BIBLICAL PROSPERITY

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

BIBLICAL PROSPERITY

What is true prosperity?  Is it achieving economic success and having the advantage of independence and the luxury to enjoy your success?  If that’s the case then way are so many successful and prosperous people miserable, divorcing, or taking their lives?  Or is prosperity something else, true prosperity the way God defines it?  There is a prosperity God wants us to experience and it’s called BIBLICAL PROSPERITY because it’s in the Bible for us to discover.  

THE PROMISE OF PROSPERITY:  It’s a Biblical fact that God wants to bless and prosper His children.  It’s even a prayer in the Bible:  (3 John 1:2) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.  John’s wish for his readers was prosperity in three areas:  TOTALITY (in all things).  (Mat 19:26)…with God all things are possible."  PHYSICALLY (be in health).  (Exo 15:26)…For I am the LORD who heals you."  SPIRITUALLY (Pro 14:30) A sound heart (soul) is life to the body…  Are you expecting God to advance you and give you success in life?  

THE PATHWAY TO PROSPERITY:  So what is the pathway to prosperity? PERSEVERANCE.  Remember that on the way to prosperity is adversity.  Don’t let the health and wealth teachers convince you otherwise.  You have to bear the cross to wear the crown!  (2 Tim 2:12)  If we endure, we shall also reign with Him…  PONDER.  Read and meditate on God’s Word every day.  Try to never skip time with God.  (Psa 1:2 3)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. {3} 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.  PRAYER.  Pray about everything you do and ask God’s touch to be upon it.  (2 Chr 26:5) He (Uzziah) sought God…and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.

THE CHALLENGE OF PROSPERITY:  There is a danger in prosperity and that is forgetting the Lord who blessed us in the first place.  (Deu 8:17-18) then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ 18 “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…  We are to give thanks to the Lord every day and remember from whom all blessings flow.  And a sure way to also keep grounded in prosperity is to share the wealth God has given you.  Why do you think He has blessed you?  It’s surely not for yourself or to show how smart you have been your finances.  (1 Tim 6:17 18)  Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. {18} Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. 

Now we know what true prosperity is all about.  It’s called BIBLICAL PROSPERITY and it comes through a relationship with the Lord.  It’s experiencing His grace through Christ and sharing His blessings with a needy world so all can feast on the goodness of God’s salvation!  

Louie

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

(2 Chr 36:15) And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people. 

You know the familiar feeling when your check engine light comes on?  Thoughts run through your mind:  I wonder what the problem is?  The car seems to run fine.  Maybe it’s just a fluke and it will turn off eventually.  What if I need major repair work?  I should have sold this car ages ago.  I can’t afford a car payment.  And the list goes on while the icon stays on and seems to glow like a Time’s Square advertisement.  That’s kind of like how the Lord works with His children.  He sends them warnings but so often we ignore them until we break down. 

Whenever Israel went astray He would send warnings through the prophets.  They would speak boldly in the name of the Lord.  Look at the Old Testament and see how many prophets of God there were.  They were faithful to speak God’s message.  God wanted to spare His people from disaster.  That’s why the prophets would thunder their heavenly admonitions and some, like Jeremiah, had tears in their eyes.  But so often Israel persecuted and sometimes even killed the prophets.  They didn’t want to fix the problem and wanted to black out that check engine light.  

So how does that check engine light work when the child of God strays and needs a warning?  

- THE HOLY SPIRIT: (Isa 30:21) Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.  If you listen to that still small voice of the Spirit, He will guide you away from error and into the truth.  But you have to listen and not push Him away. (Psa 46:10)

- CIRCUMSTANCES: (2 Chr 13:12 )…O children of Israel, do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper!”  Many times as we wrestle with the Lord, He will make the situations of our lives turn problematic and which defy solution.  This is God’s way of getting our attention!

- A FELLOW BELIEVER: (2 Sam 12:7) Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!...  When David strayed God sent a concerned friend to challenge him in the direction he was taking. (Gal 6:1)  Sometimes even non-believers speak out against our compromise, like my Christian cop friend who got angry and cussed in the squad car and was then rebuked by his unsaved partner.  

Is God trying to get your attention through your marital problems?  How about your troubling finances?  Is your health also something that might cause you to wake up and realize you have strayed from the Lord?  That check engine light is an opportunity to rededicate your life.  So why not do business with God right now and get everything cleared between you and Him?  

