How far are we going to run?

We know the story about Jonah - Who flees from the lord.

Jonah 1

New International Version (NIV)

Jonah Flees From the Lord

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

He flees from the lord, Why does he has to flee and not stay where he was? He flees because for a reason. We can understand what he wanted to do on his own, When the Bible says that "But Jonah had gone below deck", When there was a storm -  - 4 Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5 All the sailors were afraid.

Its not just easy to go away from God's will for our lives, It's an act of disobedience. An act of unwillingness, unfaithfulness. It allows us to stumble in the storm, it puts us to sleep below the deck, it makes us to be afraid of everything. It made Jonah to be in the belly of the Fish.

The reason that Jonah gave after he turned back and after God's castenment, Jonah 4:2 NIV
He prayed to the LORD, "Isn't this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

Then God again teaches Jonah a lesson - For each of his question and his pride - For his determinations.

For what he said is -

1) The Factor of "I" - He said "Isn't this what I said", LORD, - This shows his pride.
2) Still at home - when I was still at home? - This shows his impatience for to know God's will.
3) The Prevention - That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. - The Justification for his failure, This kind of Justification is what we could find in the Garden of Eden, When Eve tries to justify the fault of the Serpent, and Adam on Eve.... The list goes on and on. But we always want the justification to be done for others, we want others to be punished for their sins, but we need forgiveness for our sins.
4) Knowledge - I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. What Jonah knew was the Gracious and compassionate God, Slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity - but one thing he forgot was that he never knew that he would end up in a Fish belly.

God taught him a perfect lesson, which is a lesson for us also when we try to run away from God's will for our lives, or when we question his sovereignty or power, or when we doubt.

Jonah 4:6-11

New International Version (NIV)

6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” 


We do know about the story of the Lost Son -

Luke 15:11-32

New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

In both the stories God likes to teach us and not punish us, when we see the parable of Lazarus or the parable of the Goat and Sheep, the parable of the wicked master or the parable of the wedding garments - Jesus always reminds us about the death and the punishment in hell, but in the above two stories, there is a very good and amazing ending, and ending that it with full of messages of God's faithfulness and love, his compassion and kindness - So, we ought to say to the Lord, "Lord I have sinned against Heaven (Against You) and if there were any situations or people or circumstances we ought to confess to our Heavenly Father, By this God will forgive us through Jesus - The Son and the Holy Spirit will guide us.

HAVE A GREAT AND A WONDERFUL BLESSED DAY AHEAD

faithful in prayer

Whenever we ask Jesus our Lord and Saviour anything which is of his will, we ought to ask with faith, believing that we have already received it.


It is said that without Faith we can't please him (Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.)

It is said that in 1 John 5:14 NIV

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Jesus says - Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. A great testimony for our faith. 

Matthew 18:20

New International Version (NIV)

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Jesus also says about Prayer, as

Matthew 6:6 NIV
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

When we don't know what to pray, God helps us:

Romans 8:26 NIV
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Mark 11:24 NIV

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Being faithful in prayer means, being as like Jesus when Jesus asks the Heavenly Father about things - Might it be asking for a miracle(Feeding Thousands), Thanking and Glorifying the Heavenly Father(Lord's Prayer), Asking for the help and Support(At Gethsemane), Asking for decision making(Let your will be done - not mine). Lord Jesus was Faithful in his prayer, believing each and every moment that the Heavenly Father would receive his prayer and will do as according to the will. We ought to have the same kind of Attitude when we go to Jesus, Asking God in the name of Jesus - His precious and holy name has power to heal, heal the brokenhearted, heal the physical wounds, make miracles, clear our doubts and confusion, making our live joyful and happy, being Holy and obtaining Salvation, enabling us to do greater things for his kingdom's sake. But these and all will be done according to his will and wish - we ought to be patient, we ought to wait for his time and moment.

We can see the Faithfulness of Jesus exhibited in the way he prayed to the Heavenly Father. It was until his last breath in his earthly life, before the resurrection and after Ascension of Jesus - when he sat to the right hand of the Father in Heaven. - 

Luke 23:46 NIV

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. 

And this is Faithful living, Faithful prayer - he breathed the last staying faithful and saying faithfulness, saying Heavenly Father - "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit". After being faithful of all the things he has done on earth. By this we know "GOD IS FAITHFUL"

1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY AHEAD

patient in affliction

1 Peter 2:19-25

New International Version (NIV)

19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus suffered for our wrongdoings, he patiently waited for the God. He showed us what it is to say, "Patient in affliction". 

