday morning.

We have been studying the book of Hebrews and talking about faith. The sermons have been incredibly applicable to this stage of my life. As we started reading Chapter 13, I sensed God saying, "Melissa, this is for you. Take heart."

13: 5-6, Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'

Fear is often associated with money, especially these days. However, God presence is always with us and He is the One who has given us everything we have and everything we need.

13:20-22, "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I have NO idea how God is going to provide the finances needed for me to return to Germany, but I trust that His plan is perfect and that He will be with me through it all, because His Word says so.