September 22, 2006

• PROSPERITY Part 3 by Pastor Don Moore

  We stopped yesterday because there was so much information to share. If you haven’t read it, you may want to read yesterday’s post for the start of this Bible study.

  We ended with the question: DO WE BELIEVE GOD?

  The problem with prosperity is that if we don’t believe it we can’t apply prosperity to ourselves or attain it. (Remember – prosperity isn’t only financial prosperity, but spiritual, physical, health, intellectual, relationships, etc.)

  Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

  We have to speak prosperity, hear prosperity, speak the Word of God about prosperity, and then we can begin to grow the faith for prosperity.

  If you have spent 20 years denying prosperity, speaking words over yourself that you will never get this, never get that, never do that, and the people around you (your family and friends) reinforce these messages, you build quite a quantity of negative thinking about prosperity. You will need to build 20 years of faith for prosperity to negate the negative, and you can do that quantity in one split second. God can immediately take away the negative, or you can begin to work and gradually take away the negative.

  Pastor Don gave a funny illustration of what we usually do when we begin to speak God’s truth over ourselves. We have 165 chairs in our sanctuary. Pastor Don said to pretend that each of these chairs is a negative, anti-prosperity message. Pastor Don picked up one chair and left the sanctuary speaking, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me, I am the head and not the foot, I am a new creation in Christ Jesus, etc. But, instead of putting down the chair and coming back into the sanctuary empty handed to take out another chair, he turned around and started speaking negative messages, puts the chair back down in the sanctuary. Realizes that he had done that, picks up the chair, walks out – walks back in with the chair and puts it down. He asked us, how many chairs are in the sanctuary – 165. Has anything changed, no. It takes a deliberate setting down of the chair and walking away, filling ourselves with more Word of God so that we don’t pick up that chair again. Now God can remove all chairs instantaneously if He chooses, or He can let us build up our faith by removing one at a time.

  Pastor Don said, YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT.

  Mark 11:22-24 Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

  We also have to realize that what we think (say in our head) also affects us, not just what we say in our mouth. We have to get the revelation that what the flesh thinks is truth can be counterproductive to us. For example if someone feels in the flesh that they are ugly and no one would want them, they have to get the revelation that there are people both uglier and prettier than them, and that there is someone for them. Whatever we are calling “truth” has to be tested by the Spirit and the Word of God.  If we realize that the “truth” really is a negative lie, we must stop thinking or saying it. (Heather’s note – there is a principle of substitution – where we substitute a negative thought with a positive thought – like a scripture. And since we can’t think two thoughts at one time, the positive thought takes the space where the negative thought was – we have to keep doing that to keep the negative out).

  The power of life and death is in our tongues. We can speak words that can kill what the Holy Spirit is engineering to bring us out of our situation.

  Pastor Don carried a Bible Promise book when he first learned this truth, and he kept saying only what the Bible promised.

  We are to be happy where we are – happy that we have a place to live, but realizing that God wants us to own our own apartment, land, house, houses, etc. We are to prosper 30, 60, 100 fold.

  It is a process to gain this prosperity. It may come one bit at a time. Pastor Don talked about a monkey who was given a jar full of peanuts. The jar had an opening that was just big enough to permit the monkey to reach in and grab one peanut and remove that peanut. Most monkeys reached in and grabbed a handful and could not get the jar off. They did not let go of the peanuts, and monkeys died of hunger because they would not let go of the peanuts. Some monkeys realized that they could reach in and take one peanut, eat that, reach in and get another. Those monkeys prospered, but it was bit at a time.

  We need to work against our natural personality, make up and attitude. It takes work, and God’s grace to help us to change our thinking.

  Pastor Don than gave us many Bible verses:

  Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

  Was God a fool? We were made in God’s image – is the image of God suffering (no), poverty (no) sickness (no), destruction (no). We were given DOMINION over ALL (not some, not a few but ALL), the earth. Does all the earth mean all the earth? Does all the earth mean finances, health, relationships, diet, ALL. We were created from the dust and the earth is dirt – so we were given dominion over ourselves too. Part of having dominion is also taking care of what we were given.

  Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

  Fruitful is not a poverty word (fruitful in mind, body, spirit, relationships, etc.)

  Psalm 50:10-15 For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God  thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

  God desires our praise and worship. He wants that we should glorify Him. If we are suffering (unless we are suffering for the spread of the Gospel) that suffering does not glorify God. If poverty causes holiness, why are so many people who are poor not living holy lives? God wants to deliver us from our poverty (in whatever form it is) so that we are free to give Him praise, and so other unbelievers can see the blessings that God has provided and desire God for themselves.

  Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”)

  If you want to read what the curses of the Law are, read Deuteronomy 28-32. God blesses those who obey Him, and curses those who do not obey Him with lack of prosperity in all areas of their life.

  Christ redeemed us from the curse – so we are able to receive God’s blessing – which He gives without measure.

  Galatians 3:14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

  (Heather’s note – we just finished Genesis so this should be familiar to you). Was Abraham poor? NO - He had offspring as many as the stars in the sky/sand on the sea, he had possessions, land, relationship with God, family. Abraham lacked nothing because HE BELIEVED God, and God counted that for righteousness. We are spiritual children of Abraham, and thus we have received Abraham’s inheritance – we too receive God’s blessing.

