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The outgoing of a
passenger boat delayed three days that prayer might be answered.
A group of God's children were gathered in for a special sunrise
prayer service, seeking divine help in the paying of a church
indebtedness that was due on this same day. A fervent spirit of
prayer rested on many hearts, and we had the assurance that God was
going to answer in a marvelous way. After having prayed for some
time, Mother Gonzales, a real saint of God, reached over from where
she had been praying and quietly called the pastor and me out into a
side room and told us that she had the exact amount we needed for
this church debt in her home and that God had spoken clearly to her,
telling her to loan it to us so the bill due could be paid that
morning. Then the Lord would send it to us and we could give it back
to her. She said it had been sent to pay the passage of three of her
little grandchildren to New York, where their parents lived. The
parents had asked that they be sent there in company with a lady
friend who was sailing the following day. After knowing that the
money would need to be on hand that afternoon or early the next
morning, to be able to purchase the tickets and properly plan for
the trip, we hesitated to accept the use of the money. But the good
Sister very definitely declared that God had spoken to her and that
she must obey. So we trustingly accepted it and at once paid the
bill. That day nothing came to us, and the lady with whom the
children were to have been sent grew very angry when she knew what
had been done. She declared she was going on that boat (the
following day) and that the children would be left behind. But God,
who had given instructions to this dear sister regarding the use of
the money, knew full well just how to work it all out. The following
day no money came but we felt a great calm in our souls, being
assured that the dear Lord would not fail us. In the afternoon, a
few hours before time for the passengers to embark, a strong tempest
raised, and in the streets trees were up-rooted, small buildings
were destroyed, and sailing was impossible. Because of the terrible
storm that swept around the coast, the boat was held in the docks
for three days overtime. On the morning of the third day, God sent
the money in full. The tickets were quickly purchased and the
children left on the boat just as they had planned to do. Praise our
God! He is the God of the whole universe. He controls the land and
seas. He speaks and the waves obey His voice. That evening as the
ship went out ploughing its way through the seas, the hearts of a
group of God's children in Cuba were singing praises to His name,
exalting Him before the people for His mighty power and for His
wonderful works to the children of men.
Definitely Guided by God's Spirit
(Sister Keith's healing)
What wonderful privileges are ours if we are truly living for God,
and if we have our lives completely given over to His control. One
of the greatest promises Christ ever gave to the believer was that
when the Holy Spirit would come that He would guide the children of
God into the full light of the Gospel. He said--speaking of the Holy
Spirit—"Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide
you into all Truth." This is definitely speaking of the Holy Spirit
leading us into the full light and truth of the Scriptures. He will
surely do this if we are willing to accept each ray of truth as His
spirit reveals it to us; but if we reject a part of the Truth, He is
not obligated to continue revealing Truth. Our onIy safety lies in
accepting, with grateful hearts, what He does reveal. Then He will
continue until our very souls will be illuminated with the light of
divine truth. As we follow on in His divine plan, our lives will be
filled with grace and victory and glory, and we will then become as
lights in the world and draw others to the blessed Saviour of men.
There is also another way in which He has promised to guide us, and
sad to say, but few of the Christians think of the great privilege
that could be theirs; or of their responsibility in magnifying the
Lord through these personal demonstrations of His power and of His
care. Thank God it is possible for us to hear the voice of God
clearly speaking to us, definitely trying to guide us in clear paths
of service to Him. In the year, 1929, I had a very definite
experience of being guided by the dear Lord in a plain path in
service to my fellow man. I lived at that time in Indianapolis and
was pastor of one of the congregations. Sister Keith was a faithful
member in my congregation. Her general health was good but she had
had a few serious heart attacks. These were not very frequent so we
had not been deeply concerned about her. She lived a number of
blocks from my place, but I usually walked there to see her. One
night, possibly 3 o'clock in the morning, I was definitely awakened
from sound sleep as if some one had entered the room and called me.
