[Faith-talk] a question

[Everett Gavel]

Lelia wrote:
> Well, and your all going to think Todd my husband and
I are being
> silly, but we did an Estimate of our expenses and
money for next year
> and our transportation expenses let's just say aren't
going to be as
> available as they have been so far.  So we've been
thinking of
> churches, and questions like what if we can't go to
church or something
> like that.
>

Hello Lelia, and all,

I don't think that's silly.  Just misguided.  It seems
to show a lack of reliance on - and faith in - God.
Have you tried praying on it yet?  Continuously praying
on it, I mean?  Faith is not saying, "we may have to
stop going to church," and saying, "I can't wait to see
how the Lord answers our prayer and helps us get
there!" (smile)


James 4:2-3
"...You do not have, because you do not ask God.
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with
wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your
pleasures."


That is one of my most favorite verses.  "You do not
have, because you do not ask God."  I'm constantly
amazed at the dumb, small, seemingly insignificant
prayers He answers for me (not to mention the big
ones).  Quite often He answers them in ways that make
me realize it was Him.  And yes, I ask some that don't
get answered, since He knows what's best for me.
Prayers like, "Lord, please let me win the lottery this
week!"  Though I haven't given up on that one quite yet
(smile), He continues growing me and changing my heart
and mind so that His dreams and desires are my dreams
and desires.  He has never not taken care of me and
given me what I needed, though.

My joke is, who knew the Rolling Stones were so
biblical?  I say that because one of my most shared
statements is that God doesn't always give you what you
want, but He gives you what you need.  (smile)

But my point is, do you seriously think He wants you,
wants us, to stop going to church?  And to use funding
as the excuse?  He specifically says we are to have
fellowship.  All these silly people that love to state
that they don't have to be in a church to be close to
God?   Well, despite my shaking my head at them now,
since I've learned the truth through His word, the
Bible, I used to be one of them.  He wants us to be in
constant fellowship with other believers, and says as
much in His word, the Bible.  He wants us to have
constant fellowship.  It's how we get strong, and stay
strong.

Ask Him for help with funds for getting the things you
need.  And church is definitely one of those things.
They say "careful what you ask for" though.  I've come
to realize that's because all too often, His answer is
not given in exactly the same way as the answer we'd
hoped for. He may well improve your income so as to
afford it.  But He does love to intermingle people,
that's for sure.

I've never yet seen Him work on only one level.  So he
may find someone who's looking to feel more useful, be
of more help, and use them to help you get to church.
Only He knows, of course, the glorious ways He can and
will answer your prayers.  It all starts by doing just
that, though.  Praying.  Praying continuously, on those
things in life in which you need His help.

May God bless your efforts.


For Him,
Everett
www.everettgavel.com