Acts 11

“In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world.  This took place during the time of Claudius.  So each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea.  This they did, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.” Acts 11:27-30 (HCSB)

When I was almost 21yrs old, I vowed my heart to Jesus.  A year later, against the counsel of nearly everyone I knew, I left college to pursue what I believed was God’s call on my life.  I moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to pursue a career in the “Christian” music business.

I hoped God would honor my step of faith by giving me success.  To my dismay, two years passed, and I was still making minimum wage, brewing coffee, and taking out the trash at a recording studio.  All my college friends had good jobs, nice cars, and bought houses.

I decided to drive to Nashville to see if I could jump-start my career with some record company meetings.  I didn’t have a credit card at the time, so I pulled all my cash out of the bank…just in case.

It was a horrible trip.  Nobody wanted to record my music.  On the way out of Nashville, my car broke down with a flat tire.  I opened the trunk, and the spare tire was flat.  Cell phones were rare and expensive back then, and I didn’t own one.  So I hiked two miles to find a tow truck.  With the flat fixed, I paid the tow truck driver, only to discover my car wouldn’t start.  I opened the hood and immediately found the problem.  While I had been looking for a tow truck, someone had stolen my battery!

After flagging down (and paying) another tow truck, I got a tow to an Auto Zone.  It was closed for the night, so I had to spend the night in a hotel…more money.  The following day, once my car was squared away, I had $1 (and some change) left, which I spent on two bean burritos at Taco Bell.

All the way to Memphis, I let God know how I felt about my “step of faith”!  My rent was due, and I didn’t have any money.  Then, I opened my mailbox.  Inside was a letter and a money order from some folks in Alabama who had seen me in concert.  The letter simply stated: God put you on our hearts.  The check enclosed was written for more money than I needed to get through the month.  The lesson? Where God guides, He provides!

Today’s chapter is a beautiful example of God providing for our needs before we know we have needs!  Is the Lord calling you to step out in faith?  Do it!  Is He prompting you to help those in need?  Do it!  Whether you are being “called” to those in need or “sent” to be a benefactor, listen and obey the Lord’s leading.  God can be trusted! And if He has chosen to send you, He will also equip you to accomplish His purposes.