As I awakened, I sat up in bed, and after a moment's thought,
knowing that I was alone in the apartment; I realized that the Lord
had awakened me. So I bowed my head in prayer and asked Him what He
had awakened me for. The answer quickly came, "Call a cab at once
and go to Sister Keith." I quickly called the cab and rapidly
dressed while waiting for it. In a few moments, I was there. Being
so definitely sure God had spoken, I expected to see the house lit
up, and to see the family stirring for I was sure something was
wrong there. To my surprise, everything was in darkness and the
family sleeping (as far as I could see). The cab driver stood by a
few minutes and the enemy of all good said, "What a foolish thing
you have done. They are all in bed asleep." Quickly looking to the
Lord I was impressed to enter a small side gate and to try and go
around to the back door. I sent the cab away and entered that dark
passage for the first time in my life. As I reached the kitchen
door, I saw through a small crack, that light was in the house.
Without knocking or speaking, I opened the door and entered. There
in a chair sat our beloved Sister Keith, to all outward appearances
gasping her last breath. She had awakened with heart attack and had
gone downstairs for water. When she got downstairs she was so bad
she could do nothing. Her husband worked nights and the two
daughters were both upstairs in bed asleep. From where she sank down
in the chair, with much difficulty she had unlocked the back door.
She could not speak a word but as she saw me enter, the tears of
gratitude flowed from her eyes. Without a word to her, I stepped to
her side and as I laid on hands, I felt invested with authority from
Heaven over the affliction. God enabled me to pray the prayer of
faith and the work was instantly done. Our praises awoke the girls
and they soon joined us. All together, we prayed, worshipped and
adored our Saviour and healer. From that hour, Psalm 32:8 has been
more real to me than ever before in my life—"I will instruct thee
and teach thee in the way in which thou shalt go: I will guide thee
with mine eye." "Bless the Lord Oh my soul and all that is within
me, bless His Holy Name."
As I write this, I am convinced that some who will read it will
doubt it; but the Lord does not change the fact of truth. Some will
say, "But that was twenty years ago. What good does it do us now?"
Dear ones, time never has or never will change or take from the
power of God. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Some will say, "But that was just one special case." Yes, that was
just one special case, but it can be multiplied if we listen to the
voice of God's Spirit when He speaks and then move out in obedience
to that voice.
In these latter days many have fallen from the faith but my
brethren, God has not changed. His word of Promise has not changed;
neither has His plan for the care of His people changed. What Christ
needs today is an army of men and women, spirit filled and humble,
ready to sell out, entirely placing their lives in His hand, ready
for sacrifice or ready for service. How many will enlist
wholeheartedly in His Service--ready to hear, ready to obey, ready
to he used by Him to the fullness of your capacity coupled up with
the Holy Spirit.
Christ, Our Defense in Times of Storm
Boxes released from the Customs
"He only is our rock and our salvation; He is my defense; I will not
be greatly moved." Psalm 62:2.
We have tested, and we have tried Him, and we have proved Him, and
we do know his promises are true; therefore we shall not be moved by
the pressure of exterior things, but shall continue to do as David
said, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my
help." Psalm 121:1.
In the early part of 1948, kind brethren in the States got together
large quantities of clothing, both new and used, and bedding and
other household things, and toys and school supplies. They packed
seven large packing cases, and shipped them to Havana, Cuba, for us
to use for the boys and girls in the Children's' Homes; and also for
distribution among poor workers and other brethren out in the
different Mission Stations. How we did rejoice when we got this good
news. Rapidly all arrangements were made to meet the requirements
for lifting these boxes of useful things from the Customs House. We
were informed that the charges would be around $40.00, and we felt
this was reasonable, and at the appointed time some of the workers
took this money to the Customs House, expecting to bring the things
out without further trouble. But we were sadly disappointed as they
then informed us that we would have to wait two days more, and pay
something over $60.00. We knew this was too much, but feeling there
was no way out of it, in sacrifice we got this additional money
together. The brethren took it and went back to the Customs House at
the appointed time. But our troubles with the Customs officers had
begun. At one time they told us that the things were going to cost
us over $300.00. We just could not pay this, and kept trying to work
on this problem, but the more we worked the more decided these men
were against us. At last they told us the things were so dirty and
so infected that they could not let them out for any price, but
would have to burn them. We still prayed on trusting God to over
rule in some way. Another time they informed us that we could have
them out for $700.00. We were so shocked at this news that our
hearts almost sank but we kept saying God's Word just could not be
broken, and that He had promised to let us triumph over our enemies.
