The ultimate possibility thinker!

Philippians 4:13(NKJV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Amen, amen, and amen!!!

This is probably my 2nd favorite foundational Scripture

I have written often about different Scriptures that I consider foundational Scriptures.  That is Scriptures that I use to guide my life on a daily basis.  As you know one of my very favorites is Romans 5:3-5. 

Romans 5:3-5(NKJV)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 

and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I've written often about the Romans passage so I won't go into it here.

Today I ran across another foundational Scripture that I really don't remember writing much about.  Here it is.

3 John 1:2(NKJV)

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 

As I have pointed out in the past, most if not all of God's promises are conditional up to and including the promise of salvation.  We are all guaranteed salvation IF AND ONLY IF we accept Jesus. 

So let's see what God has to say about prosperity.  According to 3 John 1:2 it is God's wish that we PROSPER IN ALL THINGS….just as our soul prospers.  Notice it doesn't say in all things except financial because money is bad.  It says all things! 

But the catch is, God says He wants us to enjoy the promise of prosperity only to the extent that our soul is prospering. 

So If we aren't prospering the way we would like to prosper, what is the clue here?  Look to how our soul is prospering.  Are we doing everything we can to draw closer to God so that our soul can prosper?  Are we in the Word consistently and often?  Are we in prayer?  Are we listening to the Holy spirit and letting Jesus lead us? 

All of these things lead to the prosperity of the soul.  Take care of this part of our lives and the rest will take care of itself!

"…after you have done the will of God,…"

There are a lot of people who think that because God loves everyone, that means everyone is entitle to the rewards of being a Christian without accepting Jesus.  I believe Scripture says otherwise. 

Hebrews 10:34-38(NKJV)

for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

    “For yet a little while,      And He  who is coming will come and will not tarry.

    Now the just  shall live by faith;     But if anyone draws back,      My soul has no pleasure in him.” 

Did you catch that?  After you have done the will of God you may receive your reward (promise).  Scripture tells us that it is God's will that all knees shall bow to Jesus.  Therefore it would be illogical to think that you can reject Jesus and still expect to share in God's promises to believers. 

Confirmations in Scripture

I love it when I find confirmations in Scripture.  I wrote about this a week or so ago.

Ephesians 2:8-10(NKJV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 

not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

So look at what I found today.

Philippians 1:6(NKJV)

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 

So rest assured, if God puts good works in your heart, enjoy the struggles because God will help you see it through to completion. 

The armor of God

There are many who believe that Jesus was a pacifist.  Qs I have written in the past, I believe that is a mistaken belief.  Briefly I'll summarize why and then I'll get to today's passage. 

One of the mail Scriptural reason I believe that is mistaken is that God and Jesus agree on everything.  There is no way you can look at the Old Testament and come to the conclusion that God is a pacifist.  Therefore it would be inconsistent for Jesus to be a pacifist and God not be a pacifist.  Remember, Jesus himself said "a house divided against itself cannot stand."
 

Secondly Jesus said among other things "I did not come to bring peace but to bring a sword".  Those are funny words for a pacifist to say.  I could give other example but you get the point.

So on the these verses from Ephesians

Ephesians 6:11-20(NKJV)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Notice first it says put on the armor of God.  It doesn't say put on the peace beads.  It also says "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God".

Wouldn't it be odd for a pacifist to use such militaristic phrases.  Especially the second one.  The Word of God, the Bible, is described as a sword.  Do those sound like things a pacifist would say to you?

"stand fast in liberty…"

Galatians 5:1(NKJV)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 

I don't know why but that phrase struck me this time when I read it.  Connecting Jesus and Liberty.  I'm going to keep an eye out for other Scripture that makes that connection.

My how times have changed!

Ephesians 4:15(NKJV)

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

How have they changed?  Speaking truth with love is now speaking truth with hate.  What am I talking about?  The politics of the day. 

Scripture says the truth shall set you free and yet we aren't supposed to speak the truth anymore if it makes anyone uncomfortable.  The easiest example I can think of is when you tell someone who is poor that it is their fault in any way.  Modern politics tells them that it isn't their fault at all. 

How is someone supposed to learn and correct their behavior if they are continually told that they aren't doing anything wrong.  That the system is against them.  If anyone tries telling them the truth like you really need to graduate high school if you want to succeed you are accused of being hateful. 

How is it loving to lie to people and keep them enslaved in poverty?  Or is that the intent?  Hmm?