The Holy Advocate

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Reacts to Disobedience

John 16:4-11

The Message

John 16

 ^1-4 "I've told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he's doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I've told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you'll be well-warned and ready for them.

The Friend Will Come

 ^4-7"I didn't tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, 'Where are you going?' Instead, the longer I've talked, the sadder you've become. So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you. ^8-11"When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.

For Reflection
The time of greatest temptation to deviate from the rules is when one is confronted with terror.  Jesus knows that things are going to get rough for the disciples.  He indicates that until He ascends, his role as Paraclete (spirit, counselor, advocate) cannot begin.  The fact that he references a new role in the Kingdom of God indicates that we individually will be able to call upon his name and know that justice will prevail.

How does this make the kind of justice God delivers in Joshua different.  What is new here?  Are we free to do as we want or are we still governed by God's rules.  How does Jesus fit into your ability to avoid breaking the covenant you and God enjoy?

Pray
quietly so that you can hear Christ.  Ask for guidance.  Ask for strength to follow your faith.  Pray for supreme trust in the Lord.

Quick Justice

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Reacts to Disobedience

Joshua 7:16-2, 24-26

The Message

 ^16-18 Joshua was up at the crack of dawn and called Israel up tribe by tribe. The tribe of Judah was singled out. Then he called up the clans and singled out the Zerahites. He called up the Zerahite families and singled out the Zabdi family. He called up the family members one by one and singled out Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah.
 ¹⁹ Joshua spoke to Achan, "My son, give glory to God, the God of Israel. Make your confession to him. Tell me what you did. Don't keep back anything from me."
 ^20-21 Achan answered Joshua, "It's true. I sinned against God, the God of Israel. This is how I did it. In the plunder I spotted a beautiful Shinar robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a fifty-shekel bar of gold, and I coveted and took them. They are buried in my tent with the silver at the bottom."

²⁴ Joshua took Achan son of Zerah, took the silver, the robe, the gold bar, his sons and daughters, his ox, donkey, sheep, and tent—everything connected with him. All Israel was there. They led them off to the Valley of Achor (Trouble Valley).
 ^25-26 Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? God will now trouble you. Today!" And all Israel stoned him—burned him with fire and stoned him with stones. They piled a huge pile of stones over him. It's still there. Only then did God turn from his hot anger. That's how the place came to be called Trouble Valley right up to the present time.

For Reflection
It's easier to see these passages from Joshua as metaphoric.  A single act of disobedience carries grave consequences to the whole nation.  The whole nation takes responsibility for quick action to purify itself.  As a metaphor it carries a strong lesson.

As a description of a real event it carries authenticity.  Even if you think the punishment did not fit the crime,  the process of justice is not to far from our own contemporary values.  Justice is not easy. In this case God was the accuser and the deliverer of justice.  It was not the Israelites decision it was God's.

Pray
for the forgiveness of sin.  Pray that you give justice matters to God.  Pray that you place your soul in the hands of Jesus Christ.  Pray in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

Offer to Reconcile

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Reacts to Disobedience

Joshua 7:12-15

The Message

 ^10-12 God said to Joshua, "Get up. Why are you groveling? Israel has sinned: They've broken the covenant I commanded them; they've taken forbidden plunder—stolen and then covered up the theft, squirreling it away with their own stuff. The People of Israel can no longer look their enemies in the eye—they themselves are plunder. I can't continue with you if you don't rid yourselves of the cursed things.
 ¹³ "So get started. Purify the people. Tell them: Get ready for tomorrow by purifying yourselves. For this is what God, the God of Israel, says: There are cursed things in the camp. You won't be able to face your enemies until you have gotten rid of these cursed things.
 ^14-15 "First thing in the morning you will be called up by tribes. The tribe God names will come up clan by clan; the clan God names will come up family by family; and the family God names will come up man by man. The person found with the cursed things will be burned, he and everything he has, because he broke God's covenant and did this despicable thing in Israel."

