“You say you have faith,

for you believe that there is one God.

Good for you!

Even the demons believe this,

and they tremble in terror.”

—James 2:19 NLT

 

“Glo jy dat daar net een God is?

Dit is reg.

Die bose geeste glo dit ook —

en hulle sidder van angs.”

—Jakobus 2:19 Afr 83

 

Most Christians can quote very few verses from the Bible. Most can recite John 3:16 and a few, I believe, also could quote our opening verse from Chapter 1, Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” Nevertheless, just because we know this verse and may be able to quote it word for word, may I ask: How many of you really believe what this verse actually says? We may say we believe it, and quote it, but does our life reflect this belief?

Meeste Christene kan baie min verse uit die Bybel aanhaal. meeste kan Johannes 3:16 opsĂȘ en ‘n paar ,glo ek, kan ook ons opening vers vanuit Hoofstuk 1, Filippense 4:19 “En my God sal in elke behoefte van julle ryklik voorsien volgens sy wonderbaarlike rykdom in Christus Jesus” aanhaal. Nietemin, net omdat ons hierdie vers ken en dit woord vir woord kan opsĂȘ, mag ek vra: Hoeveel van julle glo regtig wat die vers eintlik sĂȘ? Ons mag sĂȘ ons glo, en dit aanhaal, maar weerspieĂ«l ons lewens regtig hierdie mening?

Day in and day out we fight doubt and experience lack that are destined to rob our minds, hearts, and our confidence. Rather than living in the abundance of His riches, we struggle. This book is not just about our financial needs being met, though it will take up a good portion of it, but much more—it is about living this verse “my God will supply all your needs” in every area of our lives, and to reflect upon the greatest need He gave us—our heavenly Husband and His love.

Dag in en dag uit veg ons teen twyfel en ervaar tekort wat bestem is om ons verstand, harte, en ons vertroue te beroof. Eerder as om in die oorvloed van Sy rykdom te lewe, sukkel ons. Hierdie boek is nie net oor ons finansiĂ«le behoeftes wat voldoen word nie, alhoewel dit ‘n groot gedeelte daarvan sal opneem, maar baie meer—dit is om hierdie vers “my God sal in elke behoefte van my ryklik voorsien” in elke gebied van ons lewens, en om na te dink oor die grootste behoefte wat Hy ons gegee het ons Hemelse Man en Sy liefde..

This means, if we are indeed daughters of a Father who is the Creator of the universe, who states boldly, “‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:8) and “For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and everything that moves in the field is Mine” (Psalm 50:10-11), then it means we should never lack anything—nothing at all.

Dit beteken, as ons inderdaad dogters van ‘n Vader is wie die Skepper van die Heelal is, wie duidelik verklaar, “Aan My behoort al die silwer, aan My al die goud, sĂȘ die HERE die Almagtige” (Haggai 2:8) en “want al die diere in die bos is Myne, die wild op duisende berge. Ek ken al die voĂ«ls van die berge; al wat roer op die veld, is Myne” (Psalms 50:10-11), dan beteken dit ons behoort nooit aan niks tekort te skiet nie—glad niks.

The apostles experienced this incredible phenomenon themselves, and just to remind them of God’s ability to provide supernaturally, Jesus “said to them, ‘When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?’ They said, ‘No, nothing’” (Luke 22:35).

Die apostles het hierdie ongelooflike verskynsel hulleself ervaar, en net om hulle te herinner aan God se vermoĂ« om bonatuurlik te voorsien, het Jesus vir hulle gesĂȘ, ‘Toe Ek julle uitgestuur het sonder beursie en reissak en skoene, het julle iets kortgekom?” “Nee, niks nie! was hulle antwoord’” (Lukas 22:35).

Yet even knowing this truth, and no matter how many times God “shows up” by providing not just all we need, but very often most of what we want, we still speak or act and react as though we were impoverished orphans! How often have you caught yourself telling someone, even your children, “We (or I) can’t afford it” or you make sure you make it clear to others about some sort of “budget” when the Bible encourages the opposite mindset?

