ESTABLISHED AND PROSPEROUS (Part Two)

ESTABLISHED AND PROSPEROUS (Part Two) 

     The beloved disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ John said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 2, KJV).  John prayed to God about three things here concerning the well beloved Gaius: 
1.) He prayed that he prosper; 2.) He prayed that he would be in good sound health; and 3.) He prayed that his soul would prosper.  John was concerned about the whole man: spirit, soul and body.  He wished that each part of those who believed in Yeshua would prosper.  We will expound on the word 'prosper' later in this teaching. 

     So, let’s settle this issue or matter concerning prosperity.  The Father desires for His children or people to prosper in the context of what this word really means in the Bible.  It is His will and good pleasure that we do so.  Just agree with this statement of truth! But before He prospers us, He wants to establish us first.  So, let God establish you!

     The apostle Paul said to the believers in the Church at Rome, “For I long to see you: that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift: to the end you may be established” (Romans 1:11, KJV). Paul earnestly desired to “impart . . . some spiritual gift".  He would 'impart', and they would be 'established'.  Their mutual relationship would comfort preacher and people. Paul expressed in a delicate and gracious way how he needed them.  Both would be benefactors and both would be beneficiaries.  Both would be strengthened and encouraged together in the Lord.  The apostle Paul understood the importance of being established. Again, he said, “to the end you may be established by the spiritual gift I will impart to you". 

     The word 'impart' means “to give over, share, to impart; to make known, tell, or to grant a part.”  The word 'spiritual' means “non­carnal, (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, belonging or relating to the human spirit.”  The word 'gift' means “a (divine) gratuity, a (spiritual) endowment, a favour with which one receives without any merit of his or her own; the gift of divine grace, the economy of divine grace."  The word 'established' means “to set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm; to make stable, place firmly, to render constant.” 

     Therefore, the apostle Paul was desiring to come to the believers in the Church at Rome “to make and give unto them out of the supernatural grace he had received from God; and to share with them a spiritual endowment or deposit that would cause them to be resolutely set in the right direction, firmly set, stable, and properly placed in Christ."  It would be a place where nothing or no one could move them. It was to this end that Paul eagerly desired to visit the Church at Rome.  This was his goal.  So, let the men and women of God that He has connected you to, or assigned to be His voice in your life, be used by Him that you may be established in the end.  He still uses godly men too.

     Like the apostle Paul, this is the end or goal I so earnestly desire for the people of God today.  I want to see them established in the faith, rooted and grounded in the love of Jesus, and mature and complete in everything that is the will of God.  This is a part of the calling and assignment of God for me.  I long to impart in whatever way and by whatever means I can honestly and truthfully share that which God has endowed within me. 

     There are other Scriptures in the Bible that speak about being established; and how it is the will of God. 

1. Psalm 40:2 – “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”  The Psalmist understood that this was all the LORD’S doing.  He said, “Yahweh brought me up.” “Yahweh brought me out of the miry clay.” “Yahweh set my feet upon a rock, and He established my goings.”  It was all Yahweh’s doing; His work of love and grace.  The word 'established' here means “to erect; to set up or upright, to be firmly established or stable; to be secure, prepared, or ready.”  Yahweh has done the same things for us that He did for the Psalmist.  So, let Him daily establish our steps in the way He would have us to go.  Remember Proverbs 3:6, “In all your ways acknowledge Him; and He will direct your path.” Yeshua [Jesus Christ] is our Rock upon which our feet have been set.  He is an anchor for our souls. 
2. Psalm 112:3 – “His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies.”  You see, fear cannot torment the mind of the believer who has allowed their heart to be established by the LORD.  He has not given us the spirit of fear; nor does he want our minds to be troubled, agitated, or afraid.  This is another reason we should allow Him to establish our hearts. 
3. Acts 16:5 – “And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.”  Notice what the churches (not just one single church) were established in:  THE FAITH.  Increase came after they were first established.  The word 'establish' here means “to solidify, i.e. confirm, receive strength, make strong, to make solid.”  The apostles revisited the churches where they had preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.  They wanted to make sure that they were being established in the faith.  We must not take this lightly.  God desire that His people be established in the faith.  Are you being established?  Increase in number to the churches only came after they had been established in the faith first.  It is not good to get an increase in number without being established first.  God does want to give increase in number and daily add to His Church (the local churches).  The word 'increase' here means “to super­abound (in quantity or quality), to be in excess, be superfluous; to cause to excel; to exceed a fixed number of measure or set number. Yes!  The Father desires to see his people, His Church, to super exceed and abound abundantly in growth, quantity, and quality (spiritually and naturally).
4. Hebrews 13:9b – “. . . For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace.” Instead of seeking to establish the hearts with the non­essentials to salvation, such as meat, drink, holy days, etc., the heart of the believer needs to be established with grace.  We need to show others the same kind of unmerited favor God has shown us. We should never allow the non­essentials to salvation cause us to judge our brothers and sisters in Christ; or, to cause even a greater divide or separation within the body of Christ.  Unity or oneness should be more important than clinging to our legal rights. 
5. 2 Peter 1:12 – “. . . And be established in the present truth.”  The apostle Peter was saying here that as long as he was in the body, he would remind the saints of “present truth.”  Why?  Because he desired to see all of the saints of God established in it.  He strongly and earnestly desired to see each of them be set fast, be confirmed, or be turned resolutely in a certain direction:  the direction and way of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He wanted each of them to be strengthened with the strength of the Lord, stable in their minds and walk with God, firmly placed in their set place in Christ, and always being steadfast, unmovable, and abounding in their labor and work in the Lord. 

