Metaldoc
10-18-2005, 09:43
This devotional helps put into perspective the paradox of Christians being rich and poor, suffering yet at peace, prosperous but having little. Maybe it will help some of those that are having a hard time "getting it".
"But recall the former days in which, after
you were illuminated, you endured a great
struggle with sufferings: partly while you
were made a spectacle both by reproaches and
tribulations, and partly while you became
companions of those who were so treated"
Hebrews 10:32-33
The greatest test of true conversion is this: "Trouble."
"What ?, how can you say such a thing? Don't you
know that Jesus came to bring abundant life? Don't you
understand that He give us peace that passes understanding.
Can't you comprehend that God wants us to prosper?"
Now that we have your attention, allow us to explain. If
we are truly converted to life in Jesus Christ, we will
be annoying to those who do not know Him, not that we
are "preachy" or "holier than thou" or even a "goody two
shoes." No, we are annoying to non-believers because we
HAVE abundant life, peace, and prosperity. These are
things the worldly people we know seek. Your boss may
be seeking it by climbing the corporate ladder. Your
co-worker may be seeking it by buying new cars, boats,
and houses. Your friends may be acquiring it by filling
their homes with the latest and greatest decorating ideas.
Politicians are doing it by seeking positions of greater
power and influence. Whatever their method, everyone is
seeking the abundant life. Do they find it in these
situations? Not really. (Those of you who have been
trapped in these modes can testify to this truth.) The
next promotion is not enough. The next car is not good
enough. The next house is too small or plain. The next
committee chairmanship is not influential enough.
And all of these people look at the really sold out
believer and see the abundance, peace, and prosperity
in their lives and become jealous. When they become
jealous, they slip into envy. And envy leads to
persecution. Have you experienced it?
Allow us to define three words we have used several
times. Abundance means to have all that you need.
God has said he will supply all of our needs. When
our needs are met, we can have peace that passes
understanding. This peace is not measured in worldly
ways. Our peace is internal. While our world is
falling apart, we can be at peace emotionally,
spiritually, and physically. Do you think the three
Hebrew men were at PEACE when they were looking into
the depths of the fiery furnace? Of course they were,
they said so. Was there peace in their situation? No!
They were the victims of a mighty war! Then there is
prosperity. Prosperity is closely tied to abundance.
Our prosperity is not measured by the square footage
of our homes, or the price tag on our cars, or the
size of our paycheck. Prosperity is measured by how
much of God we have. The closer we are to the Father,
the more we have, after all, He owns the cattle on
a thousand hills and all He has is ours by the rights
of adoption. While God owns everything, we must be
content with what He entrusts to our stewardship.
That is how prosperity is measured.
These are things that upset the world and they blame
us for rocking their boats! Remember, Jesus endured
the cross for our benefit. What will we endure for
Him? Amen.
"But recall the former days in which, after
you were illuminated, you endured a great
struggle with sufferings: partly while you
were made a spectacle both by reproaches and
tribulations, and partly while you became
companions of those who were so treated"
Hebrews 10:32-33
The greatest test of true conversion is this: "Trouble."
"What ?, how can you say such a thing? Don't you
know that Jesus came to bring abundant life? Don't you
understand that He give us peace that passes understanding.
Can't you comprehend that God wants us to prosper?"
Now that we have your attention, allow us to explain. If
we are truly converted to life in Jesus Christ, we will
be annoying to those who do not know Him, not that we
are "preachy" or "holier than thou" or even a "goody two
shoes." No, we are annoying to non-believers because we
HAVE abundant life, peace, and prosperity. These are
things the worldly people we know seek. Your boss may
be seeking it by climbing the corporate ladder. Your
co-worker may be seeking it by buying new cars, boats,
and houses. Your friends may be acquiring it by filling
their homes with the latest and greatest decorating ideas.
Politicians are doing it by seeking positions of greater
power and influence. Whatever their method, everyone is
seeking the abundant life. Do they find it in these
situations? Not really. (Those of you who have been
trapped in these modes can testify to this truth.) The
next promotion is not enough. The next car is not good
enough. The next house is too small or plain. The next
committee chairmanship is not influential enough.
And all of these people look at the really sold out
believer and see the abundance, peace, and prosperity
in their lives and become jealous. When they become
jealous, they slip into envy. And envy leads to
persecution. Have you experienced it?
Allow us to define three words we have used several
times. Abundance means to have all that you need.
God has said he will supply all of our needs. When
our needs are met, we can have peace that passes
understanding. This peace is not measured in worldly
ways. Our peace is internal. While our world is
falling apart, we can be at peace emotionally,
spiritually, and physically. Do you think the three
Hebrew men were at PEACE when they were looking into
the depths of the fiery furnace? Of course they were,
they said so. Was there peace in their situation? No!
They were the victims of a mighty war! Then there is
prosperity. Prosperity is closely tied to abundance.
Our prosperity is not measured by the square footage
of our homes, or the price tag on our cars, or the
size of our paycheck. Prosperity is measured by how
much of God we have. The closer we are to the Father,
the more we have, after all, He owns the cattle on
a thousand hills and all He has is ours by the rights
of adoption. While God owns everything, we must be
content with what He entrusts to our stewardship.
That is how prosperity is measured.
These are things that upset the world and they blame
us for rocking their boats! Remember, Jesus endured
the cross for our benefit. What will we endure for
Him? Amen.