Going through hard times

Praise the Lord!

(and welcome to CF!)

I think many full-time ministers struggle with the connection with faith and finances. Traveling evangelists probably struggle more than most! Know that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and that He will care for you!

JesusGivesPeace said:

The devil has come hard after our finances and we owe so much to many companies and live by faith so our income is not consistant.

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Your post made me reflect on some of my own difficulties...

It took a while, but I learned (for myself) that being in debt can be a very heavy weight or burden to carry. This kind of weight or burden can and has (in my case) interfered with sweet communion with the Father.

Dave

While I certainly applaude you for your work in the Lord, perhaps it is time to reflect what Jesus commaned to his follwers in Matthew 10:
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[2] drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

I'd invite you to reflect upon your situation and pray about how your ministry efforts and debt do or do not line up with a scriptual approach to ministry and evangelism.

Peace be with you. +

JesusGivesPeace said:

My wife and I are in the full time ministry traveling with an evangelistic ministry, and sometimes feel that we are the only ones going through rough times. The devil has come hard after our finances and we owe so much to many companies and live by faith so our income is not consistant.
We know that God has called us, and we know that He will take care of our financial situation, we just want to know if there is anybody else out there that is going through the same things so that we can encourage each other.
We have left everything behind, including our house, to serve Jesus and everything we own fits into our Jimmy. We have no regrets, and seeing people get delivered, and set free, and healed, and saved is glorious and we enjoy serving God.

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I would say that if God isn't providing for your needs without you having to go into massive debt, you aren't in His calling, even if it seems you are. God provides for those He calls.

Either you aren't spending within your means, or God isn't providing for this ministry.

I'd prayerfully consider which of these is true.

Even our Lord had a following of supporters. I would possibly rethink your strategy of ministry to model His more. Gather disciples to you, encourage those who have gotten saved thru your ministry to keep up with you, thru prayer, and voluntary financial support. Build up your (church) so you have those who have concern and love for you.

I find in my ministry, just letting people know I have a need usually gets that need met. People want to support ministers and missionaries. Let someone know what you do and what it takes to do it.

Next Post:

All Christians know that the devil will do anything and everything to get in our way. For example. I am a full-time college student in Theology, my wife is also. We just had a baby on May 28th. Well, the devil found a prime time to strike. Our car was broken into that night, all the windows were shattered, everything inside was stolen. The next day we found out that there was going to be $400 extra for my wife to go back to Brazil with our son for 3 weeks (my wife is from Brazil). To start now. After the car was broken into, we gave our testimony at college (WOF College) and how God would supply EVERY SINGLE NEED of our life, including financial. We STOOD on that and would not accept nothing less! The next day we were given a package from the college. Glory be to God we had been given every bit of help we need to fix the car! We even had some left over! We held to our confession again that God would supply our needs for the plane trip. Two days later we found out that our electric company charged us to much and we would receive a large sum back from them! Tickets paid for! On that Friday the devil pulled out his last weapon. I was driving to Wal-Mart to pickup puter paper for a project I had do. On the way back from Wal-Mart the car bucked 4 times and died on the rode. I was able to get it down into the underground garage. I went upstairs to tell my wife what just happen. On the way up the stairs I had this feeling come over telling me "Why now? Why lose faith? Is this to big for me to handle?". I went back downstairs to the underground garage, went over to my car, laid my hands on the hood and again I felt something tell me "Your an idiot! This wont work! People are looking at you! You Fool!", People were looking at me in the basement. All the better for the glory of God! I asked God to meet my needs on this car and have it run without problem. I got back in the car, drove up to wal-mart, stopped at Best Buy and came back! NO PROBLEMS! PRAISE GOD!

Keep the faith, where the will of God is known is in his Word. Stand on his will, on his Word, and don't forget you are a OVERCOMER by the blood of the lamb! No weapon formed against you WILL EVER PROSPER!

Great testimony!

Hi JesusGivesPeace

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1Cor 10:13)

you probably had read this verse more times than i for i am a young Christian. Prayed that this will comfort and encourage you.



(Believest thou Me?) - God

prayed for you
ian