Tog om selfs hierdie waarheid te weet, en maak nie saak hoeveel keer God “verskyn” deur te voorsien nie net wat ons behoefte is nie, maar baie dikwels wat ons wil hĂȘ, praat en tree ons nog steeds op asof ons verarmde weeskinders is! Hoe dikwels het jy jouself gevang vir iemand sĂȘ, selfs jou kinders, “Ons (of ek) kan dit nie bekostig nie” of jy maak seker dat jy dit duidelik aan ander maak oor een of ander soort “begroting” wanneer die Bybel die teenoorgestelde ingesteldheid aanmoedig?

To compound our fate, our lack of giving also reflects what we believe and is an intricate part of the missing puzzle piece keeping us from living abundantly, contributing to our foolishness, when we wrongly act like God asks us to give to Him because He needs our money. The truth is, the only reason He asks us to give to Him or to others is so that we can experience the JOY when we see the fruits of sowing into what He is doing here on earth. So He set up a system, it’s called a tithe (which actually translates to 10%), so that our hearts will be intricately tied to His work. “For where your treasure is there will be your heart also” (Matthew 6:21). For those who begin to tithe, He then nudges them onto real giving, when we give beyond our means and present our offerings to Him.

Om ons lot saam te stel, ons tekort aan gee weerspieĂ«l ook wat ons glo en is ‘n intrieke gedeelte van die vermiste legkaart stuk wat ons weerhou om oorvloedig te lewe, en dra by tot ons dwaasheid, wanneer ons verkeerd optree asof God ons vra om aan Hom te gee omdat Hy ons geld nodig ht. Die waarheid is, die enigste rede dat Hy ons vra om vir Hom of ander te gee is sodat ons die VREUGDE kan ervaar wanneer ons die vrugte sien van saai in wat Hy hier op die aarde doen. So toe stel Hy ‘n sisteem op, dit word ‘n tiende genoem (wat eintlik oorvertaal tot 10%), sodat ons harte ingewikkeld aan Sy werk verbind sal wees. “Waar jou skat is, daar sal jou hart ook wees.” (Matteus 6:21). Vir diegene wat begin teindes gee, spoor Hy aan om regtig te gee, wanneer ons bo ons middele gee en ons offerandes aan Hom voorlĂȘ.    

Another myth that we must rise above is that we are only expected to give to God or to others out of our “abundance,” when He actually tells us that our faith “is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV). Read how the Message Bible explains this verse where true faith must be entirely unseen. “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.” I agree. This kind of faith is what makes life worth living.

Nog ‘n mite waarbo ons moet uitstyg is dat daar net van ons verwag word om vir God of ander te  uit ons “oorvloed te gee,” wanneer Hy eintlik vir ons vertel dat ons geloof is “om oortuig te wees van die dinge wat ons nie sien nie” (HebreĂ«rs 11:1 Afr 83). Lees hoe Die Boodskap Bybel hierdie vers verduidelik waar ware geloof heeltemal ongesien moet wees. “Die fondamentele feit van bestaan is dat hierdie vertroue op God, hierdie geloof, die ferm grondslag onder alles wat die lewe die moeite werd maak is. Dit is ons greep op dit wat ons nie kan sien nie. Hierdie geloofsdaad is wat ons voorouers onderskei het, en hulle bo die skare gestel het. “Ek stem saam. Hierdie soort geloof is wat die lewe die moeite werd maak.  

Do you know what really gets God’s attention? It’s when we give to Him (and others) when we are in need or lack—this goes for being in need financially and in every other area of our life (like giving our time when we have none to give or giving encouragement when we need encouragement ourselves). Who can forget what Jesus said about the widow who gave the last she had in Mark 12:41-44 “Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, where people came to bring their offerings, and He watched as they came and went. Many rich people threw in large sums of money, but a poor widow came and put in only two small coins worth only a fraction of a cent.”

Weet jy wat regtig God se aandag trek? Dit is wanneer on vir Hom (en ander) gee wanneer ons behoeftig is of tekort skiet—dit gaan om finansieĂ«l en op elke gebied van ons lewe behoeftig te wees (soos om ons tyd te gee wanner ons niks het om te gee nie of om aanmoediging te gee wanneer ons self aanmoediging nodig het). Wie kan vergeet wat Jesus gesĂȘ het oor die weduwee wat die laaste wat sy gehad het gegee het in Markus 12:41-44 “Jesus het toe regoor die offergawekis gaan sit en kyk hoe die mense geld daar ingooi. Baie ryk mense het baie geld ingegooi. Daar het toe ‘n arm weduwee gekom en twee muntstukkies ingegooi. Dit was baie min werd.”

