Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Will Provide
This Christmas season, I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about God and His faithful provision. Jehovah Jireh is definitely an understatement about God. The statement “the Lord will provide” is an oxymoron; God has provided, does provide, and will continue to provide for His people. “The Lord Will Provide” is not just a statement, however. It is who God is. Jehovah Jireh, my provider: God. Christmas is all about God as Provider. 2000+ years ago God provided His Son, Jesus, for you and for me, that we might have life and have it abundantly. Why then does it come as a surprise when He provides for me today? My surprise comes not at God—that He could possibly be capable of such love. My surprise comes in the humbling fact that God knows me so very well. God’s provision of Kat, as my bride-to-be—and only six months from now—is overwhelming. God’s provision of Outside the Box and the ministry that I get to be part of is my great privilege. Jehovah Jireh knows me so very well.
Ministry has been very rich. The past few months have found me all over the country at events and planning meetings. It has been such a joy to be around ministry leaders, brainstorming ways to draw students to the Spirit of God. I love my job! I wish you could be at the table with me when we’re dreaming of the ways Jehovah Jireh will meet students right where they are and call them to life lived for Him. The Lord will and does provide!
I tell you all of that to give you a taste of how I’ve spent many of my recent days. The work of Outside the Box is vitally important. As you know, we are in the process of raising $50,000 to close out our year of ministry. Our revenue continues to come through two streams: your giving and our projects themselves. Will you consider making a year-end gift to support our future involvement in events and media projects that impact students’ lives for eternity? Also, would you pray for and ask others to join the OtB support team? THANK YOU for your partnership in the gospel and for being tangible examples of how the Lord provides. I’m very grateful for you.
In the months ahead, you will receive letter/email communication from Outside the Box on a very regular basis. You will get the opportunity to hear from others on our board, staff members, and friends of OtB. This will be a switch from hearing entirely about my experience, but it will mean more information, more consistent communication and new relationships. Everyone wins.
To keep our costs to a minimum, we would like to transition as many people as possible to an email-only version of our prayer letters. If you can help us with this request, please send an email with your name to me at bj@otbm.org. If you already receive an email version of our prayer letters, you are on our list. You can also read all of the OtB prayer letters online at http://www.otbm.org/prayer.html.
Please pray for Kat and me. Pray as we prepare for our wedding day, June 7, 2008, but also pray for our coming marriage. Neither Kat nor I want to be consumed with one day, no matter how wonderful it will be. We’re praying for strength for our marriage, as we will be committing to one another for a lifetime. Will you join us in that prayer? I thank God for His provision of you in my life.
Teaming with you for His glory!
BJ Strote
Ministry Developer
Outside the Box Ministries, Inc.
bj@otbm.org