When God Shows Off!
Looking back on my life, there have been many times when God met a significant need for me, our family, or our church. Sometimes God meets the need — and sometimes God shows off. It shouldn’t surprise us when God goes above and beyond in addressing our needs. Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Sometimes we don’t think big enough because we underestimate the power of God and the generosity of God.
Last week, I sent out my weekly encouragement stating our church is struggling financially. I also mentioned this in our Sunday service on June 29th. On Monday, the day after I presented our financial needs to the church, we received a notice from the IRS stating that our church would receive a check for $11,294.86. The check came in today. The check was part of a COVID rebate. We applied for the rebate a couple of years ago and received some of the money, but we felt like they shorted us on our rebate. As it turns out — they actually did. The timing of this check couldn’t have been better.
We also received a generous gift from someone new to our church.
God didn’t just meet a need; He was showing off.
Let me share a couple more experiences where God showed off.
One time after planting our first church, Karen and I came back from a pastors conference. We stopped by the office to pick up the mail. There were only a couple of pieces of mail. The first piece of mail was a statement from the bank our church did business with. We opened it and were shocked to see the church account was completely depleted. Next, we opened an envelope with a handwritten name and address we didn’t recognize. There was a letter inside the envelope with a check for $5,000. The letter stated that this particular couple had visited the church at an earlier date and felt compelled to help us.
The bank statement sucked the wind out of us. The $5,000 check put the air back in our lungs. It was time to high five and celebrate God’s faithfulness. God was showing off.
Okay, one more. I could go on and on, but I will finish with this story.
I was graduating from college. As I sat on my dorm room bed that morning, I was reflecting on my time at Bethany Bible College. It was a wonderful experience. I said a prayer thanking God for helping me to get through four years of college. As I reflected further, I started thinking about the future. I was headed for full-time ministry. In 1979, finding a ministry position without being married was difficult, especially in our denomination. And so I prayed, “Lord, please help me to find a wife. Thank you, Amen.”
I prayed that prayer around 9 a.m.
I met my wife Karen on the way to my graduation ceremony at around 3 p.m.
We were married a year and a half later.
Now that is God showing off!
What do you need from God right now? God is more than willing to meet your needs. Jesus said, “You have not because you ask not.” What are you not asking for — and why aren't you asking?
I want to encourage you to ask, and keep asking, until God meets your needs. And maybe, just maybe, God will show off a little too!
Stay close to Jesus,
Steve