Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Looking for your destiny? Seek what is in these verses and do them rather than prosperity and power.
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
No prosperity destiny in these verses. Indeed, there is great danger in seeking riches.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
It would seem that our destiny is is tied to persecution and suffering in this life if we are living a godly life. Not that all poor people are righteous, but there is no promise of some super ministry or wealth to finance the Kingdom or whatever many preachers and prophets are teaching. Indeed, it is a dangerous position to be among the rich and famous as it tends to draw you away from Christ.
At times, a promotion being offered in not the best for you, your family or ministry. Real promotion comes from God and at times when no promotion is sought. Enos did not plan on just walking into glory. Noah did not seek a shipbuilding job. Moses did not seek to lead the people out of Egypt. Jeremiah told God that He had picked the wrong man. Amos did not seek to be a prophet. Samuel was in the temple, but had no clue he would be a prophet or judge. The disciples were not looking to be Apostles. Jesus called them out of their every day life and they would have died in those lives if Jesus did not call them. Paul definitely did not plan on being an Apostle as he was zealously persecuting Christians.
Sometimes, like Joseph, what you think your dream is turns into a hundred miles of hard road. Yet, it was a higher goal. Joseph just thought he would be the leader of his family. He had no ambition to be second to the throne of Egypt.
Do what is in Micah and James and maybe you will be promoted to an influential position, but then again you many be among the persecuted and unnamed in Hebrews 11:35b to 40. We all love reading about the folks on the glory and famous side of the hall of faith. We do not want to hear about the rest of the folks who were persecuted wanderers in clothing of poverty dying by saw or sword.
We need to fix that. They are also a part of the cloud of witnesses in Hebrew 12;1, not our loved ones who are not looking down on our struggles, to protect us or whatever sentimental application of that verse you use to make yourself feel better. You are believing a lie that came about by a chapter break. Had it been Hebrews 11:41 this issue would not have been created.
A person who lives the Spirit filled life among the mundane of life with many sorrows is actually more influential than our TV Celebrities or "Super stars." Seeing Jesus in our tough times is really what the unbeliever needs to see. Coveting fame and fortune is no different than what they look for. Indeed, the American "gospel" is not in alignment with the Word.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
He did not say that you would have great prosperity and a powerful ministry.
Matthew 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
We see what happened to John the Baptist, Jesus, the Apostles and many other over the millennia. Indeed, if we are not persecuted, are we truly living godly? Menno Simons said that the true church will always be persecuted.
Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
This church was way off course and yet, this is where many wish to be without realizing it, I have seen a dying church thrilled that they had the $50K to fix the roof when the pews were nearly empty and they had a 80+ interim pastor that they had for four years. As long as churches have sufficient nickles and noses they think they are OK and if they are in multi-million dollar facilities they think God's blessing is on them. Jesus busted that myth talking about the camel and the needle's eye.
This false theology will cause many to deconstruct when all of their dreams, declarations and prophets fail. Do not be one of them. Maranatha!!
