Glorify God in YOUR Body!

Glorify God in YOUR Body!

As I read one of my textbooks for graduate theology I came across this quote:

1 Corinthians 6:20

NKJV “therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
TNIV “Therefore honor God with your bodies”

This example was chosen to illustrate that, on occasion, changes to the original text were made by copyists for theological reasons.  The words “and in your spirit, which are God’s,” though found in most of the late medieval Greek manuscripts, do not appear in any early Greek evidence or in the Latin-speaking church in the West.  Had they been in Paul’s original letter, it is nearly impossible to explain how/why they would have been left out so early and so often.  But their late appearance in Greek manuscripts can be easily explained.  All such manuscripts were copied in monasteries at a time when Greek philosophy, with its low view of the body, had made inroads into the Christian theology.  So some monks added “in your spirit” and then concluded that both body and spirit “are God’s.”  While this is true, these additional words deflect Paul’s obvious concern with the body in this passage and are thus no part of the Spirit’s inspiration of the apostle.

Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas K. Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2003

As most of you know, I swam on the varsity team during my undergraduate years, but after graduation, I became born-again, and left competitive sports right after. Problem was, I completely left off all exercise, and instead of staying in shape, I did not enter into another fitness program really, for almost ten years. Not healthy! Poured myself into work, prayer and ministry, and eventually, in 2009 had a mini-stroke, blacking out at the wheel while driving down a local highway here in Oklahoma. Fortunately doctors, meds, and discipline had its way with me, and I lost a pile of fat, began to watch my diet, and hit the gym again.

I know these verses:

1 Timothy 4:7

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
So I began the disciplines of prayer, Bible study, weekly church attendance, financial stewardship, and carefully watching my words, my attitudes, and managing my time.

Yet what about bodily exercise?

I mean, I want to be all that I can be in Jesus, 1 Tim 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little..

So, I will take a little profit!

So, over the past twenty five years of life and ministry I have watched great Christian leaders, and watched their walks with the Lord, and noticed a couple of things.

Seems many Christian leaders, both in ministry, or whatever field of endeavor they find themselves involved in have often let themselves go physically.

I have wondered if a regular exercise program is a waste of time, or could actually help one in our pursuit of the press towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Well, amazing thing about common sense, is that it is not always very common.

Clearly, there are tons of benefits from regular exercise, from stress release, to hundreds of clear health benefits. Think about Jesus for a minute, he walked everywhere, and ate non-processed natural foods, and clearly He was not only healthy, but not only not sick, but so full of the life and power of God, that He healed the sick.

We are created in the image of God, and we need to honor God in our bodies, the temples of the Holy Spirit.

That means getting in shape, cutting the fat, and becoming strong in the Lord, and the power of His might.

I was speaking this week with a friend of mine that does missions trips like I have, to native American reservations, and takes a team of people to build something for them while there. His lament, and I agree, is that often local pastors cannot help with the actual work, because they are so out of shape physically, obese, or struggling with diabetes, or some other diability, that prevents them from hard manual labor that is a joy, to those of us that are in shape.

Come on leaders,

2 Thessalonians 3:9

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

Not sure how to say this really clearly, but it is true nonetheless: When you are strong, people respect you. When you are strong, you are able to lift others up…

So much more can be said here, and perhaps I will edit this at a later date, but let’s pray:

‘Father, help me to add a fitness program to my life, that will glorify You. Strengthen me, and give me the courage and discipline to lose extra weight, and to get into shape physically, that I might be strong in Your Lord, and in the power of Your might. I ask this Father, knowing I am heard and answered, for I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, Amen’

From Faith to faith, Strength to Strength

From Faith to Faith!

