Miricle or Coincidence?

[OneLight]

This sure is a strange thing. What does His Spirit tell you? What is the honorable thing to do? Remember, you are His witness.

Onelight, I am confused about the whole thing! I know that we have really struggled to get this house built because it would mean a 10 fold increase in what we and others can achieve in His name in the area. I know that I have had doubts as to if Jesus wanted us in Mozambique because the journey has just been so hard (10 years of dodging land mines - most lifted now, maleria, dangerous and mad African travel, bad food, sandworms in our feet, heat and dust, and heavy personal expense). I know that when the money came out of the machine I thought it had come out of my account and that I would be living on bread and water for a month if I did not redeposit it and take the smaller amount I could afford. So I was under the impression that this money was from my account at the time.

And then a feeling came over me that I can't explain, and I said to Rob, we spend this on the house. He asked me how I was going to live for the rest of the month, and that he would buy some groceries for me. I replied that this was a message and that we need to finish the house by December and my finances did not matter.

So, miricle or not I really don't know, but message to get on with our work, yes. If the money comes off the account then so be it. God will provide for me anyway. If the bank contacts me, so be it. God will provide and Mozambique is burning a big hole in my heart, has been for years.

I simply must, eventually go.

I have to speak my mind here. Sorry if it offends anyone, but I'm gonna say it anyway.

Taking something that does not belong to you is stealing. It would be different if you found the money without a name attached to it, but you didn't. That money came from a bank. Someone is going to be held responsible for the loss of that money. Someone could lose their job over it. (or worst)

The wise thing to do is go back to that bank and give it back. It's not yours.

The Lord will bless us with many things, but He's not Robin Hood. He doesn't steal from the rich and give to the poor. He doesn't steal.....period.

So, miricle or not I really don't know, but message to get on with our work, yes. If the money comes off the account then so be it. God will provide for me anyway. If the bank contacts me, so be it. God will provide and Mozambique is burning a big hole in my heart, has been for years.

That comment indicates that you don't truly believe it was a miracle. If you believe that the money is not rightfully yours (which it isn't) and still expect God to provide for you.......you're tempting God.

You're gonna build your dream in Mozambique, based on a feeling that in all likelihood, did not come from the Holy Spirit. I know that feeling well. I used to get it every time I hit it big at the casino. It's called greed. You were expecting $200 and got $1,200 instead. The temptation is overwhelming.

If you were strapped for money and you saw someone drop a wallet that had a lot of cash in it, would you keep it or give it back? Would you call it a blessing from the Lord or a temptation from the devil?

You've been traveling back and forth to your dream for 10 years, don't let this one little incident put an end to that dream. If you build there using the money that you know is not yours, nothing good will come of it. The Lord gave you 2 hectares of land amongst those people, put your trust in Him and He will give you more.

As much as I agree, the issue is that they have already spent the money. Now, they have to figure how to give it back. We are to be a witness of Him in all that we do. God would bless you openly, not in secret. If it is not too late to redeem yourselves, give the money back from your savings. This is the only way you can bring truth back to your testimony.

[Fez]

I am not going to get into a long and protracted fight over this. I said in the beginning I was confused about what happened, I don't know what happened, more has happened since, but that would just be opening another door on being judged. And the caution that I feel is this:-

My card reappearing? Miracle? I can't figure out what else it could be. I know what I saw, I know what my brother saw, and now I question that if I question the fact and look for rational explanation (which I cannot find), am I doubting Jesus. And that dishonors Him and denigrates my faith. I feel His hand on this, I feel His hand on what we are doing, I have never felt anything this strongly in my life. He is with us.

If I accept the above as a miracle, why not the fact that He sent the money, and it has nothing to do with the bank, or me? See my dilemma?

And as to the paying back of the money, if that is to be the case it is a non issue. I will pay it back with gladness, and then chose to believe that the hand of the Lord was in this anyway, and that it was His way of saying, enough, get this house built, I want you here sooner than later. So that is why I say I will wait and see if the statement arrives before the end of the month. For two reasons. One is that it might take that much time, and two is that it is only possible to get back to Mozambique for me at the end of the month.

And again, by questioning where the money came from, I refer you to my thoughts in para two of this post. Again the dilemma.

This is not about the money, it is only money! It is a means to an end, and nothing more.

