PROSPERITY AND GOOD SUCCESS FOR 2021 - SECRET IN THE BIBLE

 Merry Christmas my dear followers and friends.

As we draw close to the end of an exceedingly difficult year, I can only think of the words of Apostle Paul to encourage you as we enter a new year. We do not know what is out there. But our Lord Jesus knows everything. Why not have faith in the Omniscient God? In my life I had so many uncertainties but one sure that was certain, I know that God has my life and the lives of my children in His care. He knows what is Best for me. It is not my best but His. You know why? Because God has already written the last chapter of each of our lives. And one thing is important to understand, God knows what is best for us. And his best can mean trials as well. So, my friends, do not test God. Be calm and hopeful because God has your back. 2021 IS going to be a successful year because we would have more maturity in His word and our spirit would have prospered in sanctification.

I ask you all to hold the Scriptures close to your heart and meditate on It day and night because God has not left us orphan that we should cry in times of trials and tribulations. He has given us HIS Word. The Bible is not a novel but food for your spirit-man. Do not be afraid because He is with us always, to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20). We as students of the Word of God, we must follow in the footsteps of our Master, Christ Himself and His word is the Greatest Treasure Map for you to live in this world until we meet Him again in the clouds.

I wish you a prosperous and successful year 2021 and the secret is in the following teaching:

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)

PROSPERITY AND GOOD SUCCESS IS FOUND IN THE BIBLE

THE SCRIPTURE PROVIDES THE COMPREHENSIVE AND COMPLETE BODY OF DIVINE TRUTH NECESSARY FOR LIFE AND GODLINESS.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)

 

Here are 7 principles that Apostle Paul taught his young disciple, Timothy.  The awesome number 7 to complete the discipleship training for the believer. And that can be you today. 

1.   All Scripture is breathed out by God

Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.  I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.  I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.  I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way.  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalms 119:97, ESV)

 

2.     For REPROOF- It is a Rebuke for wrong behaviour or wrong belief. The Scripture exposes sin that can then be dealt with through confession and repentance.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

 

3.     For CORRECTION - The restoration of something to its proper condition. The word appears only here in the NT but was used in extra-biblical Greek of righting a fallen object or helping back to their feet those who had stumbled. Scripture not only rebukes wrong behaviour, but also points the way back to godly living.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.  With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalms 119:9, ESV)

 

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:1, ESV)

4.     Training in RIGHTEOUSNESS – The Scripture provides positive training (originally used in reference to train a child) in godly behaviour, not merely rebuke and correction of wrong behaviour. 

“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

 

St Paul instructing his disciple in 1 Timothy 4:6 says: “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.”

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.  Like new-born infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” (1 Pet. 2:1–2).

 

5.     So that the MAN OF GOD - A technical term for an official preacher of divine truth. St Paul uses it only when he addresses his letter to the young Timothy but was used 70 time in the Old Testament, and it always referred to a man who officially spoke for God; Moses was the greatest of all the OT prophets before John The Baptist, one whom the Lord knew intimately (Deut. 34:10). Here Apostle Paul tells the young Timothy to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. (1 Tim. 6:11)

 

6.     Can be COMPLETE - Capable of doing everything one is called to do: “you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” (Col. 2:10)

 

7.     And EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK - Enabled to meet all the demands of godly ministry and righteous living. The word not only accomplishes this in the life of the man of God but in all who follow him. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11–13).