Hi Folks!

I pray God is sending you His blessings and love this day!

Last night's Bible study on Joseph got me to thinking. One of the most frequent questions I experience in my capacity as pastor is this. "Why can't I feel or perceive God's blessing in my life? I pray and wait, but I just don't seem to be connecting."

I have two answers I give in this situation. The first one is from the story of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Wesley had this same problem. As he lived life and experienced God's activity in his situation he observed that when you feel "stagnant" in your walk with God or in your faith, keep praying and stay on the alert for God's activity. Often you will begin to see God's work and activity and presence in daily "means of grace" like prayer, being with God's people or being present in worship of God. If we are attentive in the common things God often does uncommon things that have impact. Joseph had times in his life when he probably wondered if God heard his prayers or if God was even active. After all, he was sold into slavery by his brothers and he ended up in prison. I expect he wondered if his God was listening. But we are not told of any faltering in Joseph's faith, even when he might have wondered when his God would come to his rescue. He kept praying and was alert for God's activity. The Bible tells us that Joseph was a blessing to everyone he served during these hard times.

The second answer is directly from the story of Joseph. _script_ure says that God blessed Joseph in all that he DID. Yes, we pray, listen and go to the places God is active (like your church). But we also need to act. Many of the people that ask me the aforementioned question are people who are in a place where they are waiting on God's action and activity. But sometimes we need to be proactive to receive God's full blessing. The repeated phrase in Joseph's story is "God blessed him in all he did." The implication seems to be that God blessed Joseph through his "doing" and that if Joseph had not been active he would have missed God's blessing. I believe that we sometimes miss God's blessing because we are waiting for God to act while we give God little or nothing to work with. Dave Ramsey, a well-known Christian financial counselor says it this way, "When opportunity knocks it is usually wearing work clothes." The Biblical Book of James says this, "Faith without works is dead."

Now you know why I often offer opportunities for you to become active in the life of Good News. While it is true that there are tasks to be done or services to be rendered, the "real" reason I want you to do something in your church is that I know God will bless you through it! And blessed people can be content in whatever circumstance they are in.

So put on some gloves and pull some weeds. Help John Broussard at the family bingo event in Freeport as he works to begin a new recovery home for women in Walton County (it will be Saturday, the 26th from 2-6pm at the Freeport Community Center). Help with Angel Food that morning at Good News from 9am-NOON (April 26th) or help with the Good News BBQ from 10am through the afternoon that same day. Become a greeter. Decide to commit to God's work by joining Good News as a full and serving member. Help Dayna Schaumann with Children's Ministry or Cindy Mesa with Youth Ministry. Join the choir. Participate, because God will bless you in your DOING!

Thanks and God's blessings!

In Christ's Love, Randy