The last few months I have been praying and pleading with the Lord for help with my lack of trust, faith and belief in Him. I am not saying I don't have faith or I don't believe or trust in God. I just know that there is more that is available than what I currently have and I want more. Never become content where you are with God but thank Him for bringing you this far. Always strive for more and He will give you more. Just like when Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. He didn't stop until he was blessed. It literally changed Jacobs walk forever. Well, the Lord answered and I want to share how that happened. Because if it can happen to me, it can happen to you.
In Mark 9, there is a story about a father who seeks Jesus to heal his son who was possess by a demon. Mark 9:24 reads, "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”. That verse became a part of my prayer life. I knew I lacked and I couldn't do anything within my own power and will to fix it. Trust me, I tried and failed. We must examine ourselves and see where we need healing, strength and help.
About 2 weeks ago, the beginning of August, I was driving home on the freeway and all of a sudden I heard something as if my front driver side tire blew out. I pulled over and a strip of my tire started to come off the tire. I knew that I needed tires soon but I wasn't ready to buy a new set. I cut the strip off and finished my drive home. On the way I began to pray. I began to seek the Lord's righteousness and Kingdom. What came to mind was Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;". I knew I had no way within my own power and limited funds to get new tires.
I prayed and asked for prayer. I was attacked heavily spiritually because I kept getting tempted to worry and stress out while i waited for the Lord to answer. I learned how to fight back with prayer, worship and scriptures. I knew how but I felt the Lord strengthen me. The enemy had nothing on me! It took about 4-5 days for my answer. I had posted on Facebook a prayer request for tires. I was not asking anyone for money, just prayer. I knew God was going to come through with this blessing because His word says that He cares for me, I had asked in Jesus name and God knew what I needed even before I asked for it. I already knew that He knew our car needed tires. On the 3rd day, Saturday, I finally called around for some prices. I was tempted to go get a title loan. But me and my wife decided to wait on the Lord. I got a real good deal at one place and a very high price at another but I couldn't afford either. I would've been happy with used tires at that point as long as they were better than what I had.
Sunday morning me and my family went to church. One of the first people I ran into my the best man at my wedding Kevin, who was doing security. He asked me about my tires. I really didn't want to talk about it, plus I had to get my kids to Sunday school because we got to church late. I told him I'd talk to him later. He said he had something for me and I kind of knew what he was talking about but I wasn't sure. I walk into the worship center and take a seat. After I sat down I got a tap on the shoulder from the person behind me and they gave me a white envelope with the word TIRES written on the front. "Randy told me to give you this". Randy is a good brother of mine and what's funny is that I walked passed him and the Lord highlighted him to me as I was walking in and I shook his hand. I didn't look in the envelope right away. At the end of service I looked and it was 200 dollars towards the new set of tires. I Thanked Randy and he said "Don't thank me, you know who this is from".
The next day at men's bible study, I got a hold of Kevin after the study was done. We talked about the tires. I told him I had some money but I was shirt 180 dollars. Kevin said "I knew you were going to say that!" He pulled me aside and gave me another 200 dollars. He said the Lord had told him that I would be short about 180 dollars. I am so blown away at this point. I finally told my wife, totally forgot to tell her haha. She wanted to cry with tears of joy. We prayed and thanked the Lord. The next day, my younger brother Kristian messages me on Facebook and tells me to check my Pay Pal. He sent me 200 dollars. I needed tires but I also needed an alignment and the LORD knew that!
I had to work the day my wife took the family rally wagon to get some new rubber on. She said the guys at the shop were courteous, nice, they charged what I was quoted and they did a fast job. I worried a bit that she would get treated differently because she is a woman ans they would over charge her. But I gave it to God and look what happened. My wife was treated well and we got the tires the Lord blessed us with. Hallelujah!
DISCLAIMER: Before I go any further, I don't believe in God so I can get health/wealth/and prosperity. God took care of the one thing first when I was born again, my sin. After that, I became His child and like a good Father, He takes care of me. God is pleased with faith, even if it's the size of a mustard seed. I took God at His word and I knew in my mind and in my spirit the Lord would come through. I just had to be still and know that He is God. God is faithful! I don't preach prosperity. I preach Jesus Christ the risen King of kings who came to save sinners from God's wrath and repentance.
So what are you suppose to take away from this? How do you apply this to your life? Go and read your bible everyday and pray. If you know you are weak or lack, devouring Gods word and prayer is how you will get stronger. Man does not live on bread alone, but from every word that comes from God's mouth. Believe that God says who He says He is. He all powerful, all knowing, and NOTHING is too hard for him. You got believe that you are who He says you are in Christ. If you a born again Christian, a blood bought believer, you are His child, you are His beloved, you are a saint, you are His portion, you are a royal priest, you are co-heir with Jesus, you are His friend, you are holy because He is Holy, you are redeemed and you have been justified. There is nothing that can separate you from the love of God which is steadfast. It never diminishes and it's such a great love that it cannot be measured. His love for His people is relentless and it's powerful. The love of God, once it's truly experienced, is life changing. It will change the way you live, the way you pray, the way you worship and change your walk with Him. Sometimes God's love hurts but God uses all things all for the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purpose.
So yea, I am barely making it. I live pay check to pay check. But God always makes sure me and my family has a roof over our heads, our bills are paid on time, food is in our bellies, I have a job and gas in our car. Through the suffering I have gotten to know the Lord more. But those are the least of my blessings. Knowing that Jesus saved me and my family, that He has our back and has grown me and my family spiritually, that I am most grateful and blessed. I've learned that whether in abundance or in need, I can do all things through Christ Jesus. Praise the Lord who sits high and exalted in the heavens! Worthy is the Lamb of blessing, honor and praise!
