'prosperity' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall;” vs. 4 Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Amos wasn’t on a tour when he ventured north into Israel, so he was unimpressed by the stone fortresses of the capital Samaria and the trappings of wealth and prosperity. Like the rich of every time and place they spared no expense in furnishing their homes and they feasted on…
Daily Devotions
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall;” vs. 4 Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Amos wasn’t on a tour when he ventured north into Israel, so he was unimpressed by the stone fortresses of the capital Samaria and the trappings of wealth and prosperity. Like the rich of every time and place they spared no expense in furnishing their homes and they feasted on…
Daily Devotions
Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land, saying, “When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain; We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances,” vss. 4, 5a, c Amos 8:3-7 While little is said in the book of Second Kings about the reign of Israel’s king, Jeroboam II, it is noted that he reigned for 41 years…
Daily Devotions
As for me, I said in my prosperity, ‘I shall never be moved.’ By your favour, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed.” vss. 6-7 Psalm 30:6-12 The psalmist had been confident in his relationship with the Lord, and, in his estimation, he had been blessed. Like many people he believed that there was a link between faith and prosperity, and since he had wealth, he anticipated that the good times…
Daily Devotions
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’” vs. 21 Mark 10:17-22 Jesus had been teaching about the cost of discipleship, and now the question of the good rich man gave him a vivid real life illustration. When the man heard Jesus’ words, Mark says, he was shocked and went away grieving. And…
Daily Devotions
Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.” vs. 7 2 Corinthians 8:7-13 This psalmist wrote that the Lord had given him great prosperity, and that his wealth was a source of great stability. It’s a situation that many of us can identify with. Simply by virtue of where we live and an economy that multiplies portfolios even…
Daily Devotions
What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?” vs. 9 Psalm 30:6-12 This psalmist wrote that the Lord had given him great prosperity, and that his wealth was a source of great stability. It’s a situation that many of us can identify with. Simply by virtue of where we live and an economy that multiplies portfolios even while we sleep, we’ve become accustomed to…
Daily Devotions
When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them…Do not say to yourself, ‘My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.’” vss. 12, 17 Deuteronomy 8:7-18 The book of Deuteronomy, presented in the form of a sermon by Moses as the Israelites are about to enter the promised land, anticipates that the people will enjoy a rich and full life. They are reminded to regularly give Thanksgiving to…
Daily Devotions
Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” vss. 23-24 Amos 5:21-24 During Israel’s golden age, the time of its greatest prosperity, Amos came out of the wilderness of Judah with a message from the Lord. To put it bluntly, there was nothing that the people were doing that was pleasing. They were cheating the poor,…
Daily Devotions
Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.” vss. 36-37 Psalm 119:33-40 Because we carry the divine spark in our genes we have an innate sense of how life shall be lived. Of course, from the time we are toddlers we are also receiving alternative messages from our context and culture. We are regularly encouraged to look to our own needs, build up wealth,…
Daily Devotions
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” vs. 36 Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus had been overwhelmed by the crowds that he encountered as he began his ministry in Galilee. Everywhere he went they flocked to hear his words and be touched by his healing hands, and his heart was filled with compassion. If we’ve ever wondered about our mission as his followers, there really can be no…
Daily Devotions
Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God gives the desolate a home to live in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a parched land.” vss. 5-6 Psalm 68:1-10 When they were at their best, Israel championed the cause of widows and orphans in their midst. And they didn’t forget that their ancestors had come as immigrants through the wilderness into a land filled with milk and honey.…
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