"*@! Happens...and I can prove it!"

Case #1: After 25 years of corporate employment, Nikki* lost her job; three months later, her husband lost his corporate job as well. Although they lost 80% of their six-figure income, they still tithe 10% of their now reduced income, just as they’ve done for the past twenty years, and every bill has been paid on time, including two mortgages and braces for their son! Why? Because God Happens!

Case #2: Susan’s* husband was jailed and wrongfully accused of stealing and then gambling money from his family member’s joint account. The thought of Michael* losing the job he had worked so hard to earn, going to prison, being without her helpmate and having to maintain a household on her variable sales income threw Susan into a near panic. How in the world would she come up with $10,000 needed for bail to avoid this situation? Susan felt embarrassed and kept Michael’s situation hush hush, but out of the blue, an acquaintance called and she felt compelled to share the situation. That very afternoon, the friend transferred every penny of bail money into Susan’s account to get Michael out of jail. Why? Because God Happens!

Case #3: In the middle of winter, Tiffany’s* tenant forfeited her lease and unexpectedly moved out. To make matters worse, the tenant turned off the water without informing Tiffany, and the freezing temperatures outside caused the pipes to burst. This caused thousands of dollars in damage to her vacant property, money that Tiffany did not have. She felt so hopeless that she considered letting the property go into foreclosure. No sooner than that thought crossed her mind, Tiffany received a referral for a renter who is not only interested in the home, but also recently received an inheritance and is willing to pay $6000 in advance rent payments. Why? Because God Happens!

They say that ‘you know what’ happens, but for believers who are faithful, something else happens…God happens. One of my favorite gospel singers, J. Moss, sings on his latest CD (Just James), “…but you will find that in the knick of time, it worked out because God happens.” The testimonies above are from real people—friends and acquaintances—and they’re proof that God happens. It’s also scripturally sound.

“Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

There are three points I’d like to share from the verses above:

1) Ask. Jesus said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7) Sure, God is omniscient—all knowing—but He wants us to ask for what we want. The same is true as I think about my own children. I know what they need, but when they ask, it demonstrates a level of maturity, responsibility and humility, and I am more likely to not only grant their requests (if it’s the right thing to do) but to also do it with gladness when they ask.

2) God can’t be contained. Abundant on its own already means ‘plentiful’ and ‘rich’ but the scripture says that God is able to exceedingly abundantly. An English teacher would probably give a bad mark for using two redundant adjectives in a row, but this speaks to God’s amazing and miraculous power to do absolutely anything! What we can ask or think is nothing compared to what God can do.

3) Is the “Intel” working inside of you? Many computers advertise the “Intel” inside as the system that gives a computer its power. Similarly, the scripture says that God works according to the power working in us, which is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, who is with us 24/7. Since He’s so up close and personal, the Holy Spirit, more than anyone, knows our intentions and how we’re really living. Sure, nobody’s perfect, but I’m convinced that none of the stories above would have become such powerful testimonies of God’s grace if the Spirit hadn’t worked through every one of them.

So the next time you get discouraged and feel like giving up, remember these testimonies and shout in advance because “God happens!!!”

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Discussion Question: Tell us your “God happens” story?

* The testimonies are real; however, the names have been changed.