ESTABLISHED AND PROSPEROUS (Part One)

ESTABLISHED AND PROSPEROUS

(Part One)

         I believe it is the Father’s will to “establish” and “prosper” His redeemed blood bought people in the earth. I truly believe that it is His good pleasure to do so. I believe this has been His intention from the beginning. The command to mankind, His son Adam, was to “be fruitful and to multiply upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26-31.

         I also believe we must teach this with some balance, and we must not go to the extreme in making applicable the teachings on establishment and prosperity. We must not allow covetousness to drive us for gain and an abundance of substance at the expense of the prosperity of our souls and walk with God.

         From the beginning God blessed mankind and pronounced the benediction over his life. He “blessed” man. That is, He empowered him with everything he needed to be productive, fruitful, and successful. He gave him the power and His blessing to succeed successfully in his assignment, life, and reign on earth over all the things He had created or made. Man was created to rule, reign, succeed, worship, praise, and maintain constant and unbroken fellowship with His Creator, etc. But before he prospers in every area of life God desires for him to prosper, God desires to establish him first. First, be established! Then let God give you the power or ability to prosper and increase in wealth (naturally and spiritually).

         In this teaching session I want to deal with being established first. I believe we need to be really “established” and “rooted” in Christ and His love before “prosperity” comes. You can be very prosperous with much substance and many carnal and material things. Yet you may not be established in the faith and have come to spiritual maturity in Christ. Now I truly believe that it is our Father and God in heaven’s will to bless and prosper His children in more ways than one. I do. But I also believe that His will is that we are established in the faith first, and experiencing the deeper depths of Yeshua [Jesus]. Then we will learn like the apostle Paul to “be content in whatever state we are in”; and find all of our sufficiency in God and our Shepherd Jesus. Read – 2 Corinthians 3:5; Psalm 23:1.

“I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how

to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned

the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance

and suffering need. I can do all things through HIM who strengthens

me.” (Philippians 4:12-13, NASB)

         True prosperity is learning how to trust God at all times and in every circumstance. He is our Father, and He is the SOURCE of everything we need or stand in the need of. YAHWEH is the One from whom all of our help comes from. He is the origin or beginning of who and what we need. There is no lack in Him, no want when the Lord is our Shepherd. God has already given us everything pertaining to life and godliness, as well as everything we need to succeed and be prosperous in this present life and world. But the Psalmist did warn us when he said, “. . . If riches increase, set not your heart to them.” Make sure your heart is established with Christ in God first. Then expect increase and prosperity to come to you and your children (Psalm 115:12-15).

         When King Jehoshaphat of Judah prayed to the God of heaven and earth concerning the kings and nations that we coming to make war against Judah, he prayed and sought the LORD (“The Source”). He was afraid. But he also knew he could trust and count on YAHWEH. They fasted and prayed. Then the LORD spoke through the prophet Jahaziel and gave him the battle strategy for this battle that they would not have to fight. The next day King Jehoshaphat said to the army and people of Judah, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed” (2 Chronicles 20:20, NASB).

         The King James Version says, “Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe in His prophets, so shall ye prosper.” God wanted both for His covenant people. He wanted them to be established first, then prosperous. As we trust God and put our confidence in Him, He establishes us. Then as we hear or listen to His chosen prophets or designated mouthpieces, He causes us to prosper or succeed in every endeavor He ordains or purpose of His for our success. Read – Romans 8:28.

