Why does it seem that people who do wrong prosper and those who try to do good never seem to receive as many blessings (financial)?
SCRIPTURE BASIS FOR THE QUESTION:
Psalm 73:1-8 "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped. I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. They mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth".
Let's pick up our bible and read the passage to the end in order to enjoy the discussion that follows the scripture reading.
Asaph had a problem that almost caused him to give up the life of devotion to God. If God was a God of goodness who helped the righteous and opposed the wicket, why did worthless people prosper while Asaph suffered want?
DISCUSSION:
It seemed to Asaph that the wicked enjoyed lives of ease and plenty, and then died peacefully without suffering. Yet their lives had been characterized by pride, cruelty, greed, trickery, scorn, oppression and boasting. Some of the godly were tempted to follow their example, for it seemed that God did not interfere with the wicked in their comfort. Even Asaph himself felt at times that there was so no purpose in suffering for God's sake.
Looking back, Asaph now sees how foolish he has been to doubt God. Although he had acted like an ignorant animal, the everlasting God has not left him. Asaph sees now that in God he has riches and pleasures that are permanent and beyond value. They are far greater than the temporary riches and pleasures of the ungodly. When he seems things from God's viewpoint his whole attitude is changed. He no longer envied the wicked; he finds his full satisfaction in God.
When we are talking about blessings we seem to limit it to material blessing. It is important for us to note what Jesus said in his sermon on the mount (The beatitudes).
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".
One may be rich in this world with all the wealth all across the world but without the blessing of the Lord. The scriptures say that the blessings of the Lord makes rich and add no sorrow with it. The only thing that guarantees blessings is for one to know the Lord as his/her Savior and to walk in the spirit of holiness after accepting Him.
It is important that we should seek first the kingdom of God (be poor in the Spirit) dead to sins. After that, we are guaranteed that the Kingdom of Heaven is our portion to take. There is no how you look at it, eternity means life everlasting. Life that has no end. Almost everything has an end in this world; it is only eternity that the bible defined as life ever lasting!
GOD GUARANTEES BLESSING FOR THE GODLY
3 John 2: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospers"(KJV).
It is God's will to prosper our endeavor. If the devil makes you to believe that children of God don't proper, reject what he is saying to you. It is not correct. A child of God who diligently and honestly works will receive the blessings of the Lord.
WARNING AGAINST IDLENESS
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule:" If a man will not work, he shall not eat" We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge tin the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy but warn him as a brother.
God's principles for us is to settle down and work. Our God worked. Jesus worked while he was on the face of the earth. It is important to stress that brethren should not indulge in laziness if they want the Lord to prosper them. Some of the unbelievers we compare with ourselves worked so much to earn their living. Although some of them do not get their income from the right source. But frankly quite a good proportion of them are sincerely working. I encourage every Christian man and woman to work to earn their living and expect the blessing of God upon their lives. God is looking for something in our disposal to bless today!
GOD'S PRINCIPLE OF BLESSINGS HIS CHILDREN Malachi 3:8-12 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, "How do we rob you?" In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD ALMIGHTY, and se if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit, says the LORD Almighty. Then all the nations will cal you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land, says the LORD Almighty.
The principle of financial prosperity for every child of God is giving. Giving of the tithes and offerings. It has been a sure way through which God has been releasing His blessing upon His children including me. If you can practice this principle today, poverty will be far away from you forever. I remember a testimony from a brother in his church. The pastor made announcement that there was an urgent need for members to make. There was this brother who had some money in his wardrobe. The Lord told him to contribute the money since the money was not part of his working capital. He refused. What happened? Devouring demon. Fire cut up with the entire money in the wardrobe without destroying any other thing but that money. God told that brother to go and confess to his pastor for disobedience to God's spirit when there was need in the church. The brother obeyed; crying and asking God for forgiveness. Do you see that?
CONCLUSION:
1 Timothy 6: -8 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Be in right relationship with your God today. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior and you shall be saved!
God bless you!
