Interesting... so if the physical healing, prosperity, comforts would get in the way of our spiritual health, what then would God choose for us?
I think that people have many different ideas of 'prosperity'.
God says that it's easier for a camel to...than for a rich man
to enter... What I always wonder is this, what is 'rich' to God?
Hmmm.
What does God choose for us if creature comforts get in the way
or our Spiritual health? He's given us His Word, He's given us
instruction in righteousness and given us His Spirit... IMO
it's all in there. His desire is that WE choose life. IOW, I dont
believe that we're puppets and he's the puppeteer, but rather
that He is watching us and that once we learn to tie our shoes,
he says, "Do it yourself now" Does that seem to line up with
Scripture iyo? I'm thinking of some Proverbs atm. He hates
foolishness and imo loving the gift and not the giver is foolish.
the problem most people fall into here (not you necessarily, just most) is what our needs are. If we do not have to think about what our needs are, so that our focus in on our Father's business, then a hungry belly isn't going to worry us because our trust is in God's provision of our needs.
Right. The enemy would love to distract us, and often does for a minute.
But if we stay connected to God, walking in the Spirit, he cant have us.
I dont want to do anything at all, without His help. One can make a fortune
but if it's without God, it's vanity. The blessing of the Lord maketh rich
and He adds no sorrow to it. I want it from Him or not at all.
Let me put it this way...we have lived in poverty for most of 20 years. I can trace it back to two things, 1. loving others more than ourselves and 2. preaching Christ without compromise. I have seen the day we had 3 young children and a can of green beans and a bit of bread to eat that day. No one came with a box of food, that is what we had, and what we learned is what Paul learned, to be content in excess and want. Now first off content here means confidence that we can do even this thing, secondly note that Paul was in want, he was hungry. But instead of worrying about where his next meal would come from, he put his focus on God and learned to be content. He had all his needs met, not because he had well balanced meals, but rather because he learned to trust God that God alone knew His needs and that was enough. He completely trust God to hold to His promise even when he couldn't see it with his physical eyes.
I dont worry about provision either.
THe economy went south, we're self employed and when my husband
would start naysaying, I'd just say, our provider isnt 'such and such
account' our provider is God.
Like Paul said, I've been young and now I'm old and I've YET to see
the righteous forsaken or their seed beggin bread.
no issue, if we do not pray for the sick, we are breaking a command of God. Actually, our mindset should be the same as Christ, the king who became a servant, the humility of love. if we act in love and trust in His authority, then praying for the sick is a given, what is not a given is all that God has for them. He has more wonders for them than we can conceive. exactly what I am suggesting, (I love your posts btw) in fact, we have been on the recieving end of the judgment comments (not in sickness but in poverty) but we are not to judge, however, it is not judgment to pray that God would reveal Himself and His purpose in even this. One of the purposes of healing was that of showing God's power to a lost and dying people.
Amen, everything is done to bring glory to God!
So if our prayer is not one of selfish motive, but rather one of God focus, how much more healing will we see? Consider this, 1 prays, Lord heal M, we love her so and another prays, Father I would that you would heal M, nevertheless, your love for her is beyond even mine, your wants for her are both eternal and pure, reveal yourself to her and those who are watching that we all might have if only a glimpse of you.
Amen!
And, No it's not at all selfish to pray for help anyhow. I'd think it would
please God to ask Him for help. I'd be so disappointed if my child needed
my help and never came to me. I so love my kids. I want them to get on
with the important work God has for them, rather than be bogged down
with worries over minor things. But as I said, we have choices to make
too and we do reap from our own sowing. God's no enabler, although
He does have fresh mercy for each morning (because we use it up daily
)
which of those prayers shows a focus on God and what God wants for M? Remember, both are seeking healing, but one limits it to the physical the other to the advancement of the kingdom. Both are offered in faith, believing, standing firm on the promises of God. Personally, I prefer the second because I personally want all of God I can hold.
I dont think I followed your train of thought but I can say that I
want God's glory , I want all that he has for me, no more no less.
It's all about Him.
I see a lot more boldness in you that you see in yourself.
Not hard to be bolder behind my keyboard but thank you! lol
I think at it's heart, many people agree on this topic, they just don't know how to express that. Then you have the extremes on both ends that only offer more confusion of communication.
And certainly there is so much wrong teaching. When I see something
in Scripture that 'seems' odd because it doesnt jive with my natural
self, I seek out answers.
Have a wonderful New Year, full of God's strength, Love, and Boldness.
Amen. May God be glorified in your life!
Well have to talk about boldness sometime...
I have some very bold friends, they need to pass that mantle
BT, I try to make chili every week and then i eat it almost exclusively
for two or three days straight!
Mmm, but I put cayenne pepper instead of, ahem sweep pickles