Prosperity is more than we think

I didn't want to write this post today. As Carol said yesterday, prosperity is a tricky subject in the church. It invites scorn and skepticism. But in an effort to be transparent and give God the glory, it seemed important to share just some of our story and my reasons for bringing this subject to the blog at all.

I ask that mercy would triumph judgment as you learn more about me.

* * *

I press the End button on my cell phone with shaking hands. Bile rises in my throat and I grit my teeth against it.

"O God. I'm going to throw up."

That's not the voice of faith. Take heart, child.

"Take heart? Your Word says the righteous shall not beg. Your Word says You will supply our every need. Your Word says ask anything in Jesus' name and it will be done by my Father in heaven. How can this be happening in light of what Your Word says, God?"

Silence. Of course. Like a patient parent, He waits out my temper tantrum. Or is He, like I do when my toddler throws a fit, thinking of a suitable punishment for my insolence?

I draw a deep breath and swallow. This is the Almighty I'm talking to. Maybe I should dial down the attitude a bit.

"Is this what's it's come to, then? Two years of clawing and fighting to stay out of the pit, and we have to file for bankruptcy anyway? Where is our abundance? Where is the prosperity You promised?"

I know your needs before you ask. Have I not clothed the lilies of the valley and fed the birds of the air? Will I not do this and much more for you?

"Oh, good. I'll just tell those creditors that God knows all our needs and He'll bail us out soon."

More silence, and I wonder what people would say if I really did bring God into our conversation about money. Somehow, I doubt it will change the bottom line.

God doesn't promise a bailout of governmental proportions. I made mistakes in handling my finances, and I have to pay the consequences. If that means bankruptcy or working two jobs or selling everything we own, maybe it will teach me about good stewardship in the future.

I feel a prodding of the sovereign sort. He does not judge me as I judge myself or as the world judges me, and He is quick to forgive. He rescues His children as a father with limitless resources would.

Rescue is still possible. Prosperity is still possible.

But what is prosperity? When I pray for that specific blessing, what am I really asking for? Let me explain in wholly personal terms as I believe this differs for everyone.

For me, prosperity means paying - and paying off - my bills. It means going to the grocery store and not debating about a bar of soap or a package of dinner meat. Prosperity to me is taking a weekend to play with my husband and kids without worrying about the lost income from two days off. I'd like to have enough in savings to pay for a trip to the dentist or car repairs. Enough to give back to the community and the people that have helped us so much in our time of need.

Even more than money, prosperity is the ability to get up in the morning and look forward to the day. To have sufficient rest and abundant peace and joy. To be able to ward off spiritual attacks that threaten to derail my progress in the Lord. To have direction and energy and organization.

That's prosperous living to me. That's what rescue looks like to me.

I know we are not unique in our situation. Millions of people in our country face circumstances like ours. May we all turn to God, "who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Ephesians 3:20).


I feel, rather than hear, the Lord's voice. Fear not, child. I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

To have the God of the universe taking care of me and holding me up as I go through this life gives me pause. It surely does not get more prosperous than that.

I pray prosperity and abundance on us all,
Shelley

The Riches of an Inheritance

Ephesians 1:18 - 19

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

I love Shelley’s honesty on the subject of prosperity which is almost a taboo subject in the church.  There are some subjects that the church shies away from in an effort not to be misunderstood; prosperity is one of those subject.  Why??  I think because prosperity is most often interpreted as asking for dollars and as Shelley has pointed out there are references where that request is biblical. 

However, Jesus even mentions that the people he fed with fish and loaves began to seek Him, not because of the signs which pointed to Him as the Messiah but because their bellies were filled and they wanted more (See John 6:25 – 27).   He instructed those followers to spend their energy on seeking the spiritual food that endures to eternal life rather on the “food” which perishes after ingested.  He knows our need for the daily requirements of life and it is obvious from scripture that he willingly meets those needs.   I asked myself after Shelley’s blog if I turn my heart back to the Father with heartfelt thanks when my needs are met or do I ask God to search my heart when they seem to be out of our reach.  Questions, questions.     

The passage from Ephesians gives us incredible detail regarding what God identifies as riches for his people mainly the riches of the glorious inheritance of eternal life AND the greatness of His power TOWARD us who believe; such power as we have never known and such an inheritance that we cannot begin to grasp it.  How are the eyes of our heart enlightened??  Well, you know where I’m going with this – it is through time spent in prayer; seeking God for His direction and guidance in the simple, daily needs of life and for the eternal needs of our souls.  Both are equally important to sustain life. 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”   John 3:16

Blessings on your journey,
Carol

Praying for Prosperity

Happy Tuesday, Pray-ers! As always, last week slipped by when I wasn't looking, and the weekend... Well, I'm pretty sure it didn't happen. Here's hoping you all had a good few days.

And here's praying we all have a great week!

Do you ever pray for prosperity? I do. It's more biblical than some would think (see Joshua 1:7, 1 Kings 2:3, and 3 John 1:2 for a few examples), but it took a long time for me to recognize that my idea of prosperity is not necessarily God's idea. In fact, I think He has a much bigger plan for it than I do. I usually pray for financial income - especially in the wake of losing my job and my husband working too many 14-hour days to make up for it. Sometimes I'll ask for God to prosper us in another way, like joy or understanding, but mostly I just want money. Lol.

I think God wants more for us than that.

The Word says that our expectation comes from Him (Psalm 62:5), and that His plans for us are for good, for a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). That sounds like even more than financial prosperity to me. His idea is for us to have peace, joy, hope, and fullness of Spirit. The enemy can not gain a foothold and steal our prosperity if we're seeking and living in the Spirit of Christ. And money doesn't compare when I'm full of joy and hope. When I have these things, when I'm living in Jesus, I can do all things - even earn financial income.

How do you pray for prosperity? What does it look like to you? Share with us, and let's pray for each other!

Many blessings to you today,
Shelley

Monday Prayer

Happy Monday morning, Pray-ers! Let's start the week talking to God.

Father God, thank you for another day to praise and worship you. Thank you for the many gifts you give us, and help us to recognize them. Help us to hear Your voice this week, and guide us in the ways You would have us go.

This week, I especially pray for Your children to prosper in Your name, Jesus. Many of us are weak, faltering, and disillusioned. We have asked, we have believed, and we have not received as Your word says we should. We see the wicked prosper while our works and faith seem fruitless. Where the enemy is lurking and stealing from us, I pray that You would bind him in Your power and in Your might. Give us victory and show us how to take it. Give us unending hope that does not disappoint. Give us power to win this fight for Your glory.

You are good and kind and generous, Lord. We praise You for it, and for covering us with love, courage, kindness, and hope. In Your holy Name we pray, Amen.