At this time I had to go to the States to attend some camp meetings,
and left Cuba with this great burden still hanging over me. While in
the Burnside, Pennsylvania camp meeting, I requested special prayer
that God would lay His hand on this thing, and let us have what had
been sent for the good of His work in Cuba. How well I do remember
that season of prayer. Several took this matter right on their
hearts, and when dear Sister J. D. Harmon from Oklahoma prayed, she
definitely asked God to take right hold of this thing, and give us
those boxes without having to pay anything for them. This seemed
like asking almost too much, but does not the Word say to, "ask
largely, that our joy may be full." This is what Sister Harmon did,
and God answered in just that way. Praise His dear name forever. God
worked in a mighty way from that day. Soon after that Brother
Horacio Morales, one of our workers in Cuba, was speaking with a man
whom he had accidentally met, about these boxes and the trouble we
were having. The stranger listened attentively, and then said, "You
have spoken to the right man for I am the defense officer. He asked
for the papers to be taken to him, and at once he took hold of the
case. In three weeks he sent word for Brother Morales and I to be
ready the next morning, as he was taking us down with him; and that
we were going to get the boxes out that day. What a night of
rejoicing we did have. The next morning he came early and took us in
his car. When we were near the Customs House he stopped at a
Military Post and asked that a truck be sent right over to the
Customs House with us. His order was obeyed, and we soon arrived
there. The gentleman entered the building, taking some policemen
with him, and walked in where the boxes were, putting a mark on each
one, and asking the policemen to carry them out and put them on the
military truck waiting outside. They obeyed and in a few moments we
were on our way home, knowing the boxes were also on their way
there. God had stepped in and answered prayer, just as it had been
presented before Him. The boxes were delivered in good condition,
and we did not have to pay even for the truck to bring them out to
the Children's Home. Praise our God forever and forever.
And the report that the things were in such a bad condition was
false, for we never had received a shipment of such splendid things.
Brethren, why is it so hard for us to trust the Living God for the
things we need, and which He has promised to do for us? May God
increase our faith, and help us to so live that He can be honored in
giving us the very desires of our hearts" Psalm 37:4.
As we unpacked and divided out the things for the children in the
two Homes and also repacked boxes for the different Mission Stations
our hearts overflowed, and we adored and worshipped Our Blessed Lord
and Master. Let us love Him more, serve Him better, and trust Him
fully for all things.
'ELIJAH'S GOD' STILL LIVES
We have the assurance that, "Jesus Christ 'Elijah's God' is still
the same, yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
I feel constrained for the glory of God, and for the encouragement
of His saints to write a testimony of a very definite answer to
prayer that we recently had.
For several years we have suffered a great shortage of water at the
Children's Homes, in Los Pinos, Havana, Cuba. Much of the time the
municipality had to send large tanks of water, containing several
hundred gallons, and have it poured into our well to keep the supply
going. Last year another well was drilled, but still the same
conditions continued. All last winter and spring we had practically
no rainfall in Cuba, and a great drought settled down over much of
Cuba, and the reports of shortage of water came from all parts of
the Island. Here in the city of Havana, where the water supply had
never failed, the conditions became so grave that in many parts of
the city the water was only turned on a few hours daily, and some
days not at all. In Los Pinos where we have the Homes located, we
get our water from wells, and these wells all over that suburb went
dry. The condition was tragic.
Our well also went dry and we had to hunt from one little farm to
another for a few buckets of water. At last folks who had let us
have a little water, had to tell us we could get no more as their
wells were also going dry. We reported to the City Authorities, and
different groups of Government men came out to study the situation
and to see what could be done to solve this awful problem for the
Institution. A private family could buy water in bottles, and using
great care, could get through; but how could we take care of a
situation like this in an Institution with over 120 living there?
Nothing could be kept clean; no cooking could be done many days, no
bathing of the children, and no water for laundry work.
