Just when I think God can’t amaze me more . . . a new Word comes.`
If you need encouragement in the battle. . .strength to carry on. . .wisdom to understand what’s happening to you or around you. . .insight on your future success. . . then this teaching is for you.
Recently my fine wife, Bev, read Isaiah 45:19 in the Amplified Bible to me. It exploded in my spirit! Like a volcanic eruption, the Holy Spirit began showing me 7 amazing promises.
“I have not spoken in secret(1), in a corner of the land of darkness; I did not call the descendants of Jacob [to a fruitless service] (2), saying, Seek Me for nothing (3) [but I promised them a just reward] (4). I, the Lord, speak righteousness (the truth—trustworthy (5), straightforward correspondence between deeds and words) (6); I declare things that are right.”(7)
I’m convinced beyond any doubt. . . God wants you to see, understand and expect the manifestation of these seven promises in your life NOW …RIGHT NOW!
First, God makes no secret about the kind of life He wants you to have.
The enemy of your success will try to deceive you into believing where you are and what you have. . .is all there will ever be. It’s a lie because he’s a liar.
3 John 2 says:
“Beloved, I wish above all things that <<Your name>> mayest prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospereth.
God’s plan is very clear. However, you determine by the decisions you make and the actions you take. . .whether or not you will ever experience the kind of life and/or lifestyle described in 3 John 2.
Not only that. . .but Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says He has big plans for you.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Need more proof?
2 Timothy 2:12 in the Amplified Bible says:
“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us.”
And Revelation 5:10 in the Amplified Bible says:
“And You have made them a kingdom (royal race) and priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth!”
Second, God called you to produce fruit with your life.
As you move out of your comfort zone. . .becoming productive for the kingdom. . .God will make you prosperous in all your hands find to do.
Deuteronomy 30:9 says:
“And the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in every work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, of your cattle, of your land, for good;for the Lord will again delight in prospering you, as He took delight in your fathers.”
I just have to tell you. . .it makes me want to shout “Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus” when I read how the Lord delights in prospering me. Not just anybody, but He wants to prosper me. He wants me to be “abundantly prosperous.”
We must be productive. . .what we do. . .must be making a difference. . .not only in our lives. . .but in the lives of those we come in contact with.
John 15:16 says:
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
When you’re productive in the Kingdom. . .God will give you whatever you ask of Him.
What an offer. . .you’d have to be a hamburger short of a happy meal to not take advantage of this life-changing offer.
Third, when you seek Him things happen!
Five or six months ago God gave me seven words that . . . when applied. . .will change your life forever. READ YOUR BIBLE … DO WHAT IT SAYS.
Jeremiah 29:12-14 in the Message Bible says:
“Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will release you from captivity. . .”
Too often when we face adversity. . .we talk to. . .share our problems with people who can only listen. . .maybe, even give good advice. . .but, otherwise do nothing to solve our problem or bring any sort of relief in the middle of the adversity.
We talk to the banker when we can’t make our payments. . .asking him to fix or delay our problems. . .when God can supernaturally eliminate our debts.
We talk to the counselor about our problems in our marriage. . .when God can heal the broken-hearted and restore what the enemy has tried to tear asunder.
Matthew 21:22 in the Amplified Bible says:
“And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.”
Fourth, you’ve got a reward coming.
At various times in your life. . .you may have been rewarded. . .by a parent for good behavior. . .by a teacher for making good grades. . .a coach for a great game. . .by an employer for doing a job well. But you can’t even begin to imagine . . . the kind of rewards coming for your obedience to His direction. God owes NO ONE… you will receive your reward.
Hebrews 11:6 says:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
According to Strong’s Concordance the Greek word for rewarder is misthapodotēs (G3406) and it means:
“one who pays wages, a rewarder”
He is one who pays wages to them that diligently seek him.
Are you getting this?
Jeremiah 17:10 in the New Living Translation says:
“But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
What are your due rewards for diligently seeking him? You’re going to get paid for it.
Hallelujah!!
Fifth, walk in righteousness.
I want to ask you to read and re-read this fifth reason several times. . .there is a powerful life-changing truth found in 1 Peter 2:24 which says:
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
The key to this verse and life is these four words: “should live unto righteousness.”
I look up the word righteousness in the Strong’s Concordance and found that it’s the Greek word dikaiosynē(G1343) which means:
“(1) in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God: integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting.”
That’s when I saw it . . . righteousnessis the “state of him who is as he ought to be.”
How “ought” we to be?
We ought to be dead to sin . . . so we can have “correctness of thinking, feeling and acting.”
Sin is what keeps us from thinking right . . . feeling right . . .acting right. . .living right. In short, sin keeps us from walking in righteousness.
Now let’s look at Romans 8:31 in the New Living Translation which says:
“[ Nothing CanSeparate Us from God’s Love ] What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
The point of this scripture is not the rhetorical question of “who can ever be against us?” as much as it’s clear that the sin of thinking, feeling and acting incorrectly is against us.
The invitation to sin is manifested through how we think, feel and act . . . on the things we face daily. The purpose of sin is to separate us from the love God has for us that’s why we must walk in righteousness. . .if we want to receive His reward.
Sixth, your faithfulness to God produces great rewards.
God is not looking for below average or even average stewards. He’s looking for believers who understand and practice faithfulness, integrity and excellence.
Matthew 25:2 says:
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
The New Living Translation of Matthew 25:2 puts it this way:
“Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.”
No doubt about. . .God is looking for faithfulness in His stewards. It’s His criteria for being an effective steward.
Matthew 25:14-15 says:
“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”
What you have is what you can handle …he gave according to their abilities.
The servants who were faithful tin increase the talents they were given. . .received twice the amount they were originally given.
Not only did they experience increase. . .but they got to delight in the joy of the Lord.
Matthew 25:21 says:
“Well done thou good and faithful servant… enter though into the joy of the Lord.”
What you have at the moment is what God thinks you can handle. . .but if you prove yourself faithful. . .you were be given more and more.
Seventh, God is going to make all things right!
Isaiah 61:7 in the New Living Translation says:
“Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.”
The Message Bible translation of Isaiah 61:7 says:
“Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever.’”
Child of God, you’re not just going to receive the land. . .your inheritance. . .you’re going to get a double portion of prosperity.
Not only does God want you to prosper but 3 John 2 says:
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
Isaiah 61:7 in the New Living Translation concludes by saying:
“. . . and everlasting joy will be yours. . .”
I recently was given a great acronym for JOY. . .it simply means “Jesus Over You.”
When you follow the principles of Isaiah 45:19. . .not only will you be rewarded, blessed and prospered. . .God is going to turn your sorrow into joy.
Now that’s what I call a great reward. . .a double dose of prosperity and the joy that comes with it.
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Harold Herring