Rev Debo Adeyemo
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Financial prosperity often comes at a cost of a man’s soul. It is difficult to accumulate wealth and follow God at the same time. There have been, and still are, wealthy people who are living for God and use their wealth for the good of others. Such men are very rare because the effect of wealth is usually to corrupt the owner of it. Greed and self indulgence are frequent outcomes. That is why Jesus said that we could not serve two masters. We can either serve God, or we can serve mammon (material wealth), but not both.
Matthew 6:24-AV No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mark 8:36-AV For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
It is not impossible for a rich man to enter heaven but it is extremely difficult. Mainly because being rich brings many more temptations than being poor.
Matthew 19:24-AV And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
The ‘eye of a needle’ in this context means the little access door beside the main gates to the city. At night the main gates were shut against invaders etc. Anyone arriving from a journey late and wanting access to the city would be admitted through this little side door. It was big enough to admit a man, but anyone trying to get a camel through it was faced with a feat of camel engineering beyond the ability of most. The rich getting into heaven was likened by Jesus to getting a camel through this small door. Something His audience were all familiar with.
Many who are poor yearn to be rich for the ability it would give them to yield to desires to drive a flash car, live in a mansion, not worry about bills, not have to work, indulge themselves with drink, women (or men) and song. This desire is known as ‘covetousness’, against which is one of the ten commandments.
Exodus 20:17-AV Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.
1Timothy 6:10-AV For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Psalms 10:3-AV For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, [whom] the LORD abhorreth.
Proverbs 21:26-AV He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
Luke 12:15-AV And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
There we have it. Thou shalt not covet. The love of money is covetousness and is the root of all evil. That is a damning statement, no wonder this human condition is abhorred by God. The last verse reminds us that a man’s life consists not in the abundance of material possessions.
Dear reader. Please understand that the Kingdom of God is not of this world, neither is the reward of the Christian in this world, but the next. In this world we can not expect to fare any better than Jesus, our Master, did. He said as much:
Matthew 10:24-AV The disciple is not above [his] master, nor the servant above his lord.
We have not been promised a smooth ride, just a safe arrival if we endure to the end. In this world we will know tribulation, not comfort and the life of luxury.
Acts 14:22-AV Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Romans 5:3-AV And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Romans 8:35-AV Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 12:12-AV Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
1Thessalonians 3:4-AV For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
We must through much tribulation enter the Kingdom of God, however, that tribulation tests and proves us, teaches us patience and to wait upon the Lord, teaches us dependence upon the Lord through trust and prayer. It is a refining process.
This ministry receives on a daily basis prayer requests from people suffering tribulation of one sort or another. Many think because things are not going smoothly for them that they are being punished by God or alternatively, attacked by the devil. Whilst both of these things are possible, there is only cause to rejoice in either case. If God is chastising you, He is doing it because He loves you and wants to bring you into the Kingdom. (And you will have deserved it) If the devil is attacking, it means you have come to his attention as someone who can damage his cause. Pray for more of it. You are greatly blessed, your wealth in heaven is increasing.
In most cases I suspect another factor is involved. People have been given a devil inspired false hope of prosperity and abundance for following Christ. When things go wrong they don’t understand and think God has abandoned them or something. The rewards and riches we store up for service for Christ, will be paid in the next world, not this one. If you have riches and prosperity in this world there is a 99.99% chance you are a faithful servant of the devil, even if you think otherwise. I would also direct this accusation to prosperous churches of which we are not short of these days. If you have your reward in this world, it will end when you die.
People who follow Jesus the way they should will not know prosperity. Instead, they will know poverty and hardship. Their lives will be spent in service to others rather than building personal wealth. They will know ridicule and will suffer persecution. They will have an aura of peace and contentment not consistent with this kind of lifestyle. They will in all probability meet with a sticky end. They will live forever as a co - ruler with Jesus.
