He Still Parts the Sea.

Crazy story.

Here it goes.

I knew God was calling me to Los Angeles to staff the Circuit Riders school. It's a one week amazing school that is all about the simple Gospel of Christ. And all about finding freedom in Him, worshiping Him, sharing His love with everyone around. I was just so sure I was supposed to go, after lots of prayer and confirmation from various sources.

I was believing for God to provide all of the finances for this trip. Since I live on support all the time, I didn't have much to spare but really believed that God was going to go even above and beyond in the area of provision.

Why?

Mostly because He can. Also because He loves to bless His kids. More specifically, because He knows the battles I've fought and wanted me to know how He steps in and fights for me. Our greatest breakthroughs often come after great battles. I've fought hard to be where I am today. It hasn't been easy. The enemy has literally tried to kill me several times. This trip he's done all sorts of stuff to make sure I can't go. But when that happens, God just comes in with even greater victory.

This trip has been no different. I could feel the warfare from the beginning. No finances came in. I kept praying, kept asking, and all I got was "likes" on my Facebook posts. No money. The date came closer and closer.

The first day I was back home visiting, I got a check in the mail for a significant amount that was exactly what I needed to pay for housing in L.A. I never get mail at my parents' house anymore, and people rarely send me support that way! It was EXACTLY what I needed to COMPLETELY cover housing, and this person had no idea of that!!!

I knew God was up to something big.

A few days later, someone else gave me the amount I had decided to raise for food for my time in L.A. Again, they had no idea I'd decided on that number.

Then...not too much happened. Some support came in, and I watched the plane ticket prices rise.

The crazy thing is that I felt God telling me to wait. That is the hardest thing ever!!! Because a flight can cost $900 one day and $1200 the next. I was at a loss of what to do, but I decided the best thing would be to trust God.

"I'm with you on this trip. My presence is going with you. I support you! I will provide for you!" His truth rang in my ears.

It was a battle! Every time I tried to send out support letters, emails, write blogs, look at tickets, either my computer or the internet would crash. I had no idea who I could call or what to do. So I prayed.

Literally, that's basically all I did! It's all I could do!

And He said, "I want to prove to you that I will provide for you regardless of what YOU do to provide for yourself. I am the One who fights for you."

Every time something went wrong, I'd pray. And He'd make a way.

This week I felt like God said to wait till Monday to buy the ticket. Something was going to happen Monday. It was the hardest thing ever because prices skyrocket over the weekend, and waiting would mean cutting it pretty close to when I have to leave. It was risky. But it was God! I'd rather go on this trip totally 100% with Him, than get a cheaper flight without His favor.

The thing is, I think whether I really heard from God or not, He blesses wild faith. He blesses us when we think we hear His voice and do something radical as a result, fully trusting Him.

On Friday, I still needed $750 and prices were going up. On Saturday I found out a couple people had donated big amounts and I only needed $500. I stopped asking for money at that point. But tickets were all over $1000 by now.

On Sunday, I prayed and gave thanks, resting in God's goodness. He is good. No matter what, provision or debt, He is good.

Then a stranger not only bought my car but donated $500 to my trip!!!!!!!!! That was the first turning point in the whole thing! I had enough, even enough to buy a $1000 ticket! I could have some left over for rent and groceries for the next couple months!

Still, God said wait. Ahhhhhhhh.......I kept waiting.

Monday came and I was so excited to get onto the internet and buy my ticket.

This is where the warfare came back again. My computer wouldn't start. I had to run it through diagnostics in Starbucks (because yes, our internet at the apartment is down). It took ages.

Miraculously I found 1 $800 ticket!!! So excited, I began to purchase it on my phone. Nope...the website crashed.

I called the airline. "The cheapest ticket we have is $1100. It must be an error."

NO WAY!!!

I prayed. And prayed. Must have looked ridiculous pacing in front of Starbucks speaking jibberish. But something was coming against my ability to buy this ticket!!! I had to pray against it!

"God, I know You're good. I need You to make a way. Part the sea, make a way, I need this cheaper ticket."

It was the ONLY cheap ticket on the list by about $300, and God had spoken to me to go to that website first to search, so I KNEW He was up to something. The enemy was also up to something...but God's better.

So after several frustrating minutes, I just changed the search by a day. And there it was. $695. What???? Round-trip? Nice airline? Exact dates? Decent times? $695.

I don't know if this is Biblical. But I think if God can part the Red Sea, He can surely create an airline ticket just for me.

I am so wrecked by His love, faithfulness, and provision right now.

I share this story in hopes that it will stir up your faith and trust in the Lord. His love is the same for you!!! Totally passionate and overflowing. What is your need? I encourage you to trust in the Word of the Lord. That no matter what, He is good, He is loving, He is faithful, and He will fight for you.

He still parts the sea.