For Reflection
The rules of this covenant are there for a reason.  This is about God's power, justice and reputation.  Taking land in Godless Canaan is justifiable.  The Israelites are not taking land for personal gain but rather as a witness to God.  God offers a path to reconciliation.  Just get rid of the cursed things (and here comes the tough part.) and the person who is responsible for disobeying the covenant rule.

This is the same God as in the New Testament.  This is the God of love and peace. 

But what fate awaits those who break the rules today?  To be sure there is grace and mercy.  What about the unrepentant sinner?  What cursed things do you need to get rid of in order to face your enemies?

Pray
lead us not into temptation.  God lead us to understand the power and the responsibility of becoming a witness to you.  Offer prayers of confession and ask for forgiveness.

One Bad Apple

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Reacts to Disobedience

Joshua 7:1-9

The Message

 ¹ Then the People of Israel violated the holy curse. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah, took some of the cursed things. God became angry with the People of Israel.
² Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai (The Ruin), which is near Beth Aven just east of Bethel. He instructed them, "Go up and spy out the land." The men went up and spied out Ai. ³ They returned to Joshua and reported, "Don't bother sending a lot of people—two or three thousand men are enough to defeat Ai. Don't wear out the whole army; there aren't that many people there."
 ^4-5 So three thousand men went up—and then fled in defeat before the men of Ai! The men of Ai killed thirty-six—chased them from the city gate as far as The Quarries, killing them at the descent. The heart of the people sank, all spirit knocked out of them.
 ⁶ Joshua ripped his clothes and fell on his face to the ground before the Chest of God, he and the leaders throwing dirt on their heads, prostrate until evening.
 ^7-9 Joshua said, "Oh, oh, oh...Master, God. Why did you insist on bringing this people across the Jordan? To make us victims of the Amorites? To wipe us out? Why didn't we just settle down on the east side of the Jordan? Oh, Master, what can I say after this, after Israel has been run off by its enemies? When the Canaanites and all the others living here get wind of this, they'll gang up on us and make short work of us—and then how will you keep up your reputation?"

For Reflection
What is the value of one man's sin? Achan's sin individual disobedient act aroused God's anger.  It would not have mattered a whit if the whole army joined in this battle the loss would have resulted.  Achan's looting was in direct disobedience to God's instruction.  In reaction to the disobedient Achan, God withdrew his support.

For many modern Christians the result of disobedience is at least distasteful and difficult to accept.  In this case many were punished for the act of one.  Clearly Achan broke the covenant.  Why do you think Joshua had such a severe reaction to the news?  

Pray
that you will follow the Lord obediently.  Pray that you will be able to avoid disobedient action in the face of stress.  Pray for strength and guidance in the face of temptation.

Help is on its Way

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God is Victorious

Psalm 20

The Message

A David Psalm

 ^1-4 God answer you on the day you crash, The name God-of-Jacob put you out of harm's reach,
   Send reinforcements from Holy Hill,
   Dispatch from Zion fresh supplies,
   Exclaim over your offerings,
   Celebrate your sacrifices,
   Give you what your heart desires,
   Accomplish your plans.

 ⁵ When you win, we plan to raise the roof
      and lead the parade with our banners.
   May all your wishes come true!

 ⁶ That clinches it—help's coming,
      an answer's on the way,
      everything's going to work out.

 ^7-8 See those people polishing their chariots,
      and those others grooming their horses?
      But we're making garlands for God our God.
   The chariots will rust,
      those horses pull up lame—
      and we'll be on our feet, standing tall.

 ⁹ Make the king a winner, God;
      the day we call, give us your answer.

For Reflection
There you are, tied to the railroad tracks and the train of calamity is bearing down.  it is not the AFLAC duck who will rescue you.  He who answers your prayers is not the banker, or the employer or the counselor.

"God answer you on the day you crash..." The prayer is said -- the call made.  But, in fact, is not your call alone.  It is the call of millions of God's people praying for you. Some praying generally and some praying directly in your name.  Polishing your car, painting your house, or even sucking up to the boss will not save you.  Only God.  Your car will wear out. Your house will always need a new paint job.  Your boss will always disappoint you.

