March 8 2016

March 8 2016 Greetings My Friend I am thinking about what prospering is in God’s economy. I am reading both the OT and NT 2 Chronicles 32 and Acts 28. Hezekiah believed God and was delivered from Assyria making war with him. Later Hezekiah had great wealth. God did give the King much wealth but I see that the King prospered because he believed God. I find the same thing in the NT as I read Acts with Paul. Paul was able to go far and wide spreading the Gospel. God watched after Paul and got him out of some sticky situations. God also allowed Paul to deal with pain, like being stoned. Paul lived though when most people who were stoned did not. When Paul was in prison there were times the believers came and provided for his needs. Sometimes Paul was “delivered” out of jail by an angel. Paul kept his heart on God and attempted to do the work God wanted him to do. One time Paul prayed 3 times to be delivered from a “thorn in his flesh.” God did not take the thorn from Paul because God’s greatness was made known in Paul’s weakness. At times I wonder if God allowed the “thorn” to stay to remind Paul of his work for the Lord. I see that God does not completely heal me, He comforts me and gives me what I need. In my weakness I need to rely on God. I know without a doubt if I was completely healed I would be out and about doing things that would distract me from the work God wants me to do. By having little energy and dwindling agility I find myself staying at home more working on the things God wants me to work on. God provides me with a good income, with a home that is in need of a lot of work. Junior is doing what he loves and needs to do. There has been a few times this work has had us reaching out to others in our community for help. One young man had never held a job and now is working because Junior had him help. The helping gave the young man skills and small income and he found a job. Another young man needs help in supporting his family. He is getting on his feet again so we are able to heir him from time to time. The renovating has also taught us many things. I have learned to work again and the long process meant I was able to rethink what used to be normal. The rethinking helps me to learn new ways to do old things within my limitations. If we had moved into a home that was all settled I would have struggled to keep up with what I always had done. The rethinking process has allowed me to let go and move on with my life. I am able to concentrate on the here and now. Abraham believed and it was counted as righteous to him. I am finding that believing is a continual learning process not a one time belief. I see Abraham having to relearn his lessons and God’s patience with him. I think the most important thing I can do is believe God and then do, not sit and wait for the next hand out from God. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet