This is another of those “God is so good” stories. Around 1998, near the beginning of our ministry, a very special situation occurred. We were supported monthly by churches and individuals. The money was sent to a Christian organization that collected the money for the month, and deposited it into our account on the first day of each month. Sometimes when our support is sent in, although it is monthly, it is not sent in at the same time of the month. If the person sending the support has a vacation coming, they may send the support earlier or later in the month. All this to say, in one particular month, I received an additional $1200. I knew that this money was not anything “extra”, and was intended for the following month. And at that time, that was far and away the majority of my support! So, any good missionary would be very careful, take this money, and set it aside for the upcoming “short” month.………………… and when I meet that good missionary, I’m going to ask him how he does it. At any rate, I spent the money in the first week. I can’t remember if it was a medical problem, car problem, or whatever, but it was gone. Now, I had a problem. A mountain of a problem! However, I did not waste the money on foolish things for myself; it went on an expense outside of my control – I knew God would take care of me. So I immediately made this announcement to my family, “In three weeks, God is going to perform a miracle, and give us $1200!” When I said this, my kids said, “Okay dad, what happened?” So I told them about the money coming early and being spent, and how removing $1200 from this missionary’s monthly support would bring the total right down there mighty close to zero. So God would have to solve the problem. Now my children had seen God do miracles before. But this was the first one that had a date and an amount on it. One week went by. Two weeks went by. We were halfway through the last week. My daughter came up to me and said, “So… dad…. how’s it going?” I knew what she was asking, because we had only a couple days left. But I was SO ready! I said, “I think God is not only going to meet our need, I think He is going to give us a blessing besides! I can’t wait to see what He is going to do!” I’m not sure that answered her question, but she now knew what I thought. Two more days went by. Then I got a phone call. I picked up the phone, said, “Hello”, and someone said, “Do you need a car?” I was a little confused, and said, “What?” The person repeated a little louder, “Do you need a car?” I said “Who is this?” He said again slower and louder, “DO YOU NEED A CAR?” I said, “Uh, yes, I guess so, who is this?” He identified himself as a man from a ministry in Florida. Someone from El Paso (whom I didn’t know) was giving that Florida ministry a car (1990 Oldsmobile Trofeo) for a tax write off. The man said he didn’t want to drive the car all the way to Florida, and he knew that our ministry was in El Paso, and he simply decided to give it to me! I thought, “Praise the Lord! I can sell the car and get the $1200!” So we went and looked at the car. My son said, “This is a really nice car! Let’s sell the junky one we have and keep this one!” So that’s what we did. And does anyone want to guess what our old car sold for? You got it! $1200! Wow! Talk about the last minute! Not only had God met the need ($1200) but He gave us a blessing besides (the Trofeo)! We drove that car all over the country! When we were finished with it, it had over 300,000 miles on it. And you’ll be seeing a couple more great stories about that car! Is God good or what?!
God’s Points in this story:
1. It is never about the money. Man is the one who thinks praying for $1000 is easier to pray for than for $10,000 or $100,000. With God, it’s always about faith, NOT the amount. Money is a tool. God doesn’t always need money to answer prayer. I received a car in this story… and I certainly didn’t get it with money!
2. See the first sentence in this story in BOLD. I knew God would answer my prayer, because I didn’t waste God’s money. The problem was not caused by me. The problem that occurred was outside of my control.
3. See the second sentence in this story in BOLD. I put a time and amount on it because that was the exact amount I needed and the exact time I needed it.
4. See the third sentence in this story in BOLD. The fact that I knew God would answer my prayer, made me say that He would give me an additional blessing to show my daughter that this was, without doubt, from GOD.
God solved this at the very end of my prayer time frame. People look at the end of the line as our darkest hour, and try to avoid that at all costs. But that’s the time when God likes to reward your faith – if you don’t give up on Him. What does God say about those who “wait upon the Lord”?
ISA. 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
I am telling you folks, I was there! In this story I experienced the God of this universe answering a specific spectacular prayer of mine! He did it for me! I did mount up on those wings as eagles and I flew!! I am telling you – an entire life dedicated to God was worth that one moment!! Glory to God!!
God is always capable of meeting needs. But is God capable of giving you a blessing besides your need? Well, He sure did here! Can you see why God would like this attitude? He certainly has all the capabilities to accomplish the spectacular! Trust this good God, and have faith! He loves to do these things to His children who love Him!
I haven’t been able to locate my picture of the car. When I do, I’ll add it to this post.
Grandpa Jack's Place 