Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” (Prov. 3:27 NIV)

God’s perfect provision

Many years ago, when I was in full time youth ministry, I depended on donations to support my work. My ministry had many great supporters and a very good prayer team was in place. I would call them to pray for the kids I was working with and for other things that would come up. Sometimes the need was financial. One month we had a $2,500 shortfall, and bills that weren't going to be paid if the money didn't come in. I decided to call my prayer team about it. The first call I made was to Margaret, a faithful prayer warrior who was always quick to pray about anything I called her about. I told her of the shortfall and asked her to pray that God would supply it. She said she was happy that I had called and that she would ask God to supply for the need as I had requested. About twenty minutes later, she walked into my office and handed me a check for $2,500! I was shocked, and said, “Margaret, when I called and asked you to pray, I was not hinting that you were to give it! I was only asking you to pray that God would supply it!” She laughed and said, “Yes Mike, I know that, but when you called, my husband and I prayed together about your need and God told us to write the check for that amount ourselves. We had the money and feel very blessed to be able to give it. In fact, we had been asking God for wisdom on how we should give money that we had set aside to give. Then, you called about your need. The timing was perfect! We even thought of the verse, Proverbs 3:27, that said, ‘Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act’, And, it was definitely in our power to act. We wrote the check, and we are very happy that God has blessed us so much that we could share in your ministry.”

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19 NIV)

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24 NIV)

Choose your friends wisely because they will influence you!

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” (Prov. 22:24-25 NIV)

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harms.” (Prov. 13:20 NIV)

This kind of friend is the greatest!

“Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NIV)

“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” (John 10:18 NLT)

You are a friend of God!

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NIV)

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39 NKJV)

As a brand new Christian I didn't know anything about theology or the Bible. All I knew was my personal story of redemption. Jesus had come into my life and changed me as no one else could. And, I knew He was the answer for anyone and everyone. I enthusiastically shared my story to everyone I came in contact with.

The woman with a baby in a backpack, hitchhiking in a blizzard

One of my favorite places to speak is the local lighthouse mission. I was scheduled to speak there one evening, but was tempted to cancel because we were experiencing severe blizzard conditions. The snow was blowing sideways, the cold wind was piercing to the bone and the roads were extremely hazardous. But, I knew the mission would be jam-packed and I shouldn't pass up the great opportunity. So, I got into my pickup and headed on the way. I could barely see the road ahead of me because of the almost whiteout conditions. Suddenly I spotted a woman hitchhiker alongside the road! She had a backpack with a baby in it. I quickly pulled over and said, “Get in lady!” I couldn't believe a woman would be out in this storm! Especially with a baby! I said, “What are you doing out in this weather?” And she answered, “I'm tough!”  I looked at her, and decided that she was. Then, as we drove along, I began to share my story of Jesus with her. But, she abruptly said, “Don’t preach to me! I don't want to hear that stuff!” But, I said, “It’s my truck, and I can talk about anything I want to while I'm in it. And, right now, I will talk about Jesus and how He wonderfully changed my life.” She folded her arms, sat back, and stared straight ahead. I then told her how Jesus had changed my life. When we got to the turn off to the Mission I asked her where she was going, so that I could take her there. She said, “Seattle.” I said, “Seattle! That's a hundred miles from here! And, I have to be somewhere, and I can't take you that far. But, I also cannot let you out in this storm!” She said, “What are you going to do!” And she looked like she was ready to fight. I said, “Relax lady. I'm not going to do anything wrong. I just want to help you, that's all. I cannot take you to Seattle, but I don't want to leave you and your baby out in this weather. Would you allow me to buy you a bus ticket to Seattle?” Her mouth dropped and she said, “Why would you do a thing like that?” And I said, “Listen lady, haven't you been listening to my story? Jesus has changed my life and I live to please him and do what He tells me to do. And right now, He told me to buy you a bus ticket. Would that be okay with you?” And she said, “It’s your money.” So, I drove her to the Greyhound station, and the bus to Seattle was about to leave. I ran over and asked the driver to wait for another couple of passengers. I quickly paid for the ticket and then walked with the woman to the bus. As she got onto the bus she turned and said, “That’s the most Christian thing anyone has ever done for me!”  She then disappeared onto the bus and it left for Seattle.