“Jesus (calling His disciples together): Truly this widow has given a greater gift than any other contribution. All the others gave a little out of their great abundance, but this poor woman has given God everything she has” (The Voice).

“Hy het sy dssipels nader geroep en vir hulle gesĂȘ; “Dit verseker Ek julle: Hierdie arm weduwee het meer ingegooi as al die ander mense wat iets in die offergawekis gegooi het. Hulle het almal uit hulle oorvloed ingegooi, maar sy het in haar gebrek alles ingegooi wat sy gehad het, alles waarvan sy moes lewe” (Afr 83).

What good is being a child of God, set apart from everyone in the world (who have yet to know Him), if we act, respond, and look at our needs as unmet or something that has to be “earned” or “worked for” or “begged and pleaded for” when it says clearly in Scripture: “It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep” (Psalm 127:2)? And also in Deuteronomy 8:18 when it says, “But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

Wat baat dit om ‘n kind van God te wees, apart van enigiemand in die wĂȘreld (wat Hom nog moet leer ken), as ons optree, reageer, en vir ons behoeftes kyk as onvervul of iets wat “verdien” moet word of “aan gewerk moet word’ of “gesmeek en gepleit voor” wanneer dit duidelik in die Skrf sĂȘ: “Tevergeefs dat julle vroeg opstaan en laat gaan slaap om met moeite ‘n bestaan te  maak. Vir diĂ© wat Hy liefhet, gee die Here dit in hulle slaap” (Psalms 127:2)? En ook in Deuteronomium 8:18 wanneer dit sĂȘ, “Maar jy moet die Here jou God nie vergeet nie, want dit is Hy wat jou die krag gee om die rykdom te verwerf. So hou Hy die verbond in stand wat Hy met ‘n eed aan jou voorvaders beloof het. So is dit nou nog.”

Yet, oh how easily those horrid words roll from our tongue “I can’t afford it” and how accepted this concept is, even for a believer, especially for those of us who are single parents. I know.

Tog, O, hoe maklik rol daardie vieslike woorde van ons tong “ek kan dit nie bekostig nie” en hoe aanvaarbaar is hierdie konsep, selfs vir ‘n gelowige, spesiaal vir diegene van ons wat enkelouers is. Ek weet.

May I be totally honest with you? This entire “poverty mentality” became one of my biggest hurdles to overcome. The battle began the day that the divorce agreement, which my husband filed, and that I had agreed to, became law, which meant that I legally (or officially) became responsible for an unimaginable mound of debt I’d known nothing about. And along with the debt, I’d also agreed to receiving no child support for any of my children who were living at home when my ministry and book sales (our sole income) was collapsing. To add to it, God saw fit to send my niece to live with us for a year, and a month later, He asked me to take care of my special needs sister, becoming her caregiver.

Mag ek heeltemal eerlik met jou wees? Hierdie hele “armoede mentaliteit” het een van my grootste probleme geword om te oorkom. Die stryd het die dag van die egskeiding ooreenkoms, wat  my man aanhanig gemaak het, en waarvoor ek ingestem het, wat wet geword het begin, wat beteken het dat ek wetlik (of offisieĂ«l) verantwoordelik geword het vir ‘n ondenkbare hoop skuld waarvan ek niks geweet het nie. En saam met die skuld, het ek ook ingestem om geen kinder ondersteuning vir enge een van my kinders wat by die huis gebly het toe my bediening en boek verkope (ons uitsluitlike inkomste) besig was om ineen te stort, te ontvang nie. Om daarby te voeg, het God dit gepas gevind om my broerskind te stuur om vir ‘n jaar by ons te bly, en ‘n maand later, het Hy my gevra om na my suster met spesiale behoeftes te kyk, en haar versorger te word. 

Was God trying to bury me? Or, was He in fact, once again, stacking the odds against me in order that I would be forced to totally rely on Him, and so that He alone would be glorified? Why did God put the story of Gideon in the Bible if not for us to see that if He saw fit to reduce the army he had to defend them from 32,000 men to just 300 men, that God, on purpose, wanted to prove just Whose power it is.

