God and Cavities
Pardon the double negatives but is there nothing the Lord can't do? Nothing He's not good at? No office He can't take over? I've been concerned and on red-prayer-alert about one of the darling young women in my life, one of my little "mentees," who has really been challenged by God to trust Him in the area of finances. Like many of you, she is single and overwhelmed at times by shouldering so many responsibilities alone. Under the tyranny of the urgent, she hasn't been able to even think about going to the dentist for several years. Then came the inevitable tooth ache. The dentist took a good look and diagnosed her with a whopping seven cavities and a flooring dollar estimate. She was nearly sick. Knowing all she'd been up against lately, so was I. And she wasn't about to let me offer an instant solution and pay for it. We did what any two worried women would do on Saturday at the mall: we got a strong swig of Starbucks, looked for a new Easter dress, talked ourselves silly, and reaffirmed our trust in the One who has never proved unfaithful. I do mean NEVER.
I got an email from her today. She saw another dentist this morning who charges a bit less and, lo and behold, now she only has two cavities. Who would have believed God could also do dentistry? WHO KNEW?? I told my friend today that this gives a whole new meaning to the filling of the Spirit.
Open your mouth and speak it, Sista: "Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You." (Jeremiah 32:17) You gotta love Him. He has a way of showing up where you just don't expect Him.
PS. Amanda and I had a fit over your children's stories! You've given me tons of stuff to use and not just for next week's lesson. For years to come! We still have lots to read but you'll be hearing a response from us about them soon! I love you, Sistas. You are DEAR to me and I'm not just talking trash.
posted by Beth @ 6:55 PM
74 Comments
74 Comments:
your words give me hope that someday i will be out of the pit and mentoring someone.
i feel like i have a friend in you, even though i know i am just one of many who reads your blog. amanda, thank you for the encouraging words on my blog.
God does have the ultimate loan system, doesn't he? i'm in the midst of this myself - waiting to find out if i can afford even the lab tests needed to enter a program. mercy ministries, maybe you've heard of it?
thanks for speaking truth to your sisters.
I love how God used this to speak to me right now. My husband's position was elminated in January with no sort of severance package. God has shown up in the coolest ways every since. He has met every need we have had. My man has started a new job in a new field and I'm finding myself quick to worry, and question God. This entry reminded me to go back and remember just what HE's done. How can I worry, He has always been faithful and that isn't going to change now!! Thanks for sharing.
PTL. God can always "fill" the need or give someone the awesome experience of "filling" it for Him. We have a single mom of three young children in our congregation who just got acquainted with the Lord three years ago. When God snatched her out of the enemies hand, she did not have custody of those three amazing boys. She was in deep addiction to methamphetamine and was existing from one high to the next. Her testimony is amazing, but too long to share here. However, in three years, she has regained custody of her children, loves God with all her heart, sould and mind and is a beam of Sonshine to all who meet her. One of the consequences of her meth use is decaying teeth....referred to as meth mouth. Her smile was one of broken and black teeth and she was in extreme pain often. God put a burden on my heart to seek a solution for her dental needs. After three months of inquiries and estimates from $40,000 - $1,600, last week a wonderful dentist did all the work needed for only $500.00. Her bright and white smile Sunday morning brought me to tears.....He is so good, all the time, He is so good!
Okay, I'm going to try this again, I'm not "techie" so I goofed up the first try!! Thanks so much for sharing this today. My husband's position was eliminated in January with no warning and no severance package. I can't begin to tell you the cool ways God has met our every need. Now, as he starts a new job in a new field, I find that I'm easily worried and quick to try and handle things on my own. How can I do that after all the ways He's shown Himself faithful to us over the last 3 months!! Sometims I feel like I take 3 steps forward and 6 steps back!! I'm so glad this young sister is learning early, our God is so awesome! Thank you for sharing.
Can you stand just one more? Two years ago when I was pregnant with number three, my twin girls were four. The inevitable question came up....."Mommy! How is the baby gonna get out of your tummy?" While I rambled on about how the dr. was going to help get Baby Brother out, she got real thoughtful.....
"So. He's not going to chew his way out, then?"
I laughed so hard that I tee-teed a little.
I want to meet you, Beth!
Well that is awesome!!! I know exactly how your friend feels. I am still praying God will help me with some teeth stuff. And this story is encourging to just keep on praying..
Love ya
Lori in florida
God is just incredible and I LOVE IT when He decides to show off in the most unexpected ways.
I also love those drinking a Starbucks, walking around the mall, talking about Jesus days with my best friend. I've got one of those friends who would rather talk about God than anything else in the world and our conversations are such a blast!!!
We're going to Living Proof Live in Columbia, SC in 10 days (but who's counting?!?) and we. are. so. jazzed!!!!! We're actually driving to Columbia on Thursday instead of Friday so that we can "hang out" an extra day. She called me yesterday to let me know that she's already located the Starbucks, TCBY and Atlanta Bread Co. in Columbia. May the countdown begin!!!
"not just talking trash".
i love it. i love you. we are truly blessed beyond measure to share with you on this level.
and it's like i told my best friend today (who is 30 years older than me)...
thanks for being REAL :) for not playing games or pretending. cause games are stupid and they get you no where. so thanks for not being stupid :D
Beth,
That is such an awesome "gift" of a story!!!! I also have a friend who needs some major dental work done and she doesn't know what to do :(
I know God can do it for her too:) !!!!! Thanks for the 'gleeming' story of God's faithfulness! Praise Him Always!!!!
He is so astoundingly faithful, isn't He! Sometimes, if you ask me, to the point of being humorous.
A small group I'm in at church started "Believing God" last week. I blogged Saturday night about how great the first weeks lessons were and that I could not wait to see where God would take me on this journey.