Louie

LIVING LIFE BACKWARDS

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

LIVING LIFE BACKWARDS

(Psa 90:10) The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psa 90:12) So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

My dad used to film us kids doing things and then he would play it backward and we would laugh our heads off.  Running around the bases in Little League or the best was diving off a diving board.  That might be hilarious on video but in real life it’s the best way to live according to Moses.

Psalm 90 is a special psalm written by Moses.  He first declares the eternality of God:  (Psa 90:2) Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.  He then goes on to speak of the shortness of man’s life and how it would be best to tell yourself you only have so long to live and to live it wisely.  

That is so true isn’t it?  As we get older we find that time now flies by whereas when we were kids we were basically clock watchers watching time go by.   Now we know time is so valuable.  We can’t pause it and once it is spent it is gone forever.  We talk so much about preserving the precious resources of the earth but the greatest asset we have in this life is time and the right use of it.  That’s why you have to live life backwards!  

Living life backwards means you look forward to the end of your short life and live life with wisdom toward that end:  (Eph 5:15-16) See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,  16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  It makes you live life with purpose and helps you to set goals toward reaching your future.  It causes you to look up and ask the Lord what He has planned for you and then ask for guidance toward that end.  Then you can live confidently knowing that everything is working toward a purposeful finish: (Phil 3:14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  

So I wonder where did Moses forge this attitude?  His life was lived in thirds.  He spent the first third thinking he was somebody.  The next third he learned he was a nobody.  Then the last third of his life he discovered he was just anybody God could use.  Perhaps it was in this last phase of leading Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land that he saw the preciousness of life and then wrote about it to encourage people of any age. 

I like to see life as an hourglass of sand falling grain by grain.  If you give yourself an hour to do something you think you have so much time.  But toward the end you know you have to sharpen your focus because it’s almost over.  It’s almost over saints.  Let’s live for Jesus!

Louie

EUTHANASIA (Mercy killing/Assisted suicide)

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

EUTHANASIA (Mercy killing/Assisted suicide)

With such a serious and controversial subject we first have to give credence to the fact that some people want to die because they are terminally ill, suffering, and in ongoing and unmitigated pain.  Then add on the fact that they don’t want to be a burden to anyone.  They may have a loved one so sympathetic that they think it is the loving thing to assist them in their desire.  There are some countries in the world and some states in the U.S. where euthanasia is legal.  It’s a hot topic and one which is much debated both politically and ethically.  The mindset our world is changing and we need to examine anew what the Bible says about mercy killing.

- (Job 1:21)…The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  The Lord gives life and takes it away.  It is His prerogative.  Man must not meddle.

- (Exo 20:13) “You shall not murder.  This one speaks for itself.

-  (Heb 9:27) And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.  God makes the appointment of death for each one of us and He is not to be denied His just sovereignty.  

- (Gen 9:6) “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.  Since we are created in the image of God, our lives have intrinsic and immeasurable value.  There is a purpose for our existence whether productive in society or bound in a wheelchair or bed, disabled, infirm, elderly or unborn.  

- (2 Cor 4:17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  The Christian knows that suffering in this life is temporal compared to eternity and the glory that will be enjoyed by all the redeemed in Christ. 

- (2 Cor 1:3-4) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  God comforts others and so often uses other people to provide not assisted suicide but assisted solace.  

-  (Rom 5:3) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.  God matures us through suffering and brings people together in loving concern.  More is terminated than we know when you terminate life prematurely.   

We already have abortion taking lives at the beginning of life.  Why do we need to add on the taking of life at the end?  (Deu 30:19)…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.

Louie

THE ONE ANOTHERS

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE ONE ANOTHERS

One of the privileges of being a Christian is not only belonging to Christ but also to a wonderful body of believers.  That means we are connected to each other with Christ as our Head.  Let’s take a look at some of the “one anothers” in the Bible and remember we are not alone in our walk with the Lord.  We have one another!  

(John 15:12) This is My commandment, that you LOVE ONE ANOTHER as I have loved you.

(Romans 15:7) Therefore RECEIVE ONE ANOTHER, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

(Galatians 6:2) BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

(Ephesians 4:32) And BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, tenderhearted, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, even as God in Christ forgave you.

(Hebrews 3:13) but EXHORT ONE ANOTHER daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

(1 Thessalonians 4:18) Therefore COMFORT ONE ANOTHER with these words.

(Hebrews 10:24) And let us CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER in order to stir up love and good works,

(James 5:9) DO NOT GRUMBLE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

(James 5:16) CONFESS YOUR TRESPASSES TO ONE ANOTHER, and PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

(1 Peter 3:8) Finally, all of you be of one mind, HAVING COMPASSION FOR ONE ANOTHER; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.

