Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or imagine…
Ephesians 3:20
A few years ago, my women’s Bible study group committed to support the ministry of a missionary couple in Papua New Guinea. In their monthly prayer letter, we read of a major project – the printing of the New Testament and Proverbs their team had translated into the language of the people they had worked with for many years. The missionaries had calculated the cost of printing each book and presented their supporters the opportunity to contribute toward the amount for printing an entire book or a partial amount.
As the Bible study leader, I presented this opportunity to the women to discuss what we could do as a group. I’m ashamed to admit that I looked down the list to find the cheapest one – the book of Jude cost $159. I thought if no one else wanted to contribute, I could write a check for that amount myself. But one of the women said, “How about the book of John?” We were currently studying the lessons I wrote for that book. I looked at the price of $2,224 and laughed, saying “yeah, right.” That ended the discussion for the day.
The next morning, I woke up to spend my quiet time with the Lord. As I prayed, the thought immediately came to me, “Why not the book of John? Didn’t you just teach the lesson about Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish? Didn’t you just teach the lesson about Peter jumping out of the boat to walk on water when Jesus called him to come?”
All day, thoughts continued about sponsoring the book of John. In the afternoon, I called the group member who had suggested that book. I told her my thoughts from the morning. We prayed together and agreed that we should move forward and sponsor the entire book of John. We both felt really excited! I called each of the women in the study, and all agreed. So, I emailed the message to the missionaries with our decision! That was March 8th. We needed the total of $2,224 by September.
Soon other ideas came to me – maybe we could have a bake/craft/garage sale. What about including other Bible study groups, Sunday School classes, the whole church! We were excited to see how God would lead and provide for this commitment. The pastors and church leaders gave a clear go-ahead with their full support. I made a personal announcement to the congregation the next Sunday telling of the opportunity and inviting them to participate.
The following week, I got a call from the church treasurer asking if I wanted to know how much money had been contributed so far. In just one week, we received $1,215. Less than a month later we had received a total of $2,220!
We had a garage sale, and contributions kept pouring in. By May 14th the contributions totaled $3,629. Our commitment was exceeded by nearly $1,400! We could apply the extra money to the printing of other books! In the May prayer letter from the missionaries, they announced they had received all the money needed for printing (and even shipping!) the entire New Testament, plus Proverbs.
What a faith-training experience for me personally! I felt so humbled to see what God did with a very small step of faith. More recently, as I recognized God’s call for me to publish the devotionals that I’ve written, I could look back at this experience and trust Him to lead each step to accomplish it. Setting up a website was far more complicated, and at times more frustrating than I thought it would be. There were times when I was tempted to put all the pages back in the file cabinet and just leave them there! But God is faithful to equip and provide for whatever He calls us to do. And I’m so blessed as I grow in faith to follow wherever He leads.
I pray this experience will encourage you to trust God for His ability to do whatever He calls you to do. He is able to do “exceeding abundantly above what we can think or imagine!”
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Has God called you to do something that seems impossible?
How have you responded?
How has this message encouraged you?
What steps will you take to respond to the Lord’s call?
This is a perfect story to illustrate that verse. Thank you for the encouragement this morning!
What a wonderful testimony! Last year a Christian lady in my Bible study group asked me to help her with the study book. She has health challenges that make it difficult for her to understand the material and answer the questions. I accepted a little reluctantly, not knowing just how to proceed. Then the virus hit, and we continued by phone. After things opened up a bit, we continued in person at opposite ends of a table. When we finished the study, she wanted to do another book of the Bible. I suggested not using a study book but studying on our own, writing down our own questions and looking for answers in commentaries. I can see that she has never been taught basics of the Christian life, and as God leads, I’ve presented these to her much as we taught children. As I’ve just followed God’s leading each week, He has blessed us both through our friendship and His Word. I hope she’s growing — I know I am!
Thank you for sharing this story, Nancy. Even now God is giving me encouraging women who are guiding me through the Bible and mentoring me and it is such a gift! Thank you, God!
This is such a powerful and encouraging story! I am so encouraged by the support you and FCC have shown for my parent’s ministry over the years. It’s cool to see how your step of faith has played a big role in allowing the Kamano Kafe people to read God’s word!
Thank you, dear Sherrilyn, for your faithfulness and courage to continue to publish! Yes, God does not always make following Him an easy task, but He gives us perseverance and courage and faith, which in turn blesses many others. Your story is a great lesson on faith. Thank you for sharing it!
My sister and I were just talking about this verse this morning in regards to all that is happening in our country with the virus, God is able to take away the COVID .. we need to pray and ask him!
You are making a difference in many peoples lives. That’s great. I love it that you add scripture verses that you know.
Settling in. But in process of remodeling house. It is quite a fixer upper. New roof , siding, windows, bathrooms,doors,flooring ,kitchen , heating system. Pretty much everything. But now only 1 place to take care of. House has 3300 square footage. 5 bedrooms , 4 city lots in Bayview. Super large garage shop. 2 fireplaces. We had been eyeing this house for the past 5 years. Close to water. Several Saturdays ago we went on a approximately 100 mile boat ride.
Thank you Sherrilyn, I didn’t respond right away and I’m glad I didn’t so I could see how others reacted. We all face situations that seem to be overwhelming and God gives us the courage, strength, insight or whatever is needed for that situation. Just like what we are in today, He will see us through this I know. “Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here.”
It’s amazing that God offers us the option of being involved in His larger plan, and then blesses us, personally, as we respond. Greetings to the women’s Bible study group.