No man is fit to command another who cannot command himself.
Wm. Penn

Job 9:19

If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong:

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Psalm 84:7

They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Psalm 144:1

Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

I am in an interesting season of my life, pressing towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and God is teaching much through physical fitness.I have set two goals for this year: 1. To break 25 mins in a 5km run 2: To bench press 360lbs.

https://chrisaomministries.com/2016/05/09/set-yearly-goals-and-work-them/

In each sport, running and weight lifting, I need to organize and discipline my life around my work outs, correcting my diet, my training, and my rest, to be able to consistently improve in each sport.

Initially, it was easy, because I had no concrete goals that I was working towards, so I could go to the gym whenever it fit into the schedule, and do whatever I felt like in terms of a workout, and for awhile, I was still making some improvement in overall fitness, but after a couple of years, I had reached a plateau, where I was not running any faster, nor getting any stronger in the weight room.

The definition of insanity is to keep doing what you always do, and expecting a different result.

I needed instruction and discipline, and as I began to ask questions at the gym and while jogging, I began to get answers, not all of which I particularly liked.

If I wanted to improve, I needed to change some things, and it has been hard. Had to watch my diet, deliberatly get more sleep, add vitamins and supplements, and then I sought out training partners who were my age, and who were currently achieving what I wanted to be able to do. They did not only instruct me in what I needed to do, but actually worked out with me, at a level that I did have the ability to perform at yet.

Result: I became stronger, healthier, faster, and more flexible than I have been in 20 years!

Yet, getting off the discipline cost me six months on my goals. I came into the gym late one day, and skipped warm up and stretch, and jumped into a heavy set on bench. I hit my max weight of 315 easily, then decided to add little tiny 2.5lb weights on either side, so I could break it. The weight came down, and SNAP, something broke deep inside my left shoulder. Been 8 months of stretching, prayer, and light weights trying to get my strength back. I benched 275 last week, but with some pain. Now, fear and caution are my friends. I have to listen intimately to Holy Spirit in each work-out, to know when I can push, and when it is time to back off to avoid injury.
Now, let’s take this to our walk with God:

In order to get stronger, fitter, faster, to excel I had to:

Had to learn to stay rested in life and ministry:
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

In order to achieve a result I had never achieved, I had to hear and instruction I had never heard before.
Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I had to do what I learned to do, even though it was difficult.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

As I began to do what I needed to do, I was not alone in doing it, I had coaches that help me, who had already gone before me. While I learned much from these mentors, they did not get me where I want to be. Why? I had to learn what worked for them, and then process it in prayer, and then apply what I learned, that was working for me.

http://chrisaomministries.com/2015/08/13/run-the-race/

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Yep, I had to lose 45 pounds just to start!

Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

I had to change my diet and learn to eat new foods

Mt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

When people are right with God, they are apt to be hard on themselves and easy on other people. But when they are not right with God, they are easy on themselves and hard on others.
John Newton

I again seem to fight for rest and prayer time, but am back on track with my fitness goals again. It is good to work-out, it is good to be strong. It is better, to be right with Jesus, passionately pursuing Him!

Let’s Pray:
‘Father God, please show me how to excel in every area of life. Bring to me words that will build my faith, and bring me to the next level of victory in my life. Show me how to stay rested in you, and bring coaches, mentors, trainers, that are stronger than me, that can both show me, and train me to walk in a new level of anointing, power, and obedience to you, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’

Run the Race

1 Corinthians 9:24

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Most of you know, that I serve Jesus, determined to grow in spiritual maturity, academic excellence, and physical fitness.

Each day, it seems Holy Spirit places His finger on one of these areas, and challenges me to step up.

Monday, we knuckled down and disciplined ourselves (my 13 year old princess Keila and I), and disciplined ourselves to complete the publication of our book we have been pecking away upon for several months. Got  the cover designed, and everything submitted to the publisher…Mission accomplished. Yet, while that went well, my work-out at the gym was lack luster, and not really focused and intense.

For those of you who do not know, I have a yearly fitness goal of being able to run under 25 mins in a 5 Km run, while maintaining a bench press of 315lbs. I have never been able to do this yet. While my bench is now at 315, to get there, I had to do much strength training and bulked up, and I let my running schedule go.  I had my running time down to 25:22, but still have not broken that 25 min barrier again. No small challenge for a 54 year old husband, father, missionary, and author…I call it ‘The Great Balancing Act’

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

So last week, we decided to walk two ½ mile laps, of a local pond, before breakfast, to burn fat. Instead of lifting weights on leg day, I jogged, painfully, a couple miles up Turkey mountain here in Tulsa. Tight, brutal miles, in 100F heat through the woods.

Yesterday was legs day again, so I prayed, and felt impressed to again run the mountain. Yet, the way the schedule worked out, I had to run at 1PM, in the hot midday heat here. As I asked Jesus how far to run, clearly, Holy Spirit said: ‘I want you to run yellow trail, all the way around, without stopping.’

In years gone by, we loved that 4.3 mile loop around the mountain, but that was when we ran 3-4 times/week. I have not run over a mile since January, last week’s 2 mile run was painful…

Furthermore, my rational mind kicked in. When we run the mountain, we do it early in the morning, before the searing Oklahoma heat kicks in, in the cool of the day. Even when I was in running shape, running at midday was not wise…

Yet, I felt Holy Spirit tell me I could do it, so humbly, and intelligently, I asked him: ‘How?’

I was reminded of one hot 105F summer day in years gone by, I was scheduled to run, and decided it was definitely too hot! Yet, while picking up some supplies for work at Home Depot, I saw a guy out running!  He finished right at Home Depot, so I commented to him: ‘A little hot for running?’ With fire in his eyes, he said, ‘Nope, just got back from  my tour of duty in Iraq, and we ran every day in 140F, this is just warm, not hot yet.”

So, that day, I kept my training schedule, and ran a couple miles. (Thank a serviceman or vet today for freedom!)

Gently, I felt Holy Spirit instruct me to drink a full water bottle before I drove the ½ hour over to the mountain, and that I should listen to Him throughout the run.

So, I drank my water, and arrived at the start of the trail.

It was hot, and I was intimidated!

So, again I asked Him for instruction. Gently, He told me to set an easy pace, and not to blast the steep inclines, but to simply ‘keep on moving without stopping.’

This was to become my battle cry.

As I started into the woods, I thought through the upcoming run, the descents, the ascents, and the long winding sections, and planned my attack.

From my study of native worship, I immediately sensed the presence of God, when a butterfly circled me several times as I entered the woods, a black ‘morning glory’ that spoke to me of the immediate presence of God with me, creation speaking of our Creator, the beauty of the butterfly reminding me of the abiding presence of Holy Spirit with me.

As I approached the first steep hill, about ½ mile in, Holy Spirit gently instructed me to take the long way around, with a steady effort, avoiding the steep hill, and to ‘keep moving after you hit the top’.

Never was I so aware of Him as my personal trainer, my coach, leading me to fitness, excellence, and to push hard in training, without overextending.

In a full sweat now, I crested the top, and when my mind and lungs screamed for me to stop and run, my head pounding from the heat, I remembered His instruction, to ‘keep moving forward after hitting the top’. Amazingly to me, I was able to do this, and as the trail leveled out again, I was able to regain control of my breathing again, and settle into a steady pace.

The open sections between the trees were searingly hot in the direct sunlight, and I noticed this, and immediately, my coach said: ‘Stay to the shady sides of the trail, and avoid direct heat where you can.’

And so it went, with Him gently encouraging me over the rougher spots in the trail, and then, as I smelled the stench of the sewage treatment plant near the turn-around, I knew I had to climb the mountain again. My doubts reminded me that this was the very place several years ago where our beautiful golden retriever Rusty had collapsed and died, and that I needed to stop, walk, and cool down on the steep incline, it was too hot to run it. So, I asked Holy Spirit what to do.

Immediately He reminded me of His original instruction, to simply ‘keep on moving without stopping’ so I asked Him for strength to keep jogging up the hill. As I came to the looming Hill, that exploded into a section of direct scorching sunlight at the top, I was intimidated, yet decided to try anyway. As I began my ascent, His voice came to me clearly again, “No heroics here. Just a steady effort throughout the hill, and keep moving at the top’

So, I did what He said, rounded the turn-around, and with lungs bursting, head pounding, exploded out of the trees into the 100 yards or so of heat at the top.

Yet, I managed to keep moving, and eventually regain my rhythm and pace as I reentered shade of the trees, to begin the jog back. As I did, again, a beautiful morning glory butterfly circled me, and I immediately breathed out a ‘Thank-you’ to my intimate never failing God. I felt His pleasure as He replied: ‘Not many notice, when I send my creation to encourage them, I’m glad you noticed…’ I found myself asking His forgiveness for the hardness of my own heart, in the times I know He had done this for me…and that I did not recognize Him until much later.

My body was feeling it now. Over two miles had gone by, and I was hot. He sent a breeze!

Ahead of me was a long open section of path, with no shade!

Yet, the footing was good, and the trail pretty level overall. My legs were hurting, but I had found my stride, and got into my rhythm of grace.

Before I knew it, I was at ‘Heartbreak Hill’. I’m not sure if this is the actual name of this incline, or simply one we have given it over the years. Here is why we call it that. On yellow trail, you circle the mountain, and have descended, and ascended it, so that the final half (If you run it counterclockwise like we usually do) is along mostly the ridge of the mountain. Yet, after 3 miles, when you think you should begin to descend, there is this rough ascent, with loose rocks, that climbs about 100 yards with some tricky footing as you go up. I find this stretch the most mentally tough part of this run, because you have just completed a mile or so of smooth, easy trail, and by that point, you simply want to descend, and head back to the parking lot.

Again, I felt His presence remind me: ‘Keep moving forward, do not stop, just a solid steady effort’, solidifying my resolve to actually complete this training assignment, and finish this run, without stopping.

Made it to the top!  Head pounding, a throbbing headache my reward, lungs screaming: “Stop and walk for awhile!”

Yet, suddenly, I was surrounded by a swirl of tiny orange butterflies!

Like a victory celebration, I felt His joy, that I had made the top of the hill without stopping, and had actually sent these beautiful little creatures to remind me of His pleasure in my accomplishment.

My quads were hurting now, but I knew I could not stop now. It was only flat and downhill from here, with a little over a mile left to go.

I rounded the corner to the right, for the last stretch before the cut-off to the left that descended all the way down to the parking lot trail.

I was tired now, and knew it; my shirt was a dripping ball in my hand from wiping the burning sweat out of my eyes, my body running rivers of perspiration,  but was beginning to believe I might actually make it!

As I saw the trail cut off to the left, Holy Spirit cautioned me: ‘Be careful descending!’ Suddenly, I saw the danger: I was slightly dizzy from the heat, and there is some treacherous footing headed downhill there. I had to nimbly choose my footing, with legs that felt like tree trunks, that were not wanting to be nimble at all.

Furthermore, descending was excruciating! Why does it hurt muscles so much to descend, rather than to ascend? Each step down, felt bone-jarring, as I felt the impact throughout my entire body.

Yet, I made it to the concrete block trail divider, and picked my way down the steep trail, to the final ½ mile jaunt back to the parking lot.

Again, my guardian butterflies were with me, signaling my victory over the mountain!

I did it! By the grace of God, I did it!

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Another training milestone laid, in my yearly fitness goal, another mental barrier crushed.

In every area, I am convinced that Jesus would give us victory, if we would trust Him, lean upon Him, and learned to fully submit to the leadership, comfort and coaching of the Holy Spirit along the way.

He doesn’t call the qualified, but He does qualify the called….

Just for fun, here is the picture my precious daughter took of me actually managing to get 315 on bench!

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, show me your plan, purpose, and destiny. Reveal to me the academic, fitness, and spiritual goals I need to set, and give me Your plan to work on all of these simultaneously. I ask this, knowing You love me, You hear, You care, and answer, for I ask in Your mighty name Lord Jesus, Amen’

Freedom from the Bondage of Food

Most of you know my testimony, how in 2009, I had a stroke, blacked out at the wheel in my pick up on the highway, and miraculously ended up in the grassy median, unhurt. The journey back to health, where I had to meticulously watch my diet, lose 45 pounds, monitor the high blood pressure meds I was on, and begin a regimented weekly exercise program. As I studied, and drank my water, and took myriads of supplements, vitamins, and health foods, I went the opposite extreme, where I was eating almost entirely supplements and stuff! Ugh!

Then I read these verses:

1 Timothy 4:3

forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 4:4

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

And I began life as a full-time missionary, which meant that beans and rice were sometimes all we had, for weeks at a time, and it was brutal!

Idols die hard!

Yes, we need to eat healthy, but sometimes, simply having something to eat at all is a great blessing. I have learned that fasting will produce health, that while food is a great blessing from the Lord, as I have travelled, I have eaten some things that I would not have considered before (whale, seal, raw caribou, octopus, crickets, alligator, bear) to name a few things (all totally organic of course! LOL!)

In Isaiah 58, God’s chosen fast (https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/when-you-fast/)

⁶ Is not this the fast that I have chosen?
to loose the bands of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free,
and that ye break every yoke?

…

v8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning,
and thine health shall spring forth speedily:
and thy righteousness shall go before thee;
the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.

Clearly there are health benefits from fasting, in faith, as we take time to pray and seek the Lord.

I am learning to not post long, in-depth teaching here, as few of your take the time to read them, but let me sum up today, with this thought:

Philippians 4:5

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

1 Corinthians 6:20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s

Eat healthy, fast sometimes, yet refuse to enter into bondage over food. Have an ice cream with the kids, enjoy some chocolate sometimes, take a good multivitamin, drink water, stay away from soft drinks and energy drinks in general, but don’t lose your sanity if you have a coke with your friends. In fact, we were on a missions trip recently, where a group of natives served some ice cold coke with a meal on a tough work day, that tasted like heaven!

The challenge is to be free from appetites and lusts of the flesh, and to get in touch with our true hunger, the hunger for the things of God, deep in our hearts, that only Jesus and His Word can legitimately meet.

I have seen ministers who are overweight, because they pour out life to the people they serve, and then feel spiritually hungry, and tired. Instead of taking time away from the responsibilities of the ministry, and deliberately feeding their spirit, they eat, and eat, food that will never touch their true hunger. Seen the same thing with malnutrition, people that load up on empty calories, that do not feed their bodies, and so they still feel hunger pains, and so they eat more sugar, processed foods, eat, and their body naturally turns this into fat.

Solutions:

1. Find ways to receive the Word  of God and ministry, that require absolutely no effort. I simply listen to the audio Bible, and God meets me in His Word, in the deep places of my soul.

2. Eat more protein, a good multivitamin, and drink water instead of sugary drinks, (You might feel like a drug addict in withdrawal for a month or so, as your body regulates itself)

Balance, common sense, exercise, humility, prayer, and spirit led living produce LIFE, Joy, love, and health in every area of your life.

1 Timothy 6:17

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, I know you love me, and have given me richly all things that I might enjoy life. Lord Jesus, free me from every bondage to food, and help me to eat to live, not live to eat. I trust You Holy Spirit for the gift of self-control in this, that I might truly glorify You in my body, today, and every day for the rest of my life.

Working on Goals….

Just like God is trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so are we. We are a spirit, have a soul, and live in a body.

Each of these areas need to come under the Lordship of Jesus, and I must admit, I have let my fitness level over the years go to the point, that I had a stroke in 2009, mostly because of violating natural law. Can’t work 80 hour weeks, live on fast food, coffee and energy drinks for a couple years, and expect good results. I’ve now lost 45 lbs, and am yearly, setting fitness goals, as well as spiritual goals.

