Want to hear what God has done this time?

[Margies3]

Our church has been struggling financially the past 3 months. We got several thousand $$'s behind in our budget and had to dip into the building fund in order to make our bills last month. I know that some places operate that way all the time, but we do not. This has been a huge concern for us.

We've all been praying and praying about this. Our poor financial secretaries have been tied up in knots with concern.

Last week our pastor called a week of prayer and fasting for our finances.

So last night while we were at our Ladies Bible Study, we got a phone call from our pastor's wife (she teaches a Ladies study on Friday mornings so doesn't attend our evening one). They had just received a phone call from a lawyer informing them that someone had left a GREAT DEAL of money to the church in their will and that the first installment of this money is ready to be distributed. This is a person who had never been a regular attendee at the church. His brothers had. And he was raised in this church as a kid. But had evolved into a 2-3 times a year attender. But he was a big farmer here. He had no children and had had a "mail order bride" who passed away before him. So he left his estate to the church.

The thing that I find most exciting about this is that this person died quite a while ago. God could have provided those funds to us months ago - back when we didn't really need them. So we weren't praying about them. But now, when we've gotten desperate and we've started praying about it - now is the time that God brings the funds forward. He knew this money was there all along. But He used the money not only to bless us financially. But also to bless us spiritually. We've had a faith-lift. We've seen God come thru one more time!!

[Blubayou]

We have a "Father that owns the cattle on a thousand hills"- Isn't God Great!!!- Thanks for sharing.

[rgcraig]

Margie, that is beautiful!

[AmazingGrace]

That is so wonderful Margie! God is good!!!!

[Scott Hutchinson]

This is most encouraging to me cause there are situations,I need God to move in,in my life.

[Cindy]

Praise Him, God is so faithful.

[mizpeh]

His timing is perfect! Praise the Lord!

[tamor]

Amen! God is great!

[Light]

God knows our every need. God in action.

[tstew]

Incredible...but we do serve an incredible God.

[Tina]

God is always right on time.

Great report!!

[Kay B]

Praise The Lord!

[Sherri]

Amazing! I love it.

[Esther]

Awesome!

[Margies3]

Isn't God good!

I love the way that God has done things at this church to build our faith and trust in Him. It all kind of started 2 years ago with the Walt thing. I have to tell you - God healing Walt changed this entire church in ways that nothing else could ever have done. And since then he's done things like this. I love the fact that God has taught us so many of these lessons as an entire group. Of course, we all still learn our individual lessons from Him. But the unity that we experience when God teaches a lesson to all of us at the same time is just so precious.

I love Him more every day!

[Pressing-On]

Margie,
That is awesome.

We've had some church property that we have been wanting to sell. Just got the papers signed this week and right on time. We might have spent the money on something else if we had sold it earlier. Now, we need it for expansion and it's coming at a great time!

God is good!

[U376977]

Isn't God good!

I love the way that God has done things at this church to build our faith and trust in Him. It all kind of started 2 years ago with the Walt thing. I have to tell you - God healing Walt changed this entire church in ways that nothing else could ever have done. And since then he's done things like this. I love the fact that God has taught us so many of these lessons as an entire group. Of course, we all still learn our individual lessons from Him. But the unity that we experience when God teaches a lesson to all of us at the same time is just so precious.

I love Him more every day!

Margie, Awesome. Someone needs to be the voice of reason though. Your financial trial is not over. You are still spending more that you are receiving. The estate is a miracle, but if you continue on the same path....the money from the estate will eventually be gone and you are right back where you were......

And trust me....I have been there before.....don't have the attitude, Oh well God will just give us another miracle!. It seems like those 2nd and 3rd financial miracles are a lot harder to get.

I would suggest an outreach. I know a small community in GA who got permission to use the city park. They had a men's club, (jaycees?) bring their big grill. They got the piggly wiggly to donate chickens. The fire dept brought out a fire truck. The police came with their cars. They organized games. Then they went to the projects and picked up all the kids. In a small town 500 people were in the park all day. The pastor stood on a flatbed and gave a speech about "doing the right thing." Then he offered to pray and speak privately with anyone who wanted it. They got several new familys in the church and created a permanate presence in the community.

[Margies3]

Margie, Awesome. Someone needs to be the voice of reason though. Your financial trial is not over. You are still spending more that you are receiving. The estate is a miracle, but if you continue on the same path....the money from the estate will eventually be gone and you are right back where you were......

And trust me....I have been there before.....don't have the attitude, Oh well God will just give us another miracle!. It seems like those 2nd and 3rd financial miracles are a lot harder to get.

I would suggest an outreach. I know a small community in GA who got permission to use the city park. They had a men's club, (jaycees?) bring their big grill. They got the piggly wiggly to donate chickens. The fire dept brought out a fire truck. The police came with their cars. They organized games. Then they went to the projects and picked up all the kids. In a small town 500 people were in the park all day. The pastor stood on a flatbed and gave a speech about "doing the right thing." Then he offered to pray and speak privately with anyone who wanted it. They got several new familys in the church and created a permanate presence in the community.

You are so right about this. I do have to tell you tho that this is the most fiscally responsible group I have ever worked with. We used to go to a church that NEVER one time ever stayed within their budget. This church does it 99% of the time. It has only been in the last 3-4 months that we've fallen behind. Most churches would have shrugged it off saying that they could just "borrow" from another fund to make up the difference. Not our financial secretaries! One of them runs a multi-million dollar business, so he knows what he's doing for sure :)

We're very, very active in outreach here. We've added several new families just this year. The problem is that we also lost several established families who moved away for job situations. The established families tend to be the ones who are faithful with tithing and giving, where the new families have to learn that skill. They will, I am sure of that. But until then.....................

I like your idea for the park. Of course, if we 500 people in our park, that would be about half of the town. LOL :)

Thanks for the suggestions. I will pass them on. They are good ones.