Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Obedience (01/31/05)
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TITLE: Obedience Leads to Freedom | Previous Challenge Entry
By Suzanne Shepard
02/07/05 -
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It’s funny how much of my spiritual growth has come by way of personal trials. Then again, if Jesus Himself had to learn obedience through what he suffered, then
my own tribulation should come as no surprise.
I experienced my greatest financial victory during the most difficult test in my life.
My husband and I were going through a very difficult time of separation. He owned a small business where we both worked, and decided to sign the ownership of it over to me. I was totally unprepared to handle the finances as successfully as he had. He was the “bookkeeper” and I was “customer service.”
I was inexperienced in the area of bookkeeping and tax liabilities and I made some very unwise decisions. As you can imagine, it didn’t take long before it looked like our little family business was going to go “belly-up”.
Out of sheer desperation, I made an appointment to counsel with my pastor.
My heart cried out to him for help. “What should I do, Pastor? Should I keep trying to run this business, or should I give up and quit? I need to know today!”
Pastor Tom took my hands in his and called out to God on my behalf. After the final prayer was prayed, he sat back and calmly said, “I feel strongly that the Lord is telling me to share this scripture with you.” He took his Bible and opened it to
II Chronicles 20:15 – 17.
“… Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. … You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf … Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.” (NASV)
I returned to work with renewed faith. I felt confident that somehow the Lord would show me how I could succeed.
Every day I thanked Father God for His help. I thanked Him for hearing my prayer and for making a way for me. I remember telling Him, “I don’t know how you are going to pull this off, but just show me Lord; show me what you want me to do.”
Not many days passed when it became clear to me that God wanted to teach me the principle of obedient giving. It seemed that everywhere I turned, the message was on sacrificial giving. One day, as I was watching the Christian television station, I came across an anointed teacher whose message rang true to my heart. I could sense the Holy Spirit speaking to me through the messages that he gave.
One particular day the teacher said, “God’s principle is to give, and then He will give back to you. If you need to get out of debt, then get involved with helping someone else get out of their debt. Start giving and see what God will do for you.”
I took a step of faith that day and obeyed.
After only a short time of walking in that direction, Father God moved on my behalf.
The business across the street from my store closed down for some underground repairs. The huge holes were dug and then the unexpected rains began to fall. More than one or two days… several times, in fact, and the holes filled up with water and delayed the work for several weeks.
The flow of my neighbor’s customers became for me, my deliverance. The hand of the Lord was on my business so greatly that the work across the street was extended from three weeks to three months. The extra income generated from the over-flow of customers was enough to pay off all my debts. The day I signed my name on the check for the last over-due bill that I owed, was the day the neighboring store re-opened its doors. God is so good!
He taught me that I don’t always have to know where I am going, or what I am to do, I just need to know His Word, trust in His love, and obey Him when He speaks.
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