UNDESERVED PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT
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There is also much warnings about the "deceitfulness of riches" and the "desire for other things" - as Jesus put it. - these can choke the word from operating in our lives. It's not the riches themselves that are deceitful - it's that we in this world can become dependent on the riches and we can use "things" to take the place of our true Treasure - Christ Himself.
It is not only rich people but those that are poor can suffer from the same deceit - the question it seems to me should be - where is our source for things in this life? Where is our true treasure that we depend on?
I can guarantee that there are riches in heaven that will make our heads swim. Our God is a God of abundance but on earth abundance has a specific purpose and that is to serve others but we too get to eat from what we have been given.
Colossians 3:2-4 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
It is not only rich people but those that are poor can suffer from the same deceit - the question it seems to me should be - where is our source for things in this life? Where is our true treasure that we depend on?
I can guarantee that there are riches in heaven that will make our heads swim. Our God is a God of abundance but on earth abundance has a specific purpose and that is to serve others but we too get to eat from what we have been given.
Colossians 3:2-4 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
hi stonesoffire., I agree with you and since it is in the Bible over and over where else are we to go but to the Lord?? Is it honoring to Jesus when we depend on ourselves? or other people? or money? or influence? or power? or fame? in order to meet our many needs and for us to succeed in this life? Or is it pleasing and honoring to Him when we go to Him for all that we ARE and have in this life AND in the next when we get our new bodies?
He prepares a table in the presence of our enemies...are there enemies in heaven? Is the Lord our Shepherd now? or only when we get to heaven? AMEN!! we know the answer!
He prepares a table in the presence of our enemies...are there enemies in heaven? Is the Lord our Shepherd now? or only when we get to heaven? AMEN!! we know the answer!
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Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good thingsto them that ask him?
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
I love that last verse. Of His own will He chose us to be His own children. A new creation of children of God, who He then takes care of His own. No poor me attitude in the Kingdom of God. But, it might be an influence within us according to circumstances we may experience in life, and then He begins showing us just what all He has bought for us.
All undeserved but pleases Father mightily to do.
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
I love that last verse. Of His own will He chose us to be His own children. A new creation of children of God, who He then takes care of His own. No poor me attitude in the Kingdom of God. But, it might be an influence within us according to circumstances we may experience in life, and then He begins showing us just what all He has bought for us.
All undeserved but pleases Father mightily to do.
And i put this out there 4 anyone else who might be reading this thread. Do we love to give to our children and have their lives enriched by our gifts?
Why do we think any less of our Father's great love 4 us? He gave us Jesus and we have been told in the Bible to learn more and more about Jesus.,(beholding Him) If we see Him we see the Father. How very and much more valuable He is to and 4 us as we behold Him more and more? It was more than when we first begun right?.
The more we learn and behold Him in our lives the more built up in Him we become. Grace upon grace learning more about the love and grace of God... steering us more to be like Him the more we see Him as He is. Isnt that the set goal and plan 4 our lives? To glorify the Father by glorifying the Son in our bodies here on earth and then later in eternity in new bodies.
It all is added and added as we learn of Him like He said we will find rest for our souls. He satisfies our longing. And then how does this effect people around us while still here on earth? Are they more blessed because we were and are blessed? YES
Why do we think any less of our Father's great love 4 us? He gave us Jesus and we have been told in the Bible to learn more and more about Jesus.,(beholding Him) If we see Him we see the Father. How very and much more valuable He is to and 4 us as we behold Him more and more? It was more than when we first begun right?.
The more we learn and behold Him in our lives the more built up in Him we become. Grace upon grace learning more about the love and grace of God... steering us more to be like Him the more we see Him as He is. Isnt that the set goal and plan 4 our lives? To glorify the Father by glorifying the Son in our bodies here on earth and then later in eternity in new bodies.
It all is added and added as we learn of Him like He said we will find rest for our souls. He satisfies our longing. And then how does this effect people around us while still here on earth? Are they more blessed because we were and are blessed? YES
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Amen sis! i see we were thinking of the great generosity of our heavenly Father (the Father of lights) far exceeding our earthly fathers. What will it be like when we see Him face to face with all the love able to be seen in it's fullness!? we cant even begin to comprehend it fully in these temporary bodies but we get these precious glimpses/revelations from the Holy Spirit to our spirits that we ARE the sons of God
Rapture! What an awesome word to describe His love! He's coming! Caught up to God! Am looking forward to this, not death.
me too!! not many use the word 'rapture' here but i see it like u just noted here. i do look 4 His coming, His glorious appearing, His rapture catching away of the saints and we r changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye 4 the dead in Christ shall rise first ,,and those of us who r alive and remain will be caught up togethr with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air....
1 Thessalonians 4 amplified Bible
[SUP]13 [/SUP]Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep [[SUP][g][/SUP]in death], that you may not grieve [for them] as the rest do who have no hope [beyond the grave].
[SUP]14 [/SUP]For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [[SUP][h][/SUP]in death].
[SUP]15 [/SUP]For this we declare to you by the Lord’s [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him [SUP][i][/SUP]in death].
[SUP]16 [/SUP]For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!
[SUP]18 [/SUP]Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.
I don't think that Joseph Prince would care that she's posting his stuff, considering the following:
- Prince can sell more stuff as a result, & get HIS doctrine scattered for the glory of Satan.
- She may be advertising as a sock puppet for JP's ministry, which BTW is against the rules.
I would say that you are in a good way now. The Lord is showing you that He alone is your source and provider and that He works with you in this earth. Just "seeing" this is the proof of your walking with Him now.
It is a growing process to rest completely on the Lord for all things and the main thing is to not let yourself be condemned and trust that He will show you the way that you are to go in this walk with Him. He will be faithful to you...
It is a growing process to rest completely on the Lord for all things and the main thing is to not let yourself be condemned and trust that He will show you the way that you are to go in this walk with Him. He will be faithful to you...
I've read a lot about "deceit", "deceitfulness", etc. Let's look into where the deceitfulness is:
This is deceitful. This tells a bare-faced lie that "beholding Jesus & His love"(whatever that means)is what makes us grow in the knowledge of God & Christ.
How much you wanna bet that "beholding Jesus & His love" is getting lost in WOF teachings of Prosperity, positive confession & name-it-&-claim-it?
Notice what the commentaries say about 2 Peter 1:2:
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you,.... By a multiplication of grace may be meant a larger discovery of the love and favour of God; which though it admits of no degrees in itself, being never more or less in God's heart, yet, as to the manifestations of it, it is different, and capable of being increased, and drawn out to a greater length; or else an increase of the internal graces of the Spirit of God, as to the actings and exercise of them; or a larger measure of the gifts of the Spirit, for greater usefulness among them;or a clearer view, and a more enlarged knowledge of the Gospel of the grace of God, and the truths of it
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(2) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you.—Identical with the last clause of 1Peter 1:2, and with no other greeting in any Epistle. What follows here is peculiar to this Epistle, which begins and ends with grace and knowledge. (Comp. 2Peter 3:18.)Through the knowledge.—Better, as before, in. The preposition indicates the sphere or element in which the action takes place, or the aspect in which it is contemplated. Tyndale and the Rhemish version have “in.”“ Knowledge” is not quite strong enough. In the original we have a compound word, which implies fuller, riper, more minute knowledge. But any of these expressions would be a little too strong, as the simple word is a little too weak. The same compound recurs 2Peter 1:3. It is rare in St. Paul’s earlier letters, but is more common in the later ones. This fact, coupled with its appearance here, agrees well with the more contemplative aspect in which the Gospel began gradually to be presented; a change which finds its fullest expression in the transition from the first three Gospels to the fourth. The word is introduced here with telling emphasis; “in the fuller knowledge of God” anticipates the attack that is coming upon the godless speculations of the “false teachers” in 2 Peter 2.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord - That is, grace and peace abound to us, or may be expected to be conferred on us abundantly, if we have a true knowledge of God and of the Saviour.Such a knowledge constitutes true religion: for in that we find "grace" - the grace that pardons and sanctifies; and "peace" - peace of conscience, reconciliation with God, and calmness in the trials of life. See the notes at John 17:3.
I see nothing about "beholding Jesus & His love" in here..... no, it's not there.
So, those that believed this "stuff" without careful study were deceived already.
All we see here is carnal increase. This is Prosperity Doctrine!
In the end, Joseph Prince is saying "Tell your people that monetary carnal prosperity in your church is God's unmerited favor on you". In other words, get a lot & give Joseph Prince Ministries even more!
This is deceitful. This tells a bare-faced lie that "beholding Jesus & His love"(whatever that means)is what makes us grow in the knowledge of God & Christ.
How much you wanna bet that "beholding Jesus & His love" is getting lost in WOF teachings of Prosperity, positive confession & name-it-&-claim-it?
