YOU'RE IN GOOD HANDS
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19

I love to write. My computer is filled with files and files of poems, songs, short stories, book ideas, Bible study notes, and quotes that have helped me over the past two years. But not all my writings are in this computer. I also keep a journal. And today when I was trying to find something in my past writings, I found my entry for January 10, 2008. I had heard someone speak on Gen 24:12. "Then [the servant] prayed, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.'"
Here is what was happening in the story. Abraham was growing old and requested of his servant that he go and find a wife for Issac. The servant agreed and made an oath with Abraham that either he would bring a wife back, or would be released of his oath if the woman did not wish to come back. While standing beside the spring where the woman came to draw water, he prayed this prayer, asking God for success in his mission. I like this next part, "Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar..." (Gen 24:15). All the servant had prayed, about knowing she was the one because she would give him a drink and offer to his animals, she indeed did. Unknowingly, she was the answer to the prayer.
When I first journaled about this back in 2008, God opened my eyes to just all this provision included. Abraham's request of the servant was that she would agree to come back with him. The servant had to find a woman, receive both her and her parent's permission for marriage, have her agree to leave her family, have her family agree to let her go, and then do all this on a blind date. Unlike today when we can atleast see a picture when online dating, the servant had no picture to show Rebekah. But still, God provided and Rebekah and her family agreed.
So what is the message that is on my heart today. It is simple...God will supply. I am not announcing a marriage, but rather I want to boast in the Lord. If you have read my recent entries, then you know I have been in the hospital. Bills add up when the doctor is checking you out. But back in August of this year, I really felt that I was supposed to start a savings. I thought it might be for a house, but God had something else in mind. You see, He knew before I did that I would need some medical attention. He began providing for me the overtime hours at work. And when the bills started coming in, although higher than I wanted to pay, I found that I was able to pay. My God supplied my needs.
I can look back and see the many times that God has supplied for me. When my marriage went bad and I was asked to move out, God supplied furniture for me. When my car gave up, God supplied a car for me. When I was lonely, God supplied a friend for me. When I needed a little extra cash, God supplied overtime for me. I feel bad, because sometimes I take God for granted. But then I see stories like this and am reminded that because He loves me, He takes care of all my needs.
When I read the Bible, I like to know what certain words mean. So from the Strong's, here are a few words.
MEET: level up, finish, furnish, complete
NEEDS: employment, demands, requirements
RICHES: wealth, abundance
Now let's look at this verse again:
And my God will COMPLETELY FURNISH all your DEMANDS according to His glorious WEALTHY ABUNDANCE in Christ Jesus.
God loves us enough to care for us. We won't always get what we want, but He will be sure to give us what we need. There is hope in this. I did not want kidney stones, but God provided for me the funds needed to pay the bills. And this applies to all of life. I have learned to throw away my list of what I want in a future spouse and begin to ask God to supply what I need in a spouse. After reading Genesis 24, I know God will supply.

BUT IF FROM THERE...
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Deuteronomy 4:29

I first found this verse when I was going through counseling for my pornography addiction. In the scriptures surrounding this verse, Moses is speaking concerning idolatry (Deut 4:15-31). Moses told the Israelites that later in life, when they were established and living in the Promised Land, that if they became corrupt and made idols that angered God, there was still an answer. The answer was if from there.
It is safe to say in my life that I made an idol out of women and sex. So when I read this verse for the first time years ago, I was instantly convicted. Here I was, a Christian by title, but not by lifestyle. I was just like the Israelites, living in the Promised Land but not serving the God who brought me there. With everyday that passed I dove deeper and deeper into my sin, and swore my allegiance daily to my idol.
"But if from there..." A great hope is in these words. God knows we are going to sin. It breaks His heart when we do, but He knows we are not perfect. Isn't that why He died for us? Because of His love He could not stand to see us going astray without hope. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us..." I John 3:16. The words that Moses shared with all of the Israelites that day is still the same today. We are all sinners, BUT IF FROM THERE. We all have made something an idol in our life, BUT IF FROM THERE. We all have disobeyed, BUT IF FROM THERE. These words hold promise that we have been given a second chance.
For me, my BUT IF FROM THERE moment came when in reading these words. I was able to see my idol for what is was. My heart was broken and confession was made. The verse, however, continues with what we must do. "...you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul." I had to turn away from my idol and seek God; seek His ways with my heart and soul. I had to call to Him for His strength because daily that idol called back to me, inviting me to come back. I can honestly say it was not an easy fight. Some days were a step forward, and some days were a step back. Being involved in idol worship for so long does not always change over night. But I am happy to say today, that serving God is so rewarding. And I write to you as a man free from addiction and idolatry.
I am not sure what idols you are serving, but I know the way out. BUT IF FROM THERE... I challenge you to take inventory of your life. Are you serving an idol? God is a jealous God, and He will not settle for second place in our lives. Maybe like me, you eyes are opened with this passage and you are ready to move from there.