TRUE PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS

I was surfing through the channels last week and I came across this guy by the name of Mike Murdock. Now I will be honest it has been a long time since I have heard someone spin and misrepresent the truth of the word of God when it comes to prosperity and success. He was shameful. Now I am not going to tell you not to listen to this clown that is up to you. If you feel to give this man your hard earned money that is up to you, but be not deceived do yourself a favor and ask the Holy Spirit if this is what He wants or are you being deceived by a slick talking charlatan. You will thank me for it later. I was really struck by his sales pitch, "you have just 10 minutes to call in and get a piece of this special onetime offering." I guess people were calling I heard phones ring and saw people talking, but not sure the context. Again I am not going to tell you to give or not to give that is up to you. But one thing for sure we are to have a spiritual wherewithal to prevent us from being taken advantage of by people like Mike Murdock and the rest of the prosperity teachers and preachers like: Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, Benny Hinn, Andrew Womack, Creflo Dollar, Morris Cerullo, Paula White, and so many more. When it all comes down it is more about greed, manipulation , and self-promotion by the charlatans than about hearing from God and given. Prosperity in the Scriptures has little to do with money or wealth, but it seems those who pimp the Gospel for money and wealth (see names above) think it does. Now do not get me wrong God wants to met our NEED He does want the needs of the Gospel to be meet, but when you tie your obedience to man's requirements (what they tell you God told them to tell you) you are off the mark of the truth. We give not because man tells us God told us to, but because we feel in our heart this is what Jesus would have us do and in obedience to God in the giving we are rewarded not by the amount given, but by the act of obedience of giving. It mattered not what we give or do for God, but how we do and give things. God knows what we need does he not? The charlatans (see names above) say you are poor because you have not given your money back God as they feel you need to. Well what are the poor people in Africa and Asia going to do who have no money to give God? Have they sinned? I would say no way, I would say these folks are a lot more Godly than the charlatans. If this be so I guess Joseph while at Potiphar's house must have been in sin. God said of Joseph, "And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian." (Genesis 39:1-2) What? God said of Joseph he, "was a prosperous man?"  What did Joseph have? Money? Power? Wealth? No Joseph had nothing he was slave, maybe a loincloth to cover his manhood, yet God said of Joseph "he was a prosperous man." To God prosperity has nothing to do with money, but everything to do with pushing forward into God. Here in Genesis 39:2, the word "prosperous" means to push forward in various senses. Strange how some have twisted this word for their welfare, well maybe not so strange for the greedy and selfish. All throughout the Scriptures the word "prosperity" really has nothing to do with money or wealth, but means to be in good condition or to bring to a successful conclusion and has to do with our heart condition not riches. Maybe that is why the charlatans do not understand the Scriptures and work for their well being so hard. Mike Murdock's profile on Wikipedia says, "On March 3, 2003, the Associated Press reported Murdock asked followers for money to help the poor but spent more than 60% of donations on overhead, including his salary, and only a tiny amount (reported to be "legal minimums of 1% to 3%") on helping the needy, or any other 'public interest." This is not the heart condition of a broken servant of God. Again I not telling you to give him money nor not to give him money, but asking you to be spiritually aware. We need to be a creditable witness to the life changing power of God not a witness to how much money God will give us if we do something for Him. God is more concerned about our character and integrity than about our ability to do things for Him and that includes raising money for Him. I wonder why we always attach money to God's ability and love for us? If we have no money, a nice car, or place to stay does this means God does not love or want to use us? Many equate God's anointing with nice car, airplanes, big ministries, jewelry, and fame well that is not so. God does not care about these things. Again God's number one focus in our lives is our character. This is just utter foolishness because those who believe these things lack the ability to spiritually push forward in God they are more concerned about the earthly, carnal world of materialism, power, control, manipulation, and things than in God. In Joshua we see this word prosperous, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:8-9) The word "prosperous" here is the same word in Genesis 39:2, to push forward in God. Here the way of prosperity for Joshua comes by the way of, "thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:' When we "truly" know what God's word says we will not get over into side shows or trickery to try to take advantage of people. We will be rooted and grounded in the divine spiritual word of God that touch lives and help make a change in the lives if people who are lost and in need of a Savior. This is what the world needs not another millionaire Bible teacher or preacher. I do not see a single verse in the Bible that tells us we are to be super rich with many houses living better than the people who give to our ministry. Also from Mike Murdock's profile on Wikipedia, "On March 22, 2012, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Murdock's home, assessed at $1.5 million, was for sale. The 9,943 sq ft 25-room home with built-in wine cooler located on 6.89 acres at 2010 Whitebridge Rd., Argyle, TX 76226 was first listed for sale on Realtor.com on November 29, 2011 for $3.2 million and then subsequently on September 4, 2013 (MLS 12020088) for $2.7 million. According to public records, Murdock also was the owner of 2013 Whitebridge Rd." There is something wrong with this picture, but again you make the call. Success is like prosperity the meaning has to do with having a correct understanding of relational wisdom in areas of the things of God. It has nothing to do with hitting the lottery or our ship coming in. Oh no "success" from God's perspective has to do with understanding correctly in the areas of the things of God. In the weightier things of God. Once we push forward in God (be prosperous) we then will have the right perceptive in relationship with the things of God. We will understand how things in God operate. We will be able to see (understand) the big picture how things work together for our good. How what we call bad things that happen to us turn out to be a blessing. I am reminded of our neighbor's tree that was taken down by the hurricane that just hit our area. If you would see the tree laying down on the house you would think this is a very bad thing for the house and the neighbor, but a few days ago our other neighbor's house burnt down and if the tree that fell in the hurricane would have been standing it would have been a bridge to my other neighbor's house. Now did God know this in advance (your judge) I do not know, but I do know my neighbor would have lost his house if the tree was standing. "Good success" for us in God is when we have the understanding of how things in God happen and how we fit into His big picture. How can we operate in His will if we do not have the big picture? We cannot! We only fool ourselves, deceive others, and have to resort to being a charlatan. Written by David Stahl

