A Beautiful Thing -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Day 6 Devotional
Saturday, April 16, 2011

"May he give you the desire of you heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests." -- Psalms 20:4-5 (NIV)

In early 2004, God blessed us with our first home in Cedar Park. Shortly after moving in, my company fell on hard times and gave me a 21% pay cut. Then Lisa received a pay cut as her company also began to struggle. Adjustments to our spending were forced on us, but we did not cut back enough. By the end of 2008, it was obvious something had to change.

After a few fights, and then prayer, obviously the wrong order, we set our debt reduction plan in motion. Soon all available income was going to pay debt. It is very important to us that we always pay back what we have borrowed in good faith.

We were making progress, but as of this year were still at least 3 years away from having it paid off. That's when we received a letter reminding us of the stock options Lisa's company gave her years ago. Her company's stock price was so low we stopped tracking it. The letter prompted us to check the stock price and we were shocked to see that in a little over a year it had grown to as high as it had ever been. Lisa's company had rebounded and was prospering despite the rest of the banking industry struggling. When we calculated the value of the options, it was the exact amount of our debt.

Look back over your lives and remember all of the blessings God has provided for you even when you did not recognize it as His work at the time. Rejoice in those answers to prayer!

Father, help me to align my desires with your desires and grant me the faith to rejoice even before the victory is accomplished knowing that Jesus is bringing my petitions before you on my behalf. You know the desires of this church, and we claim your promises and joyfully praise you as we step out in faith to do a beautiful thing to the place where we worship you. Amen.

Prepared by Victor and Lisa Livingston

To prepare spiritually during our “A Beautiful Thing” campaign, you will receive a devotional written by our own members every day, Monday through Saturday, for five weeks. If you do not wish to receive these daily devotionals, click here. To read the announcements from the “ABT Weekly Update,” click here.

A Beautiful Thing - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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Day 6 Devotional Saturday, April 16, 2011 "May he give you the desire of you heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests." -- Psalms 20:4-5 (NIV) In early 2004, God blessed us with our first home in Cedar Park. Shortly after moving in, my company fell on hard times and gave me a 21% pay cut. Then Lisa received a pay cut as her company also began to struggle. Adjustments to our spending were forced on us, but we did not cut back enough. By the end of 2008, it was obvious something had to change. After a few fights, and then prayer, obviously the wrong order, we set our debt reduction plan in motion. Soon all available income was going to pay debt. It is very important to us that we always pay back what we have borrowed in good faith. We were making progress, but as of this year were still at least 3 years away from having it paid off. That's when we received a letter reminding us of the stock options Lisa's company gave her years ago. Her company's stock price was so low we stopped tracking it. The letter prompted us to check the stock price and we were shocked to see that in a little over a year it had grown to as high as it had ever been. Lisa's company had rebounded and was prospering despite the rest of the banking industry struggling. When we calculated the value of the options, it was the exact amount of our debt. Look back over your lives and remember all of the blessings God has provided for you even when you did not recognize it as His work at the time. Rejoice in those answers to prayer! Father, help me to align my desires with your desires and grant me the faith to rejoice even before the victory is accomplished knowing that Jesus is bringing my petitions before you on my behalf. You know the desires of this church, and we claim your promises and joyfully praise you as we step out in faith to do a beautiful thing to the place where we worship you. Amen. Prepared by Victor and Lisa Livingston To prepare spiritually during our “A Beautiful Thing” campaign, you will receive a devotional written by our own members every day, Monday through Saturday, for five weeks. If you do not wish to receive these daily devotionals, click here. To read the announcements from the “ABT Weekly Update,” click here.