Showing posts with label pursuit of wealth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pursuit of wealth. Show all posts
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Great and Precious Promises
Once, when this country was still being settled, a man came to a river in winter when there was a sheet of ice on it. There was no bridge, and with night approaching, he needed to get across. Unsure of the thickness of the ice, he got down on his hands and knees and very slowly crawled out. When he had gone about halfway, he heard singing behind him. He looked back to see a horse-drawn wagon filled with coal going right over the river, with the driver singing as he went! The man on all fours had a stronger foundation than he knew!
There are 31,173 verses in the Bible, some of which you may have underlined. And the ones you've marked are probably promises--promises that God has made to man or promises that you've said, "God made this one to me this morning as I read it." There are a lot of promises in the Bible. Some years ago, a man in Canada counted them, and came up with 7,487. In case you're wondering, that averages over 20 promises every day that you can lean upon.
But you know, a promise is only as good as the one making it. If a person is reliable by nature, you know that their promises are reliable. We know that God's character is perfect. Joshua said, "Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!" (Joshua 23:14, NLT). Peter spoke about the promises of God. He called them "exceedingly great and precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4). God's promises are trustworthy because God Himself is trustworthy.
But if the one making the promises is unreliable, then those promises are also unreliable. A person might make a promise and forget about it, or be unable to keep it, or he might be a liar. In a poll, 91% of Americans said they lie regularly, and 36% said they tell really big lies. Men lie more than women, the young more than the old, etc. But Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that he should lie."
Ask yourself this question: Has God ever made you a promise that He hasn't carried out--not on your timetable but on His? So what do you do with God's promises? You might say, "I underline them," or "I memorize them." You should say, "I believe them. I stand upon them. I live my life by them."
There's a song that's sung by many churches, and it's a good one, "Standing on the Promises of God." We ought to learn that one, and more importantly we ought to do it--we ought to stand on them. Like that frozen-over river, they're a sure foundation.
Scripture Of The Day: "Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!" - Joshua 23:14 (NLT)
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The Abounding Wealth of Conviction
"[For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One)." (Colossians 2:2 AMP)
People can become financially rich these days uploading videos to the internet. By accident and on purpose, technology and ingenuity create material affluence daily. In today’s economy, restricting the pursuit of wealth to amassing extreme affluence would be an easy but unfulfilling thing to do. Instead of focusing on what not to do, I invite you to join me in my quest. My quest is for the abounding wealth of conviction, blessings of understanding, an intimate relationship with God, and the wisdom to steward the wealth of His glory.
There is a personal wealth that comes from an unshakeable belief in God. After giving my life to God at a young age I assigned greater value to my decisions and conduct because as I read the bible I understood how my actions would impact other people. The major traumas in my life didn’t happen until after I made this decision. Instead of running to God for help, forgiveness and healing, I chose to walk away from my relationship with Him and stopped valuing myself or considering the weight of my actions. The Holy Spirit used every experience and pain, those inflicted by others and those I inflicted on myself, to convict me and build a deeper foundation for my restored relationship with Christ. The wealth of conviction yields a greater return than any stock. It’s return on investment progresses beyond dollars and cents into the immeasurable and eternal accounts all believers have in heaven.
Our relationship with God in the bible is likened to a bride and bridegroom. There is no earthly relationship created by God to be more intimate than that of a husband and wife. When people go into business together they call it “getting into bed with each other.” Business partners who are serious about success prepare for years to make their relationship with each other and the market work. Even investors who are serious about profitable longevity in the market study and stay aware of what is going on in the area they have invested to ensure a return on their investment. To acquire the wealth of becoming “progressively more intimately acquainted with...Christ”, I have to prepare for a lifelong relationship with Him by spending time getting to know Him, by reading the bible and communicating with him through prayer.
The wealth of conviction and becoming progressively more intimate with Christ includes riches greater than money, prestige, houses, trinkets, gadgets and cars. God’s desire is to make us His home. Consistently making my relationship with God my priority brings God glory. Divine wisdom, knowledge and insight acquired during my intimate time with God will equip me to be a good steward of the wealth of His glory.