Well, I show up to class Sunday morning and our current leader said, "Here you go Stephanie," and hands me the leader's guide, "will you facilitate the study." If you knew me at all, you would be as floored as me. To have thought even a month ago that the Lord would so much as consider using me to lead other ladies through not just any study but one titled "BELIEVING GOD," well, that is nothing short of a miracle!!
I am so happy for your friend! What a huge blessing. I love that He doesn't care only about the big stuff but He is totally into the every day details of our lives. I'm overwhelmed!
I applaud your sista for having enough faith in the Father to allow Him to fix her teeth! God has called me to Intercessor Prayer and believe me, I open my mouth and speak. This is the first time in my whole life that I have been thankful for the fact that, "Lisa would get better grades if she would just stop talking to her neighbor!" My Friend, My Father, My God, My Passion, My Lover..I can't stop talking about Him and when I pray, I can't stop talking to Him! I am standing with the Sista for the complete financial breakthrough from her Father that is needed- until then...we believe, therefore we speak! ( Have I heard that enough to know, from someone (can you say Beth) to know it by heart? Praise Jesus He always is dependable!
First of all, the best part of that story is the we all believe God is in the dentistry business. How shallow is life if we don't have blessings to count? Yea God!
Second of all, I detest Easter dresses and I'm so envious. I've lived in Michigan my entire life and I can't recall a single Easter it was warm enough to wear one. Forcast for this year: High 37; 80% chance of snow. (You were just here in February, Beth--imagine wearing your Easter dress then...)
I prayed for 70 degrees and sunshine (can't hurt!)--if He does dentisry, I know he does climatology.
Beth, I just love you and your sweet heart! I am so looking forward to celebrating the presence of the Lord with you in South Carolina in 2 weeks!!! Have a VERY blessed and restful Resurrection Day! hugs for you!
So neat! I am just so glad you have some "mentees" Know that I am one from afar, mama Beth
Beth, I love this!!!! Our God just keeps us smiling, doesn't He? Speaking of His mighty works, my 3 year old daughter had surgery last week. She came through it like a champ. A few days after, we were talking about all of the people who prayed for her. She was a quiet for a minute, and then told me that she saw Jesus. When I asked her about it, she told me, "While I was sleeping. He 'keeped' me safe". It was all I could do to keep from bursting into tears. My baby girl knows that Jesus keeps her safe!!! GOD IS GOOD!!!!
Praise God!! He is so awesome!!
Blessings To Y'all~
Karen
Beth,
I loved your story of God's faithfulness. I have been constantly reminded of your message in Bossier City in the past several weeks..."Thus far, God has been faithful." I took many things from the weekend, but that has made such a difference for me and my faith. Thank you for reminding us all, especially me, that God is in control of all our circumstance, even our pearly whites!!!
I was at a bridal shower Saturday and ran into a woman from the church I grew up in. We had recently run into eachother at the LPL Event in Detroit as well, so of course we had to talk about our experience there! We both gushed on about you and your Bible Studies! About how much we love your style and insight! I actually confessed that I might be borderline obsessing because I can't let a day go by without checking this site! Yes Beth, you most certainly ROCK!
How Big is our God?!! He is HUGE! I am going to pray for this young lady and her finances. God filled her cavities and I am going to pray he fills her bank account. Beth, this has been a day of spiritual warfare all around and this was a great praise report to hear at this time. Here is another, I have been praying for my ex-husband and his new wife for their salvation(for a year now) and God laid it on my heart to speak to my sons about inviting their dad. I may have already written this and if I have, please excuse the repeat. Anyway, I was polite but told God that it would be too hard for me or weird and there were plenty of other churches they could attend in which God sweetly told me that it wasn't about me! So, I told my youngest about what God laid on my heart and he said God had moved on his heart to invite to Easter services. We emailed him and to be honest, we didn't think they would come. He received an email last night from his father and they are coming to our church this Sunday!!! This would be a Living Beyond Yourself kind of thing. God can do anything and you are right, we serve a big God and we need to believe him more!!! We are believing for their salvation. He hasn't been in church in nine years!! Please pray for him and his wife. I am so thankful that God is mindful to bless us. Have a great and restful week.
Love,
Patty
Beth, I have loved doing so many of your studies with several of my girlfriends. God gives you the best stories to inspire us! I also love the gift of laughter through your wit. God truly can do ANYTHING, even fill teeth. WOW!
has there been any good news from bossier? She and her family are in my prayers.
I so needed to read this today. I am passing it on to a friend who went to the dentist today and got a bad report, too.
Her Daddy is the same as your friend's, and I know He wants my friend to remember He cares about it all and can do anything for her.
Thanks for sharing, Beth. You touch my heart regularly.