Was God besig om my te probeer begrawe? of, was Hy feitlik, weereens, besig om die oormag teen my op te stapel dat ek geforseer is om regtig op Hom staat te maak, en sodat Hy alleen verheerlik kon word? Waarom het God die storie van Gideon in die Bybel gesit as dit nie was vir ons om te sien dat as Hy dit goed geag het om die weermag wat hy moes verdedig van 32,000 man tot net 300 man verminder het, dat God, opsetlik, wou bewys net Wie se krag dit is.

“The LORD said to Gideon, ‘The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me’” (Judges 7:2).

“Die HERE het vir Gideon gesĂȘ: “ Ek kan Midiaan nie oorgee in die mag van soveel manne by jou nie. Israel sal teeenoor my spog en sĂȘ: ‘Ek het myself gered.’ (Rigters 7:2).

Let’s be honest, we’re all alike; unless God creates a situation whereby there is no way out and we can’t help ourselves—we will take all the credit. “Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth’” (Deuteronomy 8:17). Being a “single parent” of a houseful of children and having others depending on me was just God’s way of stacking the odds—in order that He could supernaturally bless me (my family and my ministry).

Kom ons wees eerlik, ons is almal dieselfde; tensy God ‘n situasie skep waar daar geen manier uit is nie en ons onsself nie kan help nie—sal ons al die krediet vat. “Jy kan dalk dink: my krag en my sterk hande het vir my hierdie rykdom verwerf’” (Deuteronomium 8:17). Om ‘n “enkelouer te wees” van ‘n huis vol kinders en om ander te hĂȘ wat op my staat maak was net God se manier om die oormag teen my op te stapel—sodat Hy my bonatuurlik kon seĂ«n (my familie en my bediening). 

Surprisingly for many, especially my ex-husband who more than once told me angrily that I was “going to lose the house” due to my continued giving, I am still living in and regularly have been making improvements on it. I believe that I hear the Lord who “sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them” (Psalms 2:4) who believe that divorce inevitably will destroy us—and that a big family equals poverty. Not so.

Verrassend vir baie, spesiaal my eks-man wie meer as een keer kwaai vir my gesĂȘ het dat ek “die huis gaan verloor" as gevolg van my aanhoudende gee, ek woon nog steeds daarin en het gereeld verbeteringe daaraan gebring. Ek glo dat ek die Here hoor wie “in die hemel woon, en hulle uitlag, die Here spot met hulle” (Psalms 2:4) wie glo dat egskeiding ons onvermydelik sal vernietig—en dat ‘n groot familie gelykstaande is aan armoede. Nie so nie.

It is only when we forget Who our Father and Provider is. “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). The Message “And now I have it all—and keep getting more! The gifts you sent
 You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.”

Dit is net wanneer ons vergeet Wie ons Vader en Voorsiener is. “En my God sal in elke behoefte van julle ryklik voorsien volgens sy wonderbaarlike rykdom in Christus Jesus” (Filippense 4:19). Die Boodskap “Nou het ek oorgenoeg, alles wat ek nodig het
 Hy sal vir julle sorg deur vir julle te gee wat julle nodig het. Dit sal Hy doen omdat julle aan Jesus behoort. Al die eer en respek en belangrikheid in hierdie wĂ«reld is God sin, vir ewig en altyd. So is dit en so sal dit wees.”

It is only when we forget who our true Husband is (for each of us who have been rejected and forsaken) that fear and doubt takes over, which He begins by saying: “Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; and do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; but you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.”

Dit is net wanneer ons vergeet wie ons ware Man is (vir elkeen van ons wie verwerp en versaak is) dat vrees en twyfel oorneem, wat Hy begin deur te sĂȘ; “Moenie bang wees nie, jy sal nie weer in die skande kom nie, moenie so verleĂ« daar staan nie, jy sal nie weer verneder word nie. Jy sal die skande uit jou jong dae vergeet en nie meer dink hoe jy verneder is toe jy ‘n weduwee was nie.”

“For your Husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth. For the LORD has called you, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even like a wife of one's youth when she is rejected,’ Says your God” (Isaiah 54:4–6).

“Hy wat jou gemaak het, is jou man, sy Naam is die HERE die Almagtige. Die Heilige van Israel is jou Verlosser; Hy word die God van die hele wĂȘreld genoem. Jy is ‘n verstote en bitter bedroefde vrou, maar die HERE roep jou terug, want hoe kan ‘n man sy eie vrou vergeet? sĂȘ jou God.” (Jesaja 54:4-6).