If you want something changed around in your life, or an illness cured, ask yourself will this improve your Christian walk and add to your salvation? Will it go towards the saving of others? Will the earthly benefit be to others? If you can honestly answer yes to these questions then there is a likelihood your prayers will be in accordance with God’s will and will be answered. If the outcome only has benefit to yourself, will make you feel better, will allow you to indulge yourself a little, then you may be out of luck. Jesus has undertaken to provide us with our ‘needs’, not our ‘wants’.
May readers be blessed with understanding of the will of God in their lives,
Lance Wearmouth
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My answer to that question is POSSIBLY YOU'RE NOT MEASURING "PROSPERITY" PROPERLY.
Mikey Spikey
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Because the road to hell is wide, but the road to heaven is narrow. The Lord never said it would be easy. It's easy to be a thief, a crook, and take advantage of others to get personal gain, but it isn't as easy to do right, just, and good and get it. It's tougher, but worth it, because we get much more. We get spiritual gain. We are right with the Lord, and in the end will profit more than anyone ever could that has done wrong to prosper materialistically. Matthew 6:19-24 says: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light, But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
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. May You Be Blessed!
BLESSINGS TO YOU! DeeDee
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Because they are prospering in what they believe in ,(this world) and they are taking the bait completely , their eyes are closed to Heaven or anything spiritual , they now thrive on and for the world. If I sit down at a poker table with the idea of cheating ,I will come out ahead , at least until I am caught, then I must pay the consequences , usually death, I was at one time bound in
gambling but now I am free, thank you Jesus.
In His Love Gary Hodges
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I have several replies to this question, then I will tie it all together to it will make some type of sense.
Do you want to prosper in the worldly way or God's way? God's way is for me Are you wanting to gain a reward in heaven or a financial blessing only in this world? My rewards are stored where moth or worms cannot get them in Heaven Do you only look for financial blessing as the way God blesses us? I want God's blessings Are we to look with envy at those who are sinning as a way to compare God against the world? Never compare, God is the one whose Awesome, wonderful and Loves you the world does not. Do you tithe your money, talents etc. that God has given you? Share with others so that you may receive more opportunities to share Gods word with others. Have you always praised Jesus for the little things and took care of those things knowing you could then step up the scale? I want Jesus only, step by step to grow more like him.
What I ask for when I pray is that Jesus will bestow on me his rewards. I want the rewards that he will give us in heaven when the Lord comes back again. I
don't want what the person who is sinning is getting, for that is nothing compared to the Love and Joy and peace of knowing my savior and King Jesus
Christ. I want Jesus in my heart walking by my side and being with me 24/7, if that means I am to be poor and struggling financially then so be it. Money is the root of all evil. After going through all that I have in the past year, just knowing that I have Jesus as my King that is much better than all the riches in the world, but I did pray and ask God to help me financially so that I may pay the bills and do what I need to do to live, but I
don't want a million dollars, money will never make me happy.
How many of these sinners do you see as being totally happy with all that money?? The ones that are totally happy are the ones that give away their riches to enter into the kingdom of God, that money isn't going to buy you a place in the Kingdom of God, it can do nothing to insure eternal life, why are you now worrying about what someone else has. Why do you compare yourself to this world? Are we not supposed to be Christ like? The Lord gives us each a blessing everyday this blessing is called Life, now we can choose to live this life God's way or the sinners way, that is a choice that he gives freely. I choose to be with God for I know that he is making a mansion that is far greater than we have ever seen in this entire world.
Your blessings from the Lord is life, love, joy, peace, and how you bless the Lord is by sharing those things with those who walk in darkness. If you take the blessings he gives you and share with others, then you will get double of what he gave you the first time. I don't want a fancy car-not going to heaven in it; I don't want a new house-wont take me to heaven, I don't want to look like the neighbors down the street, I am my own person, and this person loves the Lord. Sometimes, when we see someone getting something that we don't have we are envious and we are upset and feel cheated out, but that's a sin and I do honestly feel that this is the way Satan (rebuke in Jesus name) tries to turn us away from the Lord, by tempting us as such: See tom he has a fancy car, new house, money rolling out the door, you can have all this too.
