Far more abundantly...

This past weekend I had the opportunity to be a small group leader at the disciple now at my home church. We studied the stories of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God showed me how all of those guys stepped out in faith and God was faithful and blessed them even though He didn't have to. Right before Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego get thrown into the fiery furnace they basically say God has the power to save us, but even if He chooses not to we're not going to bow down to your gods. What faithfulness! They didn't care what happened to them, they knew God had commanded them to have not other gods and they followed (cue "Burn Us Up" by Shane & Shane). Of course, God was more than faithful and used to whole thing to make Himself famous before a pagan king and his kingdom. Daniel heard of the decree that called for people to only pray though King Darius. Instead of giving in, or praying secretly, he prayed with his windows open to Jerusalem and got himself thrown into the lion's den. The next morning he got out without a scratch and a few more furry friends. Again, God didn't have to save Daniel, but He did and again He got the glory for it before pagans.

I kinda have a story like that now...

Last time around I told y'all that I only needed $2,200. Well, as of today, I only need $1,395!!! I walked into my room after getting home from class today and found two envelopes on my bed. One was a letter. One was a white envelope with a red dot on it so that it looked like the Japanese flag. I picked it up and noticed it was thick. I opened it and found $805 in cash and no note. I have NO idea who it came from, my roommates said it was just in our mailbox, but it had obviously not been mailed. I stepped out in faith, a little reluctantly I must say, and trusted that God would bring me what I need to get to Japan. I had no idea where He was going to bring it from, but I gave it to Him. And then He did this. I didn't have to face a fiery potential death or a pit of ferocious felines, or anything, but was still faithful and blessed me to make Himself famous.

I had nothing to do with the money that was so graciously given to me. Nothing I ever did inspired those people to do that for me. It was all God, all the way around. I cried tears of joy and just thanked God for His faithfulness. I am blown away by my Savior and Provider. How stinking awesome is our God?!

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church in Christ Jesus throughout all the generation, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21