It’s only when we forget Who we belong to, who our Father is, when we will fall prey to the poverty mentality and its downward spiral into true financial poverty. Though things do appear hopeless and terrifying, God always writes the last chapter “so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things” (Isaiah 45:6–7 NIV).

Dit is net wanneer ons vergeet aan Wie ons behoort, wie ons Vader is, wanneer ons die prooi word van die armoede mentaliteit en die afwaartse spiraal in ware finansiĂ«le armoede. Alhoewel dinge hopeloos en skrikwekkend lyk, God skryf altyd die laaste hoofstuk “ek doen dit sodat elkeen van die ooste af tot in die weste kan weet dat daar buiten My geen God is nie. Ek maak die lig en skep die donker; Ek gee voorspoed en skep rampspoed. Ek is die HERE, Ek doen al hierdie dinge” (Jesaja 45:6-7 Afr 83).   

Now, before rushing onto the next chapter, please take a moment, or better yet, a day or even a full week to think about the promises that we say we believe, but fail to live.

Nou, voordat ons na die volgende hoofstuk haas, neem ‘n oomblik, of nog beter, ‘n dag of selfs ‘n volle week om na te dink oor die beloftes wat ons sĂȘ ons in glo, maar misluk om te lewe.

Once we live what we say we believe, others will soon witness that our entire existence is entirely to reflect the goodness of a Father who provides for ALL of our needs since He is so rich and full of glory! God our Father, Who provided His Son to care for and love us abundantly.

Sodra ons uitleef wat ons sĂȘ ons in glo, sal ander gou getuig dat ons hele bestaan is om die goedheid van ‘n Vader wie in AL ons behoeftes voorsien aangesien Hy so ryk en vol glorie is te weerspieĂ«l! God ons Vader, Wie sy Seun voorsien het om na ons om te sien en lief te hĂȘ in oorvloed.

Financial Testimony #2
Finansiële Getuienis #2

“You Never Asked”
“Jy Het Nooit Gevra Nie”

Though I cannot tell you how many times I have shared this testimony and principle with family, friends, and even strangers, each time I do I believe I am just as blessed and encouraged as they have been, I could not write a book about finances without putting it in print.

Alhoewel ek jou nie kan sĂȘ hoeveel keer ek hierdie getuienis en beginsel met familie, en vriende gedeel het nie, en selfs vreemdelinge, elke keer glo ek dat ek net so geseĂ«n en bemoedig is as wat hulle was, ek kan nie ‘n boek oor finansies skryf sonder om dit in druk te plaas nie.

As I’ve said, my journey of trusting God totally with my finances really began when my husband filed for divorce a second time. Prior to that, I had total and complete faith in trusting the Lord for our family and ministry, and it was my husband who had handled all our finances throughout our marriage. And over the course of all those years, there had to have been a dozen or more times when my husband would tell me that my faith in Him providing was only due to the fact that I did not handle the finances. I honestly thought he exaggerated the truth, but now I know that it IS a much harder walk of faith when it is you who is responsible because you can see how bleak your finances actually look.

Soos wat ek gesĂȘ het, my reis om God volkome met my finansies te vertrou het regtig begin toe my man vir die tweede keer ‘n egskeiding aanhanig gemaak het. Voor dit, het ek algehele en volkome geloof gehad om op die Here te vertrou vir ons familie en bediening, en dit was my man wat al ons finansies dwarsdeur ons huwelik hanteer het. En oor die tydperk van al daardie jare, was daar ‘n dosyn of meer tye wat my man my sou vertel dat my geloof in Hom wat voorsien was net as gevolg van die feit dat ek nie die finansies hanteer het nie. Ek het eerlik gedink dat hy die waarheid oordryf het, maar nou weet ek dat dit IS ‘n baie moeiliker geloofswandel wanneer dit jy is wat verantwoordelik is omdat jy kan sien hoe somber jou finansies eintlik lyk.

When that fateful day arrived, my husband, while leaving for his appointment with the attorney, announced clearly that he would never pay any child support (he hadn’t paid anything the first time he’d left us) and that he was leaving all (not just some) of our debt to me. Once the divorce was filed, he told me he was done, and from then on I was on my own.