Once, you open up your heart to hear Satan say this, You need to rebuke him right away, for walking with God is much greater than having all the money in the world. You need to ask yourself am I looking for God to only bless me financially or am I asking Jesus to show me where I am supposed to be in my walk with him. Read your word and you will see the way the Lord wants you to be, to be Christ like, and to serve the Lord, we have to forego the earthly things.
I want to serve the Lord, for he is the only one who showed me he loved me, and for 45 years of rejection even from Christians it almost killed me, but God reached out and blessed me with his love. Don't compare yourself to this world, why you ask why, because the world is living in darkness. You cannot walk with the Lord and be in darkness too, you must either serve the Lord or serve Satan, you cannot do both. You cannot be a fence walker, its all or nothing. Stop now and ask Jesus to forgive you and thank him for blessing you with the True rewards that only our most precious savior can give us... I extend God's peace and love to you and this biggest reward of all, Knowing that his son Jesus died on the cross to forgive us our sins. May God show you the right way through truth each day.
Mary
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That has been in the Bible for a long time now. Psalms "How long will the unjust go around ,their bodies sleek and ruddy, while the innocent are being oppressed? Further it says, "when I entered the House Of the Lord I saw their end in minutes.
Dave
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The just and the unjust prosper because the bible says it rains on the just and the unjust and also the bible says beloved i wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers so He does want His people to prosper and also the bible says it is impossible for God to lie. God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth and we have the Spirit of God in us and so we share the Life of God with others our Spirit will live with Him forever and if they (the unjust) don't get it right they will have labored in vain all through life maybe it may take us a little while but we will get our reward here on earth and in Heaven. This is what I believe.
Dixie
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Hi,
In my opinion, winning in the life is up to attitude. Please examine your
beliefs about abundance in life? You always receive what you ask and God is
ready to give you all the blessings of life that you just ask, expect and
believe to be able to receive.
Sometimes our feelings and opinions about life and how it ought be are against
what we ask, and our most strong beliefs will rule in our life. Thus it is good
to ask, "What do I really believe about abundance" and then see if the life
corresponds to your belief patterns.
I have known and do know many very prosperous Christians, but I also know many
financially poor Christians. They both have beliefs. One believes that it is
God's good grace to lead an abundant life while another thinks that it is good
to live in the poverty and that the poverty is somehow a better choice.
The reality, however, is that YOU CHOOSE. :) God has given you all the tools to
choose from his point of view, it is not important what you ask but why.
The reason why other people may gain good financial support is that they know
they can. God is not stopping you. He provides all that you ask and
believe stop stopping yourself from not receiving all the riches that God
has in store for you. Stop believing those hypocritical things about that there
is something bad in abundance. Abundance is not bad.. the way how you use
abundance determines what is its purpose.
We are here to lead a perfect and wonderful life; and to enjoy our stay, and to
live with God. :) In order to do this, we need money. We are living in the world
of Caesar, and we must be able to pay for Caesar and give to God what is his.
We have a permission to experience things -- and have things, and that needs
some money.. but what we need to realize is that God is our infinite supply. The
money may come in as a salary, gift or winning -- but it is always God giving
you what you need.
Just my two cents. I will get back to my soap box and will send you all the
blessings.
Sami
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I have answered this one before. The devil lifts these people up under a false premise and then slowly destroys them with death being the final blow. He is doing it with Tiger Woods now. He took him to number one in the world with fame and riches and last week in the U.S. Open was the beginning of his demise when he embarrassed himself with his play. Pay careful attention to his career and personal life in the next while and watch how it begins a downward spiral.
Allan Mann (James 1:12)
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The Bible says that it rains on the just and the unjust. Being saved doesn't mean that we'll never have anymore troubles, it just means that now we have someone to guide us through them and deliver us out of them. How could we ever know the power of God if we did not go through some horrible trial and see his hand move. How would we know that he can be trusted if we've never had to trust him. Job was a righteous man, God found no impurity about him, but he was one of the greatest if not the greatest tested men in the Bible.
