"Why are we astonished"

What makes you astonished? Surprised? Shocked? I am surprised each time, which is very rare, that my husband buys me a gift. I’m surprised when someone else besides me does the dishes or cleans up. I’m surprised when someone takes out the trash without being asked to. And I’m really surprised when my husband actually wants to leave the comfort of his recliner to go somewhere.

But I wonder why it is we are astonished or surprised when God does something for us, especially something we asked Him to do.

Acts chapter 12 tells us about the time when Peter was locked up in the prison. The church was fasting and praying for God to get Peter out of prison. They were praying for Peter’s safety. Herod had just killed James and had every intention of killing Peter, but God had other plans for Peter. At the appointed hour for the guards to bring Peter to Herod, God sent his angel to get Peter out of prison. The angel had to wake Peter, and get him out quickly. He took him through the locked prison doors, past the guards, then through the gates of the city. Peter then realized God had brought him out of prison and he quickly went to the house where the church were praying and knocked…several times waiting for someone to let him in. Rhoda came to the door but did not open it, she ran to tell the church that Peter was knocking at the door. Now remember the church was praying for Peter, but did not believe he was at the door.

When the door was opened the church was astonished! Shocked! Surprised! But why? Why are we surprised when God does something for us?

Why are we surprised when God answers our prayers? Are we not praying in faith for our prayers to be answered?

Why is it we always have that little ounce of doubt. The one thing God hates is doubt. As children of the Most High God, we MUST have faith and trust in HIM.
We must learn to always give thanks to God. There are so many things HE does for us that we don’t even acknowledge some because we don’t even know about it but God is always there for us. Taking care of us. Meeting our needs.

I read a short story about a Christian man sitting at his table with a pile of bills in front of him and he is upset and worried saying, "How can I pay all these bills?" There are two birds sitting on the window ledge, and one says to the other, " Doesn’t he know he’s a child of God and the Lord will take even better care of him then HE does us, and yet our needs are always met?"

Why is it we grip and complain and forget to praise Him. Philippians 4:4 says "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!" If I am to understand this verse it says "in all things give thanks". Rejoice and give God praise always……no matter what.

Need more faith, read your bible. Read and believe what the WORD says and trust in the living and true God.

Candy Mills

At the Save-a-Lot

Dear ones,

Today I decided to go to Save-a-Lot in Portland to buy grocery shop. While there I met a young man in his early 20's. I had seen him before in Sanford and began talking with him. He came in and helped me shop and load everything in the car. I asked him if he had eaten anything today. He said the last time he eat was midnight the night before. I told him to meet me at the Subway (it's in the same shopping center). I ordered him a foot long sub and a drink. He told me thank you several times before I left. He said he was living on the street and each night he goes to the Seven-Eleven at midnight, that was when they threw out all the cooked food that was not eaten that day. So at midnight tonight and every night he and many others go to the local Seven-Eleven for food.

It's too bad these and other restaurants and stores either can't or don't give their extra food to those who can benefit from it.

In Florida I happen to be at McDonald's in Lakeland one day at 10:30 am when they switch from breakfast to the lunch menu. The asst. manager with one big scoop, put all the cooked items left over (and it was quite a bit) into a trash can. I remember thinking, "What a waste"

In Florida I met a woman, very nicely dressed, very clean who was living on the street. She said her life changed in a week's time and she was on the street. I seen her again months later and she had found a job and had her own apartment again and was doing good. She was a Christian woman. She said it was something the Lord needed her to go through. Now she works with people on the street helping them to get off the street, find a job, and their own place to live.

There are people who will be out in the cold this winter, living on the streets. Some are there because of circumstances beyond their control and then there are some on the street because it's their choice. No matter what their reason is......they are people. We cannot feed everyone, nor can we help everyone but we can do what we can.

One day in Portland, I had decided to take a sandwich and a bottled water with me to Portland in case I seen someone with a sign "will work for food". When I stopped at a traffic light and seen two gentleman I tossed the food out to them. They were thankful.

Of course not everyone who says they will work for food will actually 'work for food'. These are the ones who just want money for a drink (alcohol) or their 'habit'. Years ago a friend of mine, a missionary for the Dominican Republic while in America stopped and told a gentleman holding a "will work for food" sign to hop in. The gentleman jumped in John's can. John said, "I'm taking you to where you can work for food". John said the man jumped out of the car much quicker then he did getting in the car.

Once while traveling David and I stopped for gas and met a man who was trying to get home. David bought the gentleman a coffee, a sandwich and a big Cinnamon roll. When we left David give him $5.00.

Compassion. Love. Charity. How can you possibly go wrong?.

God bless you. Remember this is the holiday season. Be thankful and be generous.
"And the greatest of these is Love!" 1 Corinthians 13.


Candy Mills