Are You Ready to Prosper?

Are You Ready to Prosper?

Good Morning Friends,

Today’s Scripture prods us to look forward in an expectant and joyful anticipation of what God would do next in us and specifically to look forward eagerly in our belief that Jesus has a plan to grow us in the love of God.  Are You Ready to Prosper?

Scripture: For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.  We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NRSV)

For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:3 (NRSV)

Message: Ever watch the old Star Treks? Perhaps the newer movies? In them Spock can be heard to say, “Live Long and Prosper” as a farewell to others. And this reminds me that my Hispanic friends wish each other a prosperous New Year. Maybe as we say goodbye to 2015 it is a good time to figure out just what prosperity is all about. And as I contemplate it this morning, of the first day of 2016, I am prompted to say that a prosperity gospel focused on money is just bad theology. And second that there still is nothing wrong with being successful.
And third that being faithful is a far better way to grow in the Spirit. And having said that I have come to the conclusion that having a mindset focused on Christ is what makes us prosperous. And the whole idea of Christ having come to be one of us and the promise that Jesus will come again is tied up in this reality. You see, when we wait expectantly for Him to return, our thoughts focus on Him and we begin to listen to what we should do in preparation. This focus to the future brings us joy even in our troubled lives and prepares us to prosper. Here we discover a path to prosperity by simply believing in the promises of God.  So if you spend time getting to know Jesus, genuine prosperity can be yours. In Him we learn to experience love above the law. In him we learn the fellowship of compassion above regulations. In him we learn that growth is more important than comfort. In Him we learn to prioritize mission above ambition. Friends in Jesus springs a gift of spiritual security that helps us to experience peace of mind and in turn good health. So rely on God. Obey God. Sow seeds. Be molded into the person God wants you to be. Profit from being prepared for God’s blessings. Educate yourself and train up others in God’s Word. Be willing to take risks. Practice sympathy and compassion. Seek unity of the body and be at peace with others. Be satisfied with what God provides and have a spirit of thankfulness. Friends, to prosper you do not need a new year’s resolution, you need to love in the Spirit. Realize that the Lord makes us rich…nothing else.

Pray we have a Happy New Year! Pray that we look forward to a future age of peace and prosperity with Jesus reigning. Pray we listen when God declares the plans to prosper us. Pray we be satisfied in the love of Jesus. Pray the Holy Spirit puts power in our belief and steel in our convictions that changes the way we live. Pray our thoughts become taut and vision of the future is sharpened. Pray we have a distinctive sense of the future as Christians that sets us apart for God’s purposes.  Pray we choose this day to seek the peace and prosperity of each moment. Pray we live long and prosper as a community of love.

Blessings,

John Lawson