How true are we? Will we serve him only in good times. I have found God to be faithful in hard times and in good times. I have failed him before but he has never failed me. As far as financial, the rich man faired sumptuously ever day, but he also spent eternity in hell. Heaven is the important thing. I think to much importance is placed on financial prosperity in the Christian walk today. I know we need money to live, but God did not promise us riches. Heaven is our Goal. There are some things we have to suffer, but to rein with Christ we must suffer with him also. In short if you don't bear the cross then you can't wear the crown.
Napier, April D LRN
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If God is a good God, and if God is real, then why does God allow bad things to happen to good people. Why doesn't He stop war, feed the hungry children we see on T.V. or stop earthquakes from destroying cities?
Maybe you've wondered about this, and even wondered if God can why doesn't He. Is it that He wants to but can't?
What about on a personal level. If God is who He says He is why isn't He healing you or getting you caught up on your mortgage? Why doesn't He put a super Christian spouse in your life? Why doesn't He drop a wad of money in your lap so you can fix the roof or buy that new living room set? Maybe you feel like looking up to heaven and screaming, "Hello God! Anybody home? I need some help down here!" THERE IS HOPE!
Like a small pebble in our shoe, these questions can hinder us from taking a full step of faith and putting our full weight in the Lord.
Instead of a strong "faith-walk" many Christians have a "faith-limp" because of these unanswerable questions. But are they unanswerable? Of course not. What is the answer?
First, we must realize that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Therefore bad things really happen to "bad" people, because next to God none of us are good. Yet, we are made "good" because Jesus is good. When bad things happen to me, and believe me they do, I must realize that there are natural laws that govern the world in which I live. Last week I was all dressed up and ready to go and spilt oatmeal on me. God created gravity as a natural law that keeps our feet on the ground. Yet, when a bowl slips out of our hands that same law doesn't work in our favor.
"Yea, but can't God intervene?" Sure, and often He does. But if God intervened to reverse the law of gravity every time I was clumsy, I would be even more clumsy plus everyone else would be floating. The natural law of drought has left many countries in short supply of food and resources and people are starving. After Noah's flood, the earth became plagued with natural disasters such as these. Before Adam and Eve sinned, God created the perfect place for us to live. Now, sin has taken its toll and our world is in sinful chaos. Why doesn't God intervene? HE HAS. HE SENT HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.
Wow. How much intervention do you need to see before you believe that God is a good and loving God? He doesn't want us to live in poverty and suffering for eternity. Therefore, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
You know, I realize that I need to get into this more than what this e-med is going to allow. Over the weekend I'll post a more complete teaching at www.freshwind.org on this matter, but until then, let me hit the high points.
Why doesn't God stop war? God loves us so much that He gives us a free will. Our free will often becomes sinful and leads to violence resulting in war. Our free will can even cause us to withhold our giving, resulting in denying the Spirit's prompting to give to the needy, to feed the hungry. It is funny how we question why God doesn't feed the hungry, while we swat away the "nagging" conviction that God wants to use us. The Holy Spirit prods us to avoid war, arguments and conflicts, yet God gives us a free will to choose: sin or righteousness.
Friend, I've thought a lot about this. What if today I learned I had just a few weeks left before a brain tumor ended my life? Would I blame God for not intervening? In reality I already know that it is by physical death that I obtain eternal life. My physical life must end so that I can continue to live on in Glory with God. What ends our physical life is a result of sin, life in a fallen world.
But please hear me clearly. God is present in the midst of the suffering we experience in this fallen world where we do wrestle with illnesses, suffering, poverty and disasters. God sent His son that by living with Jesus, we are comforted. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
Why or when God chooses to intervene and override natural laws is entirely impossible for us to understand. I've seen it many times, God's intervening hand stopping, protecting, changing, removing, restoring. I've also seen wonderful opportunities for God to intervene, and He chose not to. But when God appears to be "not intervening" we must remember there is no greater intervention that this: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
Application: I realize many of you want to study this subject deeper, and I'll post additional teachings on our main page at:
www.freshwind.org
over this weekend. Today, thank God for knowing what is best. Thank God today for the wonderful way that He comforts us and yes even delivers us when all odds are against us. God is greater than all laws of natural. When it seems like God is not aware of our needs, believe me He is. Our greatest need cost Him His Son. Why should we think for a moment that He fails to notice our day to day scraps and hurts?
