Do it Again!

I have been praying and contending for breakthrough in my finances. One important area where I have needed breakthrough is in paying off my tuition for BSSM this year. I owed about $2000 several weeks ago. 

Recently, there was a testimony given at school of a student receiving a $4000 gift toward his schooling. In the past, I would have been happy for him on the outside, but inwardly feel a bit jealous, almost bitter. I wondered why God was answering other people’s prayers for their tuition and not mine.

However, when this testimony was shared, I made a different choice. First, I rejoiced with him like it was my own story. See, the truth is that we are family in the Body of Christ, so my brother’s breakthrough is my breakthrough. It takes faith and a heavenly perspective to celebrate with others before we get our own breakthroughs.

Second, I chose to value the testimony. When I heard the story, God put it on my heart to write it down in my journal. This is not something I am accustomed to doing. I wrote it in my journal and left it at that. We then went into an extended time of worship.

When I checked my email after worship (yes, I check my email compulsively. Who knows if another message may have arrived in the 45 seconds since I last looked?), I found that, within ten minutes of me writing down the testimony, an unexpected donation of $500 had arrived in my account! Now I got to rejoice in my own breakthrough!

What’s the point? If you are believing God for something, guard your heart against jealousy. When someone else gets breakthrough before you, celebrate. The Bible says to “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15). This is a demonstration of love for the other person and an aggressive act of faith. Also, value the testimonies of God moving in the lives of people around you. Write them down. Talk about them. Blog about them, if you are so inclined. As you rejoice with others and value the testimony, you will see more and more breakthrough in your own life!

If you would like to be a part of my continuing testimony of God’s provision, you can click here to give to my tuition. As of today, I need $1283 to pay it all off. If you prefer to give a tax-deductible donation, I am going on a mission trip to Georgia in March for which I need $1150. Just choose the appropriate option when you click the link.

Most of all, look for where God is moving today and rejoice in Him with all your heart. He is a really good Dad! Every good and perfect gift is from Him!    

Heavenly Daddy

As part of my time here at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, I am part of a team planting a house church in a lower-income area here in Redding. Last night, we met for the third time. The first two weeks, we had about 8 adults and 15 children, aged 8 and under. We had a few less people last night, but we had several new faces from the community. I gave a brief message, we saw someone healed of back pain, and had 2 salvations (or re-dedications). It was really an exciting time together. However, the most profound ministry for me personally was not as obvious:

Jessica is a single mother of 5 girls. Her father was never in her life. None of her girls have a father in their lives, either. There are several men involved, and at least 2 of them are in jail. It is so sad when men abandon their families. I hesitate to even refer to them as fathers, because it seems to undermine the very meaning of the word.

Jessica has a 7-month old daughter who is absolutely beautiful. I held her during the meal and during our worship time. She pretty quickly fell asleep on my shoulder, where she rested for a good 15-20 minutes. Knowing that she does not have a dad in her life, I counted it a joy to be able to hold this precious daughter. As I held her, I prayed blessing over her and released a father’s blessing over her life.

I know that receiving blessing from one generation to the next is a big deal. I can’t fully explain it, it’s just how God set things up. I don’t know how her life will be different because of my prayer, but I suspect the hand of God to be on her in a new way. As I laid hands on her and imparted the heart of Father God, I know there was a release of His grace on her life that was not there a moment earlier. (Being only 7 months old, she didn't have any unbelief getting in the way!)

I wish I had taken a picture, because the image is such a profound demonstration of our Daddy God’s heart for us. We can be at total peace in His arms. He has fully adopted us in Christ into His loving family. Jesus came to reveal the Father to us. So this Christmas season, know that He’s your Dad. Whatever your earthly father is/was like, Father God is a bajillion times better, and then some.

I pray today that you would know Him in a deeper way as your Heavenly Dad. His love and care for you are unending and unconditional.