It was about 1998, and Missy (my wife) and I had lost our checkbook. We looked everywhere. Emptied her purse, cleaned out the car, and pulled the cushions out of the couch. It was gone.
We didn’t have any debit card, and the idea of a smartphone was a long way off. We had no way to buy anything without going to the bank and pulling out cash.
And the worst part, the youth group leaders we were working were inviting us to dinner after church. We told Terry that we would love to go, but we had lost our checkbook. Terry understood, and prayed. Then, another couple offered to buy our food that evening.
We pulled up to Ponderosa in Grandview, MO. I opened the car door, and the long lost checkbook literally fell out of the car onto the ground! WHAT? We had cleaned the car. I had gotten in the car through the same door. How did this happen?
I believe a few things took place that Sunday.
- We had a serious need
- Terry genuinely cared about our need, and prayed
- God cared even more, and wanted to remind us of His presence
- God was probably testing the obedience of the couple who offered to buy our meal
- God knew we would glorify Him when He answered Terry’s (and our) prayer
To be clear, this is not a formula.
I believe God hears and answers prayer.
There is an interesting word in the Hebrew language, and this word is used in the first sentence of the Bible.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
The word is “אֵת”. This word is made up of two letters, the “Aleph” (אֵ) and the “Tav” (ת). These are the first and last letters of the Hebrew “Alephbet” (Alphabet). Remember – Hebrews read right to left.
The word isn’t necessarily translated, but it has a powerful meaning to many Jewish scholars. If we translate directly from Hebrew, we have the following:
“In the beginning created God “אֵת” the heavens and the earth.”
Scholars believe these letters “אֵת” represent God’s word as he spoke. It was a “picture” of how God created the universe, literally “with His words” (the letters of the Alphabet). Seen a different way:
“In the beginning God created “אֵת” (by His words) the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 (FDIV – FlatlandDave Inspired Version)
In fact, John does a play off of Genesis 1:1 when he writes:
Why is this important to us? What does this have to do with us?
I believe God has spoken since the beginning on the importance of listening to His word. I believe the God of creation can see our need and speak a purpose much greater than we could imagine.
What challenges do you face this week? What impossible opportunity do you need? What activity is ahead of you that seems impossible.
These few weeks we are starting off by planning our week each Sunday. As you take time to plan your week, I encourage you to “Ask God for help” in the most critical area’s of your life.
Here is our layout for planning a successful week:
- Begin this week with a goal – What is something meaningful you need to do this week to introduce something into your current situation or reality?
- Ask God to help – The One who created the universe has offered to help you and me with anything we need. Who knows what God might speak into your situation?
- Plan and Block – A goal is not the same as a plan. Consider what needs to take place so that you can accomplish the goal. Look at your schedule this week and block time specifically for doing those things. Protect that time. Accept no interruptions.
- Flex and Change – There will be new things along the way, and the need for change is inevitable. Embrace change and be flexible.
- Create and Present – Introduce your creation. This might mean to put something on display, to embrace a new routine, or to see a situation or issue from another perspective. Bring others into it. Let others appreciate the wonder of what you created.
- Admire – Like a refrigerator on Mother’s Day, take the time to look back and admire what you were able to accomplish…big or small. We should look back on our creations, and say “it is good.”
- Rest – After you admire what you created, take time to rest. All new creations bring new opportunities, and challenges. It did for God. 🙂 In the end, we will find it was worth it.
Comment below: What area do you specifically need God to answer for you this week? (I, and others, will pray for God to speak life into that situation.)