Toe daardie noodottige dag arriveer het, het my man, terwyl hy oppad was vir sy afspraak met die prokureur duidelik aangekondig dat hy nooit vir kinder ondersteuning sou betaal nie (hy het nie die eerste keer wat hy ons gelos het betaal nie) en dat hy alles (nie net sommige) van ons skuld vir my los. Toe die skeisaak aanhanig gemaak was, het hy vir my gesĂȘ dat hy klaar is, en van toe af is ek op my eie.

Then, one day while doing the laundry, I began daydreaming about those beautiful front load washers that say they hold 17 pairs of jeans. I couldn’t help it, I told the Lord how nice it would be to have a beautiful large front load washer since I had been doing the laundry for our large family and the loads had only increased since my husband leaving. That’s when the Lord spoke to me and said, “But you never asked me Michele.” So, with a heart bursting with faith, I blurted out enthusiastically, “Well, then I am asking you now. Lord, I would absolutely LOVE a front load large capacity washer and dryer!!”

Toe, een dag terwyl ek besig was om die wasgoed te doen, het ek begin dagdroom van daardie pragtige voorlaaier wasmasjiene wat hulle sĂȘ 17 paar klinknaelbroeke hou. Ek kon dit nie help nie, ek het vir die Here vertel hoe lekker dit sou wees om ‘n pragtige voorlaaier wasmasjien te hĂȘ aangesien ek die wasgoed al vir jare vir ons groot familie doen en die lading het net vermeerder nadat my man weg is. Dit is toe dat die Here met my gepraat het en gesĂȘ het, “Maar jy het my nooit gevra nie Michele.” So, met ‘n hart wat vol geloof uitbars, het ek entoesiasties uitgeblaker , “Wel dan vra ek jou nou. Here, ek sal absoluut MAL wees daaroor om ‘n voorlaaier groot kapasiteit wasser en droĂ«r te hĂȘ!!”

Immediately, the moment I clicked on the switch and started the washer, it made the most horrible sound—yet I was ecstatic—I just knew it meant I was going to get my front loads!! Yippee!!!

Onmiddellik, die oomblik wat ek die skakel aangesit het en die masjien begin het, het dit die mees aakligste klank gemaak—tog ek was ekstaties—ek het geweet dit beteken dat ek my voorlaaier gaan kry!! Yippee!!!

My ex-husband, however, stormed in and said sternly, (after the children told him) shouting, “Are you serious Michele?! It only means, that you need a repairman!” When he said that, I didn’t reply as he stormed out. Instead I just stood there, stunned, thinking to myself, “I can only imagine what it must have been like to be married to a wife like me. But I can’t help myself, all I know to do is take everything that God says as gospel truth and when anyone believes with a “childlike faith” it has to be frustrating for everyone around you if they don’t believe.”

My eks-man, nietemin, het ingestorm en kwaai gesĂȘ, (nadat die kinders hom vertel het) geskree, “Is jy ernstig Michele?! Dit beteken net dat jy ‘n nutsman nodig het!” Toe hy dit sĂȘ, het ek nie geantwoord toe hy uitgestorm het nie. In plaas daarvan het ek net daar gestaan, verstom, en by myself gedink, “ek kan myself net voorstel hoe dit was om met ‘n vrou soos ek getroud te wees. Maar ek kan mysef nie help nie, al wat ek weet om te doen is om alles wat God sĂȘ as die reine waarheid op te neem en wanneer enigiemand met ‘n “geloof soos ‘n kind’ glo moet dit frustrerend vir almal om jou wees as hulle nie glo nie.”

Even though I felt horrible at the wife I’d been to my ex, and another reason why he’d probably left me, very soon after while doing the laundry again, the Lord whispered, reminding me of what He’d promised, and told me to act on it: that I was to go to the store and purchase them. When I got to the store I immediately found out that there was a huge sale going on, with 24 no-interest payments. Incredible. The salesman wrote everything up, but I backed out. I suddenly felt horribly foolish for doing something so irresponsible.

