| Share Your Praise: Share your praise reports by contacting us at ipraise@hopechurch.org.
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Dear Pastor Greg, At the direction of my boyfriend I decided to visit Hope. I was very impressed and excited to see a church that taught the importance of having a relationship with God. Admittedly, my faith and beliefs were slipping because I concentrated on the religion I was trying to pursue. So, I thank my boyfriend and you for showing me so much over the last year. Rolanda
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Dear Pastor Greg, Thank you Pastor Greg for being the man of God you are.
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Dear Pastor Greg, Ever since you prayed for my arm on May 30th, I have been able to do things with my arm that I hadn't been able to. Thank you God! Constance
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Dear Pastor Greg, Hello, my name is Jonathan. I am 24 years old and I have been going through some things in my life. Ever since I have been to Hope Church, God has given me something that no mortal man or woman can ever come close to giving me, and that is INFINITE JOY! Thanks for your messages, they have inspired me to fight my problems and to live a life that glorifies God and impacts my family, friends and everyone! Jonathan
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Dear Pastor Greg, My husband has recently been interviewed three times for a promotion at his job. This past week he had another interview and found out that he had received the promotion! He will be making more money, with better hours! I also have received a promotion that I have been waiting on for over 5 years! I will be making triple the amount of money than I previously have! Michael & Kimya
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Dear Pastor Greg, Recently my husband had been laid off for a year and three months. We continued tithing until we exausted our savings account. We had no idea how our bills were going to get paid. But whenever we received money, we tithed. My husband was talking to his brother one day, and his brother had told him that he was sending us $15,000! I knew that it was the Lord answering our prayers. The first thing we did was tithe on that money because we know where our blessings were coming from. Two weeks later we received a check for $1,100 from the company that laid off my husband. They had taken up a collection for our family since my husband was not working. God is good! Doug & Marlene
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Dear Pastor Greg, My daughter applied to USC (University of Southern California) this year. She has great grades, a 3.9 GPA, and she got an ACT score of 21. She was accepted into USC and was awarded $46,000 in grants & $5,500 in loans! Our God is bigger than any man! Amen! Rita
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Dear Pastor Greg, I have been experiencing "wave upon wave" blessings as you have been preaching about. I work in a retail environment, and was promoted in January. I was also in debt due to a credit card, but God turned it around and the credit card company sent me money back. Lastly, I received a child support check for $3,000!! God is great! Ramona
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Dear Pastor Greg, Just recently, I felt compelled to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake, but I did not have the money or connections in order to do that. I thought that I would have to pass up this opportunity, but God kept it on my heart to go. Through a series of events, I ended up being able to go to Haiti completely free of charge, and had a wonderful, life-changing experience! Traci
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Dear Pastor Greg, Recently, I received a promotion at my job, as well as a raise. Also my finances have been good, and my marriage has been great! Praise God! Kim
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Dear Pastor Greg, In 2008, my kids and I were homeless. We were forced to leave our previous home due to major plumbing problems. Because the landlord could not afford to fix them, we were shuffling from place to place staying temporarily with family and friends. The place where we stayed the most was Motel 6 at Dunn & 270. I knew all of this was temporary and I was not moved. Anyway, we were closer to Hope and Sunday became the icing on the cake. Before long, our homelessness was no more. Our new landlord showed up at my job three days after I saw the house (mind you, I never told him where I worked, only the area). I smiled when I saw him, knowing I had an inside connection. Now, a year later, I have an opportunity to purchase my own house AND self publish my book! Praise God! Viola
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Dear Pastor Greg, In February, my company was eliminating my position. I knew God was in control. No only did I actually get to keep my position, but I also got a promotion to a more successful location. Also, at the end of March, I received my commission check from February. It was 7 TIMES larger than any commission check that I had received previously! Praise God! Bekah
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Dear Pastor Greg, I helped a single mom pay her bills and then later found out that my bank accout had tripled! Harriet
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I'm Not Going Back
On May 2nd, I moved to St. Louis. I was hired at the job that I wanted at $1.60 per hour more than I asked for on May 28th. On June 4th, I was approved for the apartment that I wanted, and was moved in and had furniture by June 11th. Things were moving slow in the beginning when I first got here and I tried to stay positive. But it wasn't until I said, "NO I'M NOT GOING BACK!" that things finally started working for me. When I stopped relying on myself and became vulnerable to God, it all fell together. And I'm making sure He knows I'm thankful. Lauren
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God Meets Your Needs
