With God All Things Are Possible
Jesus once said "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). This story from Pulling Back the Curtain on the Former Soviet Union proves that!
During a missions convention in the United States, a Nazarene farmer approached Chuck Sunberg with tears streaming down his face. He wanted to help their work in Russia, he explained, and promised to send the proceeds from his best producing field each year. They prayed together, and Chuck went on his way back to Russia.
A Desperate Call for Help
One day, the phone rang. A woman named Masha was calling from a city six hundred miles east of Moscow. She had been a devoted Communist and atheist until a severe illness left her dying in hospital. Desperate, she cried out to God: "If you are really there, please help me and I will follow you." That night, she said, an angel walked into her room, touched her, and told her she would recover - but she must be faithful to God.
After her miraculous recovery, a friend encouraged her to find the Church of the Nazarene in Russia. After much searching, Masha found Chuck's number and phoned to invite him to help start a church.
So off they went, and Masha's warm welcome was overwhelming. She had gathered a growing group of believers who met in a cramped office - the only space available. The group was so large they had to alternate weeks attending. After a great time together, Chuck promised them $10,000 towards finding a permanent meeting place.
God's Perfect Timing
Several weeks later, Masha's son called Chuck, bursting with excitement. They had found a run-down building on the main street - Karl Marx Boulevard - for $21,000. They needed an answer by ten the next morning.
"We only have $10,000," Chuck explained apologetically.
The son was disappointed but understood.
The next morning, Chuck checked his email and there was a message from the farmer back in the US. He had sent a cheque from his best field's crop. The total? You guessed it - $11,000. He apologised for not telling them sooner and hoped they could put it to good use.
Of course Chuck immediately phoned Masha's son, who sounded exhausted as he answered. It turns out they had stayed up all night praying for God's help with the purchase.
Chuck told him about the email – that they could now buy the building. God had provided the exact amount they needed during the night they were praying.
The son dropped the phone. Voices erupted in the background, praising the Lord and shouting with joy.
Then he got back on and said, "You are right, Pastor Chuck! It is true! With God all things are possible!"
A Lesson to Learn
Perhaps you need to remember today, that with God all things are possible. Will you pray and seek the Lord's help and provision, like Masha and her community did? Maybe God has got a great breakthrough for you around the corner, if you would pray and believe in His miraculous provision.