One commission came and said we would have to put in a larger
electric motor to pump the water. The next group, after much study,
said that would do no good, but that the well must be drilled much
deeper. This sounded more reasonable. But in a few days another
commission came to study the situation, and then with sad hearts
told us the case was hopeless--that there was no water in the earth.
They said they had tested it to a great depth, and that there was no
sign of water. That nothing could be done. The last few weeks before
this what little water we had been able to get of a morning was so
muddy it could not be used, and at last red clay came up with only a
little water in a bucket.
Never have we passed through a deeper problem. No water for cooking,
no water for bathing, or cleaning, nothing to drink--a tragic
situation and growing graver daily. When the last group of
Government men said nothing could be done, we turned into the Home
almost speechless. We had been praying earnestly, but we had not yet
prayed through. But at this hour, 2 P. M. on Wednesday, May 10, 1950
a group of the workers of the Homes fell on our faces before God and
we cried out of the depth of our hearts for "Water." We forgot
everything else, and we prayed for "Water." We had to have water and
at that time God alone could give the water. We did not know how it
would come as the Government Engineers who had tested the ground had
definitely said there was NO water in the earth; but we, like ELIJAH
of old, cried out of the depths of our souls for WATER. About 3 P.
M. (one hour later) we heard a loud, happy cry ring out over the
place. "Water, water, come and see!" "OH, THERE IS WATER--CLEAN,
PURE WATER--LOTS OF IT!" We all rushed out to see, and there sure
enough, running from all the water pipes, was water-clean-pure water
in abundance. Yes, Elijah's God--OUR God--had answered prayer. HE IS
THE VERY SAME TODAY.
From that day to this, July 24th, 1951, we have had an abundance of
water day and night. In just a few moments neighbors, having heard
the cry, came running with buckets to take water to clean or cook.
Praise God forever and forever! The Postman heard the news and came
hurrying to see if it was true. Others heard of this miracle, and
came to see. We had a wonderful opportunity to magnify our God
before the people. Thank the dear Lord, the people of this community
(mostly Catholics) have had a wonderful opportunity of hearing of
the mighty power of God as manifested towards those who love and
serve Him.
May God use this testimony for the good of souls. Brethren, we do
not trust Him enough, and even when He does answer prayer for us,
too many times we fail to give Him the glory. Let us exalt His name
together, that the unbelievers may know. And let us live in such
vital touch with our Lord that at any time of need, we may just call
upon OUR FATHER, and receive the answer full and definite.
"My God shall supply ALL your needs, according to His riches in
Glory" Philippians 4:19
I have already told you of the wonderful way in which God heard and
answered prayer in supplying an abundance of water in our dry well
on May 10, 1950, and I am happy to tell you that up to this date
there has been an abundance of water for every part of the work in
the large Institution, and for all the neighbors, since the hour God
touched the dry well and sent water. The heavy drought continued for
some four months AFTER we had water, and the sufferings around us
were terrible, but we had water all this time. Praise God forever!
I have added this note, because many have been writing to me asking
if we still have water in that well. Yes, thank God, when He does a
thing, He does it well. At the same time we were suffering for water
in the Homes, the water condition all over the Island was very
grave, and here in Havana, the authorities, in trying to save the
water, divided the hours of the day and night in different sections
of the city. Out in the Buena Vista Suburb, where we have the
mission house, and where the church building is also located (where
we always have our Convention), the water was turned on a couple
hours late in the night. This made it necessary for someone to
remain up in each home, waiting for the water, and then fill vessels
to supply water for the family until the following night. Because of
these conditions and other problems, the brethren had almost decided
that it would not be possible to have our Convention this year. But
after much prayer we decided to go on with our plans, and arranged
for and bought a number of large vessels for water in the mission
house. We always feed the brethren who come to this meeting at the
mission house, and it would naturally require much water to carry
this through.
I went out to the house with others, two different times to clean
and get ready, but could get no water. At last I went out on a
Thursday evening to remain with others to catch water in the night
for this work. We got the water in our vessels that night, but never
needed it. The next morning when we got up we were surprised to find
running water. This was just two days before the convention was to
begin. We asked our neighbors on all sides if they had running water
that morning, and they all said NO. We were the only ones who had
and none of them could understand; but we did, full well. And the
water stayed on for just fifteen days--or until all our visitors had
gone back to their homes. The day after all had left the water was
again on ONLY in the night for a while so we could get water if we
needed it. This condition lasted until October when the heavy rains
broke, and there was more water for the city.