Mrs.Beth-
How crazy is it that you would post on the faithfulness of God today?! Wow His timing is perfect! YOU totally brightened MY day on Saturday...here's how: ok, so I was one of the many who were lucky enough to be "mothered" by you at your passion breakout this year, i went to the 1st one in the GWCC, and was totally pumped about getting to sit on the floor RIGHT in front of the stage because you are seriously like my favorite person...I totally hung on to every word you said and just could not for the life of me stop smiling- apparently you noticed..you told me afterwards when you took a pic w/ me and signed my "pit" book (which of course i spent the whole rest of the day bragging about) that you could certainly tell I was paying attention..I laugh thinkin about what I probably looked like to you...anyway thats so not the point, but know it just meant the world and was such a big deal to me..ok so the storal of the mory is on Friday I found out that I didn't get into the college I wanted to go to. I thought the world was going to come to an end and I was just gonna die..after many hours of crying,talking w/ friends, and talking it out w/ God i was better but still sad...as the Lord would have it, I got my Passion CDs on Sat., I put your breakout right in(which by the way, i swear i can hear my obnoxious laugh over like everyone..haha) and you said something I know, but maybe it was just the way you said it..that has helped me more than anything...you were talking about how our value comes from being loved by Christ and we dont need to look for it anywhere else...it is because we are loved by Him that makes us special...I thought"THANK YOU GOD!" sounds simple enough, but boy did it hit hard this particular afternoon. Rejection stinks but God is so good-He is faithful, and He is the same God now as He was before I found out..and as I know you would tell me, "When God says no, there is a greater yes in store" My sadness is so gone and im excited to see what God has planned!!I'm counting down the days til I get to see you in SC!!Ive never been to one of your conferences before and I am so excited to see what God's gonna do! Im prayin for Him to show off BIG! You are the real thing if Ive ever seen it in my life and you bless me more than you know, Mrs.Beth!Sorry this was so long!
Much Love,
Krista in GA
~Smile~
Beth, your relationship with Jesus and your enthusiasm for Him is *so* refreshing!
I have learned so much about our Lord through you- in your various Bible studies and books. I'm reading Believing God right now and loving it. And wearing a thin strand of blue yarn on my wrist.
Thank you for your faithful servitude to God!
~Stacy
BETH MOORE -- I LOVE YOU!!!!
Don't be frightened...I'm not a stalker. You are truly amazing. God has spoken through you to me in big, big ways. I read your book, Jesus, the One and Only. Wow!! I'm telling you, after reading that book, I fell head over heals in love with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! You catapulted my faith through the roof with that book. I can't thank you enough. I am finishing up the Daniel study through my church. I'm not sure what to do next....Breaking Free, Believing God, Living Beyond Yourself, or Jesus, The One and Only. I also have the audio version of your Hope Encounter... that tells you a little bit about my background! That was phenomenal!! I need to listen to the part on Forgiveness about 40 more times. That might do it!!
I am from the midwest, but I can talk just like you. I crack my husband up. Can I get an amen? Is anyone out there hearing this (emphasis on this..also make "this" a two-syllable word.) You are amazing, and passionate and filled, brimming, overflowing with the holy spirit! Thank you for coming into my life, and teaching me and most of all...intorducing me to the most wonderful man I will ever meet...Jesus!!!
Love,
Lisa Romero
Chicago (suburb)
Praise the Lord!
Hey Sisters,
I know this isn't the "children" story blog, but I missed that opportunity. Interesting that you should write about dentistry because my only explanation for missing the boat is that I spent several hours last week on Thursday and Friday in a dentist chair and had taken medication prior to each appointment. Now that the medication induced fog has lifted, I have just the story. This sweet story truly is better late than never.
We named our two sons for the apostles who were brothers, Andrew and Peter. I don't know what the birth order was for their namesakes, but in our family, Andrew, who is 22 and will be married one month prior to his 23rd birthday, came first. Peter is 19. We are blessed in that our two sons have always shared a close relationship. (Peter will be his brother's best man, and that thrills this mother's heart.)
When Andrew was 8, he responded to the gospel invitation and on a Sunday night, took his Daddy's hand and the two of them walked down the aisle. After our meeting with the children's pastor, Andrew's baptism was scheduled. My husband trusted Christ as his Savior when he was a very young child, but was not baptized until he was an adult, so he and Andrew were baptized together. As you can imagine, Peter, who was 5 at the time, had many questions since his Daddy and brother were both baptized.
That Sunday night on the way home from chuch we experienced an unforgetable moment in the life of our family. My husband and I listened in rapt silence as our Andrew - much like his namesake - told his brother, Peter, about Jesus. (See John 1:40-42)
When my sweet boy was in kindergarten, he started praying regularly that Satan would become good, believe in God and worship Him. (Who, but a child with a sweet pure spirit would even consider to pray for the salvation for the enemy?) I'm sure burning coals were heaped upon his head with every word.
A dear friend of mine came home from the dentist once, crying and could barely talk...she had gone into the dentist, and he insisted she needed a root canal right then. I was so frustrated for her having gone through such pain and expense! I am THANKFUL for God who truly cares for our needs and "fills" them--that's so funny, Beth! You are a hoot (and a holler).
Praying for Tuesday night...
In His Joy,
Holly
Sista's
Got to share this with you I was beside myself over my marriage and stuff. The Lord showed up in Wal-mart had seven other spirit filled Christians pray with me. The Lord told me to cry out for my Husband like never before and I got offered a job in a Medical Office and My ATM card didnt go through and I got my groceries paid for which my two boys who love the Lord watched Him totally provide. Praise Be to You Lord Jesus Christ. I repented in the middle of Wal-mart and Humbled myself and watched the Lord do a miracle. You are so right Sister Beth He Loves Us so Much. How could You not be in love with Jesus He is so awesome.
I Love Ya'll
Sue-La
,
Praise the Lord for what HE has done in this dear ones life with her teeth. Please pray for our dental hygenist who just found out that her son who is 21 yrs old has an inoperable brain tumor ( the kind that has tenacles that go out in all directions in the brain). Please pray for doctors to have wisdom and for his healing if God desires, if not for strength to be a mighty witness for God. This young man is in his senior year of college. Please pray for his family.
Well, either the first dentist was a scammer, an was trying to overcharge her, or the second dentist is incompetent and didn;t do a very good job of finding the cavities. I very much doubt a divine intervention here.
