Welcome to the blog of Pastor Alton Stone, from Simpsonville, SC. Pastor Stone is a retired Ordained Bishop of The Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee with over 45 years of pastoral ministry.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

The Promise (Part 7)

Immediately after Jesus was born, He and his family were forced to flee to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod.  How was their trip financed?  Through the gifts that had been brought by the wise men, which were gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Whatever was needed to fulfill His destiny, Jesus received it.  As a joint-heir with Christ, all of your needs will be provided to enable you to fulfill your divine destiny.

Jesus became the supreme sacrifice through which we are reconciled and restored into fellowship with the Father. Through His blood, you have entered into a New Covenant by which you have been made a joint-heir with Jesus:

Romans 8:16, 17 AMP "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies together with our own spirit, (assuring us) that we are children of God. And if we are (His) children, then we are (His) heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ-sharing His inheritance with Him ..."

As a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, you are not limited by the resources of this world. You have direct access to the Father and all that He has belongs to you.  You do not need to rely upon your own limited resources to accomplish your divine mandate to spread the gospel to the world because you have unlimited access to the resources of heaven. 

What is your inheritance in Christ?  It is all you need to meet your personal needs and to  do your part in extending God's Kingdom.  The Bible declares:


Philippians 4:9 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

All means exactly that-ALL.  Everything you need (not the "name it and claim it" idea of confessing mansions, expensive cars, and jewels) is your inheritance through Jesus Christ.  Your supernatural resources are not just financial blessings. 

-All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ according to Colossians 2:2, 3. 

-You are enriched in Him in all things according to 1 Corinthians 1:5, 6. 

1 Corinthians 4:8 NIV "Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich!"  

-The tremendous spiritual power Jesus has given you is something that cannot be purchased with money:

Acts 8:18-22 "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God."

Through your covenant relationship with God which Christ made possible, there is total provision for every need in your life, such as salvation, protection, health,  peace, deliverance, power, security, and finances.  In addition, God has also given you spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities to accomplish your divine destiny.   Indeed, you are very rich thru the power of God. It may not be the wealth the world looks upon, but He will take care of you when the world is on fire!
 

The Promise (Part 6)

You are a joint-heir with Jesus Christ.  As the pre-existent Son of God,  Jesus was coequal with God. All that the Father possessed belonged to Him, yet He chose to become poor:

2 Corinthians 8:9 "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for  your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."    

The word "poor" in this verse is translated from the Greek word "ptocheuo" which means "to be destitute." Jesus willingly gave up His vast wealth so that you might be made rich spiritually.  Jesus did not come to earth with the wealth of a king. He totally stripped Himself of all that He had, came in the form of a servant, and experienced the pain, suffering, and poverty of this world.

During His life on earth, Jesus was poor according to the world's standards. He was born in a humble stable in a lowly manger. He owned no houses or lands. Jesus told one man who wanted to follow Him:


Matthew 8:20 "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."

During His ministry, Jesus lived with friends and ate at their tables. When He died, His body was placed in a borrowed tomb. Although He was the Creator of everything, He literally left HIs throne in glory to dwell among us.

Although Jesus was considered poor, all the resources of heaven were at His disposal. He had none of the world's wealth, yet He possessed an abundance of all that He needed. He did not rely on the world's limited resources, but He trusted in His Father's supernatural provision.  Acts 10:38 indicates that Jesus went about doing good.  The word for "good" in this verse means to be generous and liberal.  Jesus did not own cattle, houses, or land, yet God provided all that was needed in order for Him to accomplish His divine mission in this world.

When there was a multitude of 5,000 men plus women and children who were hungry, Jesus did not send them away without meeting their needs.  He drew from His Father's reservoir of riches. 


John 6:5-9 NAS "He said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?' And this He was saying to test him; for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. Philip answered Him, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.' One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's. brother, said to Him, 'There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?"

Instead of sending the people away hungry, Jesus took the available resources and multiplied them. He took five loaves of bread and two small fish, blessed it, divided it, and gave it to His disciples to feed the people. Not only did they have enough for everyone to eat and be satisfied, but there was an abundance of twelve full baskets left over! This is an excellent example of the divine provision God intends for you to experience today. He has enough to meet your every need with plenty left over.  

The Promise (Part 5)

I believe we are living in God's end-time spiritual harvest and we are under a divine commission to take the Gospel to the nations of the earth before Jesus returns. Jesus said in Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

To be able to accomplish this task,  we  must have a breakthrough in our finances.  It costs money to spread the Gospel.  It is expensive to produce Bibles and training materials. It requires funding to build churches and plant missions. Christian radio, television, and internet ministries all require finances.

Satan has hindered the work of God for too long. Satan has sown lies and robbed many believers from the blessing of giving to God and receiving financial blessings in return thru false teachings. As a result, the flow of finances into their lives and their work for God has been hindered.

As believers, we have unlimited riches reserved for us to abundantly meet every need in our lives and ministries.  The problem is, many of us do not know what these resources are or how to access them.  

Again, it must be emphasized that the purpose of divine provision is not to amass wealth and material possessions.  The purpose is to empower you to fulfill your divine destiny.  Another important point to emphasize is that this revelation can only be understood by a spiritual mind.  Divine provision is a spiritual revelation based upon the Word of God.  This is why you must be a true believer in Jesus Christ in order to understand and apply these truths.  

God provides adequate resources for your spiritual harvest. He seeds your need: 

2 Corinthians 9:8-11 "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."

Whether you have a limited income or a substantial one or whether you live in a poor nation or a wealthy country, God wants to bring you into a position of dependency upon Him.  Look to God for provision for your family, your ministry, and your personal needs.  Trust God to finance your spiritual harvest and your divine destiny. Your tithe and your offerings belong to Him. Remember, with the same Spirit you give you will receive.
 

