1/20/25

⬅ (My first solo Bible dialogue with friends from high school)

Is Prosperity Promised?

      What do you think? Nick and I have done many awesome things this week, but something that has captured my gaze is how we should view prosperity. I've been taught this concept before, but it became more profound as I began learning it experientially. A few days before hosting my first Bible dialogue, Nick and I engaged in a prayer walk in the Cal State Fullerton's arboretum and meditated on Psalm 1. 

"Blessed is the one...whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers..."

      How can this be? How can a tree prosper when it isn't yielding fruit? This remined me of Paul's letter to the Corinthians where he says,

"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow. He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building"

      Prosperity is not measured by the harvest, but rather by obedience. How can one person harvest if no one came before to plant and water? My Bible dialogue with *Caleb and *Kristin wasn't a harvest, but that doesn't mean it wasn't prosperous. Someone must plant; someone must water. God, open our eyes to the good works that you have prepared in advance for us to do, and give us courage to obediently plant, water, or harvest as you desire. Burden our hearts to share with others the salvation you freely gave us!

*Updates*

• As of 1/15/25 I am 66% financially funded! Thank you so much for your investment in the training and ministry that I am engaged in here in Orange County! If you, or someone you know, would like to partner with me, you can sign up here to give.

• I have finished my Bible dialogue training this week and will begin learning about Disciple-Making Communities (DMCs) in the weeks to come!

*Prayer Requests*

• This week, while serving with City Lights (a transitional housing program for the homeless), we were invited to hold a weekly Bible dialogue with some of the residents on Fridays. Please pray that these dialogues would bring life and hope to the residents and workers at City Lights.

• Please pray that God would continue opening doors as He did with City Lights, and that God would continue His work of making seeds grow! 

With love and peace,

Ivan Penrose