Notice what the commentaries say about 2 Peter 1:2:
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you,.... By a multiplication of grace may be meant a larger discovery of the love and favour of God; which though it admits of no degrees in itself, being never more or less in God's heart, yet, as to the manifestations of it, it is different, and capable of being increased, and drawn out to a greater length; or else an increase of the internal graces of the Spirit of God, as to the actings and exercise of them; or a larger measure of the gifts of the Spirit, for greater usefulness among them;or a clearer view, and a more enlarged knowledge of the Gospel of the grace of God, and the truths of it
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(2) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you.—Identical with the last clause of 1Peter 1:2, and with no other greeting in any Epistle. What follows here is peculiar to this Epistle, which begins and ends with grace and knowledge. (Comp. 2Peter 3:18.)Through the knowledge.—Better, as before, in. The preposition indicates the sphere or element in which the action takes place, or the aspect in which it is contemplated. Tyndale and the Rhemish version have “in.”“ Knowledge” is not quite strong enough. In the original we have a compound word, which implies fuller, riper, more minute knowledge. But any of these expressions would be a little too strong, as the simple word is a little too weak. The same compound recurs 2Peter 1:3. It is rare in St. Paul’s earlier letters, but is more common in the later ones. This fact, coupled with its appearance here, agrees well with the more contemplative aspect in which the Gospel began gradually to be presented; a change which finds its fullest expression in the transition from the first three Gospels to the fourth. The word is introduced here with telling emphasis; “in the fuller knowledge of God” anticipates the attack that is coming upon the godless speculations of the “false teachers” in 2 Peter 2.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord - That is, grace and peace abound to us, or may be expected to be conferred on us abundantly, if we have a true knowledge of God and of the Saviour.Such a knowledge constitutes true religion: for in that we find "grace" - the grace that pardons and sanctifies; and "peace" - peace of conscience, reconciliation with God, and calmness in the trials of life. See the notes at John 17:3.
I see nothing about "beholding Jesus & His love" in here..... no, it's not there.
So, those that believed this "stuff" without careful study were deceived already.
All we see here is carnal increase. This is Prosperity Doctrine!
In the end, Joseph Prince is saying "Tell your people that monetary carnal prosperity in your church is God's unmerited favor on you". In other words, get a lot & give Joseph Prince Ministries even more!
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NASB)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
[SUP]18 [/SUP] But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
We are transformed by the Holy Spirit as we behold the glory/goodness of the Lord as in a mirror - 2 Cor. 3:17-18. This transformation is a passive occurrence ( as the Greek shows the word for "transformed" is in the passive voice - which means that something is being done to the person - not the person themselves doing it ).
This is similar to what happened to Moses when he was beholding God on the mountain - his face shined with the glory of the Lord and it transformed his face and the Israelites could see it ( Altho Moses' was fading - ours in Christ gets brighter - from glory to glory )
Also the same Greek word is used when Jesus was "transfigured" on the mountain and the glory of Him shone out for the disciples to see. This too was passive - which means that Jesus did not do it Himself - it was done to Him.
Jesus was manifesting outwardly what He already really was inside of Him - in His spirit where the Holy Spirit and the Father are too as One with Him.
Lastly the same Greek word was used in Romans 12:2 - be transformed by the renewing of our mind. This too is "passive".
This renewing of our mind involves the realities of Christ in us and all that He has done on the cross and resurrection - and the fact that we too died with Him on the cross and rose with Him to newness of life in the Spirit. - in our inner man in Christ - the new creation.
I maintain that the teaching about Christ brings about the grace and faith necessary to live the true Christian life and it all comes from being a manifestation of what already is in us because of our union with Christ as one spirit in the inner man in Christ.
I believe Peter walking on the water is a mini-version of what the true Christian life looks like - keeping our eyes on Jesus only and in obedience to Jesus' word "Come" - Peter was able to walk on water and he himself was able to do things that normally couldn't be done in the natural.
One last thing was when I looked at how Jesus responded to others - He was moved with compassion - this was a passive occurrence too that was manifesting the life that was in Him to help others. It was not a conscious decision to say " Ok, now I will heal someone".....it was a passive response from the life of love that was in Him.
[SUP]17 [/SUP] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
[SUP]18 [/SUP] But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
We are transformed by the Holy Spirit as we behold the glory/goodness of the Lord as in a mirror - 2 Cor. 3:17-18. This transformation is a passive occurrence ( as the Greek shows the word for "transformed" is in the passive voice - which means that something is being done to the person - not the person themselves doing it ).
