What Is A Prosperous Life?

Prosperity is defined as: flourishing, successful, favorable and promising.  That is exactly what your life has been defined as by Jesus.

I’m not talking about gaining worldly possession or a desire to become successful for selfish egotistical motivations.  It’s about committing to never let the fear of failing wilt our faith that we can do all things through Him who saved us.

So many of God’s people self-sabotage achievement by obsessing on a fear of failure. They decide instead to take control by sinking their own ship or by shrinking from all “risky” endeavors that would require faith to accomplish.  He has already gone before you but you need to believe it and crash through that fear barrier in order to realize your God-given potential for a more fulfilling life.

God has equipped you to positively impact far more dimensions of your life but yet we so often shrink back in fear and wonder why we are not feeling fulfilled.  You are empowered through him to win battles and reach your full potential as a husband, wife, parent and friend along with your business pursuits.

You were saved so that you could know that:

• You can do all things through Christ (Phil 4:13)
• Through Him you MORE than conquer (Rom 8:37)
• ALL things work together for good (Rom 8:28)
• He will do anything you ask in His name that will bring glory to the Father (John 14:13)
• He has plans that give you a hope & a future (Jer 29:11)

This is not a “name it and claim it” declaration but rather, in every challenging life situation where setbacks and fear of failure creep in, we need to realize that there is an amazing opportunity to see God work if we push forward.  I want to encourage you to take your chips, go “all-in”, bet on God and watch what happens!

Many Christians need to be reprogrammed from the polluted gospel of fear with the true gospel of freedom that empowers us to overcome all obstacles in our path through Him.  What I am about to share with you is not a “quid pro-quo” or some “magic formula” but rather, things that the bible says must be aligned in your life to open up the flood gates of blessing.

Attainment of blessings must not be the motivation but rather a deeper relationship with God & to be used for His glory must be the preeminent focus.

Here are what I believe to be God’s keys to usher in a Blessing Explosion in your life:

1.       Know that although you are a child of God and thus you have been grafted into royalty & are truly one of His chosen people.  This is your true identity.

2.       Fix your heart on a deep desire to make your love for Him preeminent above all things & to let your life be a spotlight for His use & glory. (Matt 6:23)

3.       Know that your prosperity comes from Him for a 2 fold purpose; to show you His love & for His name to be praised

4.       You are “getting to give” and giving/tithing is vitally important; not because He needs it but because it is designed to effect the giver whose actions reflect God as the prosperity source.   It’s also a built in pride-preventer and blessing releaser.

5.       You have not been saved to be useless nor for conformity but to develop & use your unique gifts.  Find you passion & develop your God-given abilities; you’ve been given both for a reason.

6.       There is much He desires to accomplish through you specifically, not because He needs you but because he desires to use you to do it for a double blessing

7.       You must believe that everything in your past has worked together to equip you to overcome the challenges you’ll face while leaning on God to deliver results & bless your effort

8.       It is important to quiet your inner doubter. God has not led you into the desert to die but to give you a hope & a future (Jer 29:11)

9.       Know that your hope in Him is an act of faith that will never disappoint (Rom 5:4&5)

10.   Let your prayers reflect the audacity & boldness of that faithful hope as you pour out your heart to have Him complete what only He can do

11.   You must believe He hears your heart’s cry; its meant to drive you to Him (Ps 119:116)

12.   Challenges & obstacles are meant to drive you to Him

13.   His loving blessings & prosperity are meant to drive you to Him

14.   Your life’s passion & fulfillment will draw you closer to Him…. The closer you are to Him the more His glory shines & is reflected on you till you become a spot-light for Him

15.   Have confidence that is not prideful, but a deep assuredness in how God has and will equip you to complete the work at hand. The first type of confidence points inward toward you, while the other points to the God whose gifts you are using & searches for opportunities to use them.

Just as we are tempted to have our belief erode through daily events which pull our steadfast conviction of our God and His promises, reminding ourselves of those promises are incredibly powerful and play a vital role in the brick & mortar building of that foundation.

When we pray those promises back to God we hear ourselves affirming His nature.  More than that, He hears our praises and declarations of truth that He has ordained.  Faith is the cornerstone of achieving great things for Gods glory and we have an excitement based on the hope in things He has promised.

The more we know about Gods’ nature the more we know whom it is we are trusting in.  Faith will grow in the direct proportion to your loving relationship with him deepens.  You begin to want what He wants, see things through His eyes and feel the need of those that are suffering. That is when you understand that we desire to achieve great things for God, to be blessed in order to bless others.  To receive for the purpose of giving and helping those in need.  To minister and impact your family, your community and your world for Him. Feel free to pray these aloud to reconnect with Gods promises, His nature and who you are in Him:

1. I am eternally forgiven – completely free from all shame and condemnation (Rom 8:1-2, Eph 1:7-8, 1John 1:9)
2. I have the faith & deeply desire to positively impact the world for God (Joshua 10:12-14, John 14:12)
3. I can be free from paralyzing fear & anxiety.  I can completely trust the Lord. (Proverbs 3:5-6, Phil 4:6-7, 1Peter 5:7)
4. I am empowered to fulfill the calling God has for my life (Ex 3:9-12, Ps57:2,Col 1:24-29,Duet 8:18,Phil 4:13,Luke 6:38)
5. I need have no insecurity when I see myself the way my Creator sees me (Gen1:26-27, Ps 139:13-16;Eph 5:25-27)
6. Through Christ I am completely made whole physically, mentally & emotionally regardless of my past (Ps 103:1-5,Matt 8:16-17,2 Cor 5:17)
7. I am increasing in influence and favor for the kingdom of God (Gen 45:4-8,Samuel 2:26,Acts 2:37-47)
8. I am enabled to walk boldly through the sacrificial love of Christ (2 Thes 2:16-17,1John 3:16 & 4:9-12)
9. I have the wisdom of the Lord at my disposal for every decision I will make (2Chron1:7-12, Prov 2:6,Ecc2:26,James1:5)
10. I am protected from ALL harm and evil in Jesus’ name (Gen 50:20,Ps3:1-3, 2Thes 3:2-3)

That you may be blessed

In order to experience real positive life-change one has to accurately define their identity.  If left unchecked, your definition of who you are will ebb and flow according to what others think of you, what is positively or negatively happening in your life on a weekly, daily or sometimes even hourly basis.

You then find yourself working to impact those false “yard sticks” that we have used to measure our worth. You buy more things, try to do things that make you more likable or place you in the position to gain a perception of more power or control over your life.  It can be maddening as you try to keep all the plates spinning!   

Fortunately who you are is not defined by what you own, who likes you or your false perception of control. Your real value is so much more than that.

You were purchased with a price, not for “repayment” which is impossible, but rather because you are valuable to He that purchased you with His life.  You are no longer a slave to those things. You are royalty!  Joint heirs to the kingdom and beloved by your Lord & King!

This my friends is a constant.  This is unwavering.  You are forgiven eternally for any wrong doings, are without shame or condemnation no matter what you’ve done.  If you are a prodigal son or daughter then raise your head to see the Father who’s been waiting and is now running to meet you, clothe you and put his ring on your finger.

Always remember where you came from, who you are apart from Him but never forget who you are through Him who loves you dearly.  He who desires to show His power through you if you would only get out of the way and not be a glory-hog.  That only happens when you think the blessing defines your value.

You are more valuable than a car, a large house or popularity.  Once you know who you are in Christ, it is then settled.  You can be still and know that He is God and you are His.  Seek then to further His kingdom through His blessings and then, all things will be added unto you.

May you be blessed