Alhoewel ek aaklig gevoel het oor die vrou wat ek vir my eks was, en nog ‘n rede waarom hy my moontlik gelos het, baie gou nadat ek weer besig was om die wasgoed te doen, het die Here gefluister, en my herinner aan wat Hy belowe het, en vir my gesĂȘ om daarop te reageer en hulle aan te koop. Toe ek by die winkel kom het ek onmiddellik uitgevind dat daar ‘n groot uitverkoping was wat plaasgevind het, met 24 geen rente paaiemente. Ongelooflik. Die verkoopsman het alles opgeskryf, maar ek het gerugsteun. Ek het skielik aaklig gevoel omdat ek iets so onverantwoordelik gedoen het.

My ex-husband was right, he’d told me countless times (and told my children too) that because of the way I handled finances (due primarily to the testimony I will share in the next chapter), we would soon lose everything, including our home. That day while looking at the front load washer and dryer, those words settled deep within my heart as I walked out without buying them.

My eks-man was reg, hy het ontelbare kere vir my gesĂȘ (en my kinders ook vertel) dat as gevolg van die manier wat ek die finansies hanteer het (primĂȘr as gevolg van die getuienis wat ek in die volgende hoofstuk sal deel), sou ons binnekort alles verloor, insluitende ons huis. Daardie dag terwyl ek na die voorlaaier wasmasjien en droĂ«r gekyk het, het daardie woorde diep in my hart gevestig soos wat ek uitgeloop het sonder om hulle te koop.

The very next week I was on a plane to Colorado for my very first ministry trip. While there I got a call from my secretary who told me that a member of my fellowship, who I’d been ministering to via email just emailed and was sending in ten thousand dollars from Singapore! After the shock, joy, and dancing before the Lord had settled down (you will be reading in the next chapter how this miracle occurred), the Lord reminded me—me of little faith—that I had not trusted Him enough to buy the desires of my heart, what I’d asked Him for.

Die volgende week was ek op ‘n vligtuig na Colorado toe vir my eerste bediening rit. Terwyl ek daar was het ek ‘n oproep van my sekretaresse gekry wat vir my gesĂȘ het dat ‘n lid van my bediening, vir wie ek geminister het deur epos R146000 uit Singapoer gestuur het! Na die skok, vreugde, en gedans voor die Here tot bedaring gekom het (jy sal in die volgende hoofstuk lees hoe hierdie wonderwerk plaasgevind het), het die Here my herinner—ek kleingelowige—dat ek nie genoeg op Hom vertrou het om die begeertes van my hart te koop nie, waarvoor ek Hom gevra het. 

So, while on the plane home, I repented and asked the Lord to please give me a second chance. I reminded Him that His Father was the God of second chances, that He, too, was gracious, and that if He would again tell me to go ahead—I would do it, and every time in the future. But, I would need to know for certain it was Him, and not me, who was moving ahead. I asked Him for the confirmation when I remembered how the Israelites had been afraid to go into the Promise Land, then they later said they would go, but were destroyed because God did not go with them.

So, terwyl ek op die vliegtuig oppad huis toe is, het ek gebieg en vir die Here gevra om my asseblief ‘n tweede kans te gee. Ek het Hom herinner dat Sy Vader die God van tweede kanse was, dat Hy, ook, genadig was, en dat as Hy vir my sĂȘ om voort te gaan—dat ek dit sou doen, en elke keer in die toekoms. Maar, ek moes verseker weet dat dit van Hom af is, en nie ek nie, wat vorentoe beweeg. Ek het Hom gevra vir die bevestiging toe ek onthou het hoe die Israeliete bang was om in die Beloofde Land te gaan, toe het hulle later gesĂȘ hulle sou gaan, maar was vernietig omdat God nie saam hulle gegaan het nie.

So I waited to know for sure.

So toe wag ek om verseker te weet.

Then, on a Sunday afternoon, I could feel the Lord telling me to go to another store. They had the frontload washers and dryers, but with only a six month no-interest. Then He led me to another store where they had twelve months no-interest, and finally, He led me back to the first store where I found that they were running eighteen months no-interest. Though that was good, I just had to know it was God before I purchased them in faith that He was giving me a second chance to act on it.

Toe, op ‘n Sondagmiddag, het ek gevoel hoe die Here vir my sĂȘ om na ‘n ander winkel toe te gaan. Hulle het die voorlaaier wasmasjiene en droĂ«rs gehad, maar met ses maande geen rente nie. Toe lei Hy my na ‘n ander winkel toe waar hulle twaalf maande geen-rente gehad het nie, en finaal, het Hy my terug gelei na die eerste winkel toe waar ek gevind het dat hulle ‘n agtien maande geen rente hardloop. Alhoewel dit goed was, moes ek net weet dat dit God was voordat ek hulle in geloof gekoop het dat Hy vir my ‘n tweede kans gegee het om daarop te reageer.