But all during the convention we had a full supply, not only for the
cooking and cleaning, but also many of the brethren from out of the
city, came to ask the privilege of bathing at our place as they
could not get water where they were staying. What a joy to let them
come and use of the blessing God had so freely supplied us. How
wonderful it is to have a God who really hears and ANSWERS prayer.
But even as I write this I know that some who will read this
testimony will doubt it in their hearts. But there are scores of
brethren in Cuba who could affirm what I am writing. I am writing
this because a number of the dear brethren here have asked me if I
had given this testimony, and when I said, "No," they asked me why I
did not write it for God's glory. So here it is, clear and straight.
The God who with held rain for Elijah, and later sent rain in answer
to his prayer is OUR God, and thank the Lord He has lost none of His
power or willingness. In 2 Timothy 3:5 it speaks of those who have a
form of godliness but who deny the power of God. How sad that these
conditions exist among those who have all their lives had clear
demonstrations of God's love and power, and yet do not believe.
Naturally such cannot receive from God these marvelous answers to
prayer, because He only answers "the prayer of faith," but bless
God, those who do really live to the standard of His Holy Word, and
whose lives thus please Him, can call upon their Father, and He does
answer. May these testimonies strengthen the faith of those who
read, and may His great name be lifted up among the people.
A Cow Healed That Money be Supplied for the Mission Work
In the early part of 1950, we were confronted with some unexpected
expenses in the work of the Lord. We were praying earnestly for God
to move m a special way, supplying the money needed to meet these
bills. We prayed several times, but did not feel the assurance we
wanted. At last the burden grew on our hearts for the small
offerings we were receiving daily would not meet this above the
other expenses. When we got right down in earnest we prayed through,
and felt the assurance that God had heard, and that according to His
promise the answer must come. Had He not said in 1st John 5:15, "And
if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask of Him, we know that
we have the petition that we have desired of Him." Bless the Lord,
oh, my SOUL, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name--He is
both able and wiling to give us what we need, and ask Him for in
Faith. Believing that our prayers were heard, we arose from our
knees and each went our way about the work of the Lord. In four days
a letter came from a Northern State, from a stranger. As we opened
the letter we had the feeling that this was God's answer. Imagine
the thrill as we took out of this letter a check for $200.00. Our
hearts overflowed. We called the workers of the HOMES in to rejoice
together in another answer to prayer. And our joy was complete as we
read the letter. It stated that on a certain day--the day we had
prayed through--they had a wonderful experience with the Lord. They
were not rich people, but had some cows and depended much on the
income from these for the family needs. To their sorrow the best
milk cow they had, a good animal, fell very sick, and became
paralyzed all over. The veterinary was called but could do nothing
for it. So they, in their distress and burden, did the right
thing--took it to the Lord in prayer. Went to the Lord for healing
for the cow? You ask. Yes, and why not? Has He not said, "If ye
abide in me, and my words abide in you (then on these conditions)
ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
These dear ones went in earnest prayer, feeling they must have help,
and they told the Lord that if He healed this cow, they would send a
good offering for missions. When they went this far THEN God showed
them to send it to Cuba. They prayed, and went to bed. The next
morning when the brother went out to attend to the cows, THIS cow
completely well. Praise God forever! So they obeyed Him, and sent
the $200.00 offering to us here in Cuba. As we learned of what God
had done in order to get the answer to us, we were made to fall down
and worship Him who is worthy. The dear ones who sent the offering
did not know us, or the need, but God did and that was sufficient.
Oh, that men would learn to believe what the Word of God says, and
put their trust in Him for all things. Then could the work of the
Lord prosper and many souls would be brought to a definite knowledge
of God's great goodness, and His love, and His power. May this
testimony encourage some of God's dear children to take all their
burdens to the Lord, knowing that He is interested in everything
that touches the lives of His children.
