Prospering the Soul

Everyone wants to prosper his or her soul.  They purchase things to try to prosper their soul, they travel to try to prosper their soul, they make personal connections with others, they eat things to try to prosper their soul, exercise, practice religions and/or precepts, work hard accumulating successes and even drink, do drugs and party - thinking they will somehow prosper their soul.  And though some of these are good things, they will never satisfy the yearning soul.  What they thought would satisfy soon lacks it’s “luster” and they are once again looking for something or someone else to satisfy their soul. 

Strangely they avoid or skip and/or neglect the very "One" that is suppose to prosper their soul.    

David wrote,

“The LORD is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1 NIV)

Wow! What a thought! Lacking nothing…

WHERE THE LACK BEGAN

Before Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they “lacked nothing”… except maybe clothing. :) 
Their souls were “satisfied”.  And in them was this empowering glory of light that prospered their soul.

Their soul prospered in the things of God.  Gratitude, serenity, peace, love, hope, wisdom, mercy, grace, and goodness super-naturally manifested in their life.

BUT once they ate the forbidden fruit we notice right away a sudden spiritual deficiency. (Genesis 3)  Contempt, fear, anxiety, pride, anger, blame, rudeness filled their mouths as they brought forth of what now suddenly polluted and filled their hearts.  The music of their souls was suddenly darkened by sin.  The strong internal compass that once pointed due north to God’s love was now malfunctioning.  What spiritually protected their souls was stripped from them.  Sin was then free to taint their thoughts and reality.  This sickness and disease did not just affect them but their offspring… us.

They not only have to leave their home, the Garden of Eden because of disobeying God, but in a big sense lost their spiritual home as well to their soul.  The good pleasant sustaining reality they had lived in was now gone.   

We are all born with this spiritual deficiency.  Our reality is skewed…  We lack the very ONE who prospers and satisfies the soul.  We are born with this immense need for the reality of God’s love. 

In short, God created us to be reliant on Him and without Him... the soul is certain not only to not prosper but spiritually deteriorate. 

Think for minute ... How many times have we tried to control, fix, and deliver ourselves by "our means only to end up serving things and dark emotions instead of being delivered from the those things by God.  We make things and emotions gods over our soul then turning to THE DELIVER of our soul.

We get hurt by someone so we turned to revenge, anger, and hate.   We wanted to stop being addicted to one substance so we exchange it for another substance.  We get on antidepressants to cover up our symptoms depression never dealing with the root reason(s) for why we are depressed... and the list goes on and on and on....   

JESUS IS THE ANSWER

 BUT HERE is the good news …

The Word of God says, Jesus himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases. (Note Matthew 8:17)

Through faith in Jesus Christ we can walk in what Adam and Eve lost.  We can be cured from the curse of Adam and Eve.

Jesus came not only to save us from hell but also to deliver us from the mindset of bondage....

The word of God says, "WHEN HE (Jesus) ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." Ephesians 4:8

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11

We can grow and mature (prosper) in the “knowing” of God’s love. We can know where our spiritual home is for our soul that leads the our heart and mind.  That is something Adam and Eve lost.
 

 It’s only in surrendering our life to Jesus Christ, can God take down the blinding and deafening deficiency in our life and we can partake in the prospering unlimited goodness God wants and intends to enrich and clothe our soul.
  

Often limited and trapped by our own understanding, God tells us not to depend on our own understanding but seek Him and reverence Him above all things and he will give us health and vitality.  (Proverbs 3:5-8)

THE HEART AND SPIRIT
Spiritual health and vitality (the capacity to mature and endure) are vital in our soul prospering and they are also dependent upon the condition of heart and spirit in which a person lives.
    

In the book of Ezekiel, God says,

If we stop looking to “things/idols” to prosper the soul and turn and give our life to Him, He will put a new spirit within us and take away the undiscerning heart of stone and give us a tender heart instead.  He will give us a heart that receives and acknowledges and feels the good prosperous things of God in our life.

For “God blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” Matthew 5:3

And one of my personal favorites:

        "God blesses those whose hearts are pure for they will see God." Matthew 5:8
 
God is the only one who can make our heart pure, we obviously can't.  When we have this transformed heart and God’s spirit living in us, our soul should not only prosper but God’s goodness and glory should be seen in our life.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3

KNOWLEDGE
Man has a lot of knowledge but the type of knowledge I am talking about is “LIVING” personal knowledge that God has put in each believer in Christ Jesus.  It isn’t something we have learned by rote but knowledge that dwells in the soul of the believer.  It’s “personal” knowledge that God, is at work in our life.   This living knowledge not only prospers our soul but also enables us to persevere in the challenges of this life.

