Abundantly Prosperous

I know with all of my heart and according to His word, that our Father in Heaven desires for us to be prosperous. Although, in His great wisdom He will only allow it if there is a good chance that it won't corrupt us. I read on AOL this morning about a 16 year old girl in England who had won a 3 million $ lottery 3 years ago and said she wished now that she had never won it. Why? How? She is now broke and she spent it all on frivilous things, among them-cocaine,which she called evil. Now she is broke, with regret and heartache. Deuteronomy 30:1-20 is a picture of the wise Father's heart regarding our prosperity. vs. 2-3...obey the Lord, you and your children, with all of your heart and being, THEN the Lord will restore your fortunes and He will have compassion on you...vs 4-5 The Lord will bless you and y0ur family more than your father's... vs 6-7 the Lord will cleanse your hearts to love the Lord your God, and your enemies will suffer instead of you...vs 8-10 He will make you abundantly prosperous in every work of your hand, IF YOU OBEY the Lord with ALL OF YOUR HEART...vs 11-13 this command is not too hard or difficult to understand, nor is it a SECRET...vs 14-16 this word is in our heart and mind, and in our MOUTH, ready to come out; we must choose to keep the Lord's commands and to love Him and decide to do things His way...vs 17-20 THEN we will be blessed; BUT if we get distracted and draw away, it won't go well with us! I must choose God, obey His voice and CLING to Him. He is our life (Hebrew 2416-keeps alive; strength) and the length of our days .

Sincerity?

Are we as "Christians" caught up and concerned about all 0f the wrong things? There is a mentality among many church people and church leadership (esp. in the US) that I believe fosters hypocrisy. How can you recognize it? By the lack of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, (Galatians 5:22-26). Before you know it, you can get caught up in that rat race, even out of good intentions. I know, because I have "been there and done that"! There is a tendency to compare, compete and even justify this mentality, to accomplish "something" for the Lord. Soon, the flesh kicks in and before we know it, our relationship with the Holy Spirit becomes impotent and miniscule.This passage is really the "bottom line" or a plumb line when it comes to authentic Chistianity-Romans 12:9, "Let your love be sincere (a real thing): #1.hate what is evil (loathe all ungodliness), but #2-hold fast to that which is good." Let's look at the following verses : Romans 12:9-21 Check it out! Check yourself!
vs. 10-love one another with brotherly affection> give precedence and show honor
vs. 11-never lag in zeal> burn with the Spirit, serving the Lord
vs12-rejoice in hope> be steadfast, patient in suffering and tribulation, constant in prayer
vs 13-contribute to the needs of God's people, pursue and practice hospitality
vs 14-bless and don't curse those who persecute you
vs15-rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those weep
vs16-don't be a snob>but live harmoniously with others, be adjustable, and give yourself to humble tasks>don't overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits
vs 17-don't repay evil for evil>do what is proper and noble in the sight of others
vs 18-as much as possible, live at peace with everyone
vs 19-don't let evil master you> overcome evil with good