"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."
John 15:16
The thought of raising $15,500 is frightening!!! Especially in today's economy!!! I obsessively check my support account to see if any new donations have come in and I often find myself wondering WHO would support me and WHY they would choose to give a portion of their hard-earned money towards my crazy trip around the world. Then I'm reminded that this journey has NOTHING to do with me; it's all about JESUS. I'm simply a vessel God chose to use to spread the LOVE OF JESUS to the nations. I'm His messenger; His hands and feet.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”
Romans 10:14-15
As I’ve read through the Gospels over the last few weeks, it struck me how much God can do with so little. Jesus fed over 5,000 men with five loaves of bread and 2 fish. After everyone has their fill, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers! Later, Jesus fed 4,000 men with seven loaves of bread and the disciples, again, picked up leftovers – this time seven baskets. If Jesus was able to multiply bread and fish to feed the multitude, why am I questioning His ability to provide $15,500 for the World Race? Seems silly doesn’t it?
Jesus Calling was exactly what I needed to read today:
“I am a God of both intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When you entrust the details of your life to Me, you are surprised by how thoroughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in hearing your prayers, so feel free to bring Me all your requests. The more you pray the more answers you can receive. Best of all, your faith is strengthened as you see how precisely I respond to your specific prayers. Because I am infinite in all My ways, you need not fear that I will run out of resources. Abundance is at the very heart of who I AM. Come to Me in joyful expectation of receiving all you need – and sometimes much more! I delight in showering blessings on My beloved children. Come to Me with open hands and heart, ready to receive all I have for you.”
The Holy Spirit has been convicting that the time I spend worrying about finances and such, could be better spent. I should cast all my cares upon Him, because he cares for me. God wants to be included in all areas of my life, especially in the areas that cause the greastest stress. Raising $15,000 will only be possible through God's overflowing resources. "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible!" Matthew 19:26.
Although God already knows every single need I have, He wants me to spend time in prayer specifically asking for His help. He takes pleasure in hearing my prayers and delights in answering them. Daily, I will stand before Jesus Christ requesting the release of His abundant resources to flow into my lap without fear of Him running out of resources!
“Ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
John 14:14
"And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for."
1 John 5:14-15
"You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
Matthew 21:22
"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things…"
Jeremiah 33:3
"…Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you."
John 16:23
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
James 5:16
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11