I don’t have anything against financial independence or material things. Material wealth has a place and use in the kingdom of God. I’d just rather pursue wealth that will last eternally and cannot be stolen, rust or rot away. I pray you’ll join me in my quest for all the abounding wealth!
Scripture Of The Day: [For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding..." - Colossians 2:2 (AMP)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
From Poverty to Prosperity
Each year there are publications which list some of the richest people in the country. Among them are business people, athletes, entertainers and other entrepreneurs. All claim their spot among the richest people in the country. The media keeps us adequately informed of their wealth as well as their lifestyles. “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” “MTV Cribs,” “BET Backstage Access” – all allow the general public to experience life at this level.
However, we very seldom see or experience the perils that living on this level present. Even in our lives we recount the number of times we have had riches, and then had them not. Some of us today are recounting the “good old days.” We’re lamenting the dollars lost, the deals missed, wondering if we’ll ever see those times again.
I would submit to you that whatever state of life we may find ourselves in right now, the call, the mandate, the necessity of life is that we seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto us.
The Kingdom agenda has already been set. The agenda includes Jesus coming that we might not be lost eternally; Jesus coming that we might have life and have it more abundantly. The kingdom agenda includes God desiring that we prosper and be in good health even as our soul prospers. The agenda includes God sanctifying us wholly, body, soul, and spirit; that we might be preserved -- blameless unto the coming of Christ.
We move from poverty to prosperity when we line up with God’s word, God’s will and God’s way.
In Matthew 6:24-33, the overall purpose was to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal king. The people at this time were looking for a king primarily to restore them to their rightful place in society; to give them their stuff back; to restore them from a material perspective. Yet this king, this Christ, came that humanity might be restored spiritually.
I would submit that many of us are spiritually bankrupt as well as physically. In our pursuit of wealth, we have slighted the Spirit. When we had, we didn’t honor God with our first fruits. We made vows to God that we broke – if you make this deal go through, I’ll serve you. If you let me get this position, I’ll start tithing. When in fact the blessings of God have nothing to do with us making a deal with him, but everything to do with our hearts desire to serve him. Regardless of what we say with our mouths, God knows the intentions of the heart.
It is in chapter 6 wherein Jesus teaches about giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, money and worry. These teachings are all connected because they cause us to examine ourselves and our motives. Jesus wraps his teaching up with worry. How much of our life has been consumed with “worrying” about things and material possessions instead of spiritual alignment with God?
Verse 24 tells us that no one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Verse 25 tells us that we are not to worry about our life. In other words, put faith in action and trust God to produce. Finally, verse 33 tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all other things shall be added unto you.
When we seek the Kingdom of God that means that God is in control and we are desirous of pleasing him.
Because God is in control, we are never too busy to pray.
Because God is in control, we know that we cannot serve two masters, nor do we have desire to.
Because God is in control, we know that God is able to do exceeding and abundantly above all that we could ask or think according to the power in us.
Whatever it is, I’m moving from poverty to prosperity.
Scripture Of The Day: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
Monday, September 12, 2011
For the Sake
Have you ever been in a situation where someone had a need and you did not have enough money to help that person? I have. Or have you heard about a ministry that didn't have enough to feed people, buy clothing or shoes for others in need, and not have anything extra to give to it yourself? I have.
To want to give and not be able to is an awful feeling, isn't it? Yet, is it right for us as God's people to ask and seek to be prosperous? Yes, it is! And what is to be our motive to being prosperous? It is for the sake of the House of the Lord our God!
See, if we have only enough for ourselves, we do not have anything left to give. We have to be blessed to be a blessing! If we are ONLY asking God to meet our needs and not asking and seeking Him for prosperity, then we are only thinking and asking for ourselves. And if we are the only ones on our minds, we are being selfish.
