Have you ever asked, “How will God do this?” You didn’t ask “if”. You already had His assurance. Deep inside, you knew—with an unexplainable confidence—God would accomplish His work in a particular situation. The “how” question, is different from the “if” question. For example,
The NEBC Executive Team had an important meeting in late May 2014. Some bewildered officials were on the other side of the table. They challenged our stated expectation that we would own our first student housing by August. Our confidence confused them. Why? To them, 4 obstacles appeared insurmountable.
- The property we expected to own was under contract to another buyer.
- Our bankroll for the purchase was $36, sacrificially given by a student.
- We could identify no other imminent donors.
- We had just over two months to raise the money.
We understood the officials’ doubts. They were asking “if” and “how.” It was different for our Executive Team.
When you know the Lord has opened a door before you (Rev 3:7-8), you don’t fret over “if” God will act. You know He will. The only question: “How?” We asked, “How will He accomplish the task? How will He remove the obstacles? How will He provide the funds to purchase and renovate the property?”
The answer came and the still bewildered officials couldn’t believe it. They didn’t know how to respond. But we did. Praise! Thanksgiving! Testimony! We named the dorms in His honor—Jehovah-Jireh [Yahweh-Will-Provide] Hall.
God provided in amazing ways. He who placed the “if” answer in our hearts, placed the “how” answer in our hands. August 1, 2014, we closed on the property … DEBT FREE!
Fast forward to August 14, 2017. Once again we are walking through a door our Lord Jesus opened before us. [If you have not yet had the opportunity to see the short video of our future downtown campus, you can see it by clicking on this sentence. It excites me every time. I think I’ll watch it again.]
In my heart I know Jesus has opened the door to: (1) securing the downtown campus, (2) completing the construction on all our properties, (3) bringing multiple new students, and (4) providing significant financial growth. We know that He, who began this good work, will complete it. (Phil. 1:6) Once again, I’m not asking “if”, but “how”.
Here’s what we know. We know He launched the Forming the Framework for the Future campaign. He launched it with sacrificial gifts from students, staff, and faculty. Over the past year, they gave nearly $6,000. They asked Jesus to multiply the little they could offer. Like the little boy with the five barley loaves and two fish lunch (John 6:9), they asked Him to accomplish much with the little they placed in His hands.
We know the Lord moved mightily in the hearts of a donor family. They committed $100,000 toward the $5,000,000 needed by the end of 2017. This gift was a specific answer to our prayers.
We know the Lord moved on the hearts of another family this last week. They gave some GE Stock to help us reach the Phase One goal.
Most importantly, we know, “‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Haggai 2:8) Since He owns it all, we know He’s moving on His children’s hearts to release some of the resources, He entrusted to them. He’ll use it to reach the goal in 2017.
We also know He will move on his children’s hearts to give another $5,000,000 for Phase Two of Forming the Framework for the Future. Of course, for our God, $20,000,000 in Phase Three is no problem.
Because God answered the “if” question in my heart, it’s settled. Only the “how” question remains unanswered. I don’t know “how” He will provide. He may speak to your heart, inspiring you to give $5,000,000 to clear Phase One this week. If He does, we know what to do. Praise! Thanksgiving! Testimony! We’ll give Him the glory.
He may be moving the hearts of 1,000 people to give $5,000, or 5,000 to give $1,000. Perhaps He’s moving the hearts of 500 to release $10,000, or 10,000 to release $500. He may plan to have some give $10, others $100,000, and others $1,000,000 or more. The “how” answer, is His business. Praise, Thanksgiving, and Testimony—that’s our business.
It’s exciting to walk with the Jesus on this path to Victory. It’s fun to ponder, and yes, to wonder, but victory is assured. The path is before us. I, for one, can’t wait to see how the Lord will accomplish Phases One, Two, and Three.
One thing is certain. He intends to use all of us along the way. On August 22, the NEBC faculty and staff will joyfully begin a new year developing the students God has sent us, to have the minds of scholars, the hearts of shepherds, and the perseverance of soldiers. You too, in His power, can do all He has called you to do.
Thank you for taking these minutes to ponder with me along the journey to victory. Before leaving the blog page, will you pray with me? Ask the Father, in Jesus’ name, to please:
- Provide the Phase One funding for NEBC—$5,000,000 from His resources.
- Move on the hearts of His children to release some of the funds He has entrusted to them for His purposes.
- Show you what He would have you do, each step along this path to victory.
Thank you for praying!
With Great Anticipation,
Mark H. Ballard
President
Northeastern Baptist College
Bennington, VT