Seriously, Beth? A whole new meaning to the phrase "filling of the Spirit"?! You soooooooooo crack me up! What an awesome story! Thanks for sharing.
love you sista,
Kristi
Amen!!.....Can God fix teeth too??!! of course he can! I'm telling you, Dear Beth, if he is able to mend a body ravaged from self-inflicted sin like mine, he can perform porcelain-quality restorative dentistry to ANYONE!! PRAISE HIM , PRAISE HIM, PRAISE HIM!!! :)
thank you for sharing this with us, Beth!!!!
Maria cristina
I was a child abuse worker for 20 yrs then became phyically disabled. For 2 years addicted to crack. "Breaking Free" & "Out Of The Pit" were 2 ways God used Beth as His Vessel to me. I am so very blessed!
Re:Cavities and our missing sister-answered prayers show how very awesome our God is.
Wanted to share this as an Easter treat and this seemed the right spot:
God truly cares about the littlest things of our hearts!
For years my truest friend would get me Cadbury Eggs for my birthday and Easter. When I became addicted to crack life changed and I no longer wanted life. This True friend then became the friend who sticks closer than family---she reached out, grabbed hold of me, rescusing me not for her, not for me but for God!!!
You should see her when she buys these eggs----she holds them out like they stink and says "yuck" repeatedly!!!. I torture her by slowly eating them in front of her. We end up laughing and laughing!!!
Well the hurt resulting from the addiction lead to a time for healing and mending so we parted till God's timing for reconciling.
That 1st birthday was so hard, for you see it was shortly after my birthday that God used this precious Lady as His Vessel to give me a new, restored life. I'm an only child and very spoiled. My relationship is so close to God that I now express and tell Him everything---so I got to pouting and even screamed, stamping my feet in my beautiful cabin (which I have due to God: His forgiveness, grace and mercy) and crying for my bestest, truest friend to give me my Cadbury eggs---at that time no one else would do!!! Yeah, awful I know I know!!!
The next day I was getting an MRI and saw a large bowl at the receptionist's desk. The receptionist said it was Easter candy and begged me to take as much of it as I wanted because none of them wanted to take it home. She then left the room---no one else was in the lobby when I looked into the bowl:
behold not just one, not two but three full size Cadbury eggs!!!
I'm sure my eyes got as big as saucers---I started crying and praising God right there!!!
The receptionist and then the nurses came running out thinking I was hurt---
I just couldn't speak right-all I could say was He heard me, He cares, He is my bestest friend!!!
I then managed to settle myself and tell them the story---they too started crying as well.
They insisted that I take all three for we all felt that He was telling me that I will always get Cadbury eggs from my bestest friend that was given to me by my truest friend---for you see it is not only her love but His love that flows through her to me and it is never ending!!!
A year later I happened to be back in for another MRI and when I walked in the ladies all declared, "The Cadbury Egg Lady!" They told me that they had been telling the story to all their patients that year---how God cares about the littlest things of our hearts!!!
A few days later I overheard a mother telling her little sweet daughter the Cadbury Egg story---letting her know that God cares even about the littlest of things.
Awesome how we can spread the story of God's care and love for us.
By the way God answered my prayer for the Cadbury Eggs on:
Good Friday!!!
Vicki from TN.
vlagems@hotmail.com
My...my....my...it's nice to see you back bloggan again - it took a few days to catch those kid stories up didn't it?! They were precious and hilarius!
Man, I'm going to start praying over my teeth. I have teeth trauma and dental trauma and dental phobia all kinds of trauma!! Three of my lower teeth cracked-off in half so now they're only "halfers"!! It's real bad, maybe one day I'll get the guts up and go!! And the price for dental work these days, aauuggghh!!!! It's awful, I even tried trading in my first born, but no can do, so tried the 2nd born (RED), no can do two, out of desperation I even tried my 3rd son and was told no can do three, or four or five or fifty!!!! Fine, fine, fine, didn't really want it anyway, not really, I think I'd much rather gum my food to death instead!! HA! HA!
Seriously, I am so happy for your friend/"mentee" and I'm just gonna ask God to do what He did for her and just do it for me, I don't think HE should play favorties over our teeth, but then again if HE would rather show-off HE could perform a miracle on my Rheumatoid Arthritis and my Degenerative Disc Disease or my Sleep Apnea?? Gosh, really, HE can just take His PICK!! So go for it I say!! Yay God, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD, ONLY BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!
I'll never think of dentists and fillings in the same light ever again. I've often heard Him refered as Dr. God, I guess it never clicked before that Dr. God works on teeth too. That makes Him a dentist too!! Miracles are GREAT AND ALWAYS WELCOMED UP HEAR IN SEATTLE!!!!!!!!! I don't really know what non-sense I'm typing tonight it's 1:45am and I should be asleep, cept my sleep apnea and disc pain are giving me some grief tonight. I think my Ambien sleeping pill outta be kicken in pretty soon, I 'm starting to feel a little loopy so disregard the ramblings, especially the ones that don't make sense!!
I am praying you have the most HOLY WEEK this week and God meets you in BIG ways this Easter Sunday.
I love you all (all blog sistas)!!
Love you Beth and Amanda!!!!and Melissa!!! and Keith!!!xoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxxooxoxoxoxxoxoxo
HE IS RISEN!!!!!
I can't imagine how many people actually leave comments here, and part of me thinks this will get lost among the mass, which is ok, but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this story. I have been needing someone to remind me that God can do all things. I mean, I know that... but sometimes it's like we feel our situation is the exception, ya know? And I don't know who else to say this to, so I guess your comment section seemed the perfect place. Thank you.
Your dentistry story made me smile. What a great way to start my day.
I cannot even begin to tell how much this message meant to me this morning. I needed a fresh reminder of God's awesome power. There are so many things that need to be worked out in my life and the lives of those I love right now. I am especially burdened by a problem that one of my children has. I continually remind myself that God could take away the problem if he wanted to. So if He doesn't, He has a purpose.