You may be thinking, "Jamie, I thought money was the root of all evil!" No, the Word says that the LOVE of money is the problem (1Timothy 6:10). It is when MONEY HAS YOU, instead of YOU HAVING MONEY! When the church is not prosperous, she cannot feed the hungry, clothe the naked and go and tell the world about Jesus! (Matthew 25:36,37, Mark 16:15)
The Gospel — the Good News of Jesus — is free, but the avenues to get it to the people are expensive! To take a plane or truck full of food, water, clothing and medical needs to places costs money. When the church is prosperous, she can fulfill the needs of people. When the church is in lack, she can only do for herself.
So, why do we need to ask God and seek Him to be prosperous? Because others are needing to eat food and drink clean water. Others are waiting for help to come. Others are praying for someone to come and lend a hand to them as they are struggling. A man or woman will be better able to hear the Good News of Jesus if they have been fed a meal when they are hungry. A Nation will want to hear what you have to say about Jesus Christ if they and their babies are not dying from polluted water. A village will be able to understand that God loves them if they see God's people come to them and give them warm blankets and shoes for their feet.
See church, seeking and asking God to prosper you is not all about you. God needs His Body — the church — to go and love people to God, Himself. And the only way is if we have the means to give and go and buy and send.
Prosperity is not only a blessing to us, it is life or death to others! Ask God to prosper you. Seek the Lord passionately about bringing prosperity into your life. For it is not just for our sake, it is truly for the sake of the House of the Lord our God!
Scripture Of The Day: "For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity." - Psalm 122:9 (NIV)
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Get It To Give It
By Pastor Andre Butler
There is no more important time to line up with God’s financial system than now. In this time of financial crisis, many are in fear. They are concerned about how the struggling U.S. economy is affecting them. The thing about fear, though, is that it is selfish. It only thinks about me and mine.
Fear is the opposite of faith, and it is motivated by selfishness which is the opposite of love. Yet, God’s Word teaches us that we receive from him by faith and that our faith works by love.
God’s financial system works for you when you focus on the needs of others rather than your own. Matthew 6:33 teaches us to ‘seek first the kingdom of God’ and then ‘all these things will be added to you.’ Philippians 4:19 has a promise from God to meet all of our needs regardless of what’s going on in the economy.
God’s ultimate goal for your financial life isn’t that you just receive abundantly but that you give abundantly. God’s plan for your life is that you be a generous giver-- someone who is so abundantly blessed that you are able to give abundantly for God’s purposes. Jesus said in Acts 20:35 that it is better to give than to receive.
God wants you going through life experiencing the superior joy that comes from giving and that is one of the reasons why He wants to get abundance to you. Even more importantly, He’s thinking of those who are without in this life, especially those without Him, who will benefit from your generosity.
God understands that for you to be able to give abundantly, you must receive abundantly. You must Get it to Give it! One of my desires is to get to a place financially where I can GIVE $1 million a year for God’s purposes. My goal is to give abundantly, not just receive abundantly for my purposes. And when (not if) the time comes that I am receiving from Him on that level, it will be vitally important that I remember the purpose for it coming into my life.
Whatever God has given you, some of it is in your hands simply for you to give to His purposes. Remembering the purpose for the money God has given you is an important step in lining up with God’s system. It’s when God knows that you truly understand this principle that He will trust you with more.
In this time of recession stop focusing on your financial needs and look around for someone that you can help with whatever God has placed in your hands now. Doing just that will position you to GET even more so you can GIVE more in the days to come!
Scripture Of The Day: "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." - 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV)
Pastor Andre Butler is a young man anointed and commissioned by God to spread the Good News of Christ. A 1996 graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center, Pastor Butler serves as Co-Pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI.s. For more information about Pastor Andre Butler, log onto http://www.andrebutler.tv.…
There is no more important time to line up with God’s financial system than now. In this time of financial crisis, many are in fear. They are concerned about how the struggling U.S. economy is affecting them. The thing about fear, though, is that it is selfish. It only thinks about me and mine.
Fear is the opposite of faith, and it is motivated by selfishness which is the opposite of love. Yet, God’s Word teaches us that we receive from him by faith and that our faith works by love.
God’s financial system works for you when you focus on the needs of others rather than your own. Matthew 6:33 teaches us to ‘seek first the kingdom of God’ and then ‘all these things will be added to you.’ Philippians 4:19 has a promise from God to meet all of our needs regardless of what’s going on in the economy.
God’s ultimate goal for your financial life isn’t that you just receive abundantly but that you give abundantly. God’s plan for your life is that you be a generous giver-- someone who is so abundantly blessed that you are able to give abundantly for God’s purposes. Jesus said in Acts 20:35 that it is better to give than to receive.
God wants you going through life experiencing the superior joy that comes from giving and that is one of the reasons why He wants to get abundance to you. Even more importantly, He’s thinking of those who are without in this life, especially those without Him, who will benefit from your generosity.
God understands that for you to be able to give abundantly, you must receive abundantly. You must Get it to Give it! One of my desires is to get to a place financially where I can GIVE $1 million a year for God’s purposes. My goal is to give abundantly, not just receive abundantly for my purposes. And when (not if) the time comes that I am receiving from Him on that level, it will be vitally important that I remember the purpose for it coming into my life.
Whatever God has given you, some of it is in your hands simply for you to give to His purposes. Remembering the purpose for the money God has given you is an important step in lining up with God’s system. It’s when God knows that you truly understand this principle that He will trust you with more.
In this time of recession stop focusing on your financial needs and look around for someone that you can help with whatever God has placed in your hands now. Doing just that will position you to GET even more so you can GIVE more in the days to come!
Scripture Of The Day: "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." - 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV)
Pastor Andre Butler is a young man anointed and commissioned by God to spread the Good News of Christ. A 1996 graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center, Pastor Butler serves as Co-Pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI.s. For more information about Pastor Andre Butler, log onto http://www.andrebutler.tv.…
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Pursuit of Wealth
By Bonnie St. John
When she was alive, my mother loved the movie, The Sound of Music: Beautiful scenery in the Alps, favorite old tunes, and a powerful love story. The poor young woman named Maria failed as a nun, but fell in love with and married the wealthy Baron and adopted his seven children!
But what my mother talked about the most over the years wasn’t the love story. She always marveled at how Maria Von Trapp, the former nun, led her new husband and step-children on foot in the middle of the night over the mountains for days to escape the Nazis. What courage it took to leave behind their palatial home, friends and massive fortune! They went to America with nothing but their faith and God-given talent to become the world famous singing family blessed with new lands, more children, and a lasting legacy.
So many people would have hesitated and been arrested. Or worse, collaborated with the Nazi crimes to avoid capture. The lesson, my mother said, was that having character and standing up for your beliefs was the only real wealth in the world. Believing in God more than your possessions and more than the title and power of “Baron,” made the Von Trapp family able to find not only material wealth, but even more importantly, overflowing love, happiness and freedom.
The little nun who fell in love with Prince Charming and his family didn’t find her happily ever after in his earthly kingdom. Quite the reverse. He and his children were saved by her total reliance on the kingdom of God. And that’s a real happily ever after!
Scripture Of The Day: “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth.” - Deuteronomy 8:18
Bonnie St. John is a professional speaker and Olympic medalist, who has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, the 700 Club, and Life Today. The author of How Strong Women Pray and Live Your Joy, Bonnie St. John is committed to reaching out to the world with a message of triumph over circumstance. For more information about Bonnie, log onto http://www.bonniestjohn.com…
When she was alive, my mother loved the movie, The Sound of Music: Beautiful scenery in the Alps, favorite old tunes, and a powerful love story. The poor young woman named Maria failed as a nun, but fell in love with and married the wealthy Baron and adopted his seven children!
But what my mother talked about the most over the years wasn’t the love story. She always marveled at how Maria Von Trapp, the former nun, led her new husband and step-children on foot in the middle of the night over the mountains for days to escape the Nazis. What courage it took to leave behind their palatial home, friends and massive fortune! They went to America with nothing but their faith and God-given talent to become the world famous singing family blessed with new lands, more children, and a lasting legacy.
So many people would have hesitated and been arrested. Or worse, collaborated with the Nazi crimes to avoid capture. The lesson, my mother said, was that having character and standing up for your beliefs was the only real wealth in the world. Believing in God more than your possessions and more than the title and power of “Baron,” made the Von Trapp family able to find not only material wealth, but even more importantly, overflowing love, happiness and freedom.
The little nun who fell in love with Prince Charming and his family didn’t find her happily ever after in his earthly kingdom. Quite the reverse. He and his children were saved by her total reliance on the kingdom of God. And that’s a real happily ever after!
Scripture Of The Day: “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth.” - Deuteronomy 8:18
Bonnie St. John is a professional speaker and Olympic medalist, who has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, the 700 Club, and Life Today. The author of How Strong Women Pray and Live Your Joy, Bonnie St. John is committed to reaching out to the world with a message of triumph over circumstance. For more information about Bonnie, log onto http://www.bonniestjohn.com…
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Storing Up Treasures
By Pastor Marvin Williams
I know a man who has built a small empire of wealth - several large houses, cars, trucks, and large envelopes filled with thousands of dollars in cash. In addition to having a few thousands in his house, last year, he resorted to hiding a large sum in cash, under a doghouse in his yard.
No, I am not giving you his address (Smile).
When I think about him and people like him, my heart breaks because, he has pursued and accumulated wealth here and failed to build a relationship with Jesus. I imagine this is exactly what Jesus was talking about, in Matthew 6:19-21, when he said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
To understand what Jesus meant, we need to know what he did not mean. Jesus was not saying we could not have nice things, or that we could not engage in wise financial planning (life insurance policies, 401K/403B, or other investments). Moreover, he was not saying we could not enjoy wealth and the good things in life that God gives us, or we could not run our businesses profitably.
What did Jesus mean?
Jesus is talking about two types of treasures.
The first type is the kind we accumulate on earth. These treasures are vulnerable to all kinds of decay and theft. Jesus is saying, don't make acquiring and accumulating these types of treasures - houses, cars, degrees, prestige, popularity, vintage comic books, coin collections, paintings, CDs and albums - our main concentration, obsession and addiction, at the expense and neglect of the most important treasure - God and helping those in need.
We should guard our hearts against the addictive pursuit of material wealth because of its dangers - the love of them is the root to all kinds of evils, may hinder people's response to the gospel, create false security, make people proud, cause excessive worry, and lead people to forget God. Working for them may cause excessive tiredness, enjoying them too much may lead to self-indulgence, and misusing them may foster oppression and injustice.
The alternative, is laying up treasures in heaven. He is not saying people can buy their way to heaven. However, he is calling his followers to simplify their lives and leverage their time, and wealth for the sake of people in need (Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). When his followers, with pure motives (Matthew 6:1-4), do good, are rich in good deeds, are generous and willing to share with the marginalized, they will be laying up treasures in heaven.
Jesus goes on to say wherever our treasures and wealth are, our whole selves will be entwined with them. This verse becomes a gracious mirror in which we can see where our hearts really are. Jesus is warning us against being totally earthbound at the neglect of eternal values.
So, how can we determine today if we are pursuing wealth at the expense of God? How can we understand where our hearts really are? I believe the following questions can help us:
What occupies my thoughts and daydreams when I have nothing else to do?
What do I fret about most?
Apart from my immediate family, who or what do I most dread losing?
What are the things I measure others by?
What is it that we know we cannot be happy without?
Let's pray about and determine how much is enough and release the rest to build the kingdom and help others find the real treasure: Jesus.
Pastor Marvin Williams is the Senior Teaching Pastor of Trinity Church in Lansing, Michigan. He and his wife Tonia have three children: Marvin Jr., Micah and Mikayla. He also writes monthly devotions for Our Daily Bread and Our Daily Journey. You can find Pastor Marvin blogging at http://www.marvinlwilliams.org.…
I know a man who has built a small empire of wealth - several large houses, cars, trucks, and large envelopes filled with thousands of dollars in cash. In addition to having a few thousands in his house, last year, he resorted to hiding a large sum in cash, under a doghouse in his yard.
No, I am not giving you his address (Smile).
When I think about him and people like him, my heart breaks because, he has pursued and accumulated wealth here and failed to build a relationship with Jesus. I imagine this is exactly what Jesus was talking about, in Matthew 6:19-21, when he said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
To understand what Jesus meant, we need to know what he did not mean. Jesus was not saying we could not have nice things, or that we could not engage in wise financial planning (life insurance policies, 401K/403B, or other investments). Moreover, he was not saying we could not enjoy wealth and the good things in life that God gives us, or we could not run our businesses profitably.
What did Jesus mean?
Jesus is talking about two types of treasures.
The first type is the kind we accumulate on earth. These treasures are vulnerable to all kinds of decay and theft. Jesus is saying, don't make acquiring and accumulating these types of treasures - houses, cars, degrees, prestige, popularity, vintage comic books, coin collections, paintings, CDs and albums - our main concentration, obsession and addiction, at the expense and neglect of the most important treasure - God and helping those in need.
We should guard our hearts against the addictive pursuit of material wealth because of its dangers - the love of them is the root to all kinds of evils, may hinder people's response to the gospel, create false security, make people proud, cause excessive worry, and lead people to forget God. Working for them may cause excessive tiredness, enjoying them too much may lead to self-indulgence, and misusing them may foster oppression and injustice.
The alternative, is laying up treasures in heaven. He is not saying people can buy their way to heaven. However, he is calling his followers to simplify their lives and leverage their time, and wealth for the sake of people in need (Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). When his followers, with pure motives (Matthew 6:1-4), do good, are rich in good deeds, are generous and willing to share with the marginalized, they will be laying up treasures in heaven.
Jesus goes on to say wherever our treasures and wealth are, our whole selves will be entwined with them. This verse becomes a gracious mirror in which we can see where our hearts really are. Jesus is warning us against being totally earthbound at the neglect of eternal values.
So, how can we determine today if we are pursuing wealth at the expense of God? How can we understand where our hearts really are? I believe the following questions can help us:
What occupies my thoughts and daydreams when I have nothing else to do?
What do I fret about most?
Apart from my immediate family, who or what do I most dread losing?
What are the things I measure others by?
What is it that we know we cannot be happy without?
Let's pray about and determine how much is enough and release the rest to build the kingdom and help others find the real treasure: Jesus.
Pastor Marvin Williams is the Senior Teaching Pastor of Trinity Church in Lansing, Michigan. He and his wife Tonia have three children: Marvin Jr., Micah and Mikayla. He also writes monthly devotions for Our Daily Bread and Our Daily Journey. You can find Pastor Marvin blogging at http://www.marvinlwilliams.org.…
Monday, September 13, 2010
Ask God for What You Want!
By Bishop E. Earl Jenkins
Imagine walking into a restaurant on a whim and asking if your order is ready. "When did you call it in?" the server asks. "Oh I didn't," you reply, "I just thought perhaps you'd have something with my name on it."
Sound ridiculous? No more so than expecting God to answer requests you haven't made -- or made in faith believing.
James says, "The reason you don't have what you want is...you don't ask God." Does that mean He'll automatically give you everything you ask for? No. James adds, "Even when you do ask you don't get it because...you want only what will give you pleasure" (Jas 4:3 TLB). Your motives need to be in tune with what God knows is best for you. John says, "This is the confidence...we have in Him...if we ask anything...according to His will...He...hears" (1Jn 5:14 AMP).