But not God.  When all in this world fails you, you will find yourself the last one standing because you put your faith in God and let God do his thing. You will be victorious in this world because you are protected by the God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

Pray
that your faith is strong -- that you believe so deeply that what troubles you face are of little consequence.  Pray that you seek God's response first.  Pray that you have the confidence in your faith that brings the peace God offers.  Finally, pray for all who suffer that they may know the peace God brings.

The Victory of Faith

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Has Expectations

1 John 5:1-5

The Message

 ^1-3Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten. If we love the One who conceives the child, we'll surely love the child who was conceived. The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome.

The Power That Brings the World to Its Knees

 ^4-5Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.

For Reflection
We are children of God.  Are God's commandments troublesome to you?  Perhaps not philosophically.  But what about behaviorally?  Isn't it always easier to believe than it is to act in ways that are consistent with your belief?  Keeping God's commandments is not a head thing.  It is a body thing -- faith in action.

Pray
that you have the courage to follow your faith. Pray for "The conquering power that brings the world to its knees..."  Pray that you action is consistent with your faith.

Victory Through Christ

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God is Victorious

1 Corinthians 15:50-57

The Message

 ⁵⁰I need to emphasize, friends, that our natural, earthy lives don't in themselves lead us by their very nature into the kingdom of God. Their very "nature" is to die, so how could they "naturally" end up in the Life kingdom?
 ^51-57But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I'll probably never fully understand. We're not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it's over. On signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we'll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true:

   Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
   Who got the last word, oh, Death?
   Oh, Death, who's afraid of you now?
It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!

For Reflection
Remember in Christ we receive a wonderful gift.  We are invited to die.  Become dead to the material world.  Become unresponsive to those natural earthy seductions.

We are also invited to be reborn into a transformed person.  A person who leaves his earthly self behind and responds to his God centered self. The leverage of guilt is gone.

Pray
that the Lord will fill you with the Holy Spirit.  Pray that you believe deeply that you have been transformed, reborn daily as a God centered person.  Say thank you for your immortality.

Anticipate God's Victory

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God is  Victorious

Isaiah 25:6-10

The Message

 ^6-8But here on this mountain, God-of-the-Angel-Armies
   will throw a feast for all the people of the world,
A feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines,
   a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts.
And here on this mountain, God will banish
   the pall of doom hanging over all peoples,
The shadow of doom darkening all nations.
   Yes, he'll banish death forever.
And God will wipe the tears from every face.
   He'll remove every sign of disgrace
From his people, wherever they are.
   Yes! God says so!
 ^9-10Also at that time, people will say,
   "Look at what's happened! This is our God!
We waited for him and he showed up and saved us!
   This God, the one we waited for!
Let's celebrate, sing the joys of his salvation.
   God's hand rests on this mountain!"
 ^10-12As for the Moabites, they'll be treated like refuse,
   waste shoveled into a cesspool.
Thrash away as they will,
   like swimmers trying to stay afloat,
They'll sink in the sewage.
   Their pride will pull them under.
Their famous fortifications will crumble to nothing,
   those mighty walls reduced to dust

For Reflection
Witness the Living God.  Feast on His promise of salvation.  Celebrate his victory in you.  Let others see your transformed self.  Be a living counterpart to the Godless.

Pray
to the God-of-the-Angle-Armies for his protection, encouragement and vision to face this world.  Pray that you keep celebrating is goodness and mercy.  Pray long and hard for those who have not felt the warmth and satisfaction of God in their lives. Pray that they will find peace, living in the hollow of God

Sing Praises of Victory to of Our God

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God is Victorious

Psalm 98:1-6,  The Message

  
Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders!
   He rolled up his sleeves,
   He set things right.

 ² God made history with salvation,
   He showed the world what he could do.

 ³ He remembered to love us, a bonus
   To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.
   The whole earth comes to attention.
   Look—God's work of salvation!

 ⁴ Shout your praises to God, everybody!
   Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!

 ⁵ Round up an orchestra to play for God,
   Add on a hundred-voice choir.

 ⁶ Feature trumpets and big trombones,
   Fill the air with praises to King God.
I won't forget a word of it.