I've been coming to Hope for a few years now. I enjoy the rockin' atmosphere, the people, and the realness of the people who work there. Pastor Greg, his wife Kim, Joshua, and Greg have touched my life. They are true people of God. Millisa
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New Home, New Business
Dear Pastor Greg and my family of Hope, I have been waiting with expectation to share with your about what God has been doing for me through Hope. In 2007 my home went to foreclosure and I lived in transition, well God blessed me with a brand new townhouse with affordable rent. During the "Flourishing" series my family's seed for All Hands on Deck was sown and I was sooo excited to write that check. Well, as you can imagine the test came and the enemy sent thoughts of doubt (Why did you do that? Now you're not going to have enough! Now you're behind on your rent, but that wouldn't have happened if you hadn't given two months of your rent away!!) Well Pastor, the truth was that it wasn't two months of rent - it was a little less so that was a lie. Also, I spent the money impulsively without really thinking - that was the truth. I knew I was at a crossroad because I should be producing. I could either repent and do what was being taught by way of God's Word through you or I could stay in the shape that I was in and whine, cry and wither. My choice was to change. Well during the "Make Some Noise" series the step of faith was taken to make my unique sound which was to open a business (HOPE TUTORS) that would service many including the less fortunate as described in the "Least of These". My "Vision" is clear and at the end of the "Inside Out", I have been blessed to receive my first income for the business and I am elated to bring the tithe for the business. As I stated to you, I have been a member here for four years now and there has never been a time that you have spoken and I did not hear from God. I came broken-hearted, wounded, confused, and dry. Thankfully, God is restoring me and has truly given me HOPE. I thank you. Pamela
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New Windshield for Free
Pastor Greg, As you know, my husband was laid off on Dec. 19 but we have not had any financial problems because of the layoff. The phone hasn’t stopped ringing, people are calling needing little things done here and there, so we have been able to make ends meet. Also, I was one of the employees that did not receive a layoff notice. So on Feb. 1, we gave an extra amount in the offering as an outward sign of faith that we were trusting in the Lord to provide. I know it doesn’t make sense to give more when you are out of work but we did. So then this past Sunday, when we went to write the check, I went back and forth, do I give our usual amount or the same amount (new amount) we did last week. Well I listened to the Holy Spirit and gave the additional amount in the offering. The NEXT day my husband went to have his windshield replaced. It had cracked across the bottom from side to side and down the middle. When he went to pay for the new windshield the technician said ‘NO Charge’. We had the windshield replaced a year earlier, so the technician somehow was able to get the new one covered under warranty. We were not expecting that at all. The crack was due to a rock hitting the window. So the amount of the windshield was 10 times our increase in giving. (so for ex. We gave an extra $100 in the offering and the windshield would have cost $1000). How great is our God… sing with me!
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Free from Depression
Pastor Greg, This is really hard for me to do so bare with me. First is my relationship with God. It has gone to a level that is truly amazing. I know in my heart that the Lord truly loves me, in spite of the things I've done. So Pastor Greg Bruce I THANK GOD for you and how GOD works through you. I'm also thankful that you talk to your congregation with such real life terms and very truthfully, which has set me straight. Second, I wanted to say that I was battling with Depression and a Mood Disorder. I was a complete mess and I have been in the Mental Hospital three times in one year. I felt that God didn't love me and that he was punishing for what I didn't know. I felt like I was going crazy and losing my mind, part of it was because I had lost my mom in such tragic way in 2006 and I had lost my Grandma the year before. The two most important woman of my life were gone, and I couldn't handle it. After my last time of going in the hospital I told myself that I was not going back. That was Christmas 2007. Shortly after, my husband's cousin told me about Hope Church and it sounded good, I did my research and read up on the beliefs so on and so forth. I figured I had nothing to lose. So I went one cold Sunday morning in January of 2008, and you were teaching "12 Pillars to building a Rewarding Life" and that touched my heart to want to come back and I've been going since. But it wasn't just the message it was the fact that when I had put the Decision Form in with the offering, I received a letter in the mail and a call from your staff letting me know that I was welcome to the Church and the experiences that they offer. That was truly odd considering the way I was feeling and this was not typical of most of the churches I had been a member of or attended. Continuing on in the year I had some issues. I called for Prayer and that when things really start to change for me. I met this wonderful God fearing woman name Shirley Knupp who prayed for me and than invited me to meet the other amazing women of Mountain Movers Prayer Group and ever since than I have been on a walk of true knowing " that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" Ephesians 1:17. With all that is said I'm not suffering from depression anymore. I'm happy and I'm enjoying life, something I didn't think was possible. I am still on med's for my mood disorder but it under control. There are still some challenges like getting husband to come to church(he's been hurt by religion). But I'm not fearful about my battles that are before me because I have the right weapons, my Relationship with God, my Bible, and my second home HOPE CHURCH. Thank You.
