Category: Wealth

How to Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise (Insights in NT)

6/12/2013

A person receives power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise by praying for empowerment by the Holy Spirit knowing Jesus sits on the throne in heaven; worship a holy God and crucified Savior continually by giving Him glory, honor and power; and connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word to purchase men everywhere who serve His kingdom and reign on earth.

Pray for Empowerment By the Holy Spirit
A door in heaven was standing open before John to show him future events. Someone sat on a throne in heaven with the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow like an emerald encircled the throne and 24 other thrones surrounded it. There were 24 elders dressed in white and gold crowns seated on them. Lightning and thunder came from the throne. Before it were seven spirits and what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal (Rev. 4:1-6a). Pray for empowerment by the Holy Spirit knowing Jesus sits on the throne in heaven.

Worship a Holy God Continually
In the center around the throne were four living creatures covered with eyes and six wings each like a lion, ox, face like a man and flying eagle. Day and night they never stopped saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." When the living creatures gave glory, honor and thanks to Him sitting on the throne who lived forever, the 24 elders fell down. They worshiped Him and cast their crowns before the throne saying, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being (Rev. 4:6b-11). Worship a holy God continually by giving Him glory, honor and power.

When you know that Jesus sits on the throne in heaven, you can give Him glory, honor and power.

Connect with Christ's Death Through His Word
John saw a scroll written on both sides sealed with seven seals in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. No one was worthy to open the scroll and look inside except the the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who triumphed. He saw a slain Lamb standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders with seven spirits of God. After He took the scroll, the creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb holding a harp and golden bowls of incense or prayers of the saints. They sang that He was worthy to open the scroll because He was slain and purchased with His blood men for God from every tribe, language, people and nation to be made a kingdom and priests to serve Him and reign on the earth (Rev. 5:1-10). Connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word to purchase men everywhere who serve His kingdom and reign on earth.

Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise
John heard the voice of countless angels that encircled the throne, living creatures and elders. They sang that the worthy Lamb was slain to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise. Every creature sang to Him who sat on the throne and gave praise, honor, glory and power to the Lamb. The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped (Rev. 5:11-14). Receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise from the crucified Savior through worship.

Connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word and Spirit-empowered prayer to purchase people who serve Him, which reaps power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise from the Crucified Savior.

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Receive Blessings By Submitting to God (Insights in NT)

5/22/2013

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You receive answers to prayer and exaltation, prevent sin and God's judgment, and receive His blessings and healing through prayer, submission to His will and perseverance.

Receive Answers to Prayer By Asking with Right Motives
Personal desires that waged war in peoples' souls caused fights and quarrels that lead to killing and coveting. They received legitimate desires by asking God with right motives. He did not answer prayers that focused on selfish pleasure since friendship with the world was hatred toward God. The indwelling Holy Spirit gave grace to the humble but opposed the proud (James 4:1-6). Receive answers to prayer by asking humbly with right motives.

Receive Exaltation by Submitting to God Without Judgment
Submission to God allowed one to resist the devil. He drew near to those who came to Him. Sinners who washed their hands and purified their hearts could grieve and mourn in humility before God so He could lift them up. Those who slandered or judged their brothers also disobeyed and judged the law. Since God was the one Lawgiver and Judge who could save and destroy, people were incapable of judging their neighbors (James 4:7-12). Receive exaltation by submitting to God humbly without judging your neighbor.

Prevent Sin By Submitting to God's Will
Those who said they would go to this city, spend a year, carry on business and make money did not know what would happen tomorrow. They should say if it was the Lord's will, they would live and do that. All boasting and bragging were evil. It was sin for those who knew the good thing and did not do it (James 4:13-17). Prevent sin by submitting to God's will and doing the good thing.

