God always seems to supply our need. That is our experience. Terri and I have seen the Lord faithfully supply different needs time and time again. We have repeatedly witnessed God faithfully meet our needs and supply the needs of others.
While I have been in Marshall looking after Mom, God has used me to teach Sunday School classes at my Mom’s home church. During a difficult time, I needed to stay grounded in God’s Word and her Sunday School class needed a fill-in teacher for a few weeks. We have spent the last two weeks examining how our natural desire to be in control impacts the supernatural gift of faith God has given us by His mercy and grace. Control, we have determined, is the opposite of faith because faith calls us to let go and let God.
Terri has been attempting to come down to Marshall to visit us for several weeks. Each time we put a visit on the calendar, something came up. Finally, this weekend, Terri was able to come down. I was thrilled to see her. I was also thrilled to find out that Operation Christmas Child had a speaker scheduled to attend my Mom’s home church this morning. So was Terri. We were looking forward to hearing how OCC was working at Summit.
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.Isaiah 55:11 (NASB)
After Sunday School, we made our way over to the Sanctuary. We checked the bulletin. Sure enough. An OCC speaker was scheduled to speak at Summit Sunday morning. Worship service started. We prayed, we sang, we gave, and we celebrated. Finally, it was time for the OCC speaker to share about what God was doing through millions of shoebox gifts people had packed all over the world.
Well…something happened and the scheduled speaker was unable to attend. And then, calling an audible, Pastor Randy (Mom’s pastor) said “No worries. There were two people present in the Sanctuary who could readily talk about OCC.” And Pastor Randy invited one of the church members and my wife Terri to come up and share about how God was working through Operation Christmas Child. And Terri, without hesitation, walked up toward the front of the Sanctuary and without hesitation shared about how she had personally witnessed our Lord do great things through love-filled shoebox gifts when she had been on several distribution trips in Tanzania a couple of years ago. Summit faithfully supported Terri financially to help meet the costs associated with the trip. What an opportuntiy to pay back those who stepped out in faith to support her! You could have heard a pin drop. People listened intently and Terri did a marvelous job sharing her love for Jesus.
As her husband, I could not be more overjoyed by wife’s response to God’s call in that moment. If you know Terri, you know she dreads public speaking. But she did so remarkably well—the light of Jesus really shone brightly through her as she summarized her experiences with OCC since 2008.
Some folks may consider all of this “luck” or “chance.” But as believers, Terri and I recognize God’s hand in orchestrating these events, no less on my Moms first Sunday back in church since her fall. God’s Word, Scripture teaches us, does not return void. God is always faithful to supply what we need when we need it most. Terri and I are grateful that we have had many opportunities to see God at work. We are humbled by how many times God has worked through us to help those who God loves in their moment of need.
Yes, there is a God. Yes, God is always at work,everywhere, all around us. Yes, God is faithful and trustworthy. He remains true to His promises. Yes, God works through His people whom He has called for His purpose. And no, you don’t need to be perfect for God to use you. Terri and I can attest to that.
God is great. Great is our God.
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?Micah 6:8 (ESV)
The Devotional Guy™ 
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