Lamentations 3:25 says, "The Lord is good to those who wait...expectantly for Him" (AMP). Expectant prayer demonstrates confidence in God's goodness. Instead of fretting and taking matters into your own hands, when you say, "Lord, I'm going to trust you with this, regardless of the outcome," He'll honor your faith. Paul says, "Pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks" (Ph 4:6 NCV). Do you need a job? Help overcoming a problem? Salvation for your loved ones? A deeper walk with God? Physical or emotional healing?
Jesus said, "It gives your Father great happiness to give you the [benefits of his] Kingdom" (Lk 12:32 NLT). God wants to be good to you, so tell Him the "desires of your heart" (Ps 37:4 NKJV). And thank Him that the answer will come - in His time!
Scripture Of The Day: "The reason you don't have what you want is...you don't ask God." James 4:2 (TLB)
Bishop Edward Earl Jenkins is the senior pastor and founder of the True Servant Worship & Praise Church located in Trenton, New Jersey. For over twenty years, Bishop Jenkins’ unique method of preaching and teaching has opened doors to allow him to touch the hearts of many lives near and far. For more information, visit him at http://www.eejministries.org…
Imagine walking into a restaurant on a whim and asking if your order is ready. "When did you call it in?" the server asks. "Oh I didn't," you reply, "I just thought perhaps you'd have something with my name on it."
Sound ridiculous? No more so than expecting God to answer requests you haven't made -- or made in faith believing.
James says, "The reason you don't have what you want is...you don't ask God." Does that mean He'll automatically give you everything you ask for? No. James adds, "Even when you do ask you don't get it because...you want only what will give you pleasure" (Jas 4:3 TLB). Your motives need to be in tune with what God knows is best for you. John says, "This is the confidence...we have in Him...if we ask anything...according to His will...He...hears" (1Jn 5:14 AMP).
Lamentations 3:25 says, "The Lord is good to those who wait...expectantly for Him" (AMP). Expectant prayer demonstrates confidence in God's goodness. Instead of fretting and taking matters into your own hands, when you say, "Lord, I'm going to trust you with this, regardless of the outcome," He'll honor your faith. Paul says, "Pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks" (Ph 4:6 NCV). Do you need a job? Help overcoming a problem? Salvation for your loved ones? A deeper walk with God? Physical or emotional healing?
Jesus said, "It gives your Father great happiness to give you the [benefits of his] Kingdom" (Lk 12:32 NLT). God wants to be good to you, so tell Him the "desires of your heart" (Ps 37:4 NKJV). And thank Him that the answer will come - in His time!
Scripture Of The Day: "The reason you don't have what you want is...you don't ask God." James 4:2 (TLB)
Bishop Edward Earl Jenkins is the senior pastor and founder of the True Servant Worship & Praise Church located in Trenton, New Jersey. For over twenty years, Bishop Jenkins’ unique method of preaching and teaching has opened doors to allow him to touch the hearts of many lives near and far. For more information, visit him at http://www.eejministries.org…
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Success Defined
By Bishop Vashti McKenzie
Success tends to defy a simple definition. It can mean the ability to achieve what you desire to achieve. It can mean making things work out for the best in spite of the opposition. It can mean to do well doing most things, do well at everything, or do the right things well.
Ross Perot once said that success is being the best at whatever you do. Andrew Carnegie believed the definition of success is not how much you get, but how much you give away. Marva Collins says that success doesn't come to you...you go to it. Benjamin Disraeli notes that the secret of success is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.
Our humanity often defines success in terms of power, prestige, acquisition, achievements, wealth, or security on many levels including financial, physical or emotional. Success is often measured by money - how much or how little. However, money can build bombs, and it can build schools. It can buy a house, but it cannot make a home. It can purchase a bed, but it cannot guarantee rest. Thus, success defined only in tangible terms goes wanting; while Jesus says lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth.