John writes: “Beloved, I pray you prosper concerning all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2

HEALTH
There is that word “health” again.   This word “health” in the concordance means:

Health of the “soul”: to be sound, to be well, to be in good health

1.     Christians who opinions are free from any mixture of error (like our understanding and erroneous doctrine.)

2.     Christians who keep the graces and are strong in faith (caused by a dependence and trust in God.) 
 

What emanates from us when we trust in things and/or ourselves and not God?  What happens when those things fail?  What emanates from us when we trust God and trust in what God’s word says?

PERSEVERANCE

James writes, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4

Perseverance doesn’t happen by itself.  It needs us to draw close and surrender to God, so God can empower our daily lives.  

Our plans maybe to accomplish a great many things but what does it matter if our soul doesn’t prosper in God?  I mean… one day we are going to have to leave behind all our worldly ventures and accomplishments… what then?  Did we take the time to know God? Did we give your life to God? Have Him become the patron of our soul?  If not then God isn’t our God at all and our soul really has what… nothing?  What a waste.  God gave us free will to trust HIM or not.  The choice is ours but God does have plans for us if we only turn to HIM.

“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.” Jeremiah 29:11

God is the one who prospers us as an individual, a husband and wife, a family, a church and the entire body of Christ. 

HE doesn't want us to live lacking.... 
 

So the question is, are you going to allow God to prosper your soul?    Do you want to see God work in your life?  Do you want to see and know God?  Did you want to live beyond how you are living now with peace, hope, love, grace, joy, maturing in faith, wisdom and mercy?  Then what is stopping you?  

Take that step and give your life to Jesus Christ.  It will be the first of many greatest steps in allowing God to prosper your soul. 

If you are feeling the Holy Spirit drawing you with this message- it is your opportunity right now.  Don't waste anymore of your precious time.

Call on Jesus with your own sincere words and heart.  Tell Him the truth- if you are scared or uncertain, tell him that.  He won't mind.  It's not like He doesn't know already.  I remember feeling if I gave my life to the Lord I would no longer have any control over my life.  I thought I would be like some kind of puppet.  But that was not at all true but a lie from the pit of hell to keep me stuck and pinned down and keep my soul from prospering.   The plain fact is- do you have any real control over today or tomorrow?  No.  So why not give your life to God who can empower and prosper your soul with HIS love.  

Jesus said. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30

Take some time now... and if God is speaking to you, give your life to him and receive the prosperity your soul as been looking for in Jesus Christ. 
 
God Bless

For the Battle is Not Yours But God's Pt. 7

^“Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,³⁹ Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 (AMP)

Yet amidst all the things life can and seems to throw at us, we are more conquerors and have gained a surpassing victory through God, who loves us.

 What a thought! Have you thought about such words?

We are more then conquerors….

Ever study history…?

I was thinking about conquerors.  The warrior sultans of the once large Ottoman Empire, Julius Caesar of the Roman Empire, Alexander the Great of Greece, those who carved up Africa in the age of Imperialism, to Hitler… to name a few. 

To these conquerors a little more was never enough to them.   They wanted MORE!  They were unsatisfied no matter how much they had or possessed - their life was still an “empty life”.  Their victories were fleeting along with their empty pleasures that melted like snow in the spring leaving them with nothing.

They never seemed to figure out that the things of this world never satisfied them. 

They tried to find contentment in these things but only unrest followed.

God says we as Christians are more then conquerors… whatever was meant for us to meaningful gain, God has already won and given it to us.   

The war, the battle that mattered most has already been won by Jesus Christ.  Now we stand more then conquerors –we stand as children of the Most High God.

God has given us Jesus Christ and through Christ, he has given us the Holy Spirit, and through the Holy Spirit we have been given everlasting life in heaven and a profound wisdom not just for the mind to fathom but the heart to experience.  We have been given the opportunity to live in the riches beyond the human understanding where peace, love, grace, mercy, faith, joy grow and live.

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”  Ephesians 3:16-19

Is this not what all humanity is clutching for in some manner, shape or form but they look in all the wrong places?  Are they not looking for God’s love to fulfill and satisfy them?  Not realizing what they seek, they entirely dismiss and continually have walked away from- God’s love and assurance.

In Christ we are more then conquerors...  

We told we have gained such a surpassing victory by trusting and accepting Christ.  We have not done anything to conqueror this victory ourselves but it is through Christ.  Christ has won the victory for us and without him; there would be no victory.

It is as if our older brother Christ has shared his victory crown with us.  He has placed it on our head and like children we walk around not truly understanding what has been placed on our head.      

Think about that for a moment…. 1 Peter 2:9

Unlike victories we win on earth that soon become dusty, get put away, are forgotten, our victory is everlasting life in heaven.  It is a treasure where moth and rust and thieves cannot break in and steal.  (Note: Matthew 6:19-20)  
   

Does this mean we will never have to go through any circumstances and trials in this life?    

The answer is "No".   

