This is an informative explanation of the meaning of prosperity according to Biblical values, with much to ponder.
Prosperity: The Son, Jesus Christ
In this season of holiday madness the world begins to wonder and worry about prosperity. Shoppers go wild spending money they don't have and maxing out their credit cards with an "I'll worry about it later" attitude. Most of the time they focus on shopping, giving gifts, having parties and decorating Christmas trees. Too often people spend money they don't have without regard to the consequences that follow in the coming year. They will just cross that bridge when they come to it and deal with it later. That bridge is just a flip of the calendar's page away. The Happy New Year, often time, begins with bigger debt than the previous year, and so the vicious cycle begins again and we wonder and worry about prosperity. Yet we hope for an increase in pay or perhaps a job promotion; surely that will solve the financial mess we created by over spending during the holidays. Right?
This is a good example of how the world views prosperity. Spend, spend, spend and worry about it later. Placing more beautifully wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree doesn't make us more prosperous. It usually puts us farther in debt. Yet the world system relates prosperity to money and what it can buy.
Seven Aspects of Prosperity
Recently Bob was told to study and get understanding on PROSPERITY. He was told that prosperity is being released to the righteous and it's much more than just financial. In fact, money is the least important part of prosperity but we do need money to advance.
God desires for His children to prosper in every aspect of their life; spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, socially, and financially. I believe God gave Joshua the secret formula to prosperity.
• Be strong and courageous; never cowering or compromising the Word.
• Observe the Law – the law of God's unconditional love for one another.
Love does no wrong to one's neighbor [it never hurts anybody]. Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law. Romans 13:10
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7
• Meditate on the Word and don't allow it to depart from your mouth. In other words bridle your tongue and speak life not death. In every situation you encounter speak spiritual truths from the Word.
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:7-9
This is something we must do ourselves; God doesn't do it for us. The promise of prosperity is in verse 8. It says that if we observe to do all that is written then we make our way prosperous and have good success. Then we will be strong and of good courage and God will be with us wherever we go. He will cause us to prosper in all that we put our hand to do.
Joshua's true prosperity was the Promised Land and government. True prosperity is not wealth; it is health, joy, peace and all nine fruit of the spirit. Peace is a victory that overcomes the world (Galatians 5:22-23).
What the world calls "the Christmas Season" was not the birthing of Christ; He was conceived during the season of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is known as the Feast of Dedication or Feast of Lights. It was the beginning of the supernatural manifestation of God becoming flesh and dwelling among men (John 1:14). The Father sent His sperm seed (1 Peter 1:23) with the wisdom of all the ages in it, to impregnate a young virgin and she would bring forth the God-man child. At this time the fullness of God's prosperity was given to mankind. From the very moment of His conception, the process of reconciliation began between mankind and the Father. Therefore every born again child of God can prosper in all seven aspects of their life.
Spiritual Prosperity
The woman at the well received spiritual prosperity. She became the first evangelist in the world. She came to the well for a drink of water but what she received was far greater; she received the gift of everlasting life. Through her prosperity she caused all of Samaria to prosper as well. The whole village got saved because she spread the good news of her Messiah.
Physical Prosperity
In Acts 3 we read the account of the man lame from birth that lay at the gate of the temple called Beautiful. When Peter and John approached the temple the lame man asked them for alms. Instead of money the lame man received the greatest prosperity of his life when Peter told him to pick up his bed and walk.
The woman with the issue of blood received her physical prosperity when she touched the hem of Jesus' garment. She touched the anointing and that is our greatest prosperity.
Mental Prosperity
The Gadarene maniac not only experienced mental prosperity but spiritual, physical and emotional as well when Jesus cast a legion of demons from him. I believe that since he would now fit back into society he also prospered socially and financially.
And they came to Jesus and looked intently and searchingly at the man who had been a demoniac, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, [the same man] who had had the legion [of demons]; and they were seized with alarm and struck with fear.Mark 5:15
Abundantly Prosperous
And the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in every work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, of your cattle, of your land, for good; for the Lord will again delight in prospering you, as He took delight in your fathers.Deuteronomy 30:9
Jesus lived out of the abundance of Heaven; He knew no lack. Although He had no home or a place to lay His head He lived in abundance. He fed a crowd of twelve thousand with two fish and five loaves without spending a cent and had twelve baskets left over. Now that's abundance (Mark 6:41-44).
When Jesus was questioned about paying taxes He sent Peter to the Sea of Galilee and told him to cast his hook in the water. When the first fish took the bait, Peter reached inside its mouth and found the shekel to pay the tax. Out of the mouth of the fish the blessings came and in abundance (Matthew 17:27).
Jesus imparted the same attitude to His disciples. When He sent them out He said, "Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give" (Matthew 10:8b). He did not send them out to get but to give. Near the end of Jesus' ministry He checked with the disciples about their experience when He sent them out.
And He said to them, When I sent you out with no purse or [provision] bag or sandals, did you lack anything? They answered, Nothing! Luke 22:35
They did not travel with luggage or money yet they lacked nothing. They gave freely out what Jesus had imparted to them. It's important to see that we can live in that same place of abundant prosperity.
Although the world appears hopeless, the Church is entering into one of the greatest times in its history. The Church now understands the fullness of Christ's conception and how the Father intended for His children to prosper in all aspects of their lives. All the prophets of old prophetic utterances came to a fullness of time juncture when the young virgin agreed with Heaven and answered, "Let it be according to your Word" (Luke 1:38). And the Word became flesh and dwelt among men and brought with Him the fullness of the Father's prosperity.
Let us this day and in this season embrace the true meaning of prosperity and receive the fullness of the Father's gift to mankind, His Son, Jesus Christ.
Bob and Bonnie Jones
The Prophetic Ministry of Bob and Bonnie Jones
The Prophetic Ministry of Bob and Bonnie Jones
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