We've all heard the stories of God's incredible hand of provision. People regularly share testimonies about how the Lord came through for them in some miraculous way in their time of need. I have a story of providence that I would like to share with you, for the glory of God.
As many of you know, I am approved as a solicitor at Walmart. This means that 14 days a year, I can stand at the front doors and hand out tracts to the customers. On the scheduled days, I usually build a team of about 6-10 people, and we hand out an average of 1,000-1,500 tracts in about a 3 hour time period.
I have been planning a Walmart tracting event with Matt Kessie and the Calvary Chapel youth group for a few months, and we finally found a date that works well, which was Friday the 20th of November. I usually never check my tract supply to make sure I have enough for big events because I almost always order more to replenish my stock right after we hand them out. But it occurred to me on Tuesday that I should double check to make sure, and to my surprise, I didnt have nearly as many tracts as I thought. In fact, I definitely did not have enough for this event. I was in serious trouble.
I called Living Waters on Wednesday morning to order more, but to my dismay, they were closed! There was no way I could order them on Thursday and get them by Friday at 3:00. I began praying for the Lord to do a miracle! I was also racking my brain trying to think of who I knew who would have a large amount of tracts I could borrow. One friend had a few hundred tracts, which was a great help. Friday morning, I was at the point where I was prepared to just show up with the kids and go for it with whatever we had.
About 10:30 my phone rang and on the other end was a man I didnt know, who immediately began raving about some new tracts he had been using. As he was excitedly going on and on about the tracts, I interrupted him and asked, "Who are you?" Somehow, he had gotten my phone number from the church and was calling me to tell me about these tracts that were so wonderful. Out of the blue, he says, "Tell you what, I just got 600 of them and I want to give them to you!" What? At first, I was a little hesitant, because I didnt want to take that many tracts, and then find out that they werent something I would personally use. And then the bell rung. DING! You dummy! Werent you just praying for a miracle?
I said, "I believe this is a divine appointment," and began explaining to him the situation I was in and how I had been praying for miraculous provision. He broke down and wept, so moved because this was obviously the hand of the Lord. We talked briefly and set up a meeting for me to get the tracts.
What an incredible confirmation to me that the blessing of God is upon this ministry! As I said last week, you can trust, every single time, that when you set out to fulfill the great comission, you are 100% in the will of God. You can see the hand of God do miracles for you when you obey the command to preach the gospel to every creature.
I dont know how many times I have stood up to preach, fully dependant upon the Lord, and watched him fill my mouth. There have been times when I have shown up with a message fully prepared, and have been told at the last second to speak about something else, and had the Lord do an awesome work by speaking to people's lives. You can experience the same thing when you determine to speak for the kingdom of God. He is faithful to deliver and to use you. You may not have eloquence or know all the answers to every question, but you will see the Holy Spirit work through you and fill your mouth. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
The Lord is at work all around us. He is doing incredible miracles for those who obey him and walk by faith. Are you willing to step out and do things for Him? Will you obey his commands even when it looks uncertain? I am not talking about recklessness. Like I said, I usually order tracts right away after big events so I have enough for the next one. And when I get up to speak, I come prepared. But when the Lord says to "Go," are you ready to go even if you dont know the outcome? Just smile, trust him and say, "Okay, Lord, but you better come through here!" And he will. I know it because I have experienced it again and again. He has never left me alone. That's his promise.
Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spoke unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen"
Take him at his word. Obey the great comission, and experience the unmatched joy and fulfillment of knowing that you have been an instrument in God's hands.
See you on the streets!