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But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?
Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV
This past Tuesday was #GivingTuesday which was a day to make a donation to a nonprofit organization, or several organizations--basically, it's a collective effort to encourage end-of-the-year giving at the tail end of a weekend of buy, buy, buy. I was responsible for a big #GivingTuesday event for a nonprofit organization for which I volunteer; and I'm well aware of the hours I spent trying to prepare our donors and members for our largest collective fundraiser of the year.
Because I know how much time and energy I put into my own organization's fundraiser, I wanted to highlight another organization which is near and dear to my heart.
Snappin' Ministries.I started connecting with Snappin' about 3 years ago when I came across the blog Comfort in the Midst of Chaos (CITMOC). It DID indeed bring me such comfort to read scripture, prayer, and testimony of how God works in the lives of other families with special needs. God has instructed us to encourage one another, and who better to encourage my faith than other parents of children with disabilities and health issues?
I've seen Snappin' provide support for families with gift baskets, gift cards, gas cards, weekend retreats, organized family outings, side by side Bible study groups, on-line Bible Study groups, and on-line church (which is really critical to a lot of families who find attending church difficult due to disabilities and health issues).
So, why am I writing all of this? Well...simple...I know that Snappin' Ministries is a miracle to me...and I hope that it can be a miracle for you.
Did you know that GIVING can open you up to so many of God's miracles?
- It draws you closer to him as it's an act of worship! (For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 NIV)
- It helps you battle your own materialism. (Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV) I personally have found that when I'm in the "I want, I want, I want" mode, a simple donation to a worthy organization (like packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child) satisfies my "shopping" need.
- God blesses those who GIVE! (Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NIV)
- It opens doors for a miracle. (Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10 NIV) Our family has seen God make money appear out of no where for us...one time it was in a oil-meter that had run high for years and we had a credit on our heating bill for a few months while our daughter was on chemotherapy. Did we win the lottery? NO! But, did God show us how He is faithful and can do ANYTHING when we are faithful to HIS cause? YES.
- It is rewarded in Heaven. (But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 NIV) Every time you give to the cause of Christ, you are preparing part of your treasure in Heaven.
So, today I ask you to consider making a donation, whatever feels comfortable in your heat, to help an organization that ministers to families of those with disabilities and health issues. If you would like to read about some of the things they did in 2015, you can find their most recent newsletter here: Snap Shots Newsletter
And, if you'd like to make a secure, tax-deductible donation to Snappin', you may do so Here:
Pray: Heavenly Father, I pray that you continue to bless your ministries around the world. I pray that you continue to raise up leaders to volunteer their time and that you provide abundantly for their finances. Thank you for all the ways that you bless us when we give. Amen