God's ways are not our ways. God looks beyond external distinctions and uniqueness, and goes straight to the heart. If we commit our ways to the Lord, trusting Him every step of the way, God will bring it to past. If we seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, the things we are looking for will be added unto us after all God gives according to writer in Deuteronomy, give us the ability to create wealth.
Peter Gomes writes in The Good Life that success is not surmounting tribulation of all times; it is the capacity to better cope with tribulation as its strategies increase in proportion to our strength. He says the secret lies not in depending upon our strength, but on the strength of God.
Joseph was in such as position. Sibling rivalry interrupted family life. He was sold into slavery and made a life for himself in Potipher's house. He was falsely accused of sexual advancement toward Potipher's wife and sent to Pharaoh's prison. The jailer put all the prisoners under Joseph's oversight. All matters are under his influence, and the Lord caused everything he did to succeed.
There was no accumulation of a massive amount of wealth. There were no mansions, Bentleys, swimming pools, stock options or slush funds. Yet, the Lord was with Joseph. Success then was not what you get for yourself, notes Gomes. Success appears to be blooming where you are planted, as the lily of the fields.
Success demands a complex definition -- one that goes beyond the tangible to the intangible and beyond the secular to the sacred. Keep in mind, it was the Lord that caused Joseph to be successful in whatever he did.
Scripture Of The Day: "Wisdom brings success." - Ecclesiastes 10:10
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is the presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME, and serves as a guiding example for women and church leaders throughout the country. For more on Bishop McKenzie, visit http://www.13thame.com or hear her messages daily at http://www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com.…
Success tends to defy a simple definition. It can mean the ability to achieve what you desire to achieve. It can mean making things work out for the best in spite of the opposition. It can mean to do well doing most things, do well at everything, or do the right things well.
Ross Perot once said that success is being the best at whatever you do. Andrew Carnegie believed the definition of success is not how much you get, but how much you give away. Marva Collins says that success doesn't come to you...you go to it. Benjamin Disraeli notes that the secret of success is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.
Our humanity often defines success in terms of power, prestige, acquisition, achievements, wealth, or security on many levels including financial, physical or emotional. Success is often measured by money - how much or how little. However, money can build bombs, and it can build schools. It can buy a house, but it cannot make a home. It can purchase a bed, but it cannot guarantee rest. Thus, success defined only in tangible terms goes wanting; while Jesus says lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth.
God's ways are not our ways. God looks beyond external distinctions and uniqueness, and goes straight to the heart. If we commit our ways to the Lord, trusting Him every step of the way, God will bring it to past. If we seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, the things we are looking for will be added unto us after all God gives according to writer in Deuteronomy, give us the ability to create wealth.
Peter Gomes writes in The Good Life that success is not surmounting tribulation of all times; it is the capacity to better cope with tribulation as its strategies increase in proportion to our strength. He says the secret lies not in depending upon our strength, but on the strength of God.
Joseph was in such as position. Sibling rivalry interrupted family life. He was sold into slavery and made a life for himself in Potipher's house. He was falsely accused of sexual advancement toward Potipher's wife and sent to Pharaoh's prison. The jailer put all the prisoners under Joseph's oversight. All matters are under his influence, and the Lord caused everything he did to succeed.
There was no accumulation of a massive amount of wealth. There were no mansions, Bentleys, swimming pools, stock options or slush funds. Yet, the Lord was with Joseph. Success then was not what you get for yourself, notes Gomes. Success appears to be blooming where you are planted, as the lily of the fields.
Success demands a complex definition -- one that goes beyond the tangible to the intangible and beyond the secular to the sacred. Keep in mind, it was the Lord that caused Joseph to be successful in whatever he did.
Scripture Of The Day: "Wisdom brings success." - Ecclesiastes 10:10
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is the presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the AME, and serves as a guiding example for women and church leaders throughout the country. For more on Bishop McKenzie, visit http://www.13thame.com or hear her messages daily at http://www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com.…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)