I believe in the God of miracles, I believe in a God through which anything is possible, and I serve Him in whatever way He asks. I don't then go and steal money, defraud a bank, conjure up credit cards using magic, or through wishful thinking and forlorn hope, expect manna to fall. We have been working and praying in Mozambique for 10 years, we know God is with us, for no one has been able to come against us. Think I'm going to destroy all that over mere money?

If this was a miracle (and forgive me Lord my doubts), thank you Jesus. If it was not He will make it known, and restitution will take place! In the meantime I await under His grace and favor, and continue down the path He has set before us there.

And what is to redeem Onelight, if this is a miracle? You and I obviously have a different take on what God is capable of? God knows my heart in this, and it does not need redeeming, it will follow, as it has for 10 years, the Word of the Lord. When He speaks, you will be the first to know, and speak He will.

[~candice~]

I was a little uncomfortable about this when I read it last night.

If this really is a miracle from God, then going to the bank, and explaining it, should not matter. If it is a real miracle from God, the bank will have no record of lost monies, and then I believe you are free to spend the money as you wish. But if the bank finds missing money, then, in order to be an honest witness, I think it belongs to the bank and should be returned.

He is Jehova Jira - our provider. He will provide you whatever monies you need in an honest way.

[OneLight]

IF you were convinced that this was a miracle of God, you would not of posed the question in the first place. You are asking us to justify your actions, and I will not be part of it. You have not settled this matter in your own mind and your own heart. If God did perform a miracle, you would not be questioning it, you would know.

1 Peter 1:13-19 (New King James Version)

Living Before God Our Father

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written,

[nebula]

I have heard of others testifying to money appearing in the bank accounts that shouldn't have been there.

I have also heard of people praying for a lost item and it appearing where it had no business being.

And I've heard more than one testimony of a miracle where the person was like, "Did God just do that?"

Remember when the angel let Peter out of jail? Peter thought it was a dream! And then when he got to the house where people were gathered praying for him, they thought it was his "angel" and not him!

So I have faith that the Lord put the card back into Fez's wallet, that he multiplied the money the same as He multiplied fishes and loaves, and that it's OK to be shocked by a miracle and take a while to believe it is real.

[OneLight]

I have also heard about how ATM machines makes mistakes. As Fez said, if the bank shows no lost money, then it is of God. If the money was given by mistake, then it is dishonest to keep it.

[Guest man]

I have heard of others testifying to money appearing in the bank accounts that shouldn't have been there.

And those individuals checked with the bank to see if a mistake had been made.

If you were in desperate need of money and found a purse or wallet full of cash and information that stated who the money belonged too, would you keep it or return it to it's rightful owner? Would you consider it a blessing from God or a temptation from the devil?

So I have faith that the Lord put the card back into Fez's wallet, that he multiplied the money the same as He multiplied fishes and loaves, and that it's OK to be shocked by a miracle and take a while to believe it is real.

Comparing the fish and bread to the money is kind of a stretch, doncha think?

FYI, I'm not shocked by a miracle. I've seen miracles and this isn't even close.

Money can cause a person to stumble in many ways. I can't see God giving somebody something that could quite possibly cause them to stumble.

It's a really sad situation and what's even sadder, is that people are giving him a and telling him to go for it.

[nebula]

If you were in desperate need of money and found a purse or wallet full of cash and information that stated who the money belonged too,

Fez had no such information.

Comparing the fish and bread to the money is kind of a stretch, doncha think?

No. Why do you?

Is the Lord limited in what He can do?

FYI, I'm not shocked by a miracle. I've seen miracles and this isn't even close.

Well goody for you.

Next you're going to tell me that you are not susceptible to pride, right?

Money can cause a person to stumble in many ways. I can't see God giving somebody something that could quite possibly cause them to stumble.

Come on - Jesus told Peter to get a coin out of a fish's mouth.

Or do you believe that if it was God, they'd just show up one day at the property and an house would be there where there was not one before?

How else cold they build a house?

It's a really sad situation and what's even sadder, is that people are giving him a and telling him to go for it.

So tell me, man - what are you doing to minister directly to the poor and needy?

Yet you will sit there behind your cushy computer and judge a brother who is putting his life on the life for the sake of Christ and His people?

Now that is sad.

[~candice~]

Neb, what if it was just an error on the bank's behalf? Would you keep the money or return it?

[nebula]

Fez answered that.