I will be at LPL in Columbia next weekend. I cannot wait to hear what God has laid on your heart for me. You have spoken to the very need I have so many times over the past few years.
I love you and I am praying for you. Thanks for being real!
Beth,
I feel like a cavitie,
you make this so called god life look so easy but truthly it is so hard for me, hard to a point that it made me give up and walk away from god completely. The question is for you or anyone. Is there truly a god out there. I dont mean to sound rude or anything but I dont feel him at all. I struggle hard with it, like he doesnt even know I am a live. I cried out to him but nothing. I live in a pit and probably will for ever. I wrote on one of your other blogs but didnt live my name or anything telling you that I walked away from god over 5 months ago. I dont know how to get him back or maybe he doesnt even know I am a live
Beth,
Good for your friend/mentee for not letting you give her the quick solution and paying for it right there on the spot. I find that a hard one to discern. There are times when I want to have someone pray with me but not solve the problem for me and it's hard to know if that person is God's answer or not. Thankfully most of my prayer requests are concerning my attitudes so God's the only one that can fix those.
So praise to God who worked this one out!!!
I consider myself to be one of your mentees. You're doing a great job with me. Love, Su from CO
Reminds me of the song by Matt Redmon "Never Let Go". The Lord truly never lets go of us. Of course every time I sing this song in the car I always end up singing "through the corn and thru the snow". I know it should be "through the calm and through the storm". Somehow when I think of HIM helping me through difficult situations I can easily think of "corn" and "snow". I am much older now but I well remember my husband and I not knowing where our next penny was coming from but somehow "HE never let go"!!! Praise the Lord Almighty through the "calm" and through the "storm".
Thank you so much for this post...I love hearing from you Beth. You speak from the heart and are genuine...I see Him shine through you. I hope one day to be able to get to one of your events. Do you ever come to Canada?
This post really spoke hope to my heart...and I wanted to share a financial testimony as well to the goodness and glory of God.
I'd been out of work for months and had gone into serious debt and depression just from living expenses. Six weeks ago I got a job as a cashier at a major grocery chain in my city.
God moment 1: I'm severly visually impaired. Being a cashier is "technically" something I should not be able to do. But I am excelling at it and my manager tells me I will pass my probation period with no problem.
God moment 2: As I've started to make some income, it seems like all my old debts have risen to haunt me, and I've had to make some hard choices...cutting out many things to pay bills (wishing, oh so badly I could get this shaggy mane of mine cut, but realizing it is not a priority). Thankful at His provision of a job...but wondering when some relief might come.
God moment 3: Two weeks ago we started a campaign at our store to ask customers to add $2 to their grocery bill for a local children's charity. My manager made it into a competition for first, second and third place. Having only been there 4 weeks, I didn't excpect to do very well...but, I ended up being the top seller...only by His grace! The prize - $50 and two movie passes...something I haven't been able to afford in years.
God is soooo good. Just when you are down - He brings a "sudden blessing" into your life. Maybe I will get that hair cut after all.
I believe it! A few years ago, my mother and I found out that Angels can drive U-Hauls too! God's mercy is more than minty fresh! It's awesome!!!
Your words were so timely this morning as I am reading GOOTP and keep thinking, "my pit has so many rooms I'll never get out". Thank you for reminding me that ALL things are too great for me...but not for Him.
I know I'm a day 'off' but by the time I read the blog it was closed and I so wanted to share this child rearing (or Mom rearing) story...when our youngest was 4 or 5 we were watching another child be baptised at church to which mine replied 'I want to do that'...thinking he wanted to go in the water I explained to him that there would be a time for him to do that too....next Sunday comes and his SS teacher wonders why he is a little down to which he replied 'I wanted to get saved and my mom won't let me!'...needless to say, I haven't tried to quench the spirit since!!!
Also, I am reading the Get out of the pit Book and yesterday I had to laugh out loud when working in the kitchen, with Fox news on, and I heard them announce (while showing video no doubt)....'it appears that someone has fallen into a pit!'....I laughed and laughed....if it were only so easy to know! Have a wonderful week, God continues to bless through you and LPM. Thanks so much!
Beth - God lays you on my heart so often. And I have to say, "not talkin trash" either that I truly love you and appreciate your ministry so much. I don't know if I will ever get to meet you this side of Heaven but I do know that someday I will be loving being on my knees next to you in Heaven worshipping our Great God.
Love to you and your clan.
http://bp0.blogger.com/_XTC1Kzg3S0Q/Rgx-M_zveyI/AAAAAAAAAJo/eOq5YHSR91g/s1600-h/sc000c1ad7.jpg
I made a scrapbook page all about you!!! Thanks for how you inspire, convict, and love us all.
Grateful, Kristin Hillis
SISTA BETH,
THANK YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JEREMIAH 32:17 IT JUST POPPED OUT THIS MORNING AFTER I WROTE ON THE BLOG LAST NIGHT IT IS A WORD FROM THE LORD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE LIKE THE SISTER WITH THE TEETH AND HERE I WAS THINKING I NEED BRACES SO DO MY CHILDREN HE IS TRULY LORD OF ALL IN OUR LIVES. I LOVE YA! HEY AMANDA KISS THAT BABY FOR ME HE IS SUCH A CUTIE PIE OH UPDATE MY SIX BABY PARAKEETS HAVE THEIR FEATHERS THEY ARE SOOOOOOOOO CUTE AND EVERYTIME YOU BUMP THE NESTING BOX THEY CUT UP MY HUBBY SAID I COULD KEEP THEM I AM SO ATTACHED TO THEM AND THE KIDS WONT LET THEM GO.
