WANT TO BE BLESSED AND PROSPER?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
(Proverbs 16:20)

MEDITATION:
If you could choose one thing that you would like to have,
what would it be? Would it be success? Would it be wealth?
Would it be fame? Would it be having some special talent?

The reality is, there is no genie with the ability to fulfill our one wish.
However, the Bible gives us promises that we can believe in and trust.
We can get answers to questions such as:
    – Who am I?
    – What am I doing here?
    – Why was I born?
    – What is expected of me?
    – Where am I going?

The Bible also gives us valuable instructions for living. We are told
that whenever we ‘heed instructions’ we will ‘prosper’. When we hear
the word ‘prosper’ we have a tendency to think of wealth and success.
However, there are many other areas where we can prosper, such as:
    – Having a successful marriage.
    – Being successful in our relationships with others.
    – Having a healthy self-esteem.
    – Being successful in serving God.
    – Having success in finding peace in our lives.

Our prosperity is dependent on our efforts to ‘heed instructions’ in
the Bible. In other words, we need to apply biblical instructions to
our own lives.
    When the Bible tells us to love one another,
    we need to develop a capacity to love others;
    instead of finding fault in others, we look for
    their good qualities.

    When the Bible tells us to be kind to others, 
    we need to be conscious of how we treat others.
    We need to be the kind of person to others that
    Jesus was, and is, to us.

Whatever the Bible tells us to do,
we need to be diligent in our efforts to obey.

We are told that whenever we ‘trust in the Lord’, we will be ‘blessed’.
Whenever we ‘trust in the Lord’, it means we believe His promises.
When we believe His promises, then we apply His instructions to
our own lives. We show our trust in Him whenever we obey His
commands.

Here are just a few of the blessings we can receive:

    The kingdom of heaven is ours when we are poor in spirit.
    (realizing that we are spiritually bankrupt without the Holy Spirit)

    We will be comforted whenever we are mourning.
    (mourning over the unsaved and their ultimate destiny)

    We will inherit the earth whenever we are meek.
    (having a humble attitude that is devoid of egotism and arrogance)

    We will be filled whenever we hunger and thirst for righteousness.
    (having a desire to develop the characteristics of Jesus in our own lives)

    We will be shown mercy whenever we are merciful toward others.
    (having forgiveness and compassion for others)

    We will see God when we are pure in heart.
    (having a desire to please God in all things)

    We will be called children of God when we become peacemakers.
    (having a desire to defuse anger in others and in ourselves;
    not being a trouble maker or a gossiper)

    The kingdom of heaven is ours when we
    are persecuted due to our righteousness.
    (we can experience a type of heaven here on earth)

    We will be blessed and have a great reward in heaven when
    others insult us, cause us misery, and make up false stories
    about us because of our faith.

There are many who often wonder about their own existence. They
struggle with trying to figure out why they were born and why they
are here. Coping with the challenges of life can cause the unsaved
to overburden themselves with worry.

ACTION:
The scriptures have promises that the world cannot match. Confusion
and unanswered questions can be resolved whenever we put our faith
and trust in Jesus Christ. When we receive Him as Lord, it means we
give Him permission to be our Pilot and have control of our thoughts,
actions, words, attitudes, ideals, morals, etc.

Do you believe the Bible’s promises? Have you tried to apply the
biblical instructions to your own life? Are there some instructions
that you have decided to ignore or disobey? Have you given the
Lord control of all facets of your life?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I trust You to control my life.
Knowing You will guide me in the right path gives
me joy. Make me aware of any areas of my life that
I have not given to You. Forgive me if I am disobeying
any of Your instructions and help me to become more
obedient to You. I want to put my entire faith and trust
in You. Thank You for the many blessings You have
already given me and for the ones I will receive as I
become more obedient to You.”

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