Friday 21 June 2013

THE 'PROSPERITY' GOSPEL

Of late we hear many people talk about the 'prosperity preachers' who travel the world in private jets and live an extravagant life. I was fortunate to hear Bro. Johnson, who has been branded a 'prosperity preacher' by the Catholic Church in India, clarify just what Biblical Prosperity actually meant. To keep the article concise, I've purposely kept the commentary short. But i believe the notes are sufficient to understand where the preacher is taking us!
...........................................................................................................................................
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed  - Luke 4:18


So, WHO ARE THE POOR? 
Persons who have no manifestation of God's blessings are poor!

Preach and make a person understand how the Word works! 
Preach the basics just like a kindergarten teacher teaches -  'A' for Apple... 'B' for ball... learning words, then constructing sentences with words...providing basic education...This is basic practical teaching! This will equip the person to study on his own and prosper through the Word of God.


Good preaching will introduce the Word of God as being a bag of seeds.The real seed which is the incorruptible SEED of the WORD OF GOD. SEED that does not fail...It always brings a harvest! The character of the tree is stored in each seed and when it germinates, it will produce that particular harvest. A chickoo tree does not produce mangoes!

However, a seed that is kept in a gunny bag will never give you a harvest!

Solution to any area of our lives is the hearing of the preaching of the Gospel.If you are 'poor'(lacking) in any area of your life, encourage yourself in the Word of God. Take your focus off man and rest it on Jesus alone.

"then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth. And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day - Deut. 8:17-18 

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

If we're Abraham's seed by faith, we are empowered to prosper!

Biblical prosperity is not just financial blessings. TOTAL LIFE PROSPERITY includes every area of my life!

And the most beautiful formula that surely works is ...

"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".2 Cor 1:4.

Plant in others' lives, out of what you've been blest with! In other words, if you've been delivered from any affliction in your life, you carry a special anointing to deliver others from the same affliction!

And let them say continually,
“Let the Lord be magnified,
Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”- Gal. 3:14 

Isn't it comforting to know that even God takes pleasure in our prosperity?

“Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
Thereby good will come to you -Job 22:21,22 

In other words, agree with His Word and be at peace and good shall come to you.

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" - Josh 1:8

True 'GOD KIND OF PROSPERITY' depends on the way you think and speak! Let us train your mouth and mind to agree with God's Word.


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