      The Hebrew word for “establish” is aman, aw-man’. It properly means “to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; to confirm, support, uphold, reliable, stand firm, to be certain, to trust.”

         It is the will of YAHWEH that His people not fear anything or anyone. He had rather we put our confidence or total trust in Him, even in the midst of great odds, difficult circumstances, violent threats, material or physical needs or necessities. God himself takes the initiative to build up His people and be their support. God himself will take the responsibility to bear and hold you up with and in His strength. He will personally sustain you so that you can withstand and endure the pressure, strain, stress, or weight of whatever it is you are facing without giving up or fainting.

         Now increase and prosperity will come. But allow God to establish you first. When God establishes you, you are established. You are placed and positioned in a firm and permanent place in Christ where nothing has to move you. Your house will be built on the foundation of God’s Word with Him as your support. He has vowed to hold His own with the right hand of His righteousness.
#H.I.E.

A Year of Opportunity and Expectation

Greetings!  We have stepped into 2013. Welcome into this New Year that we believe is filled with opportunity and expectancy. Even though we know 13 is the number for rebellion, there is also a positive side.  13 also means "double-portion." May the Father in heaven reward us with double for all that has been lost or stolen; or by all that has troubled us. 13 also represents the 1 (Jesus) plus the 12 apostles of the Lamb that He chose and named "apostles", and who followed Him as His disciples. From this meaning and perspective the number 13 means "duplication, reproduction, productivity, and fruitfulness. Therefore, we decree 2013 as a year of productivity and fruitfulness like never before-fruit that shall remain.

Also, we declare and decree in the name of the Lord that 2013 is the year of order and self-discipline. As we bring order and self-discipline to  our personal  lives and the house of God, it will prevent and deter any rebellion, chaos, or confusion that may want to enter into our lives and the house of God, as we run, fight, and bring the self-discipline needed to win (1 Corin. 9:24-27). 2013 is going to be the most productive of all the years you (we) have experienced thus far.  We are now at a time when purpose, preparation, and opportunity are intersecting.  No more procrastination!  We cannot afford to waste time. We see ourselves as "redeemers of the time." This is the time to make every minute count.  We have just come from the Kingdom Leadership Summit 2013 where God has re-emphasized this point.  God is using a prepared people in a prepared hour to do what He prepared before the foundation of the world in this day and hour. He has found and is raising up a people that will do all of His will in their generation.

Therefore we cannot become stagnant or stumble over unbelief, unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness, past hurts, past failures, or any such like things that will profane us and make us unprofitable servants to God's will and the Kingdom in this season. Let’s move toward God’s agenda! Yes, God has His own agenda, purpose, and plan that He is working and bringing to pass. We do not need to supply Him with our own. Let us just humbly submit  ourselves to Him, and let our meat be to do all of His will! His will is "unity" and that we are "one." So let’s move toward unity and oneness as we learn and choose to walk together as brethren in the Lord and the family of God on earth, as well as in harmony and peace.

 

Join in with us now for the 2014 Kingdom Leadership Summit and agree with us that the prophetic word spoken about this Summit and divine gathering of the Lord will come to pass! Let's begin to believe, pray for, and trust God to move on the hearts of 100 senior pastors and the flock that they serve and oversee to be in attendance in 2014. We can take North Alabama TOGETHER for the sake of the KINGDOM! Amen.

The Difference the Truth Makes (Part 1)

