Starting Right
Starting Right is a 5 minute Day Starter to help keep you motivated, encouraged, and focused throughout your day. DannyMac is a pastor, teacher, motivational speaker, husband, and father. His years of leading and training people have given him vast experience in helping individuals to accomplish change in their lives and meet their goals. He can help you set the course for your day by offering practical advice from God's Word in a positive and fun way. There is no better way to begin your day than by Starting Right with DannyMac.
Starting Right
When God Has Perfect Timing (And a Sense of Humor)
Have you ever faced a situation that seemed utterly hopeless, only to witness a last-minute miracle? The remarkable rescue of Dallas Theological Seminary reveals the perfect timing of divine provision.
Founded in 1924 by Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, Dallas Theological Seminary was destined to become one of the world's premier biblical training institutions. Its graduates—including influential leaders like David Jeremiah, Chuck Swindoll, Tony Evans, and Andy Stanley—would ultimately impact millions worldwide. But this remarkable legacy nearly ended before it truly began.
Today's episode is a powerful reminder that God sees the future impact of the people and institutions He sustains. He works in His timing, not ours, He meets the needs precisely when required. As Philippians 4:19 promises, "God will supply all your needs from His glorious riches." Whether you're facing financial struggles, career uncertainty, or personal challenges today, remember that God's provision often arrives at the eleventh hour, teaching us patience and deepening our faith. The key is to keep believing, keep praying, and trust that God will come through—perhaps in ways more surprising and perfect than we could imagine.
Good morning and welcome to Starting Right with Danny Mac. I'm going to be here every Monday to Friday to help you get a great five-minute start to your day. So grab your cup of coffee, sit back, relax and let me help you start your day right. Hey, good morning everybody. It's so good to have you here again.
Speaker 1:I want to tell you a great story today about how God worked to save one of the truly great Bible teaching schools in North America. You may have heard of it Dallas Theological Seminary. It was founded in 1924 by Dr Lewis Sperry Chafer. Back then it was a small school, but over the years, dallas Theological Seminary has become known as one of the very best schools of theology in the world. It now has campuses throughout the United States and literally thousands and thousands of students have gone through this school to become preachers and teachers and missionaries who are living as powerful witnesses to the truth and power of God's Word and declaring that Word of God to many who need to hear it, who need the truths of God to work in their lives. Some of the really powerful preachers and teachers that have been through the school include David Jeremiah, hal Lindsey, chuck Swindoll, howard Hendricks, andy Stanley, tony Evans and many, many more. These powerful preachers all built their biblical foundation and got their training from Dallas Theological Seminary, which has now literally impacted the world through its students. But the power of the school and the work of the school almost didn't happen. It seems that shortly after Dallas Seminary was founded in 1924, it almost folded. It was on the verge of bankruptcy and all the creditors were ready to foreclose.
Speaker 1:At 12 noon on a particular day that morning, the founders of the school met in the president's office to pray. That God would provide. In that prayer meeting was Harry Ironside. When it was his turn to pray, he said in his refreshingly candid way Lord, we know that the cattle on a thousand hills are yours. Please sell some of them and send us the money. Just about that time a tall Texan in boots and an open collared shirt strolled into the business office. Howdy, he said to the secretary I just sold two carloads of cattle over in Fort Worth. I've been trying to make a business deal go through but it just won't work. I feel God wants me to give this money to the seminary. And I don't know if he needed it or not, but here's the check. And he handed it over. The secretary took the check and, knowing that time was of the essence, she went to the door of the prayer meeting and timidly tapped on it. Dr Kafer answered the door and took the check from her hand. When he looked at the amount, it was for, the exact sum of the debt. Then he recognized the name on the check as that of the cattleman. Turning to Dr Ironside, he said Harry, god sold the cattle. I love that story. God sold the cattle.
Speaker 1:This story is especially for any of you who think that God does not have a sense of humor. Of course he does. But this is much more than just a funny story. This is a story of God's provision at a time when this school really needed it. You see, god already understood what was going to come out of this school the great teachers and leaders who would be trained and sent out to change the world. God knew all about that. So God made sure that this school had what it needed to be able to complete its mission in this world. And God will do the same for you and me In Philippians, chapter 4 and verse 19,. Paul writes the same God who takes care of me will supply all of your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. God has promised to take care of our needs.
Speaker 1:But if you take a look back, even at this story about Dallas Seminary, look at the timing it was the last day, really the last hours and look at what the people were doing. They'd gathered together to pray. They were seeking God's answers in their situation. They weren't panicking, they weren't running around pulling their hair out. They were seeking God and God came through at just the right time.
Speaker 1:I can't tell you how many times God has done that in my life where he's been there for us.
Speaker 1:He's met our needs, he's guided us, he's helped us, but he's done it in his timing and not in my timing or my wife's timing or anybody else's timing other than his own, and he's always done it in his way.
Speaker 1:It's actually kind of fun to see how God surprises you sometimes and how he works out those things for your life, how he meets those needs, how he sends people and situations along and guides you and provides and strengthens for you. But it comes from a life that is dedicated to Christ, just like that school was, and it comes when people pray Prayer of belief that, god, you can do this and I believe you will, and that's what we need to do with our lives. We need to hang on to our faith. We need to hang on to our belief that God can and will keep his promises for us. He is a faithful and loving God who will be there for you. I hope you have a great day, my friends. Keep believing, keep having faith, keep knowing that God will meet all of your needs. Have a great day, everyone. We'll talk again tomorrow. Thank you for joining us today, and I invite you to join us every Monday to Friday, right here at Starting Right, with Danny Mac.