(1 Peter 4:9) BE HOSPITABLE TO ONE ANOTHER without grumbling.

(1 Peter 5:5) Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you BE SUBMISSIVE TO ONE ANOTHER, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

You’re my sister, you’re my brother so let us love ONE ANOTHER! 

Louie

UNIVERSAL SALVATION (WILL EVERYONE BE SAVED?)

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

UNIVERSAL SALVATION (WILL EVERYONE BE SAVED?)

(1 Tim 4:10) … we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

So…are you ready for the loaded question?  Will everyone be saved?  Or will only those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior have salvation?  

Here’s what Universalists believe:  Since no human being is totally bad, no human will perish eternally. It is God’s plan to take what is good in each individual and multiply it, and replace the bad within us with an infusion of God’s divine goodness, until only the good remains.  Supporting scriptures they use are:  Mat. 19:28, John 12:32, Acts 3:21, Rom. 5:18, 1 Cor. 15:22, 28, Col. 1:20, 1 Tim. 2:4-6.  They go on to say:  Souls that leave this life on earth without experiencing salvation will have other opportunities for conversion, learning and growth after death (1 Pet. 3:18-20, 4:6). No one will ever run out of chances to return home to their Creator. Even the most evil beings who have ever lived can still be saved — and will be, in the fullness of time (Phil. 2:10). 

That all sounds nice doesn’t it?  Like that Hallmark movie where all problems are solved and everything ends on a good note.  It’s the feel good theology.  I heard it one time in the catacombs under the city of Rome.  A woman from the Catholic church gave the most “inspiring” message that God loves all and all will be saved.  On the way out one woman was dabbing her eyes saying it was the most wonderful thing she had ever heard.  I left with fumes coming out my ears.  I pulled my family aside and told them why I was so upset.   

The Bible says all men are born sinners and deserving of the condemnation of eternal punishment.  (John 3:18) “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  If a person dies without Christ’s atonement for their sins they will be lost for all of eternity.  (Heb 9:27) And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.  But the good news is that Jesus took the wrath of God on the cross for mankind opening the door of salvation to all: (Rom 5:9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  Now all a person has to do is personally repent and turn to Christ for salvation:  (Acts 3:19) Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

So we may say that Jesus is the Savior of all people potentially.  But each individual must receive forgiveness and trust in the atoning work of Christ on their behalf.  If man could be saved on his own they why the necessity of Christ’s death?  (Gal 2:21) I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

Louie

WHICH VERSION OF THE BIBLE Part II (Comparing versions)

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHICH VERSION OF THE BIBLE Part II (Comparing versions)

Last time our emphasis was on the King James Version vs. the modern translations as well as the importance of accuracy (word for word) and readability.  Now let’s do a comparison:

KJV (King James Version, 1611): Word for word translation. Reading level (RL) 12. Well-loved and traditional favorite.  Difficult to read due to archaic language. Lovely for memorization.

NKJV (New King James Version, 1982): Word for word. RL 9. Purpose: to update and modernize the original KJV but preserve the KJV as much as possible.  Maintains poetry of the KJV.  

NASB (New American Standard Bible, pub. 1971/1995): Word for word.  RL 11. An update of the (ASV) American Standard Version into more current English.  Formal, readable, respectable.  

ESV (English Standard Version, 2001): Word for word.  RL 8.0. A literal update of the Revised Standard Version (RSV).  A good blend of accuracy and readability.  

NIV (New International Version, 1978): Seeks balance of word for word and thought for thought.  RL 7.8. Lively and readable.  Widely accepted and adopted by evangelical believers. 

NLT (New Living Translation, 1996): Seeks balance of word for word and thought for thought.  RL 6.3. Original language sought but goal was a vibrant contemporary English style.  

AMP (Amplified Bible, 1964): Word for word, amplifying word meanings.  RL NA. Brings out more light of Hebrew and Greek words.  Insightful but awkward to read with brackets.  

THE MESSAGE (MSB, 2002): Thought for thought paraphrase.  RL 4.8. Modern day American speech but holds to the meaning of the original language.  Ultra easy and relaxed readability. 

HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible, 2003): Seeks balance of word for word and thought for thought.  RL 7.5. Published by Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist convention.  

I hope this Bible version comparison is helpful.  And you know it only scratches the surface of so many Bible translations out there.  And every few years another translation will be published if the pace keeps with the past.  But remember the point is to read your Bible and claim its promises daily!  

(2 Tim 3:16-17) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Louie