Life is about trusting God to overcome all the difficulties and struggles in life.  God has made a promise to take care of us through all the ranges of circumstances in life.  A person who isn’t a Christian can’t understand this, they can’t understand if God is a loving God why would a person go through difficult and painful trials in life?  They only see the circumstances; they don’t see the relationship that is being strengthened through the circumstances.   They don’t realize what was meant to for evil (to steal, kill and destroy) God is using as an opportunity to minister mightily to that soul -in ways that he could not have if a person never found or faced circumstances that were out of their control.

Ever watch a person make bread dough? To get the yeast to mix through the entire piece of dough it is continually being pressed and knocked down and kneaded.  

Jesus used this illustration, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast used by a woman making bread.  Even though she used a large amount of flour, the yeast permeated every part of the dough." Matthew 13:33

Yes this scripture deals with Christian individuals showing the love of Christ in this world but he also showed me something else with this scripture... He showed me how the battles we experience in this life help permeated God's love and faithfulness in our life.  We are not just permeated a little here and little there but God can use battles to permeate his assuring love in all our heart, mind and soul.   Where the kingdom of Heaven rules over everything  else.  

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.  We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.  We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.   Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies." 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Do you see your life as dough and God using the circumstances of life to mix the yeast (God's love and faithfulness) into your life?  Is he RISING you up in HIS LOVE? 

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

This experience of life is about building a relationship with God, seeing where our true strength comes from and waiting with anticipation to see what God is going to do.

I understand life can be a bit daunting and intimidating and even terrifying because of all the “unknowns” and our own imaginations and “what if’s” but what does God's word say?

^“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. ⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:6-8

Praying to God is surrendering all our needs, worries and anxieties to God.  We must ask God to help us redirect on our mind on his promises.  We must fight and resist the urges to make the battles of life our burden.  We must cast down imaginations and every thought that exalts itself above the truths of God.  We must with God's help bring every thought under the obedience of Christ.

^“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)

God is not just the God of Abraham and Jacob but he is the God of you and me.   We forget what God sees in us.  He sees what we many times can’t see in ourselves.  God identifies Himself, as our God, our Heavenly Father, our Savior, our King, our friend, our helper, our provider, our Shepherd, our refuge and we are His children…. HIS CHILDREN. 

1 Peter 5:6 says "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:" (KJV) 

Prayer: Heavenly Father we are calling on you as your children, to instill in us the realities of your love- in such a profound way in our heart and mind and soul -that we may walk graciously and be empowered by you in our everyday walk with you, that we may not stumble or be intimidated but glorify you as we walk in this life.  That we may understand the victory that has been placed upon us and in us. And we thank you for this in Jesus name Amen.

Let's remember we are more then conquerors, and we have been given surpassing victory in Christ Jesus.

  

Need and Want

Is there power in not wanting?   Is there a difference in a need and a want?  What does God consider a need and want?  Do wants and needs change as we mature in Christ Jesus?

I may "want" a Toyota 4Runner or a FJ Cruiser but God says your "need" for a vehicle can be met with a used Toyota Corolla.   I may "want" a large flat screen TV with surround sound and endless selection of movies to watch from Netflix but is that what I really need?  We may "want" a lot of things but what is the basic "need" that needs to be met?  Is television really a need or a want?  Is a cell phone really a need or a want?  Is all that texting more a "need" or a "want"?

Sometimes our "wants" can take us away from more meaningful experiences with our family, friends and others God puts in our path. We can be so busy doing this and that "want" - that we don't even see what really matters in life.  We live in a culture that tells us what we "need" when in fact it isn't a need at all but a way to manipulate us to "want" something.  They make us feel like everyone has it so we need it too!  Think about that for a second.   We have to have that "thing", that emotion, that experience and so on.  Is that coveting?  

THEY HAVE IT WE NEED IT TOO
But that is not true.  I have been to third world countries where people don't have televisions, don't have cellphones, and may not even have a car.  Their primitive homes are not filled with material objects but hospitality and love.   They share what little they have with us who have abundance.  Cookies and some soda pop are graciously given without any second thought.  They shared what is a special treat with us without a motive of getting something in return.   They had so little but they were not concerned if they had enough for tomorrow- they were just grateful for what they had for that day and they shared it.  They knew God would meet their need.

We strive so hard to gain and earn and scrap together.  We stress ourselves out to live just beyond our means -to hold up to some human standard of what we think is "the good life."  What we think we need.  We want more and more until the gravity of the wants make us a slave to them.   I don't know about you but I don't want to keep up with the Jones or anyone else.   I just want to live within my means which probably is still more then I really need.   Do we realize and understand the difference between a want and need?

Jesus says "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.   And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  Matthew 6:24-33

"Those who love money will never have enough.  How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!" Ecclesiastes 5:10

 Psalm 23:1-6 A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?  Matthew 16:24-26

So I guess in a way we can technically win the version of life we "wanted" but "lose" in the end because we didn't live the life we needed to live.

Again, is there power in not wanting?   Is there a difference in a need and a want?  What does God consider a need and want?  Do wants and needs change as we mature in Christ Jesus?