From the desk of Steve Shultz:
Sandie Freed is full of wisdom in many areas Christians are facing. So many of us have been struggling, and Sandie shares some great insight for us to position ourselves for blessing from God.
I highly recommend her word below as well as her books below too.
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Sandie Freed:
God is Positioning Us - It's Time to Agree with Him Again
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.—3 John 2
We are destined to rule and reign in life, don't you agree? I also believe that God desires that we be successful and prosperous. I know that many of us have experienced some losses over the past few months and even years, and in the natural it may seem as if there is absolutely no chance for prosperity in the near future. But, please allow the Lord to minister hope for your future as I share what has been on my heart for quite some time.
Believers, I am absolutely convinced that the Lord desires that we prosper. In fact, I also believe that the difficult times we have been experiencing are positioning us for great blessings. I strongly feel that the Lord spoke to my heart and said that His people are being positioned for blessing and prosperity.
Because so many of us need a financial increase due to the economic situations we face on a daily basis, at first I desired to jump right in and write to you concerning the "prosperity part." But, for now, I want to explain that when we read 3 John 2, there is great emphasis on our "journey" being "prosperous," and not that we simply have great amounts of money and income (though He does want to bless us financially too).
The word "prosper" in 3 John 2 is the Greek word euodoo which implies having a prosperous or successful journey and to succeed in business affairs. Further translations lean more toward implications of traveling a distance with success or progressing successfully. By this study, we can be confident that God wants to give us help along the way, right? Let me assure you of this one thing – we are on the road, a journey, leading to great breakthrough!
Having a Prosperous Life
Stop and ponder this a minute. I am convinced that God does desire that we experience financial prosperity, but He wants our entire journey in life – all that we experience in life – to be prosperous. Wow! This involves everything that concerns us, doesn't it? This puts a new slant on the Scripture that says, "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me" (Psalm 138:8a, AMP). Another passage explains how we need to also fully trust God, who is watching over us along this journey in life:
Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.—1 Peter 5:7 (TLB)
Did you notice in this previous passage that He is "always" thinking about us, and how He is watching "everything" that concerns us? I love this! God is promising to empower us to have a "prosperous journey," isn't He? He desires that everything that concerns us begin to prosper, and this also includes our "soul." Most of us know that the soul involves the mind, will and emotions. I don't want to go into great detail concerning the soul because I could write a book on that subject.
For now, please understand that the Lord desires that we fully trust Him in all areas of our lives. This is why He led me to write a previous article concerning "Agreeing with Heaven in 2011" (you can read this on The Elijah List). If we do this, we will have peace and we can come to a place of rest. Simply trusting God will empower us on our journey and, therefore, we can experience a prosperous life.
We Have an Enemy!
Unfortunately, we have an enemy who lies to us concerning God's faithfulness. But, who will we believe? The lies of the enemy or what God says?
Look at the verse which follows the passage we just observed:
Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
Be careful – watch out for attacks from satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too.—1 Peter 5:7-9 (TLB)
I have written an entire book concerning the enemy who desires to steal our blessings and prosperity. In my latest book, Crushing the Spirits of Greed and Poverty: Discerning and Defeating the Ancient Powers of Mammon and Babylon, I not only expose our enemy of Mammon, but I also empower God's children to become properly positioned for great increase.
Please understand my heart – I desire that you be free from the entanglements of the lies of satan that cause you to doubt God's concern for you! Mammon is a spirit; actually, another form of idolatry that blocks prosperity. This evil spirit will cause you to be detoured on your journey toward prosperity in God as well as prosperity in the natural. Since God desires for us to prosper, the enemy has determined to harden our hearts toward God, and this will steal our blessing! In my book, I release strategies for you to tear down the spirits of greed and poverty and rebuild the altar of God in your heart. Mammon is a false god and must be torn down, and then we are free to worship God with greater trust and confidence in His desire to bless us.
We Are Blessed
Knowing that we are blessed of God will also equip us for greater levels of prosperity in all areas. Satan will lie and say:
• God doesn't care about your success.
• God isn't going to bless you financially; just look at your debt!
• If God had plans to bless you, why are you struggling?
• You are a failure.
Dear Ones, none of this is true. God does care and He desires that we understand that no matter what happens in life that we are still blessed of God. Once we realize that we are "blessed" we can take a firm stand against satan's lies. When God created Adam and Eve, He said that they were blessed and then He stated, "Be fruitful, multiply and subdue," right? Notice that they could not "subdue" their enemy until they "knew" they were blessed! Believers, we will not be able to possess our inheritance without fully understanding that God calls us blessed.
Part of our journey along this road to successful living and prosperity is understanding that God calls us blessed as I have said. Our blessing is not based upon circumstances; it is based upon who we are in God! The Word says that we are "seated...with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:5-6, NLT). Understanding this will equip us in our daily journey and will empower us to experience true prosperity.
You Are Being Positioned for Blessing and Prosperity
I am convinced beyond doubt that God is still in control no matter what the circumstances may seem to dictate. The Lord has blessed us and anointed us to rule and reign. God has given us the grace to experience great victory in the seasons ahead. If you have experienced loss or disappointment (and we all have), please do not let it cloud your vision for your future.
This is a time to agree again – agree with what God states about you. God is positioning you. Get ready for a joyful time in the Lord as He pours out revelation on your journey!
Looking in faith for a victorious and prosperous New Year!
Sandie Freed
Zion Ministries
Email: zionministries1@sbcglobal.net