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God is Still the Healer
Dear Pastor, My father was admitted into the hospital recently with pneumonia, kidney failure, and the inability to breathe on his own and needed the assistance of a ventilator. I contacted the church and IMMEDIATELY I received a response. In his word, it is written that if two or more touch in agreement on anything in His name, it shall be done. This is why it is so important that we get to know one another outside of the walls of the church and to fellowship with one another. We are all one body and we need one another. Several tests were ordered by the doctors to try and determine why he was unresponsive, he wasn't waking up or alert even after they attempted to take away the sedation medication. For many days and nights he still hadn't responded and wasn't even breathing over the ventilator. An EEG was ordered and the results were low to no brain activity. It was then suggested that the family have a conference with the intensive care doctor to discuss my father's condition. After speaking with the doctor, he stated they found 20 things wrong with him and that we should consider taking him off the ventilator and they would take all measures to keep him comfortable until the end of life. Very early the next morning while preparing for work, GOD brought to my remembrance the story of Lazarus and how he lay dead for several days and nights. He asked me this one question, DO YOU BELIEVE I CAN WAKE YOUR DAD UP? And I responded I BELIEVE. My phone rang shortly after and it was my son, who was very disturbed by my father's condition and I told him about the story of Lazarus and I also said to him, don't give up when we serve a GOD who can do the IMPOSSIBLE. When I arrived at the hospital to meet my family, my brother approached me and said, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS, BUT DADDY IS AWAKE. When he said this to me, the thought of death never crossed my mind, but I took off running as quickly as I could to see the MIRACLE. When it seems all HOPE is gone, you must TRUST AND BELIEVE! I will forever praise GOD in the good and the bad, whether happy or sad. I give thanks to GOD, HOPE CHURCH AND ALL WHO PRAYED FOR MY DAD'S LIFE TO BE RESTORED!
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New House Just In Time For Christmas
I hope that this email reaches you in good spirits. I am so happy to be able to finally give this testimony.
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Extra Money & Presents For Christmas
Pastor Greg & Hope Church, I just want to tell you how God has blessed my family. Christmas time is supposed to be a joyous time. But for us it is so hard to pay bills, give God what is His, groceries, pay the babysitter, presents for the kids and spouse, etc. So my husband and I have been in constant prayer. Well, God has provided!! We were put on the Christmas tree at church and someone blessed all 3 of my children. Then at work I was blessed by an anonymous giver who gave us a check for $115 and we bought groceries. My husband has recieved a raise also. I always stress so much because I don't give it all to God. But I have learned to give everything to Him. I want to say a big THANK YOU to all of Hope Church for your love and support and of course to God for loving us enough to provide for even this little sparrow.
Jacque & Rich
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Extra Money During A Hard Time
Dear Pastor Greg, I am a single, working mother raising my children. I have been a member since 2005 and I enjoy your teaching. Through the past years I've been struggling trying to pay the bills and provide a decent meal for my children. But despite the hard times, I've been strong, stayed calm, remained patient, and have always kept a smile on my face. I still decide to remain positive even when my children choose to act up and misbehave in school. With all these things on my mind, I still have been praying for God to show his blessing upon my family and I listen to your encouraging and uplifting message time after time again on how to be patient and pray. Pastor Greg, I can write a book on how GREAT our God is. Just a week ago, I was experiencing a difficult time. I could only afford gas money for work that week. The gas company called and said the gas would be cut off if I didn't pay $200.00 in 4 days. Not knowing what to do, I began praying and telling God that he is willing and able to work a miracle and I put my problems in his hands. Pastor this testimony doesn't even end right here. It gets much deeper. By the end of the week, the same people at my job present me with another envelope containing $1,355.00. I was so speechless and couldn't find the words to say and I felt so weak in the knees. God is so good. The workers appreciate how positive I am, my excellent work, and how I'm always SMILING!!! They were blessing me for the second time. God has shown me how powerful, great, and how He blesses those who are patient. I was able to pay all my bills, bless my family, and help others. God is good and I am a living proof. Sincerely, A Member of Hope Church
_____________________________________________________ New Teaching Job Pastor Greg,
My husband and I were in church a couple of weeks ago when you spoke about the need for tithing.
My husband is a teacher, and did not have his contract renewed at his old school district for the upcoming school year due to cutbacks. As a result, we have been living very lean this summer as he has been looking for a job in another school district. As the new school year was quickly approaching with no luck in the job search and our savings dwindling, we were both beginning to give up hope on him being able to find a teaching job.
As the time for tithes and offering came during that week's experience, I wrote a check for $15 because I didn't feel that we had the money to give more since we had bills to pay and only one income. After listening to the sermon, I wrote a new check for the correct tithe amount. I prayed and asked God to show me that this was, indeed, the right thing to do. A week passed, and I didn't really think about it anymore. Then, on Wednesday, a school district called my husband out of the blue for an interview--he hadn't even applied for an open position. We both prayed for God's guidance in the situation. He interviewed on Thursday, and was offered the job today.
