Obedience and Concepts (SSL)

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Brother Nally,
In response to the dears sister Agatha s latest letter you posted I
respond;
I was a single mom for Years*****(Im talkin years!)
At one time, I worked an hour away from my home , so I spent two full hours
(highway driving) to and from my job daily.
I had three children I was supporting without welfare, without foodstamps
and without child support, and without a babysitter or relative close by..
We lived at times in a two bedroom house , My two sons in one room and I in
another with my daughter.
We bought most of our clothes from resale shops and garage sales and
trading out with other folks in the church.
Our clothes were not new but we dressed nice, and most importantly
*modestly.

We always had food to eat, though we ate a lot of tuna fish, macaroni and
cheese, cheap hamburger meat, and chicken. (whatever was on sale).
I would buy the "family packs" to save money, divide it up and freeze it
for future meals.
We drank tea, because it was the cheapest drink we could buy to make other
than plain water. I could afford small luxuries like sour cream for our
baked potatoes, we ate potatoes or rice almost every meal.

If I felt that my children were starting to feel sorry for themselvesI
would tell my children to be thankful for what God had blessed us with, and
that The children Of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and
couldnt pass over into the promise land.
THeir sin?
 Murmuring and Complaining., putting other "gods' before the Lord.

I have heard Sister Wendell, a former missionary to Ethiopia tell of How
the Ethiopians would give half or even their entire day's food for the work
of God in order to have revival.
Their rations for a day consisted of simply a bowl of plain rice.
Imagine living off of a 1/2 bowl of rice. (no butter, sugar, gravy or milk)
I think we as Americans will have a lot to have to answer for when we stand
before God.
I can sympathize with budgeting, and watching money.
But, I can say that I feel that the dear sister could perhaps have found
ways to give God his tithes maybe by letting the children share rooms and
finding a smaller , less expensive place to live. I would think a 4 bedroom
apartment would have to cost a fortune.
(At least in most cities I have lived in.)

It's the standard of living that we have come to think of as neccesary when
in reality, we can do without a lot of our luxuries that we think are
neccesities.
And yes I know college is expensive , and this too is a matter of
priorities.
It depends on what is most important to you. 
You may think that college is a neccesity, but it's not really, Its a
desire of the heart..
Its certainly not more important than God.
And even if they graduate there are no guarantee's, There are a lot of
people with college degree's that are unemployed.
I have tried to give to God what was rightfully his, and to trust him to
take care of my *real neccesities.
We have always had a roof over our head, shoes on our feet, clothes on our
back, and food on our table.
And for that I am grateful.
If you never trust God enough to step out by faith as Moses did when
stepping out in the red sea, you'll never know the joy of seeing him make a
place for your foot.(as he did for Moses).
There are many times when tithing is not only a matter of obedience to the
word, but having faith in God.
God can supply my needs without having to go through church family.
We currently have a local business man , who is not a member of our church
and is not even apostolic in faith donating  every month to the cause of
helping us establish this church.
His reason?
He said "somebody needs to help you".
He never attends our services , but every month he brings a $300.00 check.
My God will supply!
God may try to use the church family to minister to someones needs, in
order that he can bless them in return, but if they wont listen, he'll find
someone else.
He' is not limited.
He can do exceedingly far above all that we can think or imagine.
Even down to using Ravens or Donkeys to minister or supply a need.
So If you'll do your part, God *will* do his part.

And others of us *have* been in your shoes before.
(it is a trick of the enemy to make you think that no one has gone through
what you have gone through, that no one understands, believe me please,
some of us have been to the bottom of the well of despair only saved by
clinging to the hand of Jesus).

I heard a preacher say once, you may have to cross through a valley but you
dont have to make your home there.
Saying Gently Dear Sister,
That God must be first.
and If you will put him first, and have faith, He will deliver.
Sincerely, 
Sis. Lunsford