God Took a Saint to GLORY to Provide Funds for the Convention
In 1950 we were in deep waters economically and were trying the best
we could to care for all the different activities of The Missionary
Work in Cuba, and at the time of which I am going to speak, we were
face to face with the facts that as far as we could see with the
natural eye, there were no funds with which to cover the expenses of
the Annual Convention, which was to convene from April 23rd over the
3Oth. Because of the extreme poverty of our brethren, we have always
had to pay the fares to and from the convention for the Ministers
and workers. We must also furnish food free, not only for these but
for nearly all who come, as those who pay their own fare are usually
so very poor that this causes the greatest of sacrifice, and they
could not come to the Convention at all, if they had to pay for
rooms and food. So each year we have very heavy expenses for this
meeting, but have always seen such great results that we felt
repaid. However, at this time we just knew that unless God stepped
in and did something special, we simply could not have the meeting.
A group of workers gathered together to plan and pray and see what
we could do. The more we thought of canceling the meeting, the more
impossible this seemed, for we are laboring for the salvation of
souls, and for the spiritual deepening of God's saints. So after
much consideration, we felt we must in some way go through with our
usual plans. During this time the spirit of God came upon me in a
very special way, as if in prophesy, saying, "God will put this
convention through, and supply the needs if He has to take some
saint home to glory to accomplish it." As God spoke into my heart, I
opened my mouth and repeated it aloud. At once a brother said,
"Sister Stewart, what are you doing--prophesying?" I answered saying
I did not know about that, but that I was just repeating what God
had spoken into my soul. From that hour we went ahead with our plans
just as if we had the money in hand. And did we not have it (by
faith) since God had spoken out of heaven?
A brother who was present in prayer that day, asked me what I
thought it meant for "God to take a saint home to glory to provide
for the convention;" and my answer was, "'I do not know, but He may
know of some poor saint living in a cottage that they will not need,
if he takes them home to glory." And that was exactly what God did.
A few days later a dear sister in the Lord wrote to me saying that
they had just laid her dear mother, Mrs. Julia Emery, away to rest,
as God had taken her. And she continued saying that after returning
from the funeral she and her sister had looked through the mothers
things together, and had found a letter penned by her, addressed to
the two of them, and this is what the letter said, "Dear girls, when
you sell Mother's little house, divide the money between the two of
you. But please take out first $500.00 and send it to Sister Stewart
in Cuba for the work there. Signed, 'Mother.'"
The sister continued in her letter saying that as they read this,
they had a feeling that we were urgently in need of the money, so
they were not waiting to sell the place before sending this. They
had made up what they could and got the rest on a loan, and were
sending it at once. The check was sent with this same 1ietter. And
needless to say we had the most powerful convention we have ever had
in Cuba. God's holy spirit was poured out in every service from the
very first until the last but increasing with each day. Oh, what
glory was manifest in those services and many souls were saved, and
sanctified, and several came out of divisions into God's marvelous
light, and many sick were healed. Praise God forever. One scripture
that just thrills my soul every time I read it is found in Exodus
20:22 "Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven." And we
certainly know that when God does speak to us from heaven, we are
safe in accepting His message, and acting on it. Where faith lays
hold of the promises, God cannot fail--for He has pledged Himself to
answer the prayer of faith. What the church needs today, in the
midst of all the unbelief in the world, is a revival of the old time
childlike faith in the Word He hath spoken. Let us as the people of
God seek Him for it, as this is what the world today needs to help
bring them back to God, and to His ways.
Divine Guidance is Possible Today
How often we have heard folks say they do not want to trouble the
Lord about LITTLE THINGS, but He has definitely asked us to bring
ALL our burdens to Him. He has promised to be a PRESENT HELP in
EVERY TIME OF NEED--so it is our privilege to take EVERYTHING to Him
in prayer. And the sooner the true Christian learns this most
valuable lesson, the sooner many of his or her problems will be
solved, and the pathway (of the just) will then be smoothed out, and
the glory of the Lord will shine upon us more and more.