For Reflection
How often do you praise God?  Sometimes, especially in the spring, while driving through the beautiful Virginia countryside, I marvel at God's creation.  I find my self experiencing an emotional high and sing praises -- sometimes aloud.  How about you?

Il Divo perform Hallelujah from the Arena at Pula, one of the most well-preserved Roman Coliseums in the World.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2SZ-nCBmsU

Pray
Fill your mind with praise for the glory that is God.  Let you mind sing praises to the living God.  Listen to the sounds of praises in your soul.  Pray that you don't ever forget a word of God's song.

Covenant Fufilled

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Protects

Joshua 6:22-25

The Message

 ^22-24 Joshua ordered the two men who had spied out the land, "Enter the house of the harlot and rescue the woman and everyone connected with her, just as you promised her." So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, and brothers—everyone connected with her. They got the whole family out and gave them a place outside the camp of Israel. But they burned down the city and everything in it, except for the gold and silver and the bronze and iron vessels—all that they put in the treasury of God's house.
 ²⁵ But Joshua let Rahab the harlot live—Rahab and her father's household and everyone connected to her. She is still alive and well in Israel because she hid the agents whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

For Reflection
Rahab's city and all the evil that dwelt within was destroyed.  She and her family now reside in God's people.  Salvation has come to Rahab and her family.  The story of Rahab is the story of all of us.  Rahab's conviction about the God of Israel and her willingness to put her life on the line to fulfill God's promise puts her in the protection of God's hand.

Pray
that you believe in the power of God's protection.  Pray that your give your life to God each day.  Thank God for His protecting hand in your life.

Symbol of Mercy and Gratitude

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Protects

Joshua 2:17-21

The Message

 ^17-20 The men told her, "In order to keep this oath you made us swear, here is what you must do: Hang this red rope out the window through which you let us down and gather your entire family with you in your house—father, mother, brothers, and sisters. Anyone who goes out the doors of your house into the street and is killed, it's his own fault—we aren't responsible. But for everyone within the house we take full responsibility. If anyone lays a hand on one of them, it's our fault. But if you tell anyone of our business here, the oath you made us swear is canceled—we're no longer responsible."
 ²¹ She said, "If that's what you say, that's the way it is," and sent them off. They left and she hung the red rope out the window 

For Reflection
The spies strike a holy covenant and seal it with an instruction.  A call for obedience carries with it a warning for disobeying.  With confidence in the plan and complete trust, Rahab obeys.  To what extent would you have trusted the spies?  Why do you think Rahab did?  How do you think Rahab' life might have changed after the invasion?

Pray
prayers of thanksgiving for the unexpected triumphs in your life. Pray for those who have protected you.  Pray constantly for God's protection.

By God You Are Known

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Protects

Joshua 2:10-14

The Message

 ^8-11 Before the spies were down for the night, the woman came up to them on the roof and said, "I know that God has given you the land. We're all afraid. Everyone in the country feels hopeless. We heard how God dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt, and what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you put under a holy curse and destroyed. We heard it and our hearts sank. We all had the wind knocked out of us. And all because of you, you and God, your God, God of the heavens above and God of the earth below.
 ^12-13 "Now promise me by God. I showed you mercy; now show my family mercy. And give me some tangible proof, a guarantee of life for my father and mother, my brothers and sisters—everyone connected with my family. Save our souls from death!"
 ¹⁴ "Our lives for yours!" said the men. "But don't tell anyone our business. When God turns this land over to us, we'll do right by you in loyal mercy."


For Reflection
The people of God are uniquely distinguished.  God's reputation precedes them.  They are a witness to the mighty power of God.  Rahab approaches boldly expecting the kind of mercy shown to Israel.  She asks no more of the God of Israel than the protection He has provided them.  She is not concerned about death, but rather here soul and the souls of her family.  What does this indicate to you regarding Rahab, the harlot?


Pray
that God's spirit will work through you.  Pray that you will recognize God's spirit at work in all whom you meet.

