God Provides; Ask for Help

“Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” (John 16:24 NLT)

RAMBLINGS from Lacy’s dad – Back when Lacy was around 10, we had some missionaries visit us form India. They were a sweet couple who were here raising money for their orphanage. We had contributed in a very small way and when they needed a place to stay for a few days, we were glad to help.

I still remember the first evening they walked into our home. As he stepped through the door Pastor Mikola whispered “thank you Jesus”. We talked for a few minutes and since it was late, led them to their area of the house. As they walked into their sitting area once again Pastor Mikola whispered “thank you Jesus”. I was truly humbled by this man’s sincere appreciation.

The next day we were able to spend a good deal of time with them between scheduled events. Their story was fascinating. They had been born into the caste system in India. They were married and living a terrible existence where his job was to clean the human waste out of the gutters of the street. He would then come home, get drunk, and take out his frustration on his wife. It was a meager existence at best for them and their two sons.

Then one day he heard a missionary talk about Jesus. He had many questions and after several days of asking, he finally asked the most important question of his life: he asked Jesus to come into his life. Within months his wife was a believer, and soon after, both of his sons.

Within that year God had orchestrated things so that they went from living in a small shack with 2 boys, to having several orphans, too. They prayed for God to provide, and He did….with more orphans. They did what they could to feed and clothe them, as they had read in their new bibles to do.

They continued to pray. God provided them with money for their growing expenses…and more orphans. They prayed more. God provided them with a place to move to house their growing “family…and then sent them more orphans.

As they shared their story, you saw the sincere gratitude they had for God. For His mercy. For His provision. They did not have steak and lobster every night for their now 100+ “kids”. But as Pastor Mikola said, numerous times they literally sat down at the table to give thanks when they had nothing to eat. Always, without exception, God would stir some baker, store owner, or family, to bring them food, and they never went hungry!

He had seen God provide over and over. He had exercised his prayer muscles with confidence and constantly asked God for help. Each and every time he had seen his Heavenly Father, time and time again, provide. And with that, his faith and appreciation grew.

Later that day as we were walking somewhere, I once again heard the whispered “thank you Jesus” slip from Pastor Mikola’s lips. It had a whole new meaning for me….

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Phillipians 4:19-20 )