"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God
didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition
and exposing Himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else
he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?" (Rom 8:31, MSG)
Way too often we have bizarre concepts about our Heavenly Father. “If I don't do
this, My God will not listen to me.” Didn't Jesus come into a world that had no
interest at all in God? Yet still He came (See John 1:10-11).
The problem is that instead of focusing on the One who would gladly and freely
do all good things for us, we become too focused on ourselves. Aren’t we urged
to: "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race were in.
Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where he was headed-that
exhilarating finish in and with God-He could put up with anything along the way:
cross, shame, whatever." (Heb 12:2)
So often we try and solve our problems ourselves. Instead, whenever we are in
need, even in the smallest things, we need to rely on Him. Otherwise we will
miss an opportunity to experience our Father fully.
Here is an example: My class was invited to visit the regional Recycling Center.
The trip was free, bus included. What a great deal, and my vice-principal gave
us permission to go.
When I booked the bus, the cost was $228.75$. I had to submit the cost to the
Recycling Center, and when I did, I received an email from them saying that they
would only cover $200 of the bus cost. Somehow we would have to pay the
difference of $28.75$. I was concerned that my vice-principal would get into
trouble because of this, and there was no way I would ever be able to charge my
students for a trip that had been purported as “free.” Instead I left it all in
God’s hands.
The next day I received an idea, seemingly out of nowhere. While talking to my
students about the upcoming movie I had promised them for all their hard work,
and I mentioned the 28.75$ problem. I then asked them if they would be
interested to have a pajama day on the day of the movie. Naturally they were
interested. I asked them if they would mind paying a small fee for the privilege
of wearing pajamas. They were still interested. I let them know that it wasn’t
mandatory for them to wear pajamas, and by the time they left for the day, I had
no idea how much money my little “venture” would make.
The next day, some of my students wore pajamas and dutifully paid for the
privilege. When they counted the total money earned, it came to exactly $28.75.
Coincidence? No way! My Father had come through big time!
I shared what happened in my class with my vice-principal, and she was amazed.
My Heavenly Dad always comes through!
Some will say, this is only possible with lots of faith. Truly this is not the
case: “'Because you're not yet taking God seriously,' said Jesus . 'The simple
truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would
tell this mountain, “Move!” and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn't be
able to tackle.'" (Matt 17:20-21, MSG)
All we need is but "a mere kernel of faith", like the tiniest seed in the world.
Our Heavenly Father hears us and He will make the impossible possible, even for
28.75$!
Do we truly believe this? After all we need but a "mere kernel of faith!"
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on
your own." (Proverbs 3:5, MSG)
By the way do you have 28.75$?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.