I have always been somewhat of a skeptic, and definitely never really saw the need for tithing. Your sermon, coupled with this blessing, has convinced me not only of why tithing is important, but also made me a true believer in God's awesome and irrefutable power. Because of this experience, we plan to re-write our monthly budget to include regular tithes. I am so grateful for Hope Church and your spiritual leadership--thank you!
Sincerely, Amanda and Lawrence
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New Job with More Money
Dear Pastor Greg,
I am writing to share a quick EXP testimony with you........I have been working on a temporary assignment since November 2007 and waiting patiently to become a permanent employee with the company. Well on today I was offered a permanent position. I will be making more money than I ever have in my life and I just thank and praise God for the EXP series. I know that it was GOD that has moved me into this place of promotion and better finances. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him and now more than ever am I looking for him to do great things in my life.
Sincerely Chiquita
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New Car
Hi Pastor,
I have several things so here goes... First.. I prayed and asked the Lord to give me an increase and I remember what you said when you first started the series that our blessing or increase might come in different ways. You said that we might have to work some overtime to get it. Well...I work in a call center and the next week all of the phones were just constantly ringing. The management was asking people for overtime left and right and no one could understand it. I asked my boss the next week why we were so busy all of a sudden and she stated that she didn't know. She said that last week the call center had over 9,000 calls which is more than the history of the company.
Next.. I prayed and asked God for a car. Well the next weekend while I was on my way to work, I had a car accident and totaled my car. My car was crushed on the side, in the front and in the back. I was miraculously fine with maybe one scratch on my leg. I even went back to work the same day. They estimated over $14,000 worth of damage. My car was only worth around $6400.00 but the insurance company gave me $11,019 for my car which was more than enough for me to pay off my loan and pay for the taxes on my new one that I absolutely love. Everything went so smooth with the new car that I was only at the dealership for a total of 15 minutes. It's like the car was just sitting there waiting for me. It has stuff in it that I don't even remember asking God for! When God blesses you, there is no sorrow with it!
Thanks for delivering the Word, pastor, and I am glad that I am planted in this church.
Camille
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Promotion, More Money
Good morning, Pastor Greg!! I hope you are having a terrific day!! This is Kelly. I've been attending Hope Church for the past month and a half or so with the Dean family. I want to let you know that I have been promoted at my work place. I'm now in my second week of training. My pay won't be raised for another couple months, which is okay. To me, the promotion isn't about money. It is God's way of telling me that he wants me to be a blessing to other people. He is also giving me hope for a successful future ahead of me. Learning to follow God is giving me strength and enormous amounts of happiness and hope!! I feel like God is giving me an opportunity to share with others my experience. You and God have made me feel so good about giving. I sometimes think that I'm too generous because I love buying peoples' meals and such. I even pay for other people when I know I don't really have the money. I feel so great giving, though! My sister attended last week for the first time and she enjoyed being there. She is planning on attending this weekend as well. Thank you for being a blessing to myself and others.
Sincerely,
Kelly
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New Van, Debt Free
Greetings Pastor Greg and Kim,
My husband and I would like to take this time out to thank God for you and your dedicated and faithful family. I love the commitment I see in you and yours. It keeps me looking to Jesus and being diligent as the Word of God says.
We would like to share with the Hope Church family our blessing for this year. First we sowed into the vision of All Hands On Deck. Next we were blessed with a semi-new mini-van. I love minivans and let me add cash was paid for it with no car note. Thank-you Jesus. You know I had financed it at first then the Lord sent $3,900 Retention Bonus from my job and I went in and ask the dealer for a cash deal that he had on the window of the van instead of financing and the Lord touched his heart and he said yes! I don't know about you but when something is financed they don't change it to a cash deal because they want that interest and finance charges.
I just got the payment book in the mail today and marked it PAID-N-FULL and laughed at the devil. No debt for us in this area. I asked the Lord for a debt free vehicle and he did just what I asked him for. He will withhold no good thing to those who walk upright, and the will pour me out a blessing I have not room enough to receive it, and rebuke the devourer for my sake when I pay my tithes and give an offering, that is the Word of God. Pastor I know you don't look to see who is paying their tithes and giving an offering but I give faithfully and my husband Manuel.
I was not expecting that money of the Retention Bonus until Oct. 3, 2008. That is when my job closes for good. I also will receive a severance pay then. The Lord surprised me with it when I looked in my drawer and saw the letter with the good news. He knew when to send it because our cars were both broke down. The enemy thought he had our backs up against the wall but the devil is a liar and under our feet. God never fails, I am speaking in tongues right now I feel the Holy Ghost. Thank-you Jesus!
