September 20, 2020
A automotive we purchased prayerfully a few years in the past continues to be a rolling testimony to God’s faithfulness.
In the autumn of 2004, autumn leaves blanketed the streets and a cool chill hung within the crisp air. My husband, Ray, and I discovered ourselves at a neighborhood used automotive lot. Rows and rows of shiny used autos of all makes and fashions have been unfold out throughout us. We had prayed the night time earlier than that the Lord would assist us choose the proper automotive to exchange an older automobile that was now not operating.
After taking a look at a number of vehicles, one saved standing out to us. It was a 2001, pearl white, four-door sedan. The inside and exterior seemed pristine, and it had very low mileage. After some take a look at driving and a few negotiations, we drove away from the lot with our new buy.
It was a terrific automotive from the beginning. It quickly turned a fixture in our household and took us in every single place we would have liked to go. Ray drove it day by day to and from his job, about 25 miles from our dwelling. We additionally used it to go to church and a myriad of different actions. It even took us on a number of lengthy street journeys.
A decade glided by, and the automotive was nonetheless as reliable as ever. One other 5 years glided by, and the automotive was the identical. I can rely on one hand the variety of occasions it’s been to the auto mechanic for repairs.
Miles Later
It’s now the autumn of 2020, and my husband is simply coming back from work in, yep, the identical unbelievable automotive! I look on the odometer, and the automotive has now surpassed 304,000 miles!
As I ponder this automotive and the blessings it has yielded in our lives, I do know that the Lord has blessed us. My husband and I are keenly conscious that every one now we have belongs to the Lord. Our jobs, our household, our dwelling, our funds, the meals on our desk, our well being, our abilities, our means to take pleasure in life—they’re all presents from the Lord. We provide gratitude to God for every part and search His will in each facet of our lives. This precept has blessed us.
One other enormous a part of this equation is stewardship. The Lord instructions all to return a full tithe and asks His followers to be devoted of their choices too. This now we have tried to apply.
Within the e-book of Malachi, God instructed His folks that if they don’t return their tithe and choices, they’re, the truth is, robbing Him. Wow! Returning 10 p.c of our earnings shouldn’t be a suggestion however a directive. Giving choices above and past tithe can be desired by God. God has put in place this divine system to bless His individuals and His church.
By way of Malachi God directs His individuals: “ ‘Convey the entire tithe into the storehouse, that there could also be meals in my home. Check me on this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I cannot throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a lot blessing that there won’t be room sufficient to retailer it. I’ll forestall pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields won’t drop their fruit earlier than it’s ripe,’ says the LordAlmighty. ‘Then all of the nations will name you blessed, for yours will probably be a pleasant land,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Mal. 3:10-12, NIV).
The sensible man wrote: “Honor the Lord along with your wealth, and with the firstfruits of all of your crops; then your barns will probably be crammed to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Prov. 3:9, 10, NIV). It’s nonetheless the identical once we apply this precept to our trendy age: giving God a portion of that which He has already given us has guarantees connected to it.
By stepping out in religion and trusting in God with every part now we have, with our first fruits and never with leftovers, the Lord has blessed Ray and me in quite a few methods. He offered knowledge and the power to get out of debt sooner than anticipated. Different blessings embrace our three kids and 12 lovely grandchildren. Among the best blessings are the answered prayers on completely different events on behalf of ourselves and our family members.
Going again to the automotive, I do know that sometime we must exchange it. When that point comes, we’ll search the Lord’s knowledge and blessings in that call.
We serve a strong, loving, and devoted God who can present divine blessings and care to His followers as we step out in full and full religion and search His will in each facet of our lives. There have been, and will probably be, hardships and trials alongside the best way, however I do know I can belief God. I’ll proceed to do not forget that the Lord is nice and search Him day by day in my life. That is the place true peace, pleasure, surety, and luxury are discovered.
Janet Van Why is communications secretary for the Albuquerque Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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