“Beloved, I wish above all things
that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
3 John 1
A few decades ago, this verse was popularized by one of those “health and
wealth” television evangelists. Unfortunately, his focus was only on the first
part of the verse but the key lies in the last five words: “even as thy soul
prospereth”
Beloved - to use John’s term of endearment - how is your soul? We spend a lot of time focused on our health;
our body. We exercise, research the latest trends, consider the most recent
news on gluten, wheat and peanut allergies. We shower, do our hair and paint our faces. We
make sure we have clean clothes and sometimes just the right shoes and
jewelry. There is no denying that we
spend a lot of time concentrating on the physical realm.
Another thing that takes the lime light in our lives is our finances. We go to work, or work at home. Many people do both. We pay our bills, clip coupons, go grocery
shopping and contemplate just how to get that next sale in our Etsy shop. A
huge portion of our day is undoubtedly and necessarily dedicated to money.
But how is our soul? If our physical health matched our spiritual health
could we even stand up and walk out the door? Or would we be blind, crippled
and malnourished? If our financial status equaled our spiritual status would we
be on the streets searching for warm shelter?
Don’t get me wrong. I am not
saying that God would have everyone to be rich and healthy. The Apostle Paul
suffered physically and financially. We often go through difficult times in
order to grow closer to God. But our
Heavenly Father wants our soul to prosper.
The Bible is clear that God’s Word is to be paramount in our lives. Only
then can our soul flourish and thrive the way that it should.
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is
written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Luke 4:4
This book of the law shall not depart
out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou
mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou
shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8
And
thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words,
which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy
children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when
thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And
thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets
between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them
upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. Deutoronomy 6:5-9
11:15 AM |
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Comments (8)
Well said Karen! I needed that reminder today. I started the year off really frustrated with my lack of sales and my loss of students. Through it all I basically pushed my devotional time aside. For the month of February I made it a goal to spend more time with God, to go back to tithing to KLOVE . .despite that I had little money and focus on the GOOD that God has blessed me with :) Thank you for sharing this!
Great point! I know that this is something I need to work on, because I HAVE been spending a lot of time worrying about my health and appearance lately :-) I want my soul to prosper!
I started this year with putting my reading/prayer time first -- before I get on-line and get involved with my business -- I can't say that I have been successful every day in doing so -- but I am moving closer to doing it every day. I find that once I get on line -- I get lost.
Very good reminder. I find that when I put my mind to reading the Bible at home, I'm easily distracted. I need to find my quiet place and time and just do it!
Great message!
Well said. "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness...." Psalm 63:5
Thanks Karen
Just want I needed today. Thanks so much, Karen.