  So many people do not want to believe the prosperity message that God has promised us, they never exercise their faith for this. Many believe that they are ok because they are getting along, but they think they are getting along because of what they are doing or not doing, because of luck, works or just a get-by mentality. They do not believe in divine provision, in supernatural provision. The truth is that God can and does provide far more than we are able to believe in our natural minds. It suits satan’s purpose to keep us in poverty mentality, not fully claiming what God has promised us. That way we are not as effective for God’s kingdom.

  Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

  1 Timothy 4:7-9 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.

  GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE FOR ALL THINGS! Not some things, not a few things, not an occasional thing, but ALL things. And notice that it is HAVING PROMISE OF THE LIFE THAT NOW IS AND OF THAT WHICH IS TO COME. Where are we NOW? Here on earth – this is a promise for here and now, as well as for our future Heavenly Kingdom.

  1 Timothy 4:14-16 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

  People around us are watching us (the good, the bad, and the ugly). When people see us prosper and see us progress in our faith, they sit up and take notice. When we do this we not only save ourselves, but it affects those around us. When God gets the glory for the good in our lives it makes people hungry for God.

  Luke 6:36-38 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

  (Heather’s note, some TV prosperity preachers assume this refers only to finances, but that is wrong, it also refers to forgiveness, judgment, love, mercy, grace, peace, joy, etc.). But one of the important messages, according to Pastor Don is that you need to be merciful to prosper. In the King James version of this passage it says: “shall men put in your bosom.” We gain our prosperity often through men, and so many times we then think that it didn’t come from God, but God can use men to prosper us.  We also need to remember that when God prospers us it is not for our own selfish interests, but so that we can share our prosperity with others.

  2 Corinthians 9:6-8 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

  God always gives ability, power, opportunity, and blessings. But notice, as we give, God returns the gift, but that gift from God is so that we will have all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. Our prosperity is to be shared with others. Notice that little word “all”, all is not some, all means ALL.

  Malachi 3:10-12 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, says the LORD of hosts; and all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts.

  The tithe will work if you believe for it. Sometimes when times are troubled, the first thing people want to give up is their tithe. And that is the worst thing that they can do if they want God to prosper them.  We cannot out give God.

  Galatians 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

  There is good precedent to take care of those who feed us spiritually, our pastors.

  Galatians 6:7-10 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

  Reaping and sowing – taking care of those who teach us, taking care of those in our congregations. We are not to weary of doing good. Notice also due season (God knows when it is our due season). (Heather’s note, previous Bible study, Pastor Don pointed out that often we stop praying, claiming God’s word – we do it for a bit, look around and don’t see anything, and even though God might have started the process in the heavenlies, we speak a negative word, stop speaking the positive. God then stops the process, or starts the process to grant what we have negatively spoken).

  1 Timothy 5:17-18 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

  (Pastor Don gave an aside, 1 Timothy 5:19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. He pointed out that many church splits and problems come from someone spreading gossip, innuendo, or hints. That if there is a problem with an elder you need the two or three witnesses, or else you are acting on something that may not be truth.)

  It got to be late, so Pastor Don threw out the last few verses with little commentary.

  Psalm 15:4-5 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

  Romans 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach).

  Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

  Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

  Proverbs 6:2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth.

  Isaiah 1:19-20 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land, but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

  Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

  Note: Whatever.

  (Heather’s note: our Bible study starts at 7 with praise and worship, then about 7:30 or so prayer, and somewhere around 8 or later we begin Bible study which goes on until anywhere from 9 to 10 – this one let us out about 9:45 and we could have kept on going).

  Earlier in the night one of our members brought up the following verse and Pastor Don talked about it, but then teased her that she took his “fire from him” for this was the verse he wanted to close with, so I put the verse where Pastor Don originally intended and included the explanation.

  2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. Jesus had no place to lay His head, but He wasn’t on social services, the people who followed him had resources and the people supported him like we would an itinerate preacher. He went to the cross for us, so that we would prosper in this life. When Jesus defeated satan, satan no longer had the power of death over us (death of our dreams, our finances, our spiritual lives, or relationships, etc.) Jesus WON.

  Pastor Don reminded us to mind our tongues. We must not say anything negative about anything to even one person. Pastor Don pointed out that if he would go home and complain about something or someone from the church just to his wife, he would unleash things in the heavenlies that would have direct impact on his life and on our church. We must be constantly aware of what we are saying and thinking and believing.

  God wants us to prosper in health, mind, body, soul. All aspects of life. The only way that we suffer for God is to suffer because of the gospel, for example if the antichrist decides to starve all Christians by forcing them to take the mark, and we refuse to take the mark.

  We then spent time praising God and praying.

  Hope you are blessed by this teaching. It is a hard one. Pastor Don does not mince words, but it is a good teaching, and if we get it, it can turn our lives around.

  Praying for amazing prosperity in all areas of your life.

  Have a blessed night!

  Heather

  • 7:25 am
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