WTFMT 57 (FOR HGM ON 23 OCT 2018)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-57

TEXT: "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." (Titus 3:9)

 

I. DON'T BE CONTENTIOUS AV - strife 4, debate 2, contention 2, variance 1; 9 contention, strife, wrangling.

A. A contentious person will be contentious to people. Avoid this attitude. Our life is not to take root in such characteristics and find its activities there. Our life is not to be motivated by that which we want to accomplish, but by God. At all cost avoid antagonism and contention, which are most costly to life.

B. The contentious heart is made manifest toward the enemy, toward a brother, and in the verse in Titus quoted above, toward God's word. Believers argue and contend over the Word. Contention jumps out of the contentious heart in almost every circumstances and situation.

C. Believers reveal their hearts to others. "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:" (2 Corinthians 3:2) That which is characteristically manifested in one area is generally moving in the whole of that person's life.

D. Jesus said, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." (Luke 16:10) The truth of His statement rests upon the fact that you are what you are, regardless of the circumstances in which you are operating.

E. In the Church, in the home, on the job, your character remains basically the same, with differences in the wrapping. Some wrappings are designed to hide the real character, which may fool some people. But many folks see through the covering to see the character for what it is.

F. A contentious heart can be seen even in prayer, and in reading and discussing the Word. The-real-you can be nothing more nor less than the-real-you. There is no helping that. ". . . for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Matthew 12:34)

G. Do not be dissatisfied and disgruntled in what you do in this present life. Be dissatisfied and disgruntled in what you are. If there is a real dissatisfaction in what you really are, that is the beginning of change. He can correct a malignant (cancer) heart. We cannot affect the change simply by acting differently. It takes the creative powers of God. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalms 51:10)

H. A life surrendered to the burning coals of God's altar will be purified. But there must be a willingness for the fire to burn our dross, a willingness to let go of our malignancy for the sanctification and purity God desires to establish in us.

I. The peaceful approach to Sihon by Moses is rebuffed and the king sets himself against the children of God. "But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day." (Deuteronomy 2:30) His heart is contrary to the character of God, and becomes more cemented in its malignancy by a continuous refusal of God's dealings. Thus he becomes the enemy to this peculiarly peaceful people.

