March - Faithfulness

I love surprises.

God knows that.

I don’t need grand gestures or huge surprises either. I’m grateful for simple things, like an unexpected card from a family member, a new pen, a piece of candy in my mailbox, a thank you note from a student, or a bouquet of tulips.

I'll even take a surprise onion ring in my occasional indulgence of an order of French fries - because God knew I really wanted to order both!

I refer to these special surprises as gifts of confirmation. They are the most meaningful because I know that they are gifts being sent directly from God Himself. They let me know that He hears the whispered prayers of my heart, and He is just so happy to answer them.

Now, I want to talk to you about gifts of confirmation.

In the Korazim Plateau, located in northern Israel, there stands a hill known as The Mount of Beatitudes. It is on this hill where Jesus is believed to have delivered his widely known and beloved Sermon on the Mount. https://biblerr.com/where-was-the-sermon-on-the-mount-preached/

In speaking to his disciples about the things we seek of God, Jesus uses tangible items to speak of spiritual gifts. He asks them “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?" He then declares, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7: 9-12, NIV)

We have such a loving Father that He promises to give us the good gifts we ask Him for!

The Bible tells us in the Book of Psalms that as long as we delight ourselves in the Lord that He longs to give us the desires of our heart. (Psalms 37:4)

My heart’s genuine desire is to know God fully and lead others to know Him just the same.

God knows that.

And I believe He is honoring that desire in the most remarkable ways.

As you may or may not know, I have declared that in 2021, I am a woman on a mission.

If you’ve been with me on this journey since September 2020, you know that I had planned on reading the entire Bible in one year, a few months before the start of 2021. That plan became a complete, purpose-driven lifestyle overhaul with the gift of a new Daily Bible from my fearless Fellowship leader. I firmly believe that God is speaking to me through His Word and revealing the truths that He knows I am ready to receive.

In my conversations with God toward the end of February, I decided that this year, I too would start gifting everyone an interactive Bible. So far, I have happily distributed 10 of them, complete with Book tabs, and journaling tools like highlighters and pens that won't bleed through the thin pages.

Why am I telling you this?

Because no sooner do I fully commit to this mission than I receive an incredible surprise gift of confirmation in my March Faithbox.

What was it, you ask?

I kid you not -- right there in the box were Bible tabs, a Bible Hi-Glider, and THE SAME EXACT Books of the Bible Bookmark that I gave to two of my sisters and my son. (see photo below)

I have been a partner with Faithbox since March of 2016. In my recollection, not once before this have Bible marking tools ever been included in a monthly box. Not once in all of the FIVE years that I have unboxed gifts of faith. Not once in SIXTY months.

Anyone still having any doubts that God is speaking to me through these gifts?

I mean, Wow, God, just wow.

Thank you for that surprise, Lord. That was 10,000 times better than an onion ring in an order of French fries. ✨

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So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20, KJV

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