This might come to a shock for you, you might not remember when I told you we were 7 months behind in our mortgage payment because my husband got ill and they fired him while he was in the hospital. Well, the Lord stopped the foreclosure and made the lender put the past payments at the back of the loan called a loan modification Halleluiah! No one stays in a home that long without getting kicked out, (But God) kicked the devil out and made him take his filthy hands off our home. Do you know we have lived in our home for 5 years and 4 months without any problems with a payment until this year. We are back on track and so is our credit scores. I want to tell you before the Lord sent us to Hope Church he blessed us with our home no down payment, no closing cost and we got a check back at closing how about that for returns. The devil is mad but we are full joy, he has tried his best shot to cause to loose our faith, home, finances, cars, but God said no way, they are faithful to me, their church, paying their tithes and offering and giving to others.
I am presently attending Ashford University in San Diego, Calif. studying for my BA Degree in Social Science and am doing great. It's an online degree course. My job is paying for this before they close, count this up more money blessings each class is $267 dollars per credit hour can you see the money God has blessed us with so far. I also received a Pell grant which is free money called FAFSA, which pays over $4400 for each year I am in school that helps so I don't have to come out of my pocket, my job pays tuition reimbursement and the grant picks up the rest, the school said at first I didn't qualify, I just held on to faith and the Lord came through, I will soon be a college graduate at 52 years old the third college graduate in my family and the oldest.
Oh! another blessing I told you in the Portal several weeks ago, that we were blessed with 20 acres of land in Presidio TX, does these blessings sound like a recession to you? It certainly doesn't to me.
Pastor the greatest testimony is this, I prayed for this job to close and God shut down the whole IT department for me. He will withhold no good thing to those that walk upright before him. Do you know the Lord told me after I prayed that the job would close as I requested July of this year. My boss gave me not a pink slip but a blue folder (which blue is my favorite) color and said "we are closing this year", I wanted to shout in his face, but I refrained myself. He don't even know the power of prayer, here I go speaking in tongues again I feel the Holy Ghost. The Lord told me the exact month which was (July) the same month that was on the documents, now the Lord has prolonged it until Oct 3. I know why he did this and I am glad. I need more time to prepare myself and regain this lost income and get more classes paid for by them. I already have a side business where I do contract with lenders and perform site inspections, I have been doing this for 7 years now. All I need to do is go at it full-time now when I am free from working for a job.
My husband and I will perform more contracting when I am free in a couple of months. All things work together for our good and according to his purpose. We both will be free from a slave job and work our own business. I will also add selling cars to the real estate business, I used to have a dealership back in the 90's before I married my husband. I just had the wrong partner. Now that I have the right partner (Jesus and my husband) we will do exploits. The Lord blessed us to meet our house note this month without a problem. Also my husband was suppose to receive one check form the employment office and received two! Double for his trouble.
Sorry, my e-mail is so long, it's just I have so much to say and we wanted you to know your preaching is not in vain. We are listening and receiving the word of the Lord and it is falling on good ground and bringing forth a harvest. IT'S HARVEST TIME!
According to Matt. 18:18-19 Whatsoever we bind on earth shall bound in heaven; and whatsoever we loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Where two of you touch and agree on anything on this earth it shall be done of my Father which is in Heaven. We want you to agree our home is debt free, and paid in full this year, and oil is on our land in Texas, and we are in agreement with you for our new church God has already given us. (8) is the number of new beginnings and double portion. Hopefully you will preach on numbers they have significance in the word of God and are very important. I always look for pump( 8 )when I go to fill up at the gas station.
Jesus is Lord!
Ora Member of Hope Church
Our blessings summed up: All Hands On Deck Seed paid, Semi-new minivan paid- in -full, $3,900 in Retention Bonus, home saved from foreclosure, in college tuition paid by job, Pell Grant over $4400 GPA 3.70, 20 acres of land in Texas, inspection business is growing more contracts, I prayed for job closing receiving severance pay, that is (8) blessings, Oh my God! Double portion and new beginnings.
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Debt Paid Off
Hi Pastor Greg, First of all, I thank God for his blessings everyday.
I began tithing in 2007 and I'm amazed everyday by the blessings that come into my life because of tithing. I have yet to receive a big promotion or a windfall of money but the amazment comes from the ease that I have experienced in paying my bills and the peace of mind that I have knowing that God will provide for me and my family regardless of what is going on out there with the economy, gas prices, food prices, etc.
Before I started tithing I was struggling to pay my bills, I was paying the minimum payments on my credit cards and I couldn't save money to save my life. Since I have been tithing, paying my bills has become a breeze, I have paid off more debt than I've ever been able to before and I'm able to keep money in my saving account.
My income has not really changed over the last year and a half and our spending habits have not really changed either. I know that's the amazing, awesome, wonderful power of God at work with my finances.
Thank you, Amanda
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3% Raise
Hi Pastor!
I have been a member of Hope Church for several years, but a few months ago God had been dealing with me on tithing. I always knew it was the right thing to do but struggled with it for a while.