In I Peter 2:19-25 - Peter says that "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?"

Some of us are ready for the sufferings that we undergo for our wrongdoings, but how is it going to be affected. We are to suffer for our doing good also, we need to endure it, because that is commendable before God. We know Job's patient, Paul patient in prison and in various trails. Many people of God undergo sufferings which we know not. When we go through a little suffering our intention is to be away from such sufferings, that is good. But it will be far better to know that Jesus suffered for us, our wrong doings, so if we were to suffer for any of our good doings, we ought to endure it thinking from God's viewpoint as to what he wants us to learn from it and also we know Jesus Christ the more.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

There are many aspects of being in patient in affliction:

The First and foremost is to be in patient in affliction of ourselves:

Romans 14:22NIV

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

The Second is to be in patient in affliction of others:

It is said the when we Love something we can be patient for it,

Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) says Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

The Third is patient is better than pride:

Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

Pride many a times makes us to be patient for the wrong thing and make us to hurry up and to do wrong things. 

The Fourth - LOVE is patient:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

New International Version (NIV)

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Being patient in affliction is not a matter of one or two times, it is something that which we need to be forever. 

Romans 5:7-8

New International Version (NIV)

7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There will times of testing when we may lose such patient, but trusting in God and pleasing him in Faith will enable us to overcome such impatience, because the Lord, God - Jesus Christ - Holy Spirit will discern us to know what it means to be patient in affliction.

Hebrews 11:24-25

New International Version (NIV)

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Hebrews 12:2 NIV

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY AHEAD

Joyful in Hope

Romans 12:12

New International Version (NIV)

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12 has got very important lessons for our lives.

Joyful in hope:

The greatest Joy for all of us is the birth of Christ Jesus:

Luke 2:10-11

King James Version (KJV)

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

His birth has given us the hope for living this life and the life that is to come. He has come to set us free and to have an everlasting life through believing him and trusting him.

Joyful in knowing him:

It is the Joy that we get from knowing him, Knowing that he has been there for us to help us in our trouble, he never leaves us nor forsakes us. Who has been our example, who calls us and say, "Matthew 11:28 NIV
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Philippians 4:4 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!


Joyful for Salvation:
We know that our work in this life will never equal with the work of God which has already been done for us through Jesus Christ. The women in the well did't know from where she has to draw the water from - The water that Jesus told that will give everlasting life" - but Jesus made her understand who he is, through her many believed Jesus, but yet they believed only after hearing the word of God. (John 4:1-26)
As said in Psalm 51:12, we our to ask God to restore the joy of Salvation and as God to grant us willing spirit, to sustain.

Psalm 51:12

New International Version (NIV)

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Joyful is Strength:

Psalm 28:7 NIV

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."


Inexpressible and glorious Joy:
The Joy that cannot even be expressed, but only to be experienced.

1 Peter 1:8

New International Version (NIV)

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

Hebrews 12:2

New King James Version (NKJV)

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY AHEAD

what are we willing to give up?

When Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

He said, "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."

Luke 22:42

New Living Translation (NLT)

42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

We always say that Jesus knew that he is going to suffer agony and pain, He knew everything God wanted him to do, but yet why did he asked this question?

Because he was a human too. We all know what is to be done to be good, holy, acceptable for Father. But yet, we fail. We fail in many areas because we will not ask the question like Jesus, "Father, if you are willing." and letting the Father to control our will for life, but we wanted our lives to be controlled by ourselves. Yet some of us might have asked the same kind of questions to the Father, but failed to let him do as according to his will, but Jesus did as according to the will of the Father.

Philippians 2:8 NIV

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

We have failed many a times in doing good, not because we didn't know, but because we didn't want to. So, It is not in knowing what will happen in future that makes a person brilliant and supernatural, it is in doing what is right, what is good, what is the will of Father.


Paul says, God appoints times for men to dwell in a particular place. So its not wise to say why am I here, what am I going to do. But rather, rejoice and trust in God to do as according to his will.
Acts 17:26
King James Version (KJV)

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;


Its not even wise to say what will I do with my life? For I does't know what the will of the Father is. For everyone of us God has a plan. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.


So, what is the best way to know the will of the Father. The key is in Romans 12:
To keep our life(bodies) as a living sacrifice: 
Our life is breath of God - God breathed through each one of us. We are created in his image. We are created to glorify him. We are created to be holy, our bodies are the holy temple of God, we should never defile them. The cost is so much that was paid by Jesus on cross to bring it to such holy state. So its our responsibility to be holy and have consideration for others.