Prevent God's Judgment by Not Hoarding Wealth
Rich people should weep because their wealth rotted, moths ate their clothes and gold and silver corroded because they hoarded it in the last days. By failing to pay the workmen who mowed their fields, God heard their cries against the rich. They lived in luxury and self-indulgence, fattened themselves in the day of slaughter and condemned and murdered innocent men (James 5:1-6). Prevent God's judgment by not hoarding wealth or paying fair wages.

Receive God's Blessings By Persevering Without Grumbling
Be patient and stand firm because of the Lord's soon coming again. Prevent His judgment by not grumbling against others. Prophets who persevered like Job received blessings from a compassionate and merciful God. People who did what they said were not condemned (James 5:7-12). Receive God's blessings by persevering without grumbling and keeping your word.

Receive Healing by Praying for the Sick and Confessing Sins
The troubled should pray, the happy should praise God and the sick should call for elders to pray and be anointed with oil in His name. Prayer offered in faith made the sick person well and forgave his sin. The confession of sin and prayer for healing were empowered by the effective prayer of a righteous person. When Elijah prayed earnestly that it would not rain, it did not rain from three and a half years. When he prayed again, the heavens gave rain and the earth produced its crops. Whoever turned a sinner from his error saved him from death and covered a multitude of sins (James 5:13-20). Receive healing by praying for the sick and confessing your sins to one another.

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Fruitfulness Requires Spiritual Disciplines Founded Upon God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

4/10/2013

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Fruitfulness requires spiritual disciplines founded upon God's word for His watchmen or ambassadors:
1. Sow righteousness and seek the Lord
2. Repent, remove the yoke and feed on His word for complete healing
3. Stop trusting in wealth but listen to His word through His designated spokesmen
4. Acknowledge God who cares, feeds and redeems you from death
5. Walk in God's ways with discernment to bear spiritual fruit

Lay Foundation in God's Word
Israel was unfaithful and loved the wages of a prostitute that failed to feed the people or please God. The days of reckoning were coming because of many sins and great hostility. The prophet was considered a fool and inspired man a maniac. The prophet and God were watchmen over Ephraim with snares awaiting them. Israel consecrated themselves to the shameful idol of Baal Peor and became vile like the thing they loved. God killed Ephraim's children because of their sinful deeds and rebellious leaders. The root withered and did not yield fruit (Hosea 9:1-17). Lay foundation in God's word to yield spiritual fruit as His watchman or ambassador.

Sow Righteousness and Seek the Lord
Israel was a spreading vine bringing fruit for themselves. God destroyed their altars and sacred stones. Their heart was deceitful saying they had no king because of not revering the Lord. Many promises caused lawsuits to spring up. They rejoiced over wickedness, but God destroyed the high places and put them in bonds. By sowing righteousness, they reaped the fruit of unfailing love. When they broke up their unplowed ground by seeking the Lord, God showered righteousness on them. By planting wickedness, they reaped evil and ate the fruit of deception. By depending on their own strength of many warriors, their fortresses and Israel's king were completely destroyed (Hosea 10:1-15). Sow righteousness and seek the Lord to reap unfailing love and righteousness.

Repent and Remove the Yoke for Complete Healing Through His Word
God called Israel, His son, out of Egypt. However, they sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to images. Israel did not realize that God healed by leading them with cords of love, lifting the yoke from their neck and bending down to feed them. By not repenting, they would return to Egypt with Assyria ruling them and war ending their plans. God, the Holy One, did not come in wrath. His people would follow the Lord when He roared like a lion. They would come trembling like birds from Egypt and doves from Assyria to settle in their homes (Hosea 11:1-11). Repent of sin and remove the yoke so you can be fed His word for complete healing.

Stop Trusting in Wealth But Listen to Word-Oriented Spokesmen
Ephraim surrounded God with lies, Israel with deceit and Judah was unruly against Him. Ephraim multiplied lies and violence, made a treaty with Assyria and sent olive oil to Egypt. Jacob struggled with the angel and overcame him. He talked with the Lord God Almighty. Judah must return to God, maintain love and justice, and wait for God always. Ephraim boasted of his riches and wealth thinking no one would find sin in him. God spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them. The Lord used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt and to care for them (Hosea 12:1-14). Stop trusting in wealth but listen to His word through designated spokesmen.