However, I saw the series you played at church with T.D. Jakes and it really gave me a urgency about tithing. I had one problem though, I knew my husband would not be in agreement with me. So I prayed and asked God to touch his heart and He did and I have been for the most part faithful with tithing every since.
I really thank God for the current serious 'Provision In A Recession' it has really uplifted me. I just found out I will be getting a 3% raise! and I will make sure to tithe that also!
Please pray for my hubby so that he will see the benefits of tithing. God bless Hope Church!!!!
Nici
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Healing Hello, Four years ago I had a mole on the back of my neck that had started to change shape and color. I went to the dermatologist and had to have it removed because it ended up being cancerous. I had once again noticed a mole on my arm starting to change. It was changing shape and color. I had talked with my husband about how I was going to have to go back to the dermatologist and most likely have it removed because it was looking very similar to the previous one. My husband asked if I had prayed about it and I had not. So that Monday (July 7th) I prayed. By the next day I noticed it was getting a scab on it. Well it then completely scabbed and on that Saturday the scab came off and the mole is much better than its original state. Much lighter in color and looking great! I am very happy and so very thankful!
Thanks, Janelle
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Student Loan Reduced
Morning Pastor Greg, just wanted to say that GOD is still in the blessing business. Yesterday got a call from the people that I have my student loans through and the young lady said I got some exciting news for you. I am like ok WHAT IS IT? she was like we are going to reduce your loan by $75.00. I am like THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!! Hey He is at it again. Have a great day!
Christina ___________________________________________________________
Extra Money, New Kitchen Equipment
Pastor Greg,
Over the past month and a half, so many AWESOME things keep happening to me, which is the reason it has taken me so long to give you my praise report of how I have been changed since this series has started. Let me begin by saying that I have been a faithful tither for at least 8 years. It was difficult for me to tithe in the beginning, however, I NEVER missed any of the money. God truly has blessed me continuously since I began giving CHEERFULLY! Here is my report:
1. A little over a month ago I was talking to my boss about my latest commission check and in it was an extra $1175 for a "contest" that I knew absolutely nothing about. We still don't know where the money came from...
2. I was blessed enough to win a few other contests and was awarded enough "points" that I was able to get a new refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher and I still have the equivalent of $500 available.
3. Brad won $3000.
4. My non-profit organization had fundraiser and in a matter of hours, we raised nearly $5000 (this was really a blessing because we now have enough money to send gifts to a number of children whose parents are deployed).
5. I have a condo in NC and I was told that the tenant, who is in the military, was deployed which meant that I would not get the much needed $750 in rent until the place is rented again. The very next day, I found out that I won another contest which was worth, you guessed it, $750!!!
No one ever had to tell me how GREAT God is and how much he wants to bless us, He shows us every day. Thank you for this series, it has been a true blessing because I have learned more about giving to others instead of just keeping everything for myself. May God continue to bless you and Hope Church.
Michelle
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Extra Money
Great Thursday Afternoon Pastor Greg:
I would like to share with you the blessings I received while on a recent trip.
First of all, as I was preparing to leave home for this trip, I prayed for "mustard seed faith" because I did not have the money to pay for my hotel and a few other expenses. So, before I even left home, God placed - right in front of my eyes - a $100 gift card that I had lost in November of 2007! WooHoo! Praise the Lord!
When I arrived at my hotel I used my gift card and wrote a check "in faith" for the balance of my bill. Then, from out of no where, the Front Desk Clerk gave me a Gift Certificate for a Full Buffet Breakfast at the hotel restaurant! WooHoo! Praise the Lord!
At the end of my stay, I went to check out of the hotel and I was given a $65.00 CASH refund on my bill! The clerk said that I was "overcharged". WooHoo! Praise the Lord!
As I was leaving the front desk of the hotel, I ran into one of my business associates who said "I have been looking for you!" I have a gift for you! Thank you for helping me. It was a check for $100! WooHoo! Praise the Lord!
As I was leaving the Hotel, another business associate came up to me and said, I want to give you a bonus for helping out at the convention! She gave me a check for $200!! (besides the $240 she had already paid me for doing work for her) And then she asked me if the $200 was ok? WooHoo! Praise the Lord!
I walked out of that hotel with $605.00!!!!!
Needless to say, the check I wrote for my hotel, cleared the bank, and I had money to pay for past due bills when I returned home.
Thank you God for taking care of me on my trip!!!!! I Love you Lord!
Thank you Pastor Greg for pouring the "Expect a Blessing" belief into me!!!!