GOD BLESS
SUE-LA
I don't usually post but just had to share what the Lord has done for me this week. I have been struggling with tithing because we are in great financial debt. My desire has been to tithe again and God has been challenging me to do so. This past Sunday, I put in our tithe check. On Monday Morning my husband received a bonus which is exactly enough money to pay the next 3 weeks tithe checks. Praise the Lord, He is so faithful to bless us when we are obedient. He is "IT" for me.
p.s. Beth, I am so looking forward to tonight's teaching on intimacy in Marriage. I count it a priviledge to sit under your Teaching on Tuesday's.
As I read your cavity post, tears came to my eyes reading "nothing is to hard for OUR Lord"!!! I have been in prayer over abortion . . . and especially today.
Today, the Texas Abortion Ban Bill is being discussed - a wellspring of faith just erupted in my spirit about this atrocity in our land - There is NOTHING too hard for our Lord - pray dear Sisters, pray!
Glory to God for His provision for your friend, Beth!
When my husband was in seminary, I had to have a root canal. We found out it would cost $1451. That was probably about $1400 more than we had at the time! It was around tax time, so I did our taxes to see if maybe we would get some money back to cover a portion of my dental costs. Guess how much our tax return was? Yep, $1451. Not a dollar more or a dollar less. Yes, I (she of little faith) re-calculated 3 times!
God bless you Beth, you sweet and obedient sister. I could hardly believe my eyes when I opened this blog this morning. To make a long story short, I also have some overwhelming dental work to be done and was fervently praying about it this morning. Since my husband and I are both in full time ministry, I have been stressed out over the lack of funds for what I have to have done. How like God to use you to encourage me about dentistry of all things!!! He never ceases to amaze me. BRING IT ON, MR. DENTIST!!!
To cantfightanymore,
I have so been where you are. I was in such a stronghold of darkness, I felt like God was nowhere to be found. All I can tell you is DO NOT GIVE UP! KEEP PRAYING! Be totally honest with Him. He is so faithful. He is always there even when he doesn't seem to be. I'll be praying.
Beth I just love this new blog.
I just wanted to share something with you.I am a single mom with three kids. So I also have finical issues I am trying to work through. When my son was 12 now (16) he wanted to play basketball, he came to me the week before the last Saturday to sign up, I told him I did not have the money, he was upset but I told him to pray about. He was a little down when he could not sign up that Saturday, but I told him maybe he could play next year. Well on Tuesday night a lady of one of my sons friends called and ask to talk to me, she said that they did not have enought kids to play basketball and if my son wanted to play they wanted to pay for it. My son was so excited God had answered his prayers. Are GOD IS so good. When I told the mom the story she just cried because God had used her to answer a prayer.
God Bless
Wow, so many awesome stories. I have a dentist story too.(I'll keep it really short) About fifteen years ago I had a fractured root and a problem tooth, even some bone loss on the jawline. I wasn't sure we could save it. I touched my tooth with my index finger and prayed that God would heal it. The dentist helped too. He asked me if I believed in miracles. I said, "yes," and he said, "me too!" Anyway, the tooth is still in my mouth, and I grew back the bone that had been lost in my jaw. The dentist took multiple pictures. He was amazed and quite pleased. (Sorry, tried to keep it short.)
I too was at the mall Saturday with my home from college daughter.
We share some of the same loves...Starbucks, shopping and of course, Jesus. And then there is our love for cute shoes. As we were talking and laughing I ask her if she thought this might be a generational curse (since my mom loved shopping for shoes, too). She stops in the middle of the mall, looks me in the eye and says, "No mom, I believe it is a generational blessing". Don't you just love it!!! And off we went to, of course, look for cute shoes.
But on a serious note...I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is faithful and He will supply the needs we have...it has happened over and over again in our family life and I do want to GIVE HIM PRAISE AND SAY THANK-YOU FATHER!!!
Dear Can't Fight Anymore,
God is Real, God is Alive, and God Loves you, so very much, in fact, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever BELIEVES will not perish, but will have everlasting life.(John 3:16)
God's Word is Alive and Active In Me, and I could not pass on answering this sister's question, even if I wanted to because the gospel is a fire in my bones that cannot be contained! If you have a Bible, I want you to get it and find the book of Romans, the 10th chapter. Romans is the sixth book in the New Testament. It follows Acts, so if you get to 1 Corinthians, you went too far.
Not only did our God speak the heavens and earth into existance, and make us in His image, He sent His Son to die for us so that our sins could be forgiven and we could have fellowship with Him, through His Holy Spirit that fills us, beginning the second we trust Christ as our Savior, and lasting through all eternity. While the Christian life is anything but easy, coming to Jesus is as simple as ABC. Sister, if you haven't done this already, follow this simple ABC pattern and know that many are praying for you as you do.
First, Admit you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Next, Believe with your heart, that Jesus is God's Son and God raised Him from the dead.
Next, confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and commit your life to Him. I can't tell you the words to say, they must come from your heart. After all, repeating a set of words does not save your soul - realizing in your heart your need for a Savior and crying out from your needy heart for Jesus to save you is what is needed. I will tell you this, in the last half of John 6:37 Jesus says "The one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out." Now, back to Romans 10:8-10 which I'll quote, just in case you don't have a Bible. "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart." (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Perhaps you've prayed before and since you may not have seen fireworks or lightning bolts - you thought it didn't take, or that God didn't hear your prayer. Sister, that is a lie from the pit of hell. Whatever didn't happen, I can tell you based on the authority of Scripture from Ephesians 1:13, what DID happen. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in Whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise. Here's what happened if you prayed to receive Christ as your Savior. The Holy Spirit of God birthed you into the family of God for all eternity, and as well began dwelling within you. (Not 5 minutes later, not an hour later, the second you said yes to Jesus) As our sister, and one of my favorite Bible teachers is fond of saying, "Once you're sealed by the Spirit, nothing else is getting in and nothing is getting out."
