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HE WILL PROVIDE In the winter of 1980 the community in which we lived was experiencing an economic downturn that closed down many businesses and greatly increased unemployment. My wife and I had only been married a short time and the construction industry, in which I was employed, had been completely shut down. Times were so hard and honestly I was losing hope as our finances were almost gone, and our marriage struggling to survive. We were being drawn by the Holy Spirit to return to the Church, many were praying for us, our need for Christ apparent to all. I had been raised in the Pentecostal Church, I knew there was a God in heaven, and I knew now was the time to return to fellowship with Him, hence we decided to attend Church. As we prepared for Church my wife and I took note of our money, and between us we had $4. We were out of milk and bread, and decided before we left that we would give $2 for our offering and purchase our essentials on the way home. Well here we were at Church and the offering basket comes by so in goes the $2. Later in the service they spoke of the next offering, the first was tithes and this one was for missions. I was embarrassed not to give and knowing our situation I was in a bit of a turmoil, give or not? It was then that I heard an old familiar voice: "Trust me and give all you have". Without hesitation or the consulting of my bride, in went our last $2, which was promptly followed by an elbow to my side. The ensuing conversation with my wife as we drove home was to say the least not a pleasant one. How could she trust that a man who had lived so far from God could hear His voice? We had not been home more than a few moments when there came a knock upon the door of our little one bedroom home. It was our neighbor (a man of God), "Gene did I see a trailer jack in your garage, if so can I purchase it?" I responded with, "Yes you did, but you can have it". Before it was through my neighbor who would take nothing for free left with a number of items and blessed us with $60 cash! Shortly after he left, my father showed up at the door, something that rarely of ever happened. "Son I have a fishing rod that needs to be built, here are the supplies and $60 can you do that for me?" By the end of the day we had received over $120 as the Lord led people to our door. Needless to say my wife and I knew what God had done, and the next week we attended another Church, re-dedicated our lives to the Lord and eventually became Pastors there. Miraculous provision has never stopped in my life, whether it be a dollar when I needed it, the slowing of a vehicle to prevent an accident, or the healing of a body, the Lord has never turned away. For those of you troubled, scared, anxious, desiring His comfort, "Seek Him and you will find Him", our God is faithful, be encouraged today, and seek His face, you can trust your God! "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen". Hebrews 11:1 Gene Burroughs Pastor/ Servant of God