Acknowledge God Who Cares, Feeds and Redeems You
Ephraim made cleverly fashioned silver idols or images that were the work of craftsmen. They were to acknowledge no God or Savior except the Lord. He brought them out of Egypt, cared and fed them in the desert. They became satisfied, proud and forgot God. He gave them a king in His anger and took him away in His wrath. God redeemed them from death without destruction (Hosea 13:1-16). Acknowledge God who cares, feeds and redeems you from death.

Walk in God's Ways with Discernment
Hosea told Israel to return to the Lord since sin was their downfall. They were to say to Him, "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips." Assyria could not save them, but the fatherless found compassion in God. He healed their waywardness and loved them freely. God was like the dew to Israel so they could blossom like a lily. They sent down roots like a cedar of Lebanon and flourished like a vine. Their fruitfulness came from God. The wise and discerning understood these things. The righteous walked in God's ways that were right, but the rebellious stumbled in them (Hosea 14:1-9). Walk in God's ways with discernment to bear spiritual fruit.

Answer the following questions to determine if you are experiencing fruitfulness in your life:
1. Is God's word the foundation of your life?
2. Are you sowing righteousness and seeking the Lord?
3. Are you repenting of sin so you can remove the yoke from your life?
4. Are you feeding on God's word for complete healing?
5. Have you stopped trusting in wealth?
6. Are you listening to His word through designated spokesmen?
7. Do you acknowledge God in all circumstances of life knowing He cares, feeds and redeems you from futility?
8. Do you walk in God's ways with wisdom and discernment?

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Stand in the Gap Before God (Insights in Prophets)

3/28/2013

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We need people to stand in the gap before God to confront injustice, stop strongholds of sexual sin, pray against strongholds of sin, eliminate malice of heart and revenge, refuse trusting in prosperity, refuse pride in human wisdom, skill, wealth and beauty, and refuse making people your source of confidence.

Stand in the Gap Before God to Confront Injustice
Ezekiel confronted the city that became an object of scorn to nations when it used its power to shed blood and made idols. They treated parents with contempt, oppressed the alien, mistreated the fatherless and widow, despised holy things, committed lewd acts and sexual sins, accepted bribes, charged excessive interest and made unjust gain by extortion. Israel became dross in a land without rain. They knew He poured out His wrath upon them. Princes took treasures and precious things from the people. Priests did violence to the law without distinguishing between the holy and common. Officials killed people to make unjust gain. Prophets whitewashed deeds by false visions and lying about what God said. People committed robbery, oppressed the poor and needy, and denied justice to the alien. God looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Him in the gap on behalf of the land so He would not have to destroy it, but found no one (Ezek. 22:1-31). Stand in the gap before God to confront injustice.

Stop Strongholds of Sexual Sin
Two sisters became prostitutes in Egypt. Oholah gave birth to Samaria and Oholibah to Jerusalem. Oholah lusted after the elite in Assyria and defiled herself with the idols. They stripped and killed her. Oholibah became more depraved than her sister by lusting after men portrayed on a wall. God stirred up lovers like the Babylonians and Assyrians of high rank against her. They punished Oholibah according to their standards by sword and stole her children and fine jewelry. Their enemies dealt with her in hatred, took away everything she had worked for and drank the cup of ruin and desolation. She bore the consequences of her lewdness and prostitution. Ezekiel confronted the two sisters when they committed adultery with idols, sacrificed children, defiled the sanctuary and desecrated His Sabbaths. God ended lewdness in the land so all women would take warning and not imitate them. They suffered the penalty of their lewdness and bore the consequences of idolatry (Ezek. 23:1-49). Stop strongholds of sexual sin by confronting it.

