When You Need a Miracle - Part 1

Relying On a God That Never Changes

Those who know me know I am usually a very upbeat person. I see the glass half full, full or overflowing. In every situation, I am on the lookout for God. But this day in early June...the tide was out. 

I headed for the store with only $100 in my pocket. This day my body was weary and faith tired. Eight years is a long, long time to be wandering in the desert. Since my husbands injury, 5 surgeries, the long legal battle for compensation from workers comp, benefits being cut off without notice and us left to stay afloat on our own --- I was so tired. I continually cried out to God for the Promised Land. Lord! Hear my cry. Answer me from your holy hill! Bring us to “new normal”.

I went through the store with a heavy heart knowing I had $100, but needed double that amount. After all my shopping, I checked out with about a dollar to spare. Loading my groceries into the car I grumbled under my breath..."When is this going to end Lord?" God gently reminded me...”You know, I've brought money from nowhere before right?” "Yes, yes I know. But there is no nowhere for you to bring money from!” said I.  God said, “Well, I can do it again.” Grumbling I said, “yeah, yeah. I know.” 

I drove home restlessly, a split personality. Deep within my 'doubting Thomas' self wrestled with Faith!  After carrying in my groceries and putting them away I heard the mailman come. Grabbing the mail out of the box I rifled through the envelopes and passed my 26 yr old daughter an envelope addressed to her from her college. We'd gotten a few envelopes for her regarding end of the year grades, bills etc. 

Opening it she got a confused look on her face. When I saw the look on her face I asked what was wrong. She said to me, “I'm kind of confused mom. Here is a check for $115! I stood there stock still absorbing what she was saying. We paid all her fee's, so the money was essentially ours. I started hooting and hollering. "God sent us money from nowhere! God sent us money from nowhere!" My daughter looked at me as though I'd lost my mind! After I explained the conversation between God and I, she too began to rejoice with me.  That day, after much rejoicing, I cashed that check.  And I was able to return and buy everything else I needed.

How could I have doubted him?  Hadn't he always arrived?  Hadn't God always in a miraculous way heard my cries, read my heart and delivered respite unto me?  How I need to remember: God never changes.

Again, deep within, Faith overthrew Thomas.  I pondered...was this what life was like when Jacob literally wrestled an angel?  Was it really his humanity wrestling with heaven and isn't that what we do day in and day out?  Is this how Peter felt when he left the boat and began to walk across the water to Jesus?  It was when HIS "faith" waned that he saw the waves and the storm and ran headlong into the logical conclusion that he ought to be sinking...and he began to sink indeed!  As always, success is dependent upon keeping our eyes on Jesus, on his power and ability -- upon the width, depth and height of his amazing love for me and for you.

Though economies fail and new kings are born, and everything about us becomes unsteady, one thing remains the same. God never changes!

God still rains down manna from heaven!

And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans, 8:28.

Dori Cass is a wife of 29 years and mom to two adult children. She has spent her adult life active in Womens, Children's and Youth ministry. Join Dori as she draws from her pool of experiences as she testifies to what God has done and is still doing. You can find her blog at http://heavensconfetti.blogspot.com/

What Storms Accomplish

I moved to north Idaho about 7 years ago. One of the first things we heard was ' if you don't like the weather in north Idaho, wait an hour and it will change.' We thought it was a joke at first but sure enough, we witnessed many times that a summer day could start out sunny and brilliant – theh suddenly storm clouds roll in and a fierce thunderstorm will rain down hard with winds and hail. An hour later, we are back to smooth sailing and brilliant sunshine.

Speaking of smooth sailing, don't you love it when life is like that? Calm. No surprises. Controllable. Easy. If only it was like that all the time. But sometimes God will allow a storm cell to rush into our lives. Bad things happen to good people and we are always wondering why. Why do we battle cancer? Why do people suffer financial devastation? Why do tornado's rip apart a family's life.... hitting one house but not another? Why, why, why.

Walking through this 8 yearlong storm in our lives (yes sometimes He allows them to last this long) I've learned some things while being lost at sea or wandering through deserts. Here are just some of them:

1. Storms test the reliability of our foundations. God allows us to be tested to strengthen our foundations. What DO we hold onto when the winds of life blow? Do we hold on to what man holds tightly or do we grip harder to the hem of Jesus' garment? When the storm lashes at our foundations do they stand the test or do they crumble and wither? Storms test the reliability of our foundations. If God finds our foundation wanting, he will rebuild it. Sometimes we must hit rock bottom to finally build a firm foundation!

2. Storms bring forth new growth. In our spiritual lives, chaff grows with the grain and protects it. It has a purpose. But when it is time to harvest the pure grain, the chaff must be beaten away from the grain and it falls to the threshing floor and is then burned away. When the wind blows, what we are made of is tested as it clings to the reed while the chaff, which lacks substance, falls to the ground revealing the quality grain. So it is with us when winds of fury blow upon us. God desires to rid us of everything we depend upon and to reveal the substance of new, pure grain of the spirit in our lives. Without the threshing of the wind the chaff would hang on and stunt future growth. 

