February 6, 2007
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Rick
Joyner: "UNPRECEDENTED PROSPERITY IS COMING TO GOD'S PEOPLE--OUR OBEDIENCE
IS KEY"
One
of the most often repeated teachings in recent times has been centered on the
Biblical prophecies which state that "the wealth of the wicked will be given to
the righteous." The prophecies actually go further than this and state that the
wealth of the nations will be brought to the righteous. Because these are
Biblical prophecies, we know that they will come to pass. This is about to
begin, and we must be ready for it.
Prosperity Defined
"When we look at the nations,
we need to look at their wealth as being far more than money or other natural
resources."
I realize that this may sound like just
another reciting of the prosperity teachings, which is a good thing to many, and
a bad thing to others. However, as we proceed, you will find that what I am
sharing with you is different from what you have heard before. If we believe the
prophecies, we know that unprecedented prosperity is coming to God's people.
What is rarely considered--even though
this is the beginning of walking in the inheritance of the righteous to rule
over the nations, it will be a test, and maybe the biggest test we have ever
had. Those who are not prepared will be overcome by it. Those who are
prepared will still be tested and stretched, but this is essential training for
those who must proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom.
There are factors with these prophecies that are rarely, if ever, addressed.
First, it is usually assumed that this wealth is all about money. It does
include money, but to the mature in Christ, money will always be their least
valuable resource. It is a resource, and it does have value, but it is something
that we learn to manage well, so that we can be entrusted with the true riches
of the Kingdom. When we look at the nations, we need to look at their wealth as
being far more than money or other natural resources. It is always about
people. They are God's treasure, and they must be ours as well.
Entrusted with Money
We need to take a bit of time to discuss
the money that we are going to be entrusted with and how to manage it. This is
important now because the Lord Himself said that if we do not know how to manage
unrighteous mammon, He will not be able to entrust us with the true riches (see
Luke 16:11). Let's get the money management
down right, but always keep in mind that it is our least valuable resource.
One moment of God's favor--the smallest
touch of His grace and anointing of the Holy Spirit is worth much more than any
earthly treasure. Let us keep that in our minds and hearts. Those who do not
keep that in mind will be in jeopardy of being destroyed by the weight of the
money and other resources that are about to be entrusted to them.
If you have read the studies of those who have won the lottery, there does not
yet seem to be many happy endings for anyone who suddenly received great riches.
Just the onslaught of demanding relatives and friends who want a gift or loan
can be crushing. Many who received millions were broke in just two years, and
even worse, have lost their jobs as well as most of their friends. In fact,
winning the lottery seems to be a terrible curse that has wrecked many lives.
The same has happened to many athletes and entertainers who come into quick
riches if they are not prepared for it.
As a large and growing ministry, we are under almost continual requests, and
sometimes demands, from other ministries for financial help. If we do not help
them, some quickly turn from being friends to being opponents and even
slanderers. We have a continual swarm of disgruntled people around us whose
expectations we did not meet. I was told that this would be continual if we
obeyed the Lord! In fact, I was told that the more perfect our obedience, the
more that people would become angry. Therefore, I have learned to live with it,
determining to seek God's approval rather than man's.
Our Obedience is to God
"The way of obedience is hard
at times, but not nearly as hard as any other path."
As Paul the Apostle stated it in
Galatians 1:10, "If I were still trying to please men,
I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." To the degree that we seek
the approval of men, we will compromise our obedience to Christ. We must learn
to love people, but not obey them or cave into their pressure and manipulation
if we are going to be trusted with great resources.
Think about the Lord Himself. Jesus never responded to human need, but He only
did what He saw the Father doing. How many sick and afflicted people do you
think He stepped over or walked by to get to the one He healed at the pool of
Bethesda? He could have healed them all, but He didn't. He only healed the one
that the Father had shown Him to heal. If we are going to be trusted with that
kind of authority, we, too, are going to have to have that kind of obedience.
I know many people who want to be trusted with great resources so they can bless
many people. This will happen in due time, but while God is testing their
obedience, they do not realize how many people they are going to make very
angry. If we are seeking the approval of man, and want great resources so
that we can be a blessing and be loved, we are going to be in for a terrible
shock.
Last year I was told by a friend that looked up my name on the internet, that
there were about 50,000 references to me, and most of them were bad! This did
not surprise me. In fact, it encouraged me. I was shown many years ago that this
would be the result of my obedience.
Now I have been used to bless some other ministries, and I think quite a few
people. However, almost none of these will ever write anything positive about me
or probably even think about it. This does not bother me because I expected it.
Think about this: Jesus healed ten and only one of them even thanked
Him! I am not looking for gratitude or appreciation from people, but from the
Lord. I am motivated by one thing--I want to hear my Master say,
"Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).
I am not claiming to be doing this perfectly, as I have also been chastised by
the Lord for being too insensitive. I sometimes feel bad for days when I have to
reject a request. The worst part of all is when I have to do this with my own
children, because I don't consider anything that I have as my own, but I am only
a steward of it. It hurts very badly at times, but I was told that if I did not
learn to use the word "no," I would be crushed under the weight of what I was to
be entrusted with and would suffer burnout quickly because I would be taking the
people's yokes instead of the Lord's yoke.
The way of obedience is hard at times, but not nearly as hard as any other path.
We must keep in mind that this whole age is about training for reigning.
Tribulations and blessings are both tests! If we are growing in the Lord, we
will be getting both a thicker skin and a softer heart--at the same time.
There is only one way to navigate so as
to stay on the path of life--grow in fellowship and obedience to the Lord.
Find your pleasure in Him, and do not expect too much from people, even those
you may help in a major way. Guard your heart especially against any kind of
resentment.
God's approval and acceptance has to be
enough for us if we are going to be His servants.
Rick Joyner
MorningStar Ministries
www.morningstarministries.org
Email:
info@morningstarministries.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rick Joyner's Upcoming Itinerary:
March 29-31, 2007
Women in the Kingdom Conference
MorningStar Fellowship Church at Heritage International Ministries
375 Star Light Drive, Fort Mill; SC
Contact: 800-542-0278 or
click here
�
"The daily prophetic words that are sent to our 130,000+ subscribers are made
possible by the purchase of products like those featured in this email. You may
purchase them directly from this email, or visit our online store at
http://www.elijahshopper.com."
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