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Ceres SDA Church

Anil Kanda

Now you guys might know Dan and Cindy Jones.

All right, Cindy, do you mind sharing with us a little bit about what took place recently?

We had a house that was for sale in Alabama.

We met in flight school and that's where we had a house.

And we had renters in it and it was hard to keep renters just because of the nature of it's a military base and everybody's coming and going.

And so it had been empty for about 5 months.

And so we were kind of struggling because we actually live with my in-laws.

So we are here in series and we are in a tiny house that maybe 1100 square feet that were living on top of each other and so we were thinking And we would really love to be in a bigger house and but we couldn't do it with This other house not being sold So we were trying to sell that 1 and we kept telling ourselves, you know, as soon as that house sells, then we can, you know, move to a bigger place.

And we were actually looking around and we found a place up in Manteca and we were pre-approved to be there, but we told them up front, we can't do this if we don't sell that other house.

And that house wasn't selling, it wasn't selling.

And so we were kind of getting discouraged about that.

And so we talked about it and we were praying, and Dan was actually at work and I was praying, and oh please, God, help this house to sell and help it to sell.

And this thought came into my mind, why are you moving closer to work because we both work in Stockton and farther away from church?

Okay, so what you're saying is that you guys had a house in Alabama and that you were living with your in-laws right now, Dan's parents, but you were wanting to buy a house and you found a house in Manteca, right?

And so you went to go talk to the real estate agent, and what came to your mind again?

While I was praying, a thought came to my mind that said, why are you moving closer to work and farther away from church and this church family?

And so I thought, oh man, you know, like I don't know.

You know, and then, so while I was praying, I thought, or I asked God actually kind of directly.

I was like, do you want us to stay in Syriz?

And I had shivers that started from the top of my head and went to my toes, and I was kind of like, oh, I'll take that as a yes.

And then I said, Lord, we really need this house to sell.

We'll stay here in series if that's where you want us, but we need this house to sell, because we're not making it right now.

And so I text that to Dan, because he was working, and he called me next morning and said, OK, yeah, that house isn't selling.

We need to call up the real estate agent and tell him we can't go ahead with that house, because our house isn't selling.

So he called him the next day and we went and did the paperwork when he got off work.

And then that next, was it that next weekend?

That next weekend, the house was being shown in Alabama and the people put an offer on it that very next weekend after that happened.

And so that was just a confirmation, you know, that God wants us here.

I mean they reshifted their priorities to revolve around the church and God's kingdom rather than out in Manteca and you know what?

Because, you know, during the whole process, I was thinking about a sermon that you had preached.

We always come to God with our problems, but with our solutions.

And you can, you know, Cindy will tell you, I was probably really pushing to get the bigger house.

And I was telling God, sell this house so we can buy this house because we need this house.

And the whole time, you know, like right after Cindy had texted me about it, I was thinking about that night, Why am I going to God with my problems and with my solutions?

I should be going to him with my problems and letting him have the solutions because he always has our best interest.

And like I said, it was just within that week, my real estate agent called us up and said, hey, we have buyers and they're really interested and they want to be in the house before Christmas.

I said, I will do whatever I need to do to help them so they can even move in early and live there for a month free if they want the house that bad.

And it just worked out perfect, and that was just a huge burden off our shoulders that God took care of for us.

Praise the Lord, can we say amen, church family?

You know, it's very interesting, I was studying the Bible with somebody this week, and we're studying the story of Elijah, that when Elijah was praying 7 times, he was asking for God to do that miracle.

Right, and what was that miracle, church family?

Now, was he praying according to God's will, yes or no?

Now, normally when most people pray, are you praying to things that are not part of God's will?

No 1 really prays for the sun to fall on them, that asteroids would hit the earth, that they would get into a car accident.

We don't normally pray things like that, right?

When we're praying for things, generally, we're praying for things already in accordance with the will of God.

Oftentimes, it's during the delay and the waiting time that God wants us to self-reflect.

He wants us to search our own heart so that we may be trustworthy to accept his blessings because many times, we're not even safe to bless.

And so what God does during that waiting time, he says, all right, I'm gonna wait for you to search your heart, to get to where I am, to be in tune with the Spirit of God so that you are now ready for that blessing.

And I just praise God for that because you know what?

Let's get on our knees, let's pray again for the Holy Spirit.

If we can all get on our knees, and let's ask Jesus to bless us, to speak to us.

Father in Heaven, we just want to take a moment of silence right now...

Father, you said in your word, if we humble ourselves before the Lord, you will lift us up.

And God, we are praying and asking for a blessing from heaven.

We are praying and asking that the Holy Spirit would minister to our hearts.

Jesus, we want you to speak to us personally, that when we walk away from this message, we will know very clearly that you have ministered to our very souls.

Alright, if you have your Bibles, let's go to Luke chapter 4.

Jesus has just come out of the wilderness.

He returned, the Bible says, in the power and spirit of the Lord.

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