Extreme Faith

I know a family that is currently demonstrating some amazing faith. Over the years we have come to know and love people from all over the world. Many of whom we have met because they came to us in Montgomery and not from us going to their home country. I didn't realize just how multi cultural our average size southern city could be until recent years.

The family I speak of is from Nigeria. They are a well educated college professor, lawyer and three kids (one of which is a 16 year old college student). While this family is living peacefully in America and saving all their money to help their family in Africa some bad people kidnapped their father (grandfather) in Nigeria. It's a way to get quick cash. Kidnap someone who is affluent and has family in America then ask for ransom money.

Our friends have been shocked and saddened by this. They are helpless here thousands of miles away and with all their savings they still don't have enough ransom money to please the kidnappers. They are prayer warriors though. I have witnessed them on their knees countless times for others and now they need all of us on our knees for them.

They have counter offered as much money as they can to the kidnappers. However they have been told if they don't fulfill the complete ransom request they will regret it. They are sticking it out though and pray that this offer will be accepted, but they are strong in knowing that if it is rejected God will still be glorified in their father's life.

It brought to mind the Bible verses that are so hard to swallow about how God's grace is all sufficient. No matter what that's all we need. We are often so spoiled with other 'blessings' but truly HE is all we need.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)

⁹But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Philippians 1:19-21 (New International Version)

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. ²⁰I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.