So, I told the salesman my testimony, and when I told him that it was because I had not asked the Lord, immediately it came to mind to ask the salesman, “Do you think it would be possible to get 24 months no-interest?” to which he replied, “Why not, let me get the store manager and ask him?” When I did ask, he said immediately, “That’s no problem at all; be happy to do it!”

So, toe sĂȘ vertel ek vir die verkoopsman van my getuienis, en toe ek hom vertel dat dit was omdat ek nie die Here gevra het nie, het dit onmiddellik by my opgekom om die verkoopsman te vra, “Dink jy dit sal moontlik wees om 24 maande sonder rente te kry?” waarop hy geantwoord het, “Waarom nie, laat my na die winkel bestuurder toe gaan en hom vra?” Toe ek gevra het, het hy onmiddellik gesĂȘ,  “Dit is glad nie ‘n probleem nie; bly wees om dit te doen!”

Wow, now I had my confirmation, but He was not done. God showed up again in another incredible way. When I got back to that area of the store and told my children who were patiently waiting, my daughter said, “Great, and we are getting the black ones, right?” But the black ones were another $300, and even though they did match our other appliances (appliances were in the kitchen, but this was the laundry room!), God was again testing me, so I eagerly said, “Okay” and the salesman wrote up the order.

Wow, nou het ek my bevestiging gehad, maar Hy was nie klaar nie. God het weer verskyn op ‘n ander ongelooflike manier. Toe ek terugkom na daardie area van die winkel en vir my kinders vertel wie geduldig gewag het, het my dogter gesĂȘ, “Puik, en ons kry die swartes, reg?” Maar die swartes was ‘n ekstra R4400, en alhoewel dit by ons ander toestelle pas (toestelle was in die kombuis, maar dit was die waskamer!), God was besig om my te toets, toe sĂȘ ek gretig, ‘Reg” ek sal die verkoopsman vra om die bestelling op te skryf. 

Now here comes my favorite part


Nou hier kom my gunsteling deel...

When I got to the cashier and she looked at the order she said, “Oh, then you are probably going to use your coupon” to which I replied, “What coupon?” and as I looked down, she was sliding a coupon across the counter, and before I could look at it, she rang it up and said, “See! You saved $300!!”

Toe ek by die kassier kom en sy na die bestelling kyk het sy gesĂȘ, “O, dan gaan jy seker jou koepon gebruik” waarby ek geantwoord het, “Watter koepon?” en soos wat ek afgekyk het, het sy ‘n koepon oor die toonbank aangegee, en voor ek daarna kon kyk het sy dit opgelui en gesĂȘ, “Sien! Jy het R4400 gespaar!!”

When I looked at the coupon, it said it was for purchasing an appliance on Sunday during a three-hour period. Isn’t that amazing?! It’s why He led me around to the other stores, bringing me to purchase them within that small window of time! And yet, why was I so surprised when He is God? And nothing, not one thing, is impossible for Him!

Toe ek na die koepon gekyk het, het dit gesĂȘ dit was vir ‘n toestel wat Sondag gedurende ‘n drie-uur periode aangekoop is. Is dit nie ongelooflik nie?! Dit is waarom Hy my gelei het na die ander winkel toe, en my gebring het om hulle in daardie klein venster van tyd aan te koop! En tog, waarom was ek so verras Hy is God? En niks, nie een ding, is onmoontlik vir Hom nie!

Dear bride, our Father is the God of second chances, and even when we are too afraid to get out of the boat the first time when our Husband calls us, He will give us a second and third opportunity to trust Him and fling ourselves into His loving, giving arms!

Liewe bruid, ons Vader is die God van tweede kanse, en selfs wanneer ons te bang is om die eerste keer uit die boot te klim wanneer ons Man ons roep, sal Hy vir ons ‘n tweede en derde geleentheid gee om onsself in sy liefdvolle, vrygewige arms te slinger!

Joernaal

Laat 'n boodskap

Jou e-posadres sal nie gepubliseer word nie. Verpligte velde word met * aangedui