The letter

I received the following letter several years later

Dear Brother  French,

Approximately 9 years ago, you witnessed to me concerning Jesus. I was hitchhiking and it was a snowy November or December. I had a baby in a backpack. You gave me a ride in your pickup truck all the way to Bellingham and told me the story of your conversion. When I said I was going to hitchhike to Seattle, you wouldn't allow it and you bought me a bus ticket. I was touched by your generosity and joy, but I'm sure I never showed it. In the February following, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and have been walking with Him ever since. God is so faithful to His Word! Hallelujah! In chatting with a friend at church, I told her this story (she's from Bellingham) and she knew who you were by your testimony. She said this address is old but perhaps my letter would reach you. I wanted you to know that the gospel seed you planted did take root and grow and bring fourth. God bless you and thank you so much for sharing with me that day. In Christ, Linda.

“He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" (John 9:25 NIV)

The above passage is from a blind man that Jesus had healed. The religious leaders tried to trap him with a religious question about whether Jesus was a sinner or not. His answer was short and to the point. He said, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” They could not argue with his personal story and it abruptly ended their interrogation.

Your own story can be powerful

People can argue with you about religion, the church, theology, even about the existence of God. But, your personal stories of God’s presence in your life are yours alone, and are inarguable.

Don't debate, just tell your story simply!

Think about all that God has done for you. How you received Jesus. What He has done in your life. The answered prayers. The blessings He has sent your way. Those are stories you can use in many positive ways. When someone says something negative about God, don't argue with them, instead say, “I don't know about that, but this I do know (insert your personal story here). You may be pleasantly surprised how God can use you this way!

Do it with gentleness and respect

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

Tomorrow, I will tell you what happened when I told my story to a hitchhiking woman with a little baby in her backpack, during a blizzard.  

"But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.  And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 19:42-45 NKJV)

Serving others doesn't come naturally!

Human nature at its very core is to be self-centered. Just think about that statement for a moment! We don't like to think of ourselves as selfish, but we are! From the moment we awake each day, our lives are basically about taking care of ourselves, our bodies and our needs and appetites. In order to serve someone else you have to first deny yourself, then put other’s needs above your own. And, that's not easy to do! Children have to be taught to share, they usually don't want to. Even as adults, it's easy to be selfish and think only of yourself rather than others. Married couples often struggle with this and have to learn to serve each other’s needs. Learning to put others ahead of yourself, although difficult, brings much personal joy and satisfaction. And, it's very good for others, too!

Jesus set the example of servanthood

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 19:45 NKJV)

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”(Isa. 41:3 ESV)

God calls His own by name!

“To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (Ohm 10:3 ESV)

Jesus knows His own!

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15 ESV)

Before you were born, God knew you!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jer. 1:5 ESV)

Jesus will confess your name before the Father!

“The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Rev. 3:5 ESV)

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18 NIV)

Everything we see is temporary!

In my early childhood I lived in the Northern California redwoods in the little community of Alton. It was a wonderful place to live! It was located next to the Van Duzen River, which ran along a lush mountainside with blue-green pools of water for us to swim in. A row of beautiful walnut trees grew next to our house. My brother David and I would climb them to build amazing tree houses and pretend we were Tarzan. At age twelve, I moved from there to Alaska. Many years later I returned to Alton for a visit, but I could barely recognize it. Everything had changed! Our house and walnut trees were gone. The river had shifted from its original location and no longer ran alongside the mountain. The beautiful swimming holes no longer existed. It looked nothing like the wonderful place I had loved so dearly in my childhood. There was nothing familiar left except for my memories! It was shocking and very sad.

But, it's a picture of the way things are going to be here on earth eventually; nothing we can see now is permanent. But, this world is not our true home. We are only passing through!

The Word of God is permanent!

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”(Matt. 24:35 NASB)

“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matt. 5:18 NASB)

People are like Grass!

“A voice says, "Call out." Then he answered, "What shall I call out?" All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.” (Isa. 40:6-7 NASB)

We have a permanent home in heaven!

“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Heb. 13:14 NLT)

"Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have lqaid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!" (Psalm 31:19, NKJV)

 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 24:3 NIV)

"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." (Rev. 4:11 NASB)

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God

“Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16 ESV)

Worthy is the Lamb!

"Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." (Rev. 5:12 KJV)

“That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18 NASB)

You abide in His shadow!

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1 NASB)

Do not dread anything because He is in your midst!

 “You shall not dread them, for the LORD your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.”  (Psalm 47:2 NASB)

He accomplishes all things for you!

“I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me.” (Psalm 57:2 NASB)

Sing praises to the Lord most high!

“I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” (Psalm 7:17 NASB)