God Protected Israel

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Protects

Joshua 21:43-22:6

The Message

^43-44 And so God gave Israel the entire land that he had solemnly vowed to give to their ancestors. They took possession of it and made themselves at home in it. And God gave them rest on all sides, as he had also solemnly vowed to their ancestors. Not a single one of their enemies was able to stand up to them—God handed over all their enemies to them.
 ⁴⁵ Not one word failed from all the good words God spoke to the house of Israel. Everything came out right.

Joshua 22

 ^1-5 Then Joshua called together the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He said: "You have carried out everything Moses the servant of God commanded you, and you have obediently done everything I have commanded you. All this time and right down to this very day you have not abandoned your brothers; you've shouldered the task laid on you by God, your God. And now God, your God, has given rest to your brothers just as he promised them. You're now free to go back to your homes, the country of your inheritance that Moses the servant of God gave you on the other side of the Jordan. Only this: Be vigilant in keeping the Commandment and The Revelation that Moses the servant of God laid on you: Love God, your God, walk in all his ways, do what he's commanded, embrace him, serve him with everything you are and have."  ^6-7 Then Joshua blessed them and sent them on their way. They went home. (To the half-tribe of Manasseh, Moses had assigned a share in Bashan. To the other half, Joshua assigned land with their brothers west of the Jordan.) 

For Reflection 

As tribes of Levi, these should have no inheritance similar to the other tribes.  But God protected them.  He made provisions for a place and Joshua gave them land as a reward for their service and steadfast obedience. 

Pray

for gods blessings in your life.  Pray to be content in the fairness of God's mercy.

A Harlot's Protection

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Protects

Joshua 2:10-14

The Message

 ^8-11 Before the spies were down for the night, the woman came up to them on the roof and said, "I know that God has given you the land. We're all afraid. Everyone in the country feels hopeless. We heard how God dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt, and what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you put under a holy curse and destroyed. We heard it and our hearts sank. We all had the wind knocked out of us. And all because of you, you and God, your God, God of the heavens above and God of the earth below.
 ^12-13 "Now promise me by God. I showed you mercy; now show my family mercy. And give me some tangible proof, a guarantee of life for my father and mother, my brothers and sisters—everyone connected with my family. Save our souls from death!"
 ¹⁴ "Our lives for yours!" said the men. "But don't tell anyone our business. When God turns this land over to us, we'll do right by you in loyal mercy."

For Reflection
The history of God's people is not for the faint of heart.  After nearly 500 years of captivity, God's people are free.  But to find a place, they have to conduct war.  The land of the Canaanites was a sinful inhumane place.  Not easy to accept in a Christian "make nice" society, God's people displaced the evil that was Canaan.  The protection that God provides came not from a pillar of morality, but from a harlot.  It is not a story of what should be, but rather, what is.

The promise of God fulfilled through a most unexpected person.  A holy covenant was made that day for mutual protection -- living in the hollow of God's hand.  What people seem to be may not match the reality of who they are.

How have you been protected in unexpected ways?

Pray
for God's protection.  Pray that you will accept God's protection from whom ever it is offered.  Pray that you see into a person and find the one that God made.

Power Struggles

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Protects

2 Corinthians 1:16-20

The Message

 ^15-16Confident of your welcome, I had originally planned two great visits with you—coming by on my way to Macedonia province, and then again on my return trip. Then we could have had a bon-voyage party as you sent me off to Judea. That was the plan.
 ^17-19Are you now going to accuse me of being flip with my promises because it didn't work out? Do you think I talk out of both sides of my mouth—a glib yes one moment, a glib no the next? Well, you're wrong. I try to be as true to my word as God is to his. Our word to you wasn't a careless yes canceled by an indifferent no. How could it be? When Silas and Timothy and I proclaimed the Son of God among you, did you pick up on any yes-and-no, on-again, off-again waffling? Wasn't it a clean, strong Yes?
 ^20-22Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God's Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete

For Reflection
Corinth was difficult.  Many completed for leadership.  Corinthians criticized Paul saying his letters were difficult to understand and he didn't follow through with his plans. But Paul understood the real issue.   Is the church driven by charismatic leaders or by the gospel?