DOWN IN BAPTISM

Nothing is more contentious today in religious circles than the topic of baptism. I think that is because most Bible scholars, the Christian educated folks, and the pew sitters of the day do not understand the direction of baptism which is down. Most Christians do not want to go down they want to go up, but the condition to go up in God is to first go down and die. Ah there is another reason why many Christians do not understand what baptism is they do not want to die to their self-life nor their self-seeking nature and ways. John shows us this way downward and the spiritual death we must experience to be able to walk with the LORD in newness and resurrection life. John writes, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." (John 12:24-26) Verse 24 starts out "Verily verily" now this is a double imperative (strongest implication for truth) that means this is the only way there is no other way we can do what is being asked of us. John tells us we must "fall into the ground and die." "No I do not want to die I want to live, live, live I want to enjoy life after all in John 10:10 Jesus tells us, "I have come so that you may have life and life more abundantly."" Sadly most Christians can recite John 10:10 (backwards and forward), but they do not know John 12:24 which describes the process in our lives to become fruitful in God. My friend to be fruitful in God we must die. And why, our self screams to be satisfied and fulfilled, but in God fulfillment and completion is only satisfied by the death of our selfish character and ways. This is what Jesus was telling us here. The next verse (v25) tells us if we love our life we will lose our life, but if we hate (word means hate as we know it) or lose our life we shall keep or find our life for all eternally. Losing comes first then secondary we find. Jesus then asked the disciples to "follow me and where I am" well, where was Jesus? He was on His way to the cross to die. We will never be able to follow Jesus in any type or form of ministry if we do not desire to die spiritually to our fleshly appetites. We cannot kill our flesh we do not have the will power or ability within us to deal with our flesh, thus if our flesh is to receive a death blow we must give God permission into our lives to lay the axe to the root of all that grows forth (that stems from our selfish flesh) in us that is not of God. My friend down is the direction in God if we desire to go up. Spiritual death is the direction in our life if we desire to rule and reign with Him now on earth and in the ages to come. Paul knew this truth well. We see this in 1 Corinthians and in Romans when he was trying to help the Christians work through all of the wrong teaching (like about baptism) that was infecting the "church." Wrong teaching in the church has been more of an obstacle to the truth than sin and the devil. From the start, the church in Jerusalem (I believe) they got it wrong. For example all though out the New Testament we read where disciples were directed by leadership to bring money to the Church in Jerusalem. I wonder why? Now this is the right model one local body of believers bringing money or support to another local body of believers and not one local body of believers giving their money to a headquarters who divvies up the money according to their likes, dislikes, or if someone is playing ball with them. I have seen this all of my life (around the world) this denominationalism is a form of socialism. In Acts we read where, "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart," (Acts 2:44-46) Now I believe they got verse 46 right (not called a church, but "house to house"), but verses 44 and 45 is nothing more than socialism and a form of social justice. No wonder they were poor, had no money, and needed support. No wonder all of the disciples had to bring money back to the "mother church." Sadly I have seen this around the world, especially in Africa. Collectivism and /or socialism does not work. Alarmingly socialism is being considered by the United States of America today, well the only problem with socialism is at some point you run out of somebody else's money. America take heed it did not work in the Bible and it will not work today. Looks like I drifted somewhat, well I guess the LORD wanted me to throw that in. In Romans Paul told the Body of Believers, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (Romans 6:3-5) Now let me stop here and make a statement, baptism in water is NOT as a big deal as most churches today make it. Are we to get baptized yes! And why? Because Jesus asked us to. (see Matthew 29:17) It is an outward sign of an inward work of the heart from tradition, but you can get baptized all day long (even get your name on the church role) and still go to hell. Baptism will never save us from our sins nor will it lead us into greater spiritual development it is all about obedience. Many denominations (like the UPC and other Pentecostal groups) will put you in a devil's hell if you are not baptized in Jesus name, utter foolishness. We can see John the Baptist got into trouble because he would not stop baptizing God had to put him in prison a place where there was no water. Here Paul continues the theme in John 12:24, "many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" What we are baptized into the death of Christ and not His life? Well that is what Paul said. Paul went on to say, "we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Did you get that? Verse five, " For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" How clear do we need it to become? If we want resurrection life we must be "planted together in the likeness of his death." We have to be dead to be resurrected. And that way is down. To have life we first must die, dying comes first then resurrection. Not too many churches teach this deeper truth they seem to glaze over these verses looking for verses that tell us of our power and authority in God, our destiny, well the only destiny we have in God is to follow Jesus to the cross and die so He can live through us. Paul all too well knew this truth because it has been worked into his life from the time he held the coats of the men who stoned Stephen, when he was called into service on the Road to Damascus, ship wrecked, naked, almost starved to death, in the deep (sea) for days, stoned through all of these and more Paul learned this truth. Paul also knew that there was only one Body. Let me say that again, Paul also knew that there was only one Body. There are many local bodies not churches because we are the church Jesus is not trying to build buildings or denominations to save the world, oh no the world is lost Jesus has come to save those who are lost in the world. My friend we (the people) are the church never forget that and never let some religious person tell you otherwise. There is only one Body of Christ in which we are baptized into. Paul in 1 Corinthians tells the local Body of Believers in Corinth, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) Though many members (people) yet one Body! One Spirit! We are NOT baptized into a denomination or a church, oh no we are baptized into the Body of Christ. Did you get that? And the way in Christ is down into His baptism into His death so that He can live though us. Written by David Stahl