Identify and Pray Against Strongholds of Sin
God told Ezekiel to record the date that the king of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem. He told this rebellious house a parable about pouring water and putting choice pieces of meat in a pot while filling it with the best leg and shoulder bones. They took the pick of the flock, piled wood beneath it and cooked the bones. God said, "Woe to the city of bloodshed!" He piled the wood high to melt the impurities. Their impurity was lewdness, but He tried to cleanse it but they refused. God told Ezekiel not to mourn over his wife's death as a sign to Israel. God desecrated His sanctuary or stronghold that they took pride in as the object of affection. They were not to mourn but wasted away because of their sin. A fugitive told Ezekiel when God took away their stronghold that became their joy, glory, delight and heart desire. They would know that He was Lord (Ezek. 24:1-27). Identify and pray against strongholds of sin.

Eliminate Malice of Heart and Revenge
God told Ezekiel to prophesy against the Ammonites when they rejoiced with malice of heart when Israel was led into exile. People from the East took possession of Ammon and ate their fruit. God exposed the flank of Moab and gave them to the people of the East as a possession. Ammon was not remembered and inflicted punishment on Moab. Because Edom took revenge on Judah and became guilty, God killed its men and their animals. Israel took vengeance on Edom according to God's wrath. Because the Philistines took revenge with malice in their hearts seeking to destroy Judah, God's wrath destroyed them (Ezek. 25:1-17). Eliminate malice of heart and revenge to prevent God's judgment.

Refuse Trusting in Prosperity
Tyre said they prospered since Jerusalem lied in ruins. The Lord said many nations destroyed Tyre's walls and towers to know He was Lord. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon ravaged their settlements, broke their walls, killed their people, plundered their wealth and demolished their fine houses. Tyre would never be rebuilt. Leaders trembled when the city of renown and the power on the sea was destroyed. God ended their perfection of beauty as they went down into the pit or earth below. Many nations did business with Tyre because of their great wealth of goods. Tashish exchanged silver for their merchandise. Greece traded and exchanged slaves and bronze articles for their wares. Beth Togarmah exchanged work horses, Rhodes paid ivory tusks, Aram exchanged turquoise, purple fabric and rubies, and Sheba exchanged spices, precious stones, gold and beautiful garments. Tyre's merchants sunk into the heart of the sea during their shipwreck (Ezek. 26:1-27:36). Refuse trusting in prosperity that destroy society.

Refuse Pride in Intellectualism, Skill, Wealth and Beauty
Tyre's pride made them say they were wise as a god. Their wisdom and understanding enabled them to gain wealth. Great skill in trading increased their wealth and caused their heart to be proud. Thinking they were wise like a god, God brought nations to kill them. Through widespread and dishonest trade, they sinned and were filled with violence. Their heart became proud because of their beauty. They corrupted their wisdom because of their splendor. God showed Himself holy by making blood flow in Sidon's streets. Israel would no longer have malicious neighbors like sharp thorns. God showed Himself holy as He regathered them from the nations where they were scattered. They lived safely, build houses and planted vineyards (Ezek. 28:1-26). Refuse pride in intellectualism, skill, wealth and beauty to prevent destruction.

Refuse Making People Your Source of Confidence
Ezekiel prophesied against Pharaoh king of Egypt who said the Nile was his. God made fish stick to his scales. Egypt splintered when Israel grasped them as a staff of reed. God ruined and scattered them among the nations. After 40 years, God gathered the Egyptians. He returned them to Pathros as the lowliest and weakest of kingdoms never to rule over other nations. Egypt would never be a source of confidence for Israel, but reminded them of their sin in turning to her for help. God gave Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to carry off its wealth (Ezek. 29:1-21). Refuse making people your source of confidence instead of God.

In order to stand in the gap before God:
1. Confront injustice
2. Stop strongholds of sexual sin
3. Pray against strongholds of sin
4. Eliminate malice of heart and revenge
5. Refuse trusting in prosperity
6. Refuse pride in intellectualism, skill, wealth and beauty
7. Refuse making people your source of confidence

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Wandering Away from Faith Through Love of Money (Insights in Prophets)

2/26/2012

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Someone said, “I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed." Solomon learned that the love of money is a root of evil and longing for it leads to wandering away from the faith (1 Tim. 6:10).