The Promise (Part 4)

God loves you so much that He gave His only Son to die for your sins, so should it not stand to reason that every good gift in your life comes from Him? The Bible confirms that:

Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"  

James 1:17 "Every good gift in life comes from God: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

Your family, friends, health, ministry, talents, and financial resources in your life are a gift from God. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul describes the immensity of God’s giving nature:

Ephesians 2:4-10 "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of  yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

From Genesis to Revelation, God is shown as a giving God.  Because He gave His best to you through creation, redemption, and the good gifts you have received, you should be willing to give your best to Him. 

As God has given you all things through Christ, you must be willing to present your body as a "living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God" according to Romans 12:1.   You must not withhold anything from God, but must give yourself to Him totally heart, spirit, mind, soul, and body.  When you give yourself one hundred percent to God, then you will not withhold anything from Him. You are to give God the very best you have as an act of worship.  

It is God's will that there be financial resources and sufficient laborers for the work of extending the Kingdom of God.   It is His will that you have the necessary finances to accomplish the divine mandate He has given of evangelizing the world.  It is God's will that you have finances, wisdom, talents, and abilities sufficient to accomplish your destiny.

The Promise (Part 3)

The Bible describes God's two major areas which illustrate His amazing generosity. It identifies Him as Creator and as Redeemer. God is the one who gives both natural and spiritual blessings to His Children. 

These titles reveal the essence of God, and throughout the Bible He is worshiped in both of these roles.


Revelation 4:11 "Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." 

Revelation 5:9 "Thou are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nations..." 

The Bible repeatedly celebrates God’s twin gifts of creation and redemption:  


Colossians 1:12-20 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the  inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."  

Verse 16 praises God because "by him all things were created" and verse 20 for "having made peace through the blood of his cross." These are His gifts of creation and redemption.  

The biblical record starts with a description of God’s gift of creation and reveals that God’s first recorded words to humanity in Genesis 1:29: 


"...Behold I have given you..." 

These words reveal God’s nature at the outset of His relationship with mankind. He is a giver, and creation is one of His greatest gifts.  

Take time to look around you today at the wonders of God's creation.  His amazing, abundant generosity as a Creator is revealed in the beauties that surround you.   The one who has provided all of these wondrous things will surely provide the resources necessary for you to achieve your destiny.
 

The Promise (Part 2)

From Genesis to Revelation, God clearly reveals that He always provides for His people.  The blessing He has planned for you to enjoy is abundant provision, both materially and spiritually, enabling you to fulfill your destiny.  God doesn't want you to see Him as stern and uncaring.  He wants you to embrace Him as a loving and giving Heavenly Father who desires to bless His children in every way. 

From the time Israel became a nation, God expressed His desire to bless His people. He declared: 

Deuteronomy 7:12, 13 "Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do  them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:  And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also  bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee."    



Does this sound like a God who wants His people to live in need?  No!  It is God’s plan for you to have sufficiency in every area of your life, and that includes your finances.   Sufficiency doesn't necessary mean wealth, although God blesses some people in this way.  But it does mean that your needs will be met.

In these scriptures God declares, "If you hearken to these judgments".  What judgments is God speaking about?  He is talking about the principles revealed in His Word.  This includes His plan for divine provision; not a scheme for selfish extravagance, but a plan for supernatural provision of your needs. 

How you perceive God has a tremendous impact on your finances.  It will affect how you view material blessings, how you give to God and others, and how you perceive the rich and the poor.  The Bible reveals that God is an extravagant giver. Everything we know about Him reflects a lavish, divine generosity. Examples of His giving surround you in creation, redemption, your abilities, and your personal provision.  

Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"   


Jesus reminded people that God was their Father, and like all fathers He loves to bless His children with gifts. Then Jesus pointed out that, unlike human fathers, God will not promise and then fail to deliver. God’s generosity to His children is far greater than that of your natural parents or even yourself as a parent.

 Is it time to change your perspective about the blessings of God? Open your heart and see what God has in store for you!

The Promise (Part 1)

The prosperity gospel message preached by most televangelists today usually promise that God will return to you several fold what you give. they always have an amount that they say God gives them on each program they are on. It's amazing that God always gives the same prophecies to them on different channels on satellite or cable that almost always the same.

Now I believe in the promises of God and God does say He will return to us blessings "pressed down and shaken together", but many of these individuals teachings have brought confusion and discord among the brethren. The question I get asked the most is, "why does God do it for some and not all?"

The Word of God can always give us light on a subject. When Israel reached their destiny, God reminded them that during their wilderness journey “Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years” in Deuteronomy 8:4.

How would you like to have a pair shoes that grew as your feet grew?   That’s exactly what happened to the Israelites in the wilderness! For forty years their clothes and shoes adapted to their size and never wore out!

If you are to enter into the supernatural provision God has planned for you, then you must hold on to the promises in His Word and not the word of an individual:

Deuteronomy 8:6, 7 "Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills. "

You may have been in the wilderness for many years, but God has promised to take you to a land that flows with milk and honey. Hold on to that promise. Do not be swayed by fear or doubt. God's promise is to bring you into a land where you will experience sufficient provision to accomplish your destiny:

Deuteronomy 8:9. 10 "A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee."

As circumstances in the economic world deteriorate, God wants you to know He has abundant provision. Like Israel, He wants you to eat of the good of the land. No more manna. No more scrambling around each day collecting provisions.

God said to Israel, "You will experience abundant provision in every area:  Finances, abilities, and wisdom. You will have sufficient supply to accomplish divine purposes."  This is called supernatural supply. That is God’s promise to His children. It is your inheritance from your heavenly Father.  Are you ready to claim it?