          What a difference the "Truth" makes! When you come into the knowledge of the "Truth" and put the "Truth" that you have come to believe and know into practical application, it makes all of the difference in your walk with the Lord; and as an overcomer in Christ who daily prevails over the power and temptations of the enemy. It will begin to free you from every form of bondage one may be entangled in. As a true disciple of Jesus Christ wills to follow Him, deny self, take up their cross daily, and adhere to His teachings, at the end of the road he or she will experience freedom. This is what Jesus taught and promised in John 8:32.
          Read -- John 8:30-32. There are several key truths that Jesus makes known to those who truly believe and who become His genuine disciples.
          First of all, "many believed on Him because of His words", the words of truth (v. 30). It was His teachings that produced faith, and made a difference in their eternal security and salvation. Those who believed had now begun the heavenly trek, the spiritual journey. The way of a disciple will be hard at times; the light might become dim too. Tears may flow and heartaches may happen! In the process of their belief they would become more settled as they progressed on this spiritual journey, and one day they would come to the gates of the city.
          Secondly, by holding fast to His teachings and continuing in His word, they would prove themselves to be disciples indeed (v. 31). Who are the true disciples? True disciples are those who "continue" to follow Him, relying on His Word totally though sometimes not fully understanding it. The true disciple obeys Him because he or she trust Him and know His character -- not because you understand every command He gives you. Jesus said, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). The words (Jesus' words; God's word recorded in Scripture) . . . are spirit (spiritual not fleshly), and . . . . are life (make alive; produces the God-kind of life). Jesus knew that some of the Jews believed in Him; therefore He built on that faith. He instructed them to build on their faith and prove their discipleship by continuing, abiding, remaining, or staying in His word. By doing so it will make a difference in our life as a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ. "My" in "my word" is emphasized to stress the message of Jesus' word as opposed to any other. As His disciples continue to cling to His Word, the doubts would dissipate and the assurance of the truth would become settled. True disciples are those who continue to follow Him, seeking the truth, and totally relying upon Him and His Word or teachings. "If you continue in My Word . . ."
          Third, it is Jesus' will that His disciples abide in His Word and come to "know the truth": a truth that will set the disciple indeed free (v. 32). Yes, knowing the truth makes a great difference. Not knowing the truth keeps you in bondage (even though as a son and daughter of Abraham by faith in Jesus Christ you have a right to be free); knowing the truth will set you free. The end result of abiding in His Word, adhering to His teachings, and continuing in His Word is that the Word will progressively become clear; and it will eventually liberate the disciple from all that has held him or her in bondage or captivity. This statement is similar to two other passages of Scripture in John: "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine . . ."  (7:17); and, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (17:17). Again, Jesus is instructing His disciples in a more perfect way. He says to them, the Father in heaven can only consecrate them in the sphere of truth; and make them holy and devoted in and by the truth. The truth is His Word. His truth makes a difference in one's life. God's Word is Truth. His message is Truth. His Truth makes the true disciples of Jesus Christ holy in every way. See -- Psalm 119:9.
          The conclusion of the whole matter is that the "Truth" makes a difference. How much of the Truth do you know? How has knowing the Truth made a difference in your own personal life?

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"What lies behind us and what lies before us, are

tiny Matters compared to what lies within us."

                                       ____ Kathleen Marie

                                    Awakener: Salem, MA

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From the Jewish Perspective:

          There is a move of God where He is stirring up the hearts and desires of a remnant to return to the root of Judaism (without trying to become a Jew), and study the Scriptures and texts of Scriptures from a Hebraic or Jewish perspective. There are many benefits and blessings for those who pursue such a divinely inspired study and remain discipline to it. Yes, "It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes."

          The question many may ask is, "Is there a need for such a study? I am saved, and I believe." The answer to this question may vary from person to person. Whereas I truly believe there is a need for such a study. I also believe, that some of us have been called by God for such a study. The Jewishness of Jesus, the Bible, and benefit of Torah study can transform our faith and minds (our way of thinking and seeing, believing and behaving). Ann Spangler said, "It was the Jewish people who preserved a faith upon which our own is built." I say, "It was the Jewish people who passed on and gave us such divine instructions from God for living life here on earth; and who also gave us the Messiah of God, the Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and King.

          First of all, we should desire to come into the full knowledge of God; and to learn how to properly interpret the Scriptures, and have revealed to us every interpretation of Scripture possible, or that can be known. It is difficult trying to interpret Scriptures without Yeshua [the Hebrew name for Jesus] who must open up our eyes and understanding (Luke 24:25-27, 44-49), the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:12-15), and Israel (1 Corin. 10:11; Romans 15:4).

          The Bible is basically a Hebrew book, written by inspired Hebrew men (with the exception of Luke, a Gentile writer), who all lived  in that land of Promised -- Promised by God to their father Abraham. We need to seek to join them where they were sitting; and to think with their Hebraic mindset within their culture and custom to gain a better understanding and increase in the knowledge of God's rich depth of meaning in Scripture. Therefore, it is imperative that New Testament Messianic believers in Yeshua (Jesus) look at and study the context of certain Old Testament texts from a Hebraic perspective and the concrete meaning of certain Hebrew words. It is necessary for us to revisit the Scriptures and try to rediscover or have revealed to us by the Father in heaven some new insight and rich beauty in the Jewishness of the Bible and of the Messiah. We need to know and understand how both the Jews and Gentiles are to relate to one another in the Church, in Christ as the "one new man"; and in the plan and purpose of God in the ages.

          Stay tuned!!! We will be sharing a lot more on this subject matter. Especially for those who God is calling to such a study -- for such a time as this!