After Solomon finished building the house of the Lord and the king's house, the Lord appeared to him a second time saying He heard his prayer. If he walked in integrity of heart according to God's commands, He would establish Solomon's throne over Israel forever. If he or his sons turned from following Him to serve and worship other gods, then God would cut off Israel from the land He had given them. People would say, "Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?" after seeing the house as a heap of ruins (1 Kings 9:1-9). Walk in integrity of heart according to God's commands so you can rule in your kingdom sphere.

Solomon gave Hiram, king of Tyre, 20 cities in the land of Galilee because he provided cedar, cypress timber and gold. Hiram was not pleased after seeing the cities, but sent Solomon 120 talents of gold (1 Kings 9:10-14). Seeking financial gain unrighteously or selfishly is a bad witness to unbelievers.

Pharaoh, king of Egypt, captured Gezer and gave it to his daughter, Solomon's wife. Solomon rebuilt Gezer, lower Beth-horon, Baalath, Tamar in Judah and all the storage cities for his chariots and horsemen. He levied forced laborers among the descendants of Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Sons of Israel were men of war, servants, princes, captains, chariot commanders and horsemen (1 Kings 9:15-22). Not obeying God completely leads to believing that the end justifies the means.

Chief officers ruling over Solomon's work numbered 550. He built the Millo after finished Pharaoh's daughter's house. Three times a year Solomon offered burnt and peace offerings on the altar burning incense. He built a fleet of ships and Hiram sent his servants who knew the sea along with Solomon's servants. They brought 420 talents of gold from Ophir and brought it to Solomon (1 Kings 9:23-28). Great enterprise and industriousness can mask spiritual compromise in not following God's word completely.

When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the Lord's name, she came to test him with difficult questions. Solomon answered all her questions without hiding anything. She said his wisdom and prosperity exceeded the report she heard. She blessed the king because the Lord loved Israel forever to do justice and righteousness. She gave him 120 talents of gold along with large amounts of spices and precious stones (1 Kings 10:1-10). Great facilities, programs, organization and professionalism are not enough to bring people to Christ.

Hiram's ships brought many almug trees and precious stones. Solomon used almug trees as supports for the house of the Lord and the king's house along with lyres and harps for the singers (1 Kings 10:11-12). Great wealth can tempt people to use it for themselves.

Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire and according to his royal bounty. In one year, 666 talents of gold came to Solomon. He made 200 large shields of beaten gold using 600 shekels of gold on each one along with 300 shields of beaten gold using three minas of gold on each one. They were put in Solomon's house. He made a great throne of ivory overlaid with refined gold. His drinking vessels were of gold. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish brought gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks (1 Kings 10:13-22). Having the image of a spiritual warrior instead of the substance can lead to trusting in greater wealth.

Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. All the earth was seeking the presence of Solomon to hear the wisdom God put in his heart. They brought every man his gift, articles of silver, gold, garments, weapons, spices, horses and mules year by year ( 1 Kings 10:23-25). Great wealth and talent means greater accountability and responsibility on how you share the wisdom God puts in your heart.

He stationed 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen in the chariot cities and in Jerusalem. Silver was as common as stones and cedars as plentiful as sycamore trees. He imported horses from Egypt and Kue for 150 shekels. He imported chariots from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver. He exported chariots and horses to all the kings of Hittites and Arameans (1 Kings 10:26-29). Clever rationalization can be a slippery slope leading to greater disobedience.

Looking at the underlined statements, how have you been led astray from the faith in longing for riches? Claim 1 Tim. 6:11-12: But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

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How to Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise (Insights in NT)

Receive Blessings By Submitting to God (Insights in NT)

Fruitfulness Requires Spiritual Disciplines Founded Upon God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

Stand in the Gap Before God (Insights in Prophets)

Wandering Away from Faith Through Love of Money (Insights in Prophets)

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