Our Source

This Sunday is our last lesson in our series of studies on who God wants to be in our lives.  This week’s truth is that God is our provider.  Throughout my career, this is a truth that I have held on to- one that God has used to teach me to trust Him on deeper and deeper levels that I would never have learned without the struggles that I have faced, and do face, along the course of my days.

I have learned to turn my need into an opportunity for sweet fellowship, steeped in thanksgiving, with God.  This is not to say I always hit a home-run with this! I often fret and worry when I can’t see the immediate answer to my needs.  My stomach still flutters a little when the mail comes and I know there is something in there requiring payment.  But the thing is, in my heart of hearts, I KNOW that my God will provide.

Randy Alcorn has written a great little devotional called Seeing the Unseen, and one of his writings is on this very topic- seeing God as our source.  In it, he directs readers to a great article on his own blog, Eternal Perspectives, that I highly recommend.  The title  is “Longing for God and Joy.” Just click on the title and the link should take you there.

Learning to trust God on earth, in this life, and learning to seek Him, is an eternal lesson. True trust, not resignation, not weariness, but what a friend once called firmly latching onto all that God wants to be in our lives- this is also a lifelong lesson.  We can easily become cynical, bitter, and fearful in the light of lingering needs and unanswered prayer. It is perhaps our human nature to become so.  However, God has a higher calling for His people, and wants our lives to emit a sweet fragrance no matter our circumstances.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday (and my Daniel Plan mates tonight and tomorrow)!

 

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46 responses to “Our Source”

  1. Thganks for your encouragement Chrissie. I know all of the Blue Team has had a great time this month and the material had been extreamly timely and benificial to us all. What a great opportunity to share with fellow work mates, neighbors or even Facebook addicts. From the impact I have seen in my class tells me many others have experienced it as well.
    Thanks,
    Russ

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  2. Good afternoon Chrissie, Thanks for all you do to provide us the tools to learn more about our Savior. I enjoyed “Longing for God and Joy” and agree with the thought of how can one be an atheist after seeing all these spring blooms still showing their beauty under such gorgeous BLUE skies after such a cold freezing night. Thank Him for the beauty of the season. Barbara Kirby (BLUE Team)

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  3. Thank you for your encouragement, Chrissie. This word was very timely for me today. But isn’t that just like our God. God Bless, Lynn (team blue)

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  4. I just want to mention that we have enjoyed the March Madness and being a part of the Blue Team. The spirit of the Lord really shines through! I also want to say publicly….we are so thankful for Pam & Michael Jenkins! What awesome leaders we have for our young marriages and young families! Thank you.

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  5. I could have really used the quote ” Thou hast made us for Thyself O God, and the heart of man is restless until it finds its rest in Thee…” last Sunday as I said practically the same thing-I will use it this Sunday in follow up as we close out this series–thanks for all you have done and I am glad to get “acquainted” with your Blog! Thanks to all who have participated in this great opportunity for encouragement! I know the BLUE team will do well this Sunday but more importantly that we will all be demonstrating our love to our Lord and our fellow “this world travelers” by encouraging for more Bible Study and Christian fellowship!

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  6. We have really enjoyed being a part of the Blue Team in this March Madness and seeing the sanctuary fuller than it has been in a while. I just hope it continues. It was also an awesome sight to see and be a part of a family being baptized on Sunday morning.

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  7. Chrissie, I love the quote about firmly latching onto all that God wants to be in our lives! If we all did this…..Wow!! Thank you for all you do for us! Go BLUE!!

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    • Pam, A very wise friend said that to me once, and it has been a truth I go back to so many times, especially when I feel like I’m just going through the motions. He wants so much more for us than we could ever ask or think.

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  8. Chrissy, I am extremely pleased with these lesson. They could be used by being given to an unbeliever and make sense. They have been very useful in real life today use. I think our staff needs to continue to write our own SS lessons.
    Jon

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  9. Chrissie,
    Thanks for all the work you have put into these March Madness lessons. I thought the topics were very relevant. I was impressed on the material you put together. You had some good teacher aids.

    This week’s lesson on God being our provider is important for all of us to keep in mind every day. Our Stand Firm lesson recently suggested that God often puts obstacles in our paths so we will learn to trust Him more. I don’t understand much of the time, but my job is to trust God, not understand Him.

    Thanks for the encouragement.
    Jim

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    • Jim, I’m so glad that you have found the lessons helpful this month. And you are so right…understanding is overrated when it comes to the things of God- we can’t ever let not understanding keep us from trusting.

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  10. I love the “latched on” part of your blog. We have to stay latched on to Him for the journey He has planned for us. It reminds me to focus on the calling He has for my life and trust Him everyday. Thank you so much for the lessons you have done this month. I know it has added to your already packed schedule, but they have all been wonderful. My class has loved them. March Madness adds so much excitement and fun and sorry it is almost over. GO RED!!!

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    • Robyn & Martha, I have been thinking about that “latched on” thing all day. It sometimes takes a conscious effort. But even in those times we are weak and can’t hold on to Him, we have the assurance that He is holding on to us. What a great God we serve!

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  11. I like the words ‘latched on’. I have been latched on since I was twelve years old. So thankful God’s love toward us is the same yesterday, today and forever and so shall my love be for Him. Chrissie, thank you for being there for all of the Sunday school classes.

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  12. This has been a great month of fun and fellowship as we studied the names of God–great lessons. Thanks, Chrissie! GO BLUE!!!!

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  13. First but not foremost. Go Big Blue! As a member of the continually learning group, I find it difficult at best to be able to say that I am always confident that God is visible. To rephrase a popular phrase. It is actually that God is in the details. We often want the big picture but often it is the minute details in life and in creation where God really becomes evident. We are quick to say, That was so big only God could have done that. While that is true we overlook those things that are so small that ONLY GOD could have done that!
    Thank you so much Chrissie for your service.

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    • I really like that TRUE thought that I don’t have very often–that it IS in the tiny things we over look that we can often realized it WAS God and ONLY God who could have thought of or done that! THANKS….

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    • Those are great words of wisdom, Dell. You are so right- our God is the God of the great things and the small things- we can see His hand everywhere when we make it our occupation to seek Him. Thank you!

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  14. Chrissie, thank you for your wise, wonderful words. You are blessing to me.
    On behalf of the the children’s dept, GO RED TEAM! Can I get a 1000 points for each child on the Red team?

    Debra Ganas

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  15. Chrissie, I’m so impressed with the wisdom regarding our proper relationship with God contained in this collection of comments. It’s only when you rely on his love for you that you can experience the “peace that passeth all understanding” regardless of the circumstances in which you find yourself.’

    GO BIG RED!

    George

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  16. Hi Chrissie, It is a pleasure to read your blog and to have access to the wonderful information and news. I have greatly enjoyed the special series of lessons and appreciate you for the materials you have made available to us for studying and learning more about God’s will for our lives. Thanks! Melissa Camp, RED TEAM

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  17. I’ve enjoyed our lessons during March Madness, as well as the friendly competition between the BLUE team and the other team. I hope our Sunday School has grown due to the extra effort people have put into this time of study and emphasis. Blessings for you, Chrissie! Go blue!

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  18. I have so hated missing the last couple of Sundays. Latched on makes me think of Isaiah 41:13 For I, the Lord your God,, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” We may let go of his hand but he never lets go of us. Chrissie thank you for everything you do.

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  19. It’s been fun as well as interesting to participate in March Madness. Thank you to all who have planned and worked hard to promote our individual and church growth. I’m on the Blue Team.

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