This is similar to what happened to Moses when he was beholding God on the mountain - his face shined with the glory of the Lord and it transformed his face and the Israelites could see it ( Altho Moses' was fading - ours in Christ gets brighter - from glory to glory )
Also the same Greek word is used when Jesus was "transfigured" on the mountain and the glory of Him shone out for the disciples to see. This too was passive - which means that Jesus did not do it Himself - it was done to Him.
Jesus was manifesting outwardly what He already really was inside of Him - in His spirit where the Holy Spirit and the Father are too as One with Him.
Lastly the same Greek word was used in Romans 12:2 - be transformed by the renewing of our mind. This too is "passive".
This renewing of our mind involves the realities of Christ in us and all that He has done on the cross and resurrection - and the fact that we too died with Him on the cross and rose with Him to newness of life in the Spirit. - in our inner man in Christ - the new creation.
I maintain that the teaching about Christ brings about the grace and faith necessary to live the true Christian life and it all comes from being a manifestation of what already is in us because of our union with Christ as one spirit in the inner man in Christ.
I believe Peter walking on the water is a mini-version of what the true Christian life looks like - keeping our eyes on Jesus only and in obedience to Jesus' word "Come" - Peter was able to walk on water and he himself was able to do things that normally couldn't be done in the natural.
One last thing was when I looked at how Jesus responded to others - He was moved with compassion - this was a passive occurrence too that was manifesting the life that was in Him to help others. It was not a conscious decision to say " Ok, now I will heal someone".....it was a passive response from the life of love that was in Him.
Here is what scripture says concerning the grace of God. It is only found in Christ and as we beholds the love and grace of God for us - we are transformed.
Paul exhorts us to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
It is the grace of God that gives us the inheritance that is ours in Christ.
Acts 20:32 (NASB)
[SUP]32 [/SUP] "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Here Peter says that we are to fix our hope completely on the grace that comes with the revelation of Jesus Christ. It seems to me that "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" is important.
1 Peter 1:13
[SUP]13 [/SUP] Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that as the Father has loved Me - so have I loved you. Abide/remain/stay in My love. Understanding the love of God for us is paramount into growing the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To know the love of Christ for us is everything! Paul prays to the Father that He would grant us to be strengthened with power by the Holy Spirit in our inner man - so that we would know the love of Christ for us - knowing His love will fill us up with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
[SUP]17 [/SUP] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
[SUP]18 [/SUP] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
[SUP]19 [/SUP] and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Paul exhorts us to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
It is the grace of God that gives us the inheritance that is ours in Christ.
Acts 20:32 (NASB)
[SUP]32 [/SUP] "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Here Peter says that we are to fix our hope completely on the grace that comes with the revelation of Jesus Christ. It seems to me that "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" is important.
1 Peter 1:13
[SUP]13 [/SUP] Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that as the Father has loved Me - so have I loved you. Abide/remain/stay in My love. Understanding the love of God for us is paramount into growing the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To know the love of Christ for us is everything! Paul prays to the Father that He would grant us to be strengthened with power by the Holy Spirit in our inner man - so that we would know the love of Christ for us - knowing His love will fill us up with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
[SUP]17 [/SUP] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
[SUP]18 [/SUP] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
[SUP]19 [/SUP] and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
The truth that God will bless us in our work is shown in the life of Joseph. It doesn't matter what situation we are in - God will bless us so that we can be a blessing to others.
Here is Joseph - sold as a slave by his brothers - standing naked as slaves did to be sold in Egypt. He had nothing in the natural - but God was with him.
It doesn't matter what situation we find ourselves it - the Lord will bless us and also bless those around us too as we look to Him for life and living - despite what the circumstances are screaming at us.
Genesis 39:2-5 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD'S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.
Make no mistake about it - the Lord blesses us and others around us when we depend on the Lord. But it is not for us to spend on our own lusts - but to be a blessing to others. It's the way of the kingdom...
Here is Joseph - sold as a slave by his brothers - standing naked as slaves did to be sold in Egypt. He had nothing in the natural - but God was with him.
It doesn't matter what situation we find ourselves it - the Lord will bless us and also bless those around us too as we look to Him for life and living - despite what the circumstances are screaming at us.
Genesis 39:2-5 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD'S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.
Make no mistake about it - the Lord blesses us and others around us when we depend on the Lord. But it is not for us to spend on our own lusts - but to be a blessing to others. It's the way of the kingdom...
Should we know the love of God for us - no matter what situation we are in? I say yes. It is again seen in the life of Joseph after he was thrown in jail by Potiphar because his wife lied about Joseph.
In spite of all this that happened to Joseph - God showed him His faithful love ( Hebrew word "hased" = steadfast love/grace/favorkindness )
Genesis 39:21New Living Translation (NLT)
[SUP]21 [/SUP]But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.
