“During the long war between the house of Saul and the house of David, David was growing stronger and the house of Saul was becoming weaker.” 2 Samuel 3:1 CSB David prospered in the battle. David did not initiate the battle between him and Saul. He didn’t want it. It took several death attempts for him to forsake his relationship with Saul. And when he left, all he had were...
Good Teacher
On the first day of school, I give my students this speech: “I’m an amazing teacher. You hit the jackpot when you got me as a teacher. I’ve been doing this a long time and if you listen to me and do what I tell you, you will understand the math. You will prosper.” Sounds arrogant? Perhaps. But, the truth is, especially for my AP students, I know what it...
My House is Built Upon The Rock
I was asked to speak at a church this past Sunday and the word God gave me was, “Thrive in Difficult Circumstance.” That Word was as much for the congregation as it was for me. Now, I understand so many of you are hurting. I get it! The isolation, the financial burden, the uncertainty. It can all be overwhelming. But my Spirit keeps coming back to this thought, “Is God’s...
Is Prosperity from God?
Prosperity began in the Garden. I’m pondering and reevaluating my position on prosperity. So many Christians I love and respect have varying views. As I have said before, I grew up on Creflo Dollar and Kenneth Copeland. But I want to have God’s heart toward a matter so I have read different articles explaining why the prosperity Gospel is heretical. So after asking God for His heart on the matter...
Be Fruitful
How do we glorify God? The answer may surprise you. Jesus said it glorifies the Father when we (His children) bear much fruit. Think about, when Adam and Eve were created in the garden. God’s first command to them was “subdue, reign, be fruitful and multiply”. It was His original intent. So what does bearing fruit look like? God wants us to bear fruit in our soul, hence the fruit...
Prosperity is a Choice
I was reading the story of Joseph yesterday. Joseph’s brothers did him wrong. I mean really, really wrong. There was hatred, malice, and murder within their hearts. There is no “gracefying” their actions. Their actions were evil concerning their brother. Yet, still Joseph forgave. Yet, still Joseph prospered while enslaved. Yet, still Joseph prospered in prison. Joseph was able to look at his brothers at the end of his life...
Prosper
God is showing me there is a correlation between reading His Word and prosperity. Now, I can process that as a law and preach, “God can’t prosper you if you don’t read your Bible daily.” (In order to get the full effect, you have to imagine me saying that standing at a pulpit in my holier than thou voice.) Or I can process that as grace and preach, “As you...
Prosper in 2020
In year’s past, I have asked God for a word for the New Year. I didn’t this year. But God gave me one this morning anyway. The Word? Prosper. I know “prosper” is a four letter word in some Christian circles. But prosperity was God’s original intent for His children: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He...
Prosper in the Desert
Often as Christians we may find ourselves in what we perceive as a desert. It’s a place where we are waiting for the next thing. You may be in a difficult job situation and you are waiting for another employment. You may be waiting for God to send you a spouse. You maybe waiting for the manifestation of your healing. You are in a difficult situation, you know God has...
Pruning
I have been looking for a word to describe the last 6 months of my life and while reading Cushing by TD Jakes, I think I found it – PRUNING. ““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John...