3. God uses storms and desert wandering to purify us. We do not always realize that a part of us is sick or diseased. Most people who are diagnosed with cancer are surprised to find they have it growing large inside. God, who is our great physician, sees and knows all. He will take advantage of the storms of life set upon us to reveal disease and weakness in our hearts and spirits. If we give him access he will burn off and cut away that which is diseased. Or like a grape vine whose vine was headed the wrong direction, he will grab hold and set us aright with him. And like the grain and the chaff, God will burn away the chaff leaving behind nothing but purity.

4. We learn to depend upon God for everything. We live in a society, which dances to the beat of self-dependence and self-reliance. In this last generation, it’s been all about “me”. A struggle is always active in a Christian believers life to take self off the throne and allow Christ to sit on the throne!  When life's unfair blows hit us, like knocking a baby out of a chair; IF we allow God to, he will rush in and be our all in all. Like a good mother he will pick us up and provide us with all that we have need of...according to his plan and time frame. 

I realize looking back, while I loved my God and was passionate about him before, right now – at the end of this journey, I am more dependent upon him than ever before! I've had to depend upon him for survival physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

5. God reveals Himself in the Storm. Hasn't he always? I am reminded as I write this; Jesus set the example for us in person. Remember out on the Sea of Galilee when the storm hit the boat of his disciples? Jesus was not with them and they were so afraid. The storm was literally threatening to capsize them. They cried out and appearing across the water was their Savior! Jesus asked Peter to come across the stormy sea to him. With great faith, in spite of the storm's fury, peter climbed out of the boat and began to walk on top of the water toward Jesus. The lesson is right here...when a storm hits we can EXPECT Jesus to show up! He is faithful to respond. In these 8 years of being tossed at sea – I can tell you that God appeared over and over again. Money from nowhere, favor with others, food, etc. I think of the Israelites and their journey through the desert. Before they were set free, they knew of God but had not EXPERIENCED God! But wandering in their desert they received water from a rock, manna from heaven, instruction etc. Seeing the mighty hand of God move...is precious and priceless.

If you are sailing through a storm or wandering through a dry desert, remember to make the Lord Almighty your companion. Call upon his name and I promise he will answer you! Keep a journal of your journey so later- perhaps when another storm hits, you'll be able to look back and be reminded of the mighty God who is with you. And know this...good will come of the storm. 

I love this scripture for it is so true. It says...

“he brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. And set my feet upon a rock (a firm foundation) and established my coming and goings. And hath put a new song in our mouth, even praise unto our God”! Psalm 40:2,3

Do you see what this means? It is Gods solemn vow to you. It is GOD who will rescue you! He will bring you up out of the horrible pit and set your feet upon a firm foundation! The new song in your heart will be the praise and thanksgiving of his miraculous interventions. Readily I say to you sister, you are not alone!

Be blessed! Your deliverer cometh!

Dori Cass is a wife of 29 years and mom to two adult children. She has spent her adult life active in Womens, Children's and Youth ministry. One of her favorite ministries has been the ongoing shepherding and mentoring of a group of almost 30 yr old women who were part of her girl's group 15 years ago. Join Dori as she draws from her pool of experiences as she testifies to what God has done and is still doing. You can find her blog at http://heavensconfetti.blogspot.com/

Your Are Not Alone

If there is something, just one thing, that God has vividly shown in my life recently, it's that we need each other to get through the struggles of this life. I cannot stress enough, the importance of how you choose your friends.

Proverbs 13:20,  “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

I am a strong believer in being the light in the darkness, being the Good Samaritan, and showing believers and non-believers the life of love that a Christian individual should walk. However, it is vital that we have a support system of fellow believers to encourage us, pick us up when we fall down, and provide God's wisdom in times of celebration just as much as in times of darkness. 

John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Recently, a friend of mine and I discussed the difference between friendships based on convenience and friendships based on commitment. When you associate yourself with people that are simply convenient, you will find yourself with nothing when God calls you elsewhere and those friends do not care to pursue your friendship, because that element of convenience is gone. However, when you choose Christian friends that walk in love, you have a support system and community that will be invested in your life no matter where you are, no matter what you are doing, they will not leave you alone. 

2 Kings 2:2 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

I encourage and challenge you to evaluate your friendships. Are you basing your friendships off of convenience or commitment? Are you going to be the friend who will leave the office or classroom to answer a call to be there for someone? Do you know a friend would do the same for you? 

C.S. Lewis wrote, "Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”

My prayer is that you evaluate your friendships and relationships and ask God to provide people to walk in faith and love with. Ask Him for friendships that will assure you, you are not alone.


by Morgan Fisher