In the summer of 1949 I left Havana, Cuba, arriving in Homestead,
Florida on a Thursday evening. I was due to speak in a congregation
in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday morning. I had written before to get
information about the busses or trains from Miami, Florida to
Chicago, and got an answer back from both Homestead and Miami,
giving a schedule that leaving Friday morning I could reach Chicago
Saturday afternoon. This seemed to me very quick time, but having
gotten the same information from two persons, living in different
places, I counted on it, and left Havana as before stated, on
Thursday. But when I arrived in Homestead I was informed that wrong
information had been given from the ticket office, and that the only
way I could reach Chicago in time for my appointment would be to
'fly' to Nashville, Tennessee, or to Atlanta, Georgia, and get a bus
from there. So I went to the airport early Friday morning, not yet
decided to which of these places I would go, but looking to the Lord
for direction. It seemed in the natural that it would make NO
difference, but God knew what I did not know and He directed my
going.
As I stepped to the window to buy my ticket, I placed out Cuban
money without thinking what I was doing. I was so accustomed to
using this. When the agent called my attention to this, I was for
the moment confused. As I had been summoned to go on this trip
quickly, and in my rushing off, I had failed to change my money into
United States currency. (In all my travels this had never happened
before.) I was told that to make the exchange there I would lose
sixty per cent, and felt I should not do this. Having enough United
States money with me to buy the ticket as far as Nashville,
Tennessee, I decided to do that. Personally it made no difference to
me whether I flew to Nashville or Atlanta. I talked with My Father
while buying that ticket, and put the whole thing in His hands. I
knew if I had to make the exchange I could do it there in Nashville.
Having good friends in a brother and sister living in Nashville
(although I did not expect to have time to see them), after arriving
there, I went to the phone to call them. They knew nothing of my
plans, did not know that I had left Cuba. On hearing my voice, and
knowing who I was, they insisted that I had plenty of time to go out
to their home for a few hours and get off on a bus later than I had
really planned. So the brother at once drove out to the airfield for
me, and I was soon happy in their presence.
Remember--God either had to open a way for me to get on to Chicago,
or I would have to lose so heavily in making exchange of the Cuban
money I had brought with me through my rush in getting off. But
almost as soon as I got seated in this sister's home she began
telling me how wonderful it seemed that God had brought me there
right at that time--for they had been saving their tithe money and
had a considerable sum on hand, and at the time I phoned, they had
lust been talking together about it, and wondering where the Lord
would have them send it. At this point in their conversation the
phone had rung, and when in surprise the sister-in speaking with me,
repeated my name-the husband (who was sitting close by) at once
spoke up and said to the wife, "She is coming for our tithe." So the
sister hurried into another room and came out, placing in my hand
$60.00. What a surprise-and yet why should it have been-for has He
not said in His Holy Word that He would direct our paths. In
Proverbs 3:6 we read, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
Him, and He SHALL DIRECT Thy PATHS." And again in Psalm 37:23 we
read, "The steps of a good man are directed by the Lord, and He
delighteth in his way."
How my very soul thrilled as I looked on that money, knowing that
these dear ones knew nothing of this need, and knowing that I could
just as well flown to Atlanta, and would have missed all this
blessing--but the Lord Himself had directed my ways, and had really
prepared these dear ones for my arrival. With the Psalmist my very
soul cries out, "bless the Lord oh, my soul, and forget not all His
benefits." May the Lord help us to exalt His name among the people,
that others may know of His marvelous works among the children of
men--TODAY. Yes, "Jesus Christ (IS) the same--yesterday, TODAY, and
forever."
Traveling Expenses Provided Along the Way
In Genesis 18:14, we read where God was speaking to Abraham and said
unto him, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Again in Jeremiah
32:17, we read the answer to this question, "Ah Lord God! behold,
thou has made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and
stretched out thy arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:"
Praise God forever. If only all of God's dear children could drink
in the fullness of this heavenly truth, and profit by it in their
lives, what a change would come in the life of many a Christian.
Many believe this and say that there is nothing TOO HARD for our
God, but they stagger over the little things needed in life, and
suffer lack because they feel these things are too small to trouble
God with. But it is His delight to come to our aid in the great
things of life and in the small things that trouble us.
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