Here the Lord gave Joseph favor with the prison warden - another example of the blessing of God in all circumstances and He influences people around us to show His favor and love for us.
We are not all called to be "Josephs" but we are all called to be blessed in the way and calling that we are to go and the same care and favor showed to Joseph will be shown to us because God is not a respecter of persons.
Whatever area of life that we are in - as we look to the Lord for His life and grace - we will prosper so that we can be a blessing to others.
Yes, there are warnings about letting "things" become our treasure and not the true Treasure which is Christ Himself - but to negate the blessing of God in our lives so that we can bless others around us is not a kingdom principle IMO.
Sometimes what we do is look at the life of Paul as an apostle and think we are to live like he did with beatings and suffering like he did because he preached the gospel. But Paul himself said that God has made apostles suffer so that the others could be free. Paul also said that we are to pray for those in authority so that we can live quietly without trouble like they experienced from the Roman persecution.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
[SUP]2 [/SUP] for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
In spite of all this that happened to Joseph - God showed him His faithful love ( Hebrew word "hased" = steadfast love/grace/favorkindness )
Genesis 39:21New Living Translation (NLT)
[SUP]21 [/SUP]But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.
Here the Lord gave Joseph favor with the prison warden - another example of the blessing of God in all circumstances and He influences people around us to show His favor and love for us.
We are not all called to be "Josephs" but we are all called to be blessed in the way and calling that we are to go and the same care and favor showed to Joseph will be shown to us because God is not a respecter of persons.
Whatever area of life that we are in - as we look to the Lord for His life and grace - we will prosper so that we can be a blessing to others.
Yes, there are warnings about letting "things" become our treasure and not the true Treasure which is Christ Himself - but to negate the blessing of God in our lives so that we can bless others around us is not a kingdom principle IMO.
Sometimes what we do is look at the life of Paul as an apostle and think we are to live like he did with beatings and suffering like he did because he preached the gospel. But Paul himself said that God has made apostles suffer so that the others could be free. Paul also said that we are to pray for those in authority so that we can live quietly without trouble like they experienced from the Roman persecution.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
[SUP]2 [/SUP] for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
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Hi Awakened, i know what u mean. But it took me a while to come to grips with how to look at the way Jesus would take care of me now. I was a newly divorced woman who was for 27yrs always a stay at home wife and mom and homemaker.
Soon major fear came into my heart with thoughts of being homeless because of not having any long term work history always having my husband to depend on and never having to work outside the home. I home schooled our children for some years until we put them in private school. I was totally unprepared for the harsh hard scary reality of the world and supporting myself at the age of 50.
Fear came raging in about lack of money,home and family. Of no longer being a respected contributing member of the Christian community or even society since being divorced at such an age. This is also a major fear for many people.
When i tried to find ways to survive, my plans failed. Fear was the driving force and not trust or faith in Jesus and His love and care of me. So I remarried again out of fear and worked out of fear.
But then God picked me up from my mess and started teaching me about His grace (unmerited unearned unworked for) love and favor personally. Just like He saves my soul He would also care for me here and now from fearing and dreading life on earth.
So today He has since supplied a home for me., a job and money to pay bills and supprt His work. I still have so much to learn but theee most valuable truth the Holy Spirit keeps showing over and over again is how much Jesus loves and will always take care of me like He promised. Trust Him first and all the other things are added on.
And its always that reassurance and peace He keeps speaking. Obedience of faith is a gift too I'm finding. Without the Holy Spirit always reassuring my spirit, that awful fear would come in and demolish me. But He keeps me because He loves me unconditionally and wants me to lean on that truth of love and grace I don't deserve but DO have.
We need to hear it preached over and over, talk about it., read it over and over in our Bibles all the time so it becomes so real we cant survive without it every day. He will never leave or fore sake us. He brings miracles our way and favor into our lives.
He supplies in ways we could never do ourselves. He brings opportunities and people into our lives who will help us better than our best thought out plans that could take years. He makes happen even sooner in His perfect time. Sometimes in moments or weeks if He so chooses we need now.
Since relying on His unconditional love and grace I've never been disappointed or left to fend for myself
Agreed. And I'll add that I believe the prosperity gospel is one big reason that the "Christians are hypocrites" worldview exists at all.
NAILED!!!!!!!!! Thanks for this, people need to ponder it as it represents the truth regarding Christian expectations in this world and puts it in a true biblical perspective. Thank God for His people who get the truth.