"Can't Fight Anymore," I want you to know that I'll be standing in the gap for you, praying that you'll let go and let God, that you'll begin reading the Word of God, (start with the gospel of John)and that you'll get connected with a body of believers who believe God and take Him at His Word. Most of all, I pray you will receive the seed of the gospel, that it will fall on good soil so you'll understand the word you've heard today. (Matthew 13:23a)
Love and blessings to you,
Anonymous Prayer Warrior
PS, Beth and Amanda, my sincere apologies for the length of this comment.
Your story was so touching. I was at your conference in Bossier. I was one of the 25. When we got home from our 3 hour drive Saturday evening to south Louisiana I had a letter from an attorney that our home was being foreclosed on. We have had a lot of financial difficulties since my husband is a full time student with two beautiful boys, one who is now 6 months. I thought my gosh, He is testing me. Beth, the Lord brought me to him through you. I have been out of touch with the Lord for years and my sister in law invited me to a bible study on Daniel and that is where it all began. I am working on a loan from the company I work for to avoid foreclosure. Pray for us in this time of need. I know the Lord is with us and He will take us through this. I will pray for your "mentee"
This comment is for "Can't Fight Anymore".....
Yes, m'am there is most definitely a God and it's only been in the last six years that I've been able to say that and believe it. You name a pit and I've probably lived in it or at least vacationed there. I actually came to know Jesus while trying to prove someone wrong on a point of theology that I just couldn't accept. I was as lost as a stop sign, but yes, I was debating theology. Go figure. I found a bunch of my daddy's old books in the bottom of a closet and drug them out for no other reason than to prove this person wrong. I started reading "Christianity The Faith That Makes Sense" by Dennis McCallum and about halfway through it as I was sitting at my kitchen table, my mouth fell open and I said, outloud, "Oh, crap(maybe that wasn't the exact word I used), it's real!!!" It was as if the Holy Spirit reached around my head and slowly pulled away the veil from my eyes. I've never been the same. Did I leave all my pits that day? No. By the grace of God I'm out of the most obviously destructive ones and He's pulled my sorry butt out of quite a few pits that I never even knew I was in. I imagine He'll be pulling me out of pits for the rest of my life, but to His glory, they won't all be deep nor will they all be slimy, although even the shallow ones will get deeper if we continue to waller in 'em.
Beth will be the first to tell you that it's not easy. Very few times have I ever prayed about a situation when it didn't get worse before it got better. Have you ever noticed that when you get really serious and commit to doing some hardcore house cleaning (I'm talking closets and cabinets that haven't been touched in ages) things start looking worse than they did before you decided to clean? You might even say, "Why did I bother? It was more bearable before I started cleaning." What has happened is you have drug out a lifetime's worth of clutter. You've got it layed out all over the place, trying to figure out what to keep, what to throw out and what to set fire to. Giving up and cramming all of that stuff back in that closet and shutting the door is not going to work. You've already taken it out. You'll never get it all crammed back in there. It's going to be hanging out everywhere and looking worse than it did layed out all over creation. You've got to hang in there until the job is done, knowing that step by step you will get to a place where it's all (or at least most of it is) making sense. God is the same way. When you give Him access to all the rooms in your life, He will go into the business of cleaning out every closet you own (and a few you never knew you had). Stuff might be pulled out that you thought you'd thrown away years ago. When it's all said and done you WILL get to a place where it starts making sense.
Forget about what you "feel." The heart is deceitful above all things. Your feelings will lie to you. If I'm saved only when I "feel saved", then I'm in big trouble. Belief is something you choose to do, not something you feel. Gas is something you feel, but that's a different blog : )
I'm going to be praying for you incessantly. God IS going to reveal Himself to you. You can click on my name and it'll take you to my blog where you can reach me. Here's my e-mail too:
jb_carson@bellsouth.net
Let me rephrase... Is He testing me ? I just know that enemy is trying to make me lose my faith. He is just there waiting. I have to keep remembering.."Thus far.."
"Can't Fight Anymore",
I got the e-mail address you sent me, but couldn't e-mail you. It came back as "undeliverable". Go to my blog, I left you a post. My e-mail address is in my profile.
On many occasions while growing up with a single mom, God's provision for us was always amazing. And for some reason, it surprised us every time. (I guess we hadn't yet heard the THUS FAR talk!) Your dentist story reminded me of one time when my mom had to pay for my sister's glasses. On a very strict and small budget, it was stressful to her, but she didn't complain or even tell anyone. The VERY NEXT day, in our mailbox, addressed to my mom, there was an envelope of cash for right at the amount she spent on the glasses. We never found out who put it there. In so many ways God is present and active all around us, if we just take time to notice. Thanks for the reminder. :)
Dear Can't Fight Anymore,
I know my words are probably the last thing that you want to here, but I want to "shoot straight" with you. You can walk away from God all you want, but He doesn't walk away from you. See that is the thing when we are living in a pit and we don't know how to get out. We end up trying to convince everyone that we are unlovable, because we don't like ourselves. The thing is....God can handle it. He will not walk away from you. He can take you pain and hurt and desperation. You may not feel His presence, but sometimes we get so lost inside ourselves that He leads us to Godly counselors to help us find our way out. Sometimes God wants to heal us deeply and we just want him to make all of "hard stuff" go away in one peaceful breath. Don't give up. He is faithful. Take the hard road and shoot for true healing. Google "Christian Counseling" in your area if you do not have any Christians friends to talk to or pray with. God cannot love you more that what He does this very minute.
