Faith to Succeed
As I sit here at my desk juggling work from school, booking comedy events, among other things
I can't help but think about the goodness of God. I have to be candid and transparent in order for this blog to help me and someone else. I'm convinced that no matter what level people are in life, they still have challenges and hurdles that onlookers just can't see. Sometimes people think just because you've been on television, or because you live in a nice house, or drive a nice car, and wear decent clothes that you are good to go. People can look at you and think wow you must be rich. But I've come to know that you can't believe everything that you see. Only God knows what challenges each individual is faced with.
We were in church on Sunday at Tabernacle of Praise International in McDonough, GA and Pastor T.J. McBride was doing an amazing illustration of a man who was downtrodden in the streets with trash all about him. While Pastor described this man's turmoil and anguish he began to talk about the goodness of God, and how he can turn your situation around. He spoke about how we as the church can walk down the street right past a homeless man and not acknowledge him or assist him at all. I'm sure we've all been guilty of this. Of course we can't help everyone. But yet and still some of these very people might exist right in our own congregation. Pastor asked us to hold hands with the person next to us while we all prayed for one another in hopes of lifting up those who might be destitute. And while we were doing this I'm standing there with my nice suit on with my wife and mother by my side thinking "boy if these people only knew how temporarily financially challenged I am right now they would flip." As Pastor was praying for people who were having a tough time I thought about the fact that I'm totally out on faith at this very moment. I have not worked in a week, we are just back from a cruise, and we are staring at a mountain of bills. I'm like "that guy on the ground with the trash all over him could very well be me." But for the presence of Almighty God there goes I.
As Pastor continued to speak about the goodness of God and how he could change your situation in a moment's notice, a group of people began to walk out on the platform and set up a table with a bright red linen cloth, candles, china, silverware, and a glass as preparation for a King. Pastor said that while you are going through your toughest point God is preparing a table for you in the presence of your enemies. At this time Pastor reached down to the man and dusted him off, and helped to lift him to his feet. He put a suit jacket on him and invited him to sit at the table that was prepared for him. The whole church was shouting and in tears. It was a wonderful illustration. Pastor McBride is famous for his excellent illustrations while preaching his sermons. He asked us to join in on a Thanksgiving Turkey Drive where we are to feed up to 500 hundred families. Normally I would be all in at the top tier of giving. I wanted to give, but I couldn't because I already gave the little seed that I had towards the general offering. But in the midst of it all I felt empowered and had this unshakable faith that God was going to work things out for my good. His word said that he would. I didn't even know how I was going to make it through school over the past two weeks while traveling to L.A. and going on the cruise. I was doing homework the whole time. Here I was a big six foot four man sitting on the plane in coach trying type on my computer with my arms and legs all scrunched up. But praise God I was able to get something done. Even while I was on the cruise I hammered out my assignments and was able to post it from the ship's internet. It all worked out for my good.
God is faithful and just to do what he said. Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please him; and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him." God will work your situation out please believe it. When you are sitting there with a mountain of bills and no work in sight God will provide. Yes he will! I've been getting up in the mornings praying and meditating on his goodness, and the phone has begun to ring, and people are booking events. So I'm trusting him to take me from zero to paying the mortgage, car notes, graduate school tuition, and all of the bills that are due.I'm at my red sea once again, but like Moses and the children of Israel, God will make a way out of no way. I decree and declare that he is doing it right now. And not only will he do it for me, but if you believe, he will do it for you. Until next time.
Peace and God Bless.
Willie
God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. (Ephesians 3:20).