Debbie
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Sowing A Seed
Pastor Greg,
I just wanted to share with you what happened to me yesterday. I woke up and said to God, "God, please make me a blessing to someone else today". I was really busy, and quite stressed at the time, when I stopped at the gas station. Money is very tight at the moment, and a stranger came up to me and asked me if I could help him by buying him some type of automotive fluid for his car that was broken down. I felt for this man, being that it was near 100 degrees. I told him that I would help him and I purchased the items for him. He said, "Lady, thank you so much!". I shared with him how I had asked God that morning just for this opportunity. I told him that he needed to thank God, and not me.". So he said "Thank you God, and thanks again lady ". I can't even describe the joy that I felt. It's an awesome feeling to be able to help people in need. Especially, when you get to give God credit. I have faith that because of this opportunity I have sowed a seed into the Kingdom of God. Only God knows what will come of it. I look forward to finding out when I stand in front of him on judgment day. Thank you for your wonderful message on Sunday. I do try everyday to lead the life that God intended me to.
Much Aloha,
April P. S. It just dawned on me how ironic that this happened at a gas station. I guess that's confirmation that I'm putting my can in the game.
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$200 Bonus
Hey Pastor Greg, it is Christina.
I work for a internal med doctor and he has a small practice. we have about 3 exam rooms so we are not just rolling in dough but we do okay. So to get to the meat and potatoes about the testimony. The message that you have ministering on the whole month pretty much has come to past in my life. the office manager pulled me to the side yesterday 7-1-08 and said the doctor ( my husband) wants to give you a bonus and he doesn't know how they should do it or were it is going to come from, but he is going to do it because I have been doing such a great job and if he could promote me then he would but there is only four of us in the office including him (smile). The amount is 200.00 not much but it more than I had and it is something that they really didn't have extra, but the doctor was determined to make away for me to get that bonus. All I could say was thank you JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So what I have learned is that it is more that a tithe and offering which is so important and I am not trying to down play that all it is once you start being consistent with GOD he will be consistent with you!!!!!!!!!.GOD is so great, loving and faithful. You and the church have been such a blessing in my life over the past 8 years there at Hope Church!
Christina
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New Wardrobe
Hi Pastor Bruce,
I'm truly thankful for the blessings God has bestowed upon me. As I was cleaning my closet one day I asked God for a new wardrobe. After I asked I didn't think about it anymore. A few weeks after that I received a phone call from my sister in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She wanted to know if I was coming home for the Family Reunion, if so, she was going to bring me 5 or 6 boxes of clothes. That is the awesome power of God, speaking to my sister in another state to answer my request here in Saint Louis. I immediately gave God the praise and the glory for His blessing.
A few weeks later after arriving here for the 9:00 experience, I was approached by one of Hope members, she stated God placed on her heart to give me a Cashmere and a fur coat. At this time I'm just in awe thinking, a Cashmere and fur coat for me. When we ask God for something He doesn't give half a blessing, He's a all you need God. I'm just amazed at how God is pouring out His blessing on His people.
By the way, I am a single parent who is a faithful tither.
I truly thank God for You and Kim and how God is using you to reach His people.
God bless you. Gwonda
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House Payment & Student Loan Reduced
Pastor Greg,
Here's the complete story for my Experience God Summer:
3 weeks ago I was looking at the money in my bank account and I couldn't figure out where I had spent so much money, so I decided to set up a personal budget (especially after reading those two books). and to my surprise almost all my money from my paychecks went into bills, then I was spending a whole lot more in food than I should have been. So, first of all, since adjusting my budget's accordingly, and being very hardcore about how much I spend in each "category", especially the food category (going from almost $300 every 2 weeks, to $80) I've lost 7.5 lbs (after reaching my highest weight ever). And secondly, here's the cool part, I'm starting to actually see "realized" completion dates to my debts and I could be out of debt as soon as 2010, including my student loan. And that's not the half of it. 2 weeks ago (after I had all ready put the bills in to be paid electronically through my bank) I received both the house payment, and my student loan bills; both of which are set amounts and only change (usually increase) once a year. Well much to my surprise the house payment is now $7 less, yeah it's only $7 but it's still less, and even more shocking is my student loan bill is now $30 less.
Who knew that God directing me to set up a personal budget would be the catalyst for having Him to lower 2 bills that don't change periodically throughout the year just for me.