Proper hospitality required that the Corinthians made preparations which were now wasted on a no-show.  Paul points out that the plans of men are sometimes changed, but the proclamation of God's promise is unchangeable.  The fulfillment of the gospel is not dependent on a single visit, or for that matter, a single individual leader.

Pray
a grand response to God's yes.  Pray that the Church follows the Holy Spirit.  Pray for trust in the truth that is in the God's promise.

Prayer Leads to Prosperity

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Has Expectations

Psalm 119:33-40

The Message

 ^33-40 God, teach me lessons for living
      so I can stay the course.
   Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
      my whole life one long, obedient response.
   Guide me down the road of your commandments;
      I love traveling this freeway!
   Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
      and not for piling up loot.
   Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
      invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
   Affirm your promises to me—
      promises made to all who fear you.
   Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
      but what you say is always so good.
   See how hungry I am for your counsel;
      preserve my life through your righteous ways!

For Reflection

Walking hand in hand, side by side with God is realized through prayer and meditations.  Make a copy of this passage and post it where you will see it often.

Pray
the prayer in Psalm119 above at least three times right now. 

A Long List

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Has Expectations

2 Chronicles 26:1-5

The Message

 ^1-2 The people of Judah then took Uzziah, who was only sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. The first thing he did after his father was dead and buried was to recover Elath for Judah and rebuild it. ^3-5 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king and reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jecoliah from Jerusalem. He behaved well in the eyes of God, following in the footsteps of his father Amaziah. He was a loyal seeker of God. He was well trained by his pastor and teacher Zechariah to live in reverent obedience before God, and for as long as Zechariah lived, Uzziah lived a godly life. And God prospered him.

For Reflection
Make a list of all the ways you prosper.  It just may be the longest list you have ever made.

Pray
prayers of praise.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving offering your prosperity list.

Good Advice

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Has Expectations

1 Kings 2:1-4

The Message

 ^1-4When David's time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying, "I'm about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you're made of! Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses; then you'll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go. Then God will confirm what he promised me when he said, 'If your sons watch their step, staying true to me heart and soul, you'll always have a successor on Israel's throne.'

For Reflection
What wonderful advice for a father to give to a son.  What wonderful advice for a mother to give to her daughter.  To what extent does this passage mirror your belief?  Pass your belief on to someone this week.

Pray
for the conviction of David.  Pray for the courage to pass your belief to someone.  Pray for the promise of God to be fulfilled in you.

Live the Promise

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Has Expectations

Psalm 119:9-16

The Message

 ^9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
      By carefully reading the map of your Word.
   I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
      don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
   I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
      so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
   Be blessed, God;
      train me in your ways of wise living.
   I'll transfer to my lips
      all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
   I delight far more in what you tell me about living
      than in gathering a pile of riches.
   I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
      I attentively watch how you've done it.
   I relish everything you've told me of life,
      I won't forget a word of it.

For Reflection
Living in the hollow of God's hand is immensely satisfying.  Reading the Bible and thinking about the meaning of the passages for your life and trusting in God is the way to a God filled life.  How ya do'in?

Pray
pray, "don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. "  train me in your ways of wise living."  " transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth."  Pray that you don't forget a word of it"

Live Long and Prosper

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Has Expectations

Deuteronomy 5:28-33 (The Message)

 ^28-29 God heard what you said to me and told me, "I've heard what the people said to you. They're right—good and true words. What I wouldn't give if they'd always feel this way, continuing to revere me and always keep all my commands; they'd have a good life forever, they and their children!
 ^30-31 "Go ahead and tell them to go home to their tents. But you, you stay here with me so I can tell you every commandment and all the rules and regulations that you must teach them so they'll know how to live in the land that I'm giving them as their own."
 ^32-33 So be very careful to act exactly as God commands you. Don't veer off to the right or the left. Walk straight down the road God commands so that you'll have a good life and live a long time in the land that you're about to possess.

For Reflection
The God of Moses and the God of the people of Israel has always instructed His people and their leaders.  He is pleased when we keep his commandments and lead righteous lives.  Here God promises a good life if His people follow his advice.  I'm not sure that God means that each individual will live long and prosper.  But, as a unit, the people of God will survive and prosper. 