Praying for you, girl!!
for "Can't Fight Anymore",
Go to Lucy's Blog. She has a great message for you.
We are praying for you!!!
i am in my sixth Beth Moore Bible Study and each one just gets better!! God has given you such a gift. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
I was not able to share my child story on a previous blog - so, sorry, but here goes....
My 2-year old grandson was visiting one day and was trying to grasp the concept of my husband and I being his daddy's mommy and daddy. He suddenly realized that I had a daddy, but no mommy. He asked me where my mommy was. I thought a moment of how I would explain death to him and thought the simpler the better. So, I told him that my mommy was with Jesus. He said, "Oh, she's in your heart". Through tears, I said, "yes, baby, she's in my heart."
Beth, those grandsons are precious, aren't they?
Dear Beth,
Thank you for sharing this story! It builds our faith to hear these testimonies.
We recently had a God-dental event in our household. My 7-year-old daughter has not lost any of her baby teeth yet, and over a month ago, her first adult tooth started coming in...behind her bottom row of baby teeth. Well, while watching the new tooth come up higher and taller over the next 2 to 3 weeks, none of those front baby teeth started loosening even the tiniest bit; they weren't budging to make room for the new tooth. It unfortunately reminded me of sharks; they have two rows of teeth.
We've been in a season of extra-lean financial times over the past few years (and also have been faced with the opportunity to trust Him in the area of finances more than we ever have), and like your mentee, haven't gone to the dentist either. So I really started worrying about these baby teeth that weren't giving way to the adult tooth, since we still can't afford to take our daughter to the dentist.
Of course, my husband and I were praying for the baby teeth to loosen, but nothing was happening as far as we could tell. Then, a little over a week ago, she woke up one morning to find that one of her teeth was loose and starting to wiggle! Thank you, Jesus!!!
It is so wonderful to see the Lord work this way. And I guess we wouldn't get to see it as much if we were always fixing it ourselves. Still, I struggle with stressing out about in the meantime, thinking that there's something I ought to be doing to "fix" it.
Yes, who knew He could do dentistry, too?
Thanks again, Beth, for taking the time to share your stories. It is a HUGE blessing to me.
Blessings,
Karen
(a Houston sista)
Just want to share about God paying for my 8 cavities...
I was single and started my first job out of college. I decided to go to the dentist because it had been years since my last visit.
Anyhow, the dentist I went to had some fancy cavity detector. It "beeped" every time it detected a cavity and the little needle (think of a tachometer) would measure the depth of the cavity on a scale of say 1 to 10.
Well, the dental assistant put the little wand in my mouth and went to work. After 4 "beeps" and nearly off the chart needle moving she checked the thing to make sure it was not broken. I was mortified!
But, not fully until she found four more!! By that time her eyes pretty much popped out of her head and the look on her face said she was ready to get her hand out of my mouth...fast.
Needless to say the bill was over $1000. I felt like I had paid my limit plus some but after insurance I owed over $1000. I was single and living on my own and did not have the money. I ignored the bill for about 4 months. Finally I decided to pay. But before I called I prayed that the Lord would take care of the bill.
When I called, the receptionist said I had a $100 credit!! Praise God! I asked them to mail me a check and I switched dentists!!
I hope this encourages your single friend. God is so good!!
Tanya, Houston
I wasn't sure whether some of this post was tongue in cheek. Did God "do dentistry" on the mentee, choosing to take away some but not all of her cavities? Or, perhaps, does this show the value of the second opinion from the dentist who charges less? Of course, maybe the first dentist is right . . .
This year wisdom tells me that Starbucks and a new Easter dress are not in my budget. I suppose that some would accuse me of lacking trust in the One who has never proved unfaithful.
I was very blessed to read about the dental problems. I too have severe dental problems and need dentures. Even with insurance I can't afford them, so am in pain often. Jesus has already blessed me in many ways so I will keep praying for all our needs including the dental problems.I love this blog and come here often.
How far I have to go! My first reaction was to blame the first dentist, call him a crook - how dare he take advantage of that girl! But instead of heaping my judgement on someone I don't know - look for Jesus in the situation! Thank you for making me look at situations differently!
I went to you conference in Boosier City and you talked on not letting your past paralize your future. I have done that all my life. I have had so many things happen in my life I was so ashamed of. My parents got divorce, mom comitted suicide and much much more. I always thought that He would use someone that really has it together.(I have four kids and a husband I could never be acused of having it toghether) I came home after the conference and talked to some of the campus life people at my childern's school and they want me to start leading acountability groups with the middle and high school girls!!!!!!! I don't know if I am happy about this or I want my money back for the tickets to the conference!!HA!HA! HA! I am scared to death!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway please pray for me. Surely I will survive this too!!
Beth,
I don't know if this is where to post a note to you, but I just wanted to say how wonderful the Columbia SC gathering was. I am still on the mountain top and am very thankful for the opportunity to have been there. More important, I wanted to share with you that my daughter (age 20) Caroline, a friend, and I were on the way to the program Friday night and Caroline said, "I have read John and think I will read James..." We told her that it was a wonderful book to read. She looked and said, "I think I'll read it now on the way since it is very short." Well, she began reading, but during the ride, we started talking and she didn't get to finish but 12 verses of chapter 1. I said, "Wouldn't it be funny if Beth spoke on James?" Well, you can imagine what the three of us did when you said, turn to James and I will be reading the first 12 verses in the first chapter. God is good. Thank you for a wonderful weekend.
Charlotte
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