Prosper the Work of our Hands

Prosper the Work of our Hands

“May the favor of the Lord our God be ours,
Prosper the work of our hands!
Prosper the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90: 17)

As I mentioned once in this Blog, many years ago I read from time to time Christian Science literature for the sheer beauty of their expression of faith. Here is something I culled from their literature in 1996.

“God’s plan for man includes full employment. Employment is meaningful and fruitful activity. The disciple who is preparing for his life’s work is fully employed. God is omni-active. And so should man who reflects God’s image. He is employed in the business of expressing love and reflecting the divine understanding which are always fruitful. We can begin to prove this right now and bring healing to every aspect of our work.

Our understanding of and trust in these truths result in tangible provision for our needs, and enable us to help others as well. Our prayers and proofs of God’s healing care bless us, our Church and everyone.”

The Appointed Time

The Appointed Time

“At the appointed time, I myself will dispense justice.” (Isaiah 75: 2)
“For the vision is for its appointed time, it hastens towards its end and will not lie; although it may take sometime, wait for it, for come it certainly will before too long.” (Habakkuk 2: 3)
“There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1)

There are two kinds of time: God’s time kairos and man’s time chronos.
The Enterprise today is in a period of kairos. The promises are many. They will be fulfilled at the appointed time.

Those who wait on Yahweh

“Youths grow tired and weary,
the young stumbles and falls
but those who hope in Yahweh
will regain their strength,
they will sprout wings like eagles,
though they run
they will not grow weary,
though they walk they will never tire.’
(1saiah 40: 30 – 31)

I see here God’s great reversals. Youths grow tired and weary. They stumble and fall. The old and the weak regain their strength. They do so because they put their trust in Yahweh an wait for his saving grace. Yahweh never disappoints them.

As I reflect on Isaiah 40: 30 – 31, I think of Psalm 1: 2-3: “…but who delights in the law of Yahweh and murmurs his law day and night. Such a one is like trees planted near streams; it bears fruit in season and its leaves never wither, and every project succeeds.”

What are the conditions for regaining strength, for succeeding in every project?
· Hope in Yahweh and wait on him.
· Read his words, dwell on it.

Promise of Provision 2

Promise of Provision 2

“Man does not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

(Matthew 4: 4)

Some ten years ago, I read Christian Science literature from time to time. I was deeply impressed by their strong expression of faith. At this time too, I was contemplating self-employment and was obviously feeling insecure about the prospects. I was encouraged by the ideas below from a Christian Science literature.

“Sometime ago I changed professions. My new vocation was aimed at helping others. It meant that I will be self-employed and would not have any secured salaried position. More than ever, our family would have to trust in God, divine love to provide our food, shelter, healthcare, etc.

Can I rely on God, divine love, as a source of supply if I am called to minister to mankind fulltime, without benefit of a regular salary? Yes, love is always the genuine source of our provision, so I can and should want to rely wholly on God.

Was it foolish for me to think that I could support my family by serving God and loving my neighbor? Not according to biblical record, including Jesus Christ’s teachings. The Book of Proverbs promises, “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack.” (Proverbs 28: 27)

Jesus taught that knowing and serving God, and helping our fellowman, are our number one priority. Divine love blesses this work. The Gospel of Mark reports Jesus as stating: “There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters or father, or mother, or wife or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel’s, but he should receive a hundred fold, now in this time, houses and brethren, and sisters and mothers and children, and lands with persecution; and in the world to come eternal life.” (Mark 10: 29 – 30)

Dependence

Dependence

“Then the Lord said to Aaron, ‘You shall not have any heritage in the land of the Israelites nor hold any portion among them; I will be your portion or your heritage among them.” (Numbers 18: 20)

Humility can be defined as dependence on others for our needs. To let ourselves be loved and be given gifts by others without thinking of our unworthiness. To depend on others to supply our needs even when the others are not rich.

Jesus depended on women for his needs. He accepted it willingly. What is God asking me to do in the Enterprise with regard to my needs? Who does he want me to depend on? What attitude does he want me to have on this? What does Numbers 18:20 mean to me today?

Storing Treasures

Storing Treasures

“Do not store treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and woodworm destroy them and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourself in heaven where neither moth nor woodworm destroys them and thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be too.” (Matthew 6: 19-21)

A millionaire who had worked hard for years to acquire his millions now sits and contemplates his most cherished desires. At last, he can live his dream life: large estate with exquisitely furnished rooms, fleet of top cars, etc. But he realizes that one tornado and hurricane strike could destroy everything in minutes. What does he do to protect his assets? He takes a first class insurance policy. If any mishap takes place, he recovers most of his asset.

Another millionaire has acquired his riches in spiritual treasures. How does he protect his assets which are priceless?

Christ answers the question in Matthew 6: 19-21. Heavenly treasures must be stored “in heaven where neither moth or woodworm destroys them and thieves cannot break in and steal.”

What are my heavenly treasures?

• · Jesus Christ
• · Holy Spirit
• · Eucharist
• · Mary

I say to Mary: “Mother, keep these treasures for me.” Then she tells me the premium to be paid on the policy: the 7-Way Plan.