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| Help in Time of Need |
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I want to share a not-so-short testimony of how faithful our God is. While this may seem like a small matter, nonetheless it proves that we have a God who is ready and waiting to help us.
The car I currently drive was given to me in the settlement of my mother and father's estate. Well, up until today, I have been driving it with an out of date tag. A couple months ago I got pulled over after leaving Bible school. I was given a citation for having an expired tag with a court date of November 27th., which is tomorrow.
The day after I received that ticket I went to the local tag office tor get the tag renewed. However, I did not have the proper paperwork such as a copy of the death certificate, the letter of transfer and a couple of other items. So needless to say, no tag.
My sister was named as executor of the estate. I mailed her the required forms and asked that she get the title put into her name and then transfer it over to me. She agree and did so, but it took a few weeks to get all that accomplished.
Now during this time, I have been driving the car. I know, I know. Romans 13 says obey all earthly authorities. I blatantly disobeyed that law. After all, I needed wheels. Thank God that he's a God of grace and mercy!
Anyway, the Thursday before Thanksgiving I received all the paperwork necessary and was anxiously awaiting a day off so I could go get this issue cleared up. But that day didn't come soon enough. On Friday, the 16th. I got pulled over, again. I was fortunate this time not to receive a ticket. The reason he didn't write me up was because I had all the paperwork with, me showing proof that I legally owned the vehicle and it was apparent that I would soon have a clear tag. Grace and mercy again, thank God. I was given a very stern warning that if I was caught again, the car would be impounded and jail time would not be out of the question. Then he handed me back all my paperwork, or so I thought. When I got home I realized that he had failed to give me back my drivers license. Great.
I ride the train to work so as far as getting back and forth from my job, that hasn't been too much of a problem. But I have been absolutely nowhere after work. I sometimes live on the edge but I felt as though I was close enough already, better not push it. I am grateful that I live within walking distance of most of the necessities.
Anyway, bear with me, I am getting to my point.
With this past week being Thanksgiving, and knowing that I would have the day off Friday, I was looking forward to taking Friday and getting the license and the tag all cleared up. Not only do I have the court date pending, but I needed my wheels, a clear conscious, and besides, it's the right thing to do.
So Friday morning, I get up early, shower, pray, get dressed and make one last check that I have all my documents in order. Just about ready to head out the door and the Holy Spirit says, "What if they are closed?" Closed, I said. They can't be closed, it's Friday. He said, "maybe you should call first". So I called, and guess what? Closed. Both the DMV and the Tag Office. Outstanding. Court on Tuesday morning and they're closed. Thank you Holy Spirit. You saved me the trip and the possibility of getting pulled over, again.
So all weekend this has been on my mind. I was going to have to call work on Monday morning, after having two paid holidays in a row, and explain to them that I needed the day off to get my ducks back in a row. Thank God I have an understanding boss.
So today, Monday morning, I wake up all excited. Finally, I get to get free from this worry and anxiety, and become legal again. Once again, I get all my paperwork ready, pray and get ready to head out the door. Remembering the Holy Spirit's advice from Friday, I decided to call to make sure both places were open. Guess what? The DMV is closed on Mondays. Fantastic.
So I call the Tag Office, they're open. Hallelujah. While I had the lady on the phone I ask this, "I do not have my drivers license, I got pulled over and the police officer failed to return it." She said, "Well, I am sorry sir, we cannot issue you a tag without a copy of your drivers license. So I began to tell her all about my court date tomorrow and describe in detail all of the documents that were in my possession. Same answer. No license, no tag. I reminded her once more about the court date in the morning. Her reply was, "you know, you can order a new license online". Thanks lady. I knew that. I also know it takes approximately two weeks to receive it. "Sorry", she says, "there's nothing I can do". Click.
Now what? Get on the train and go to work, try to salvage the rest of the workday? Risk showing up for court with no tag, no license, and face the consequences? I don't like facing consequences. What are my other choices? Stay home, play hookie the rest of the day, and feel sorry for myself? I didn't like the sound of that either. What's another option? Cry out to God!
I began to praise God and thank him for all he is. Then my prayer turned a little selfish. I said, "God, I don't understand. I need you. I am in trouble. Why are you not working on my behalf?" Silence. Then I reminded of him of Hebrews 14:6
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Immediately after saying "God your word says when I come boldly to your throne I will receive mercy and grace to help me in my time of need", right then he said "Do you remember the persistent widow?" Oh yeah, she kept going before the judge, pleading for justice. He said, "that's right". Word!
Here is the parable of the persistent widow:
Luke 18:1-8
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
You see, in this parable we are taught that if an unjust judge will show mercy, don't you think God will surely grant us justice, and quickly. We may have to plead with man over and over again, but our God is quick to help us.
Then the Holy Spirit reminded me that I have a photocopy of my drivers license at the leasing office at my apartment complex. Thank you again Holy Spirit!
So now, having this word from God, I call back to the tag office. I said,"Hi lady remember me?" I explained to her that I really needed to get this taken care of today. I then told her about the photocopy. I said, "what else can I do to prove to you that I am who I say I am?" She was silent for a few moments, then said, "Bring the copy and your paperwork, normally we don't accept a photocopy, but for you I will do it. Praise God!
Without hesitation, I thanked God, said a prayer for protection as I drove the unregistered vehicle to the Tag Office, and off I went. An hour later, my car now proudly displays a brand new tag, registered in my name and in the county that I reside. To top it off, I will not have to register it again until January, 2010! What a great God we serve! I even managed to get to work and salvage half a day!
My court date is still in the morning, but I am not concerned. I know I have favor with both God and man. I think I have time in the morning to make it to the DMV before court and get a new drivers license.
You see my friends, God heard my cry. He IS our very present help in time of need. Without that word from God today I could have been in a real pickle tomorrow. He is a loving and faithful father.
Cry out to him. Remind him of his promises. He cannot and will not go back on his Word!
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Jon_B |
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November 26, 2007 at 7:54pm |
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Dude, what I want to know is how are you able to not have to re register your car till 2010?
By the way...Good testimony, GREAT storyline. You had me hooked the whole time rooting for ya! I knew God would pull through for ya, I just didn't think it was going to be in this episode LOL!
I kept waiting for a "TO BE CONTINUED..."
Jon_B |
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| Wonderful story Michael, wonderful!! ~mike |
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Thanks Mike! I appreciate it!
Jon: "in this episode" LOL, you crack me up!
As far as 2010, I may be wrong. The tag has a 09 sticker and is dated January. I guess that means I need to renew it in January 09. I was thinking it would be good until January 10, But January 09 is just as cool! I am good to go for over a year! Thanks for the compliments.
See ya! |
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I had to come back and praise God some more!
Today was my court date as mentioned above. I wanted to let everyone know that things went as smooth as silk. I made it to Court on time without getting lost. I was third to be called out of approximately 100 people. I did receive a $35 fine but that was a lot less than I was prepared for.
Right after that I made it to the DWV and within 20 minutes I had a brand new drivers license.
I am good to go! Literally!
Thank you Lord! |
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Deb |
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November 27, 2007 at 11:24am |
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| What a cool story, and it all worked out well in the end. Great testimony to what God can do for us!!! Thanks for sharing! |
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