TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2017.
PROSPERITY
DEFINITION:
A successful, flourishing, or thriving condition; economic well-being.
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. III John 2.
After Jesus ascended back to His Father in heaven, He left His disciples the task of tending His sheep (the followers of Jesus). The disciples were faithful to encourage the believers and to uphold them in prayer.
John III is the apostle John’s personal letter of encouragement to Gaius, a fellow believer and faithful worker in the early church for the Lord. John wrote Gaius to commend him for his faithfulness and to let him know he was praying for him. John noted that Gaius spiritual state was so excellent that he was praying that his physical health would match his spiritual vigor.
It was a common practice for one to be asked when being met how his health was. Our physical condition is not something that is always apparent. Our spiritual condition, however, should be very apparent. Our Christian walk and the way we conduct ourselves should give evidence to our spiritual condition. John wrote Gaius that others had testified to him that Gaius was “walking in truth.” By the way Gaius lived his life it was apparent to others that he had his priorities right.
It is only as we have our priorities right and walk in the truth of God’s Word that we can expect God to prosper us.
The world has its priorities wrong. The priority of the world is making money, being popular and gaining power. If that is accomplished one is considered prosperous. On the road to obtaining this prosperity people destroy their physical health with stress, lack of sleep, sexual immorality, alcohol and drugs. People seem to be willing to pay this price for what they consider prosperity.
People that are so called prosperous in the world are fearful that if they come to the Lord they will have to give up their hard fought for rewards of prosperity. They do not understand that God wants to bless and prosper those who love Him and honor Him in their lives.
Jeremiah writes in Jeremiah 29:27 a promise that was given to the nation of Israel. “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Throughout the Old Testament God promised prosperity to the people of Israel as long as they honored Him. When they failed God they not only lost their prosperity but eventually the whole nation was lost and scattered.
God’s first desire for us is that our souls will prosper. Our prosperity in life is dependent on what God blesses us with and as we learn in the Old Testament, we will prosper in life depending on how our soul prospers. It must be our priority to walk in truth so that God can prosper us.
Our family is not what the world would call wealthy but we feel we have been very prosperous. God has blessed us far beyond what we deserve but not in riches or wealth. Our prosperity has been in good health, God given enabling strength, sound minds, loving, God fearing children and unusual ministry opportunities that could have only come from God.
Yes, there have been trials and disappointments but by God’s grace we have felt God’s blessing and see how He prospers us when we are faithful to Him.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 5:22-23.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Thank You that Your plan for me is to prosper me and keep me from harm. Thank You for guiding me to walk in the truth of Your Word. Give me direction, wisdom, and understanding as I learn to serve You so that You can use me to further the good news of the Gospel.
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