Renewal and transformation of our mind:
The enemy knows that attacking our hearts and minds will bring us down from being what we wanted to be for God. But Jesus has told us we are not to be worried about this. Infant Jesus said: John 16:33 (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 11:28 NIV
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Romans 12

New International Version (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Many of us have even more doubts about the things happening around, is it the will of God or is it my will. Whether everything is happening because it is already written or I will have to choose. But the real answer is: Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY AHEAD

Where is the confusion?

The Bible starts with an opening word of confusion. In the beginning God created Heaven and Earth. From which we understand that the time has started - The creation of Time. The limited ability of Human being is to live with the passing of time, rather than living forever, i.e. through the Past, Present and Future at the same time as like God.

The size of the Universe is so much that we think of the Earth as a small and unwanted object. The form and the nature of it is different, I mean if we are to compare the size of stars that are billions and billions in the Universe. The rising of the Sun(In fact and the question is whether the Sun revolves the Earth or the Earth revolves the Sun) and it was confirmed that the Earth and all other solar system objects revolve around the Sun. There was this great debate, confusion on this subject matter.

The other question is about the Earth itself, whether it was flat or was round or was like a sphere. The thought that would have arisen for some of the ancient people is like how can I stand on a sphere, If I move little further, I may fall the other side. It should have been flat - The World is Flat?

Then came Christopher columbus, Vasco Da gama and other sailors, who revolved around the globe and found its indeed sphere. There were confusions about the aspects of Heaven and Hell. The thoughts were that of a little child which thinks that all that is above is Heaven, all that is below is Hell.

The Human Brain is wired in this way, The questions about resurrection, the questions about miracles, the question about God himself is nothing more than mere confusion. That is why Jesus said, John 20:29 NIV
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

The question about the miracle of Water turning into wine, "How is it possible for a combination of a water molecule that contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms that are connected by covalent bonds" to have a combination of Wine" (John 2:1-11 - Jesus Changes Water Into Wine)
John 2:1-11
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Changes Water Into Wine

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.


Are we going to find the faults(from our point of view) and miss out the greatest opportunity to realize what is Truth? If we were to question the greatest, are we not going to be the fool to have missed the great opportunity to learn something new rather we wasted in questioning?

God is sovereign, He gave us the Holy Spirit to make us understand these things, only through the pure heart and obedience we can know the mystery of God.

1 Corinthians 2:10 NIV
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

John 14:26 NIV
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

James Simpson

1811 - 1870

This is a true story of how the Bible helped advance science and alleviate needless suffering.  It’s the story of the man who invented the use of chloroform in surgery – the surgeon and obstetrician, Dr. James Simpson.

- See more at: http://crev.info/?scientists=james-simpson#sthash.WnZ2p5r7.dpuf

But again I looked and saw Jesus, my substitute, scourged in my stead and dying on the cross for me.  I looked and cried and was forgiven.  And it seems to be my duty to tell you of that Saviour, to see if you will not also look and live.  ‘He was wounded for our transgressions, … and with His stripes we are healed’ (Isaiah 53:5) - See more at: http://crev.info/?scientists=james-simpson#sthash.WnZ2p5r7.dpuf

HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY AHEAD

What you Sow, You Reap

Success is a result of hard work, a well determined plan and an outcome of much efforts.
Those who fail, fail not only because they haven't tried their best, but they haven't yet understood the will of God. If its to help them understand God's will for their lives they should accept it as it is and not to self pity and go down.



Galatians 6:7 ►
Parallel Verses
New International Version
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.


Paul writing to Galatians say that, To do Good is our duty - helping someone to come to the understanding of Christ is our responsibility, We need to be aware of the fact that we should not be tempted or else we may also fall into it, but rather we should help them and work our own salvation - Not comparing yourself with others.

In verse 7 Paul says God cannot be mocked, if we think that what we are doing is good, but if it is with a wrong motive, God will show us - Because God knows everything. It is where Paul also says A man reaps what he sows.

Galatians 6

New International Version (NIV)

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Ecclesiastes 10:10

New International Version (NIV)

10 If the ax is dull
    and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
    but skill will bring success.

Matthew 5:4 ►
Parallel Verses
New International Version

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Psalm 126:5

English Standard Version (ESV)

5 Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!

Proverbs 24:10-12

English Standard Version (ESV)

10 If you faint in the day of adversity,
    your strength is small.
11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
    hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
    and will he not repay man according to his work?

2 Corinthians 9:6-14

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Cheerful Giver

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves acheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever.”

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.

HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY AHEAD