Your Prosperity is God's Pleasure
"Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant." Psalm 35:27
Prosperity, wealth and riches all have the same foundation... peace. The peace of Jesus Christ is given to us as a gift; it is constant and fulfilling. The peace provision of Christ is our power position to accept the 'what is' in our lives. When we stop fighting unwanted circumstances and accept them in peace, they change into what we really want.
The revelation that Jesus gave His peace and the Holy Spirit makes His peace real to us is the beginning of an attitude of prosperity (John 14:27). In a world where perfect peace cannot be found, God's Word tells us that His 'perfect peace' is available. The Word of God says He will keep us in perfect peace when our mind is stayed on Him. If we have trouble maintaining peace in our emotions, we need to stop trying and just say, "Jesus, You are my peace." We will not enjoy rich and fruitful lives God intends for us unless we learn to discipline our thoughts and keep our mind stayed on God.
Isaiah saw the provision that Jesus is our peace years before Jesus came to earth; "...the chastisement of our peace was upon Him..." Isaiah 53:5. Jesus eliminated Adam's sin by dying on the cross (Romans 6:6); his sin was a doorway for all people on earth to live with death. Adam's sin caused humans to live in fear, hurt, anger and everything that destroys people. Destructive emotions are like taking poison; you die a little at a time. Jesus removed Adam's sin and gave the gift of forgiveness to all (Romans 5:12).
Self-pity and "I will try hard" are two doorways that keep the death sentence active. The mystery of the gospel is that original sin is dead (not real), but humans are used to living with it; sin is pressed deep into our nervous system. Without the revelation of Jesus Christ's provision, our belief system will keep the sin nature alive. Jesus Christ always changes things. "For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ." Romans 5:17. To reign in life (power over emotions, moods, fears, illness, lack and addictions) is our gift of prosperity (peace).
The peace of God is a beautiful gift; it is there for each of us if we desire it. We can have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding if we allow ourselves to give up control and trust Him (Philippians 4:7). God is watching over us and His desire is that we live a life of peace, power, joy, plenty and purpose. The only peace we can enjoy in this world is His peace!
How to Enter and Adapt to Your Gifted Position by Christ
1. Recognize and affirm you are a creation of God and His provision is for His sake... His pleasure. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Philippians 2:13. "But now, thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name: thou art mine." Isaiah 43:1. "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3. "For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give glory unto another." Isaiah 48:11.
Lord Jesus Christ, I receive my gift of peace (prosperity) now with thanksgiving and praise. Thank You for being my peace, my power, my plenty and my purpose.
2. Stop trying to be 'anything' and begin to trust that you are already 'something'; a container and expresser of the life of Christ by the Holy Spirit. Because of a human's need to think we earn things by good behavior, it is challenging to receive what can never be earned because of Jesus Christ. We have peace by receiving peace by faith that He freely gives.
The Holy Spirit shifts our perception from fear, self-protection and self-consciousness based on fear; He breaks attachments from the past and delivers us from fear of the future. As we begin to see all things, people and events with a thankful attitude and thankful words, our focus is on creativity, initiative and courage. "... mount up with wings as eagles" Isaiah 40:31. Isaiah is expressing that we change our point of view, develop an uplifted attitude and change the way we see things. When we change our perception, circumstances begin to look more like opportunities for miracles. Perception is our personal faith. How we see things produces victory or death in this life. A Caleb can-do attitude of 'nothing is too hard' and seeing abundance all around is a believer in Christ's birthright. This is true prosperity.
It is challenging to put pride, a fear based perception of ourselves, aside and learn and assume God's perception of us. Psalm 139 tells us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Everything changes when we see ourselves as God sees us and when we see how God sees others. Prosperity is being aware of the Holy Spirit's tireless energy and willingness to supply our every need. Keep your hope alive and your awareness level of His unlimited strength available for you. The key to accept this as a scriptural fact rather than waiting to feel something. Call on Jesus Christ's name and His riches will arise within you! Thank you. Amen.
Pastor Jimm