Think about that for a while.  What does that mean to you?  What responsibilities do you have in the prosperity of God's People.  How does the Christ event change the meaning of this passage for modern times?

Pray
for the realization of God's Kingdom on Earth.  Pray that you, "Walk straight down the road God commands..."  Pray that you play your part in God's plan according to His will.

Fulfilling God's Promise

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God's Promises Fulfilled


Romans 15:7-13 (The Message)

  ^7-13So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it! Jesus, staying true to God's purposes, reached out in a special way to the Jewish insiders so that the old ancestral promises would come true for them. As a result, the non-Jewish outsiders have been able to experience mercy and to show appreciation to God. Just think of all the Scriptures that will come true in what we do! For instance:

   Then I'll join outsiders in a hymn-sing;
   I'll sing to your name!
And this one:
   Outsiders and insiders, rejoice together!
And again:
   People of all nations, celebrate God!
   All colors and races, give hearty praise!
And Isaiah's word:
   There's the root of our ancestor Jesse,
      breaking through the earth and growing tree tall,
   Tall enough for everyone everywhere to see and take hope!
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!

For Reflection
God's promise is fulfilled through us.  God's will is for us to reach out and witness to the resurrection and the transformation of the world one individual at at time.  Not through threat and coercion, but rather through celebration and a welcoming spirit.

Invite others into the household of God.  Celebrate God's promise.

Pray
that the Spirit that is within you spills out God's hospitality.  Pray that your God filled life will brim over with hope and excited anticipation.

The Un-friend

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God's Promises Fulfilled


2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (The Message)

^14-18Don't become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That's not partnership; that's war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God's holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way:

   "I'll live in them, move into them;
      I'll be their God and they'll be my people.
   So leave the corruption and compromise;
      leave it for good," says God.
   "Don't link up with those who will pollute you.
      I want you all for myself.
   I'll be a Father to you;
      you'll be sons and daughters to me."
   The Word of the Master, God.

2 Corinthians 7

 ¹ With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.

For Reflection
"With friends like this, who needs enemy's?"  If you sometimes think this of your friends, it is time to drop them.  This passage calls us to surround ourselves with close friends of like mind, who lift us up, who don't seduce us into Godlessness.

Pray
that you surround yourself with God centered others.  Pray that you have the courage to shed as confidants those who would lead you away from your faith and into action that is self centered.

Its Not in the Genes

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God's Promises Fulfilled


Romans 9:6-12 (The Message)

 ^6-9Don't suppose for a moment, though, that God's Word has malfunctioned in some way or other. The problem goes back a long way. From the outset, not all Israelites of the flesh were Israelites of the spirit. It wan't Abraham's sperm that gave identity here, but God's promise. Remember how it was put: "Your family will be defined by Isaac"? That means that Israelite identity was never racially determined by sexual transmission, but it was God-determined by promise. Remember that promise, "When I come back next year at this time, Sarah will have a son"?
 ^10-13And that's not the only time. To Rebbecca, also, a promise was made that took priority over genetics. When she became pregnant by our one-of-a-kind ancestor, Isaac, and her babies were still innocent in the womb—incapable of good or bad—she received a special assurance from God. What God did in this case made it perfectly plain that his purpose is not a hit-or-miss thing dependent on what we do or don't do, but a sure thing determined by his decision, flowing steadily from his initiative. God told Rebbecca, "The firstborn of your twins will take second place." Later that was turned into a stark epigram: "I loved Jacob; I hated Esau."

For Reflection
One of the significant arguments in the early Church dealt with the necessity to become a Jew before accepting Christ as the Messiah.  Here Paul explains eloquently that it was not the human linage that defined Godly people.  It was God's promise.

To what extent have you accepted God's promise?  Are you Christian just because your parents were?  Are you a Christian because you accepted God's promise?  I suspect that all Christians born into the faith or not fit the latter category.

Pray
for those who have not accepted God's promise.  Pray that they hear the word and see God's promise in action.