This is Part 5 of our Finding Your Faith Bible Study series featuring Rev. Penny Dean's testimony of faith.

After the Lord rescued my little family from a tornado, flood, homelessness, and unemployment as I discussed in the previous Finding Your Faith Bible Study series I was faced with still yet another dilemma for the Lord to help me with. We had already outrun the storms, God gave us a nice home to live in, and even provided me with a job to pay for it. Sadly, timing was not on my side. My new job only paid every two weeks and held the first check which meant, I had to go a whole month without a paycheck. At this point, pride was non existent any more. I found myself in a position where I had no choice but to ask for help from God as well as, people. Providing food for my children became an issue, a top priority, so I contacted several churches and managed to get enough food to last for a month to feed my 3 small children, our nanny, our dogs, and my daughters little blue parakeet. I found myself reflecting on the sparrows in the Bible and then found myself identifying my family and I as God's little sparrows and loved Him even more for providing for us in our darkest hours, simply because we believed He could, we believed He would, and He did so many times, probably many more times than we even realized.

• But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7
• Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Matthew 10:29  
• But the very hairs on your head are all numbered fear ye not. St. Matt. 10:30
• Whosoever therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. St. Matt. 10:31

During this process of working and finding food, I also found a home church called Well of Life where we found fellowship and a loving learning environment for my little family.  We started attending services regularly. Another problem lurked on the horizon, soon it would be time to pay the rent on this new lovely house. I knew my first paycheck would be short as I only had two days of pay coming after working for a whole month. Thoughts started rushing in my head, the devil trying to shake my faith to be sure but I knew in my heart that the Lord did not provide this home for us only to snatch it away before I could get the rent money for it. I started to worry but then realizing that worrying is a sin and worrying will not accomplish anything toward rent money. I started to plan but could not think of a way to get the rent money. I knew what I had to do. I did not want to burden my small church  which was struggling with their own financial difficulties as it was a new church in town, so I did not tell them about my need for rent money.
​Once again, I had to turn to the Lord for help, I needed another miracle, so I went to my room to read my Bible and pray. The landlord had been kind to us by letting us move into the house knowing that we had no money and with me not yet having a job. I called the Landlord and let him know the situation with my new job and my check situation but he was unsympathetic this time, telling me I would have to pay rent by the 1st of the month. I knew faith without works is dead and I had been doing everything I could to do the work part by going to my job every day on time and doing the best job I could, I even started looking for a second job but none of this would provide enough, fast enough to provide for our needs. I needed a miracle and fast. I hit my knees in prayer and then opened my Bible.

• Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? James 2:5

​A particular verse stood out to me and I thought to myself and half talking to God. Hadn't I been seeking the kingdom of God? Hadn't I done all that He required of me? Surely, the Lord would not let me fail now.

• But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33

​I quickly realized that the devil was trying to make me doubt God! I knew what to do about that. I had to put on the whole armor of God so that I could withstand against thoughts that could weaken my faith.

• Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Eph. 6:10
• Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph. 6:11

​Each day when I got off work, after making meals, doing laundry, cleaning house, I sought refuge in my room, praying and reading the Bible. I made phone calls to every church and every agency that might possibly help with my rent situation. I took on a part time job cleaning houses, in addition to my job at Walmart and I prayed long and hard. It was the evening before rent day and I was once again, in my room praying when Laurie knocked on my bedroom door telling me there was a man at the house door.  She had a puzzled look on her face and said, "I think it's the Pastor from our church".  I headed for the door and invited the Pastor in but he refused citing the fact that I being a single woman it would not be appropriate for him to enter my house alone because it could give the appearance of evil to people who may see this. I respected his wishes and told him I was quite surprised to see him here and asked if something was wrong?
The Pastor looked slightly uncomfortable but then he grinned and said, "This might sound strange to you but God told me to give this to you" and he handed me an envelope. I opened the envelope and I was both surprised and shocked. Inside the envelope was the exact amount of my rent in cash that was due the next day! Tears took my voice as I thanked him and when I asked him how he knew, he simply smiled. The Pastor quickly left and I stood there with tears overflowing, my mouth agape in wonder. I turned around to my children and Laurie and we all jumped up and down hugging each other, my eyes filled with joyful, grateful tears, I pulled back and said, "Get on your knees we have to thank the Lord for this right now" and we made a circle all bowed on our knees and thanked the Lord with all our hearts. 
As I lay in my bed that night praying again and thanking God, it dawned on me that God knew what I needed, He already knew my check wouldn't be enough and wouldn't get there fast enough to provide what we needed but He also was working on the Pastor and the church to help us. Had I given into the doubt and fearful thoughts the devil was trying to put in my mind, that miracle may never have happened. I had found a useful tool in the armor of God. I put on the shield of faith to thwart those negative thoughts and as a result my faith and belief that the Lord would show me how to get help, who would help me, and most of all the knowing belief that the Lord WILL help me as long as I do not doubt that He CAN.

• Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Eph. 6:16

​Where can you find help when there seems to be no help in sight? Your help will come from the Lord if you will just ask Him, put your faith in Him, trust Him, and do all the work you can to help make that happen.

FYF Part 6: Justified by Faith