Dear Lord, I know that I am living in a sinful world and "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time" (Romans 8:22). Yet in the midst of sin and chaos "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble"
(Psalm 46:1). Lord, someone today has been sad and full of doubt, but today You have stirred their soul to stand up and shout for joy. You are calling a man to take refuge in You. You are calling a business man to trust in You and not in his business. You are calling a newly married couple to build upon their strengths and to make You the center of their marriage. You are, even now, confirming Your truth to a young person who is caught up in science, reason, doubt and do not know what to believe. They want to accept what they've read today and I pray in Jesus' Name, You will continue to reveal Yourself to them as You have today. In Jesus' Name, AMEN!
Re-arranging my life for Christ, David
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Satan doesn't have to torment the ones he already has. So just count it all joy because he cannot touch the treasure that is laid up in the kingdom of God. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Jesus said Jn:16:33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Sandra Evans
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About habits....1 Tim , the Apostle Paul is talking to the church, because they have given themselves to deceiving doctrines and learned or started practicing things (actions) that made them act like every other church in the area. In other words they let themselves become waxed, and left the first faith....He was addressing the church because they had become so defiled and full of witchcraft, that they no longer practiced what they originally were taught of the Apostles. They were no longer interested in the Word or Why Jesus died on the Cross. They were not lead by the Holy Spirit, but by deceiving lying spirits. The Apostle Paul was letting them know, he knew what they were doing, and how much the church morals had decade. They were not fooling anyone but themselves. King James version says they learned.....something you learn had to have been taught by someone, the things the church did, was not a habit....it was a choice..
I do not really believe we have a habit of doing some of the things Paul was addressing the church about...it became a habit of choice not to turn away from such things, and return to the Love of Christ. I don't know if it a good word habit, or if we should use the word choice...free will....a habit is an action done often without even thinking, like changing gears on the car,,, when you already did, and didn't even realize you have already changed the gear. choices or habits, can always be changed or modified at any time with practice....from good to bad or bad to good...depending on choice...and how much you want a habit or choice to change. Paul said they learned to be idle....they were more interested in other people and things then the teaching the Love of Christ.
Carol Wilson
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Yes, this is true! They due prosper but in the end, When Jesus come for his people they will be left behind.
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The reason people prosper even though they do bad is they have made a pact
with the devil, they get their earthly rewards, but will loose in the end.
dayze10255@aol.com
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The answer to the question about why nonbelievers have financially richer lives that the believers do is simple to me. If you are not a believer, you are working with Satan. If you work with Satan, he will see that you are rewarded. If you work for God, this makes Satan angry and Satan will try anything he can to get things to go wrong. He wants everyone working for him. And do we get rewarded by God? Yes, we do, but it won't necessarily be in wealth, fame, or fortune. What His reward to us will be is greater love, greater trust from Him. How can money beat that?
Phyllis
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You see, material blessing under the new covenant is not in anyway dependent upon how good we are or what good we do to others. In fact all throughout the scripture we are reminded to do good, not so that we can be outwardly rewarded. The rewards of those who truly serve God is not temporal it is eternal. It is not something that can be quantify or measured in terms of wealth or good health or accomplishments. Though God who is Most Knowing and Loving may choose also to bless us with material wealth, but if chooses not to, He remains God still and He remains God for evermore. So beloved our giving and worships are really so that God will be exalted and be glorified through our deeds and living. So it is very wrong for a believer to measure God's grace in his/her life by what is going on around him especial by what is going on in the life of the unbelievers. Thank you for the opportunity.
Michael O. Folorunso