Hopefully this is just the beginning of my EXP story,
Bryan
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School Uniforms Paid, Rent Paid
I was fired from a job that I loved on May 29. I had just moved out of my mom's Sept of last year, knowing that it was a place given to me by God. My last check was enough to cover the rent for June. The employer fought my unemployment benefits case as soon as I filed for it. July was approaching and I hadn't found a job yet. The Lord worked in my life and provided rent and electric money for the month of July. As Aug quickly approached, still no job, I continued to thank God for what He was doing in my life and kept an up-beat attitude. My daughter was to be starting school on Aug 11, and I had no way of providing the school uniforms she needed. God provided money for Aug rent and electric (I needed an extra $300 and was blessed with nearly double the amount), and He moved in my life again and provided about two weeks worth of uniforms and all school supplies for my daughter. Family and friends have asked my how come I haven't moved back home yet, how am I making ends meet. All I have told them is that my God provides. Up until May 29, I made sure I paid the first 10% in tithes, and every chance I've gotten extra money since I've made a point to give my tithes. I know tithing works. My daughter's birthday was the 13th of Aug( 6 years old), and she got a few dollars from well wishers. She did something that amazed me. she took some of her money and gave it as an offering. Even though I got the feeling that she did it to fit in, the gesture still touched my heart. This summer I have had plenty to worry about, but because I turned it all over to God, I didn't even get a chance to worry. Did I mention, when I got fired, I went to the college to enroll for fall classes. I spent 6 hours trying to get everything settled. In the process I was informed that the Federal Pell Grant had covered all my classes plus leaving me enough to get the books I would need. I just need to share these blessings with everyone so they would know that God is doling out blessings in many forms and sizes.
Sincerely,
Grace
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Family Received Foster Child
Good afternoon Pastor Greg,
Although this is not a financial blessing, it's a blessing for us & I wanted to share it with you...
In January, I brought my great-nephew (3 months old at the time) and his mom to our first MNM night of the year. You walked pass as I was holding him and you said, "You want that baby don't you?" I replied, "Yes."
Months later during a very powerful experience, you prayed for my husband and I to have a child. At the end of your prayer, you said, "Thank you Lord for the little boy." I was so excited, after experience I kept asking James (my husband) if he heard what you said, he did, and I told just about everyone.
In May, that little boy (my great nephew-Mylan S. King) that I brought to MNM night (in Jan.) ended up in foster care and is now being loved and cared for by my husband and I.
Although I would never wish for anyone to loose their child, these circumstances was due to medical problems. Mylan is a blessing to us and I pray that we will be as BIG of a blessing to him as he is to us.
James and Allena
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Raise Hey Pastor Greg,
It is me again but just had to tell you the LORD is blessing again just found out yesterday that i will be getting a raise not for sure how much but was told that i will be getting a raise. I am like WOW GOD. Sometimes i am like am i really deserving of all this, but i do know one thing i surely am thankful and so grateful for him even considering little oh me!
Christina
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New Job Pastor Greg:
I do not know where to begin. I moved to Saint Louis, MO from Houston, TX almost two months ago. I have been searching and searching for a job. Doing what I thought was a good job of praying to GOD for assistance. I had all but given up. Then my neighbor, Kelly, invited me to come to church with her on Sunday, July 13. I had not really known the true meaning of tithes and offering until I listen to your message that day. To be honest I didn't even have a penny to my name, and I know you said as a visitor you didn't expect us to give anything until we felt welcome. Well I borrowed a dollar from my friend and placed it in the offering basket. I had all but forgot about your message until I went to church again this Sunday. We had briefly reviewed last Sunday's message and I remembered. I had gotten a job, which I will start on July 28, after doing exactly what you said by letting go and putting GOD first. I wanted to thank you personally but you where not here this Sunday. I hope you have a wonderful vacation and I will introduce myself to you next Sunday if you are back, I truly believe your words where an inspiration to my new start here in Saint Louis. Thank you! Bless you!
Sincerely, Tawana
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More Money, Insurance Coverage Price Lowered
Hi Pastor, Just wanted to share w/ you the many blessing that we are experiencing. Some things may seem small but every thing helps in these tough economic times. We do not forget to give the thanks and glory to God for all of them.
1) At my job, I'm assuming in HR or Payroll they discovered that they were not paying employees correctly for OT in my department. So they revised the policy and now I will receive 1.5 times rate for anything over 40 hours and if we work over 12 hours of OT in one week we will be paid double time for the hours over 40. But here is the kicker!! They are going back for the past two years and any time we recorded as OT we will get back pay, plus for any OT you had that was not recorded we will fill out a form and also get paid for that time. And it just so happens that this policy was changed right when I was going to be working alot of OT over the next few months. How awesome is that!!!
2) At Eric's job, the boss decided to start paying them mileage at 58.5 cents per mile. Often times, Eric has to drive to multiple jobs in one day or go to lumber yard or hardware store. The company is now going to pay them for any extra miles they drive for the company. This sure is going to help w/ the fuel bill.
3) We were shopping around for new insurance. We were referred to an agent who was able to offer us much better coverage at a lower price. We will save about $60 a month and have more coverage.
4) Eric is also covered up in his side work. This is a blessing too. We are working to become totally debt free and the money he makes on the side jobs we use to pay off our debts. We are almost there so after that we will use the money as 'fun' money for vacations, extras, etc... So we are working now to play later. We have even had a few debts forgiven or lowered enough that we could completely pay them off.
We just keep reminding ourselves that God is our source. It is so true. Look at all he is doing for us!! So amazing!
Eric and Jami
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