I have noticed that strength training is all about 3 things: Brutal workouts, clean eating, good rest. Seems as a missionary, it is very difficult to control these three all at once…

My fitness goals are simple: 1. Be able to bench 315lbs, 5 times, 2. Run a 5km run under 25mins.

So, as I read:…
Ecclesiastes 11 (AKJV)

11 Cast thy bread upon the waters:
for thou shalt find it after many days.

2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight;
for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

3 If the clouds be full of rain,
they empty themselves upon the earth:
and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north,
in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow;
and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap

You can’t wait for perfect conditions, to do what you can with what you’ve got. Pyramided up and got 315 again on bench this week – one time. Would like to be stronger, but it is better to be doing something with what I can do, than nothing, waiting for perfect conditions…

Whatever your goals are, do SOMETHING towards them, today.

Let’s pray:

‘Father God, You created me, and You gave me today, a clean slate to write upon. Jesus, I submit to Your Lordship, and Your plan for my life, and ask You for direction, wisdom, strength, health, and clarity, to set and work on Your plan and goals for my life today. Amen’

Defeating Envy: LEAD – For God’s Sake!

 

Defeating ENVY – LEAD, for God’s Sake!

Let’s look at a couple of verses from the Scripture on the topic of Envy:

Proverbs 27:4
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Matthew 27:18
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Acts 7:9
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him

Galatians 5:26
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another

Philippians 1:15
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

James 3:16
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work

Some years ago, as I was studying Biblical prosperity, I heard sister Gloria Copeland preach an insightful message on ‘exposing the spirit of envy’. This is the ‘keeping up with the Jones’ mentality, that will open the door to greed, covetousness, pride, contention, strife, and every evil work.

God is a good God, and I am convinced that He wants us, His children to prosper, financially: what parent does not want good things for their children?

Here is the definition of Envy:

ENVY:

ˈenvē/

noun

noun: envy; plural noun: envies.

1. a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck.

   “she felt a twinge of envy for the people on board”

   synonyms:

   jealousy, covetousness; More resentment, bitterness, discontent; the green-eyed monster “a pang of envy”

   • a person or thing that inspires envy.

     “their national health service is the envy of many in Europe”

     synonyms:

     finest, best, pride, top, cream, jewel, flower, leading light,the crème de la crème “the firm is the envy of Europe”

verb

verb: envy; 3rd person present: envies; past tense: envied; past participle: envied; gerund or present participle: envyin

g.desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone else).

“he envied people who did not have to work on weekends”

1. synonyms:

   be envious of, be jealous of; More begrudge, be resentful of “I admired and envied her”

Obviously, Envy, and her green-eyed monster sister, jealously are from hell, and enemies to be destroyed, in our own hearts.

The question is, how?

I am comforted by this verse:

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth

God’s way of prosperity, is an inside job. He always works from the inside out.

Money, wealth, material things are blessings for sure, but can never satisfy the depths of any human heart. Only a deep personal relationship with Jesus, receiving the depths of His love, wisdom, forgiveness, affirmation, encouragement, and comfort can ever do that…

Prosperity, without corresponding development of one’s soul, can ruin us. The very things that are blessings, that should produce humility and gratefulness in our hearts towards God, can become instruments of pride, self-exaltation, greed, haughtiness, and a host of other evils rooted in our own selfishness…

How do we defeat envy and jealousy within us?

We must grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus through the Word of God!

Proverbs 1:32
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

Money must be mastered. It makes a great servant, but a cruel Lord.

As long as we, by the Holy Spirit, rule money through the fruit of the Holy Spirit of self-control, it makes a great servant.

If we do not with great strength master it, it will quickly seek to turn the tables and make us serve it, and we will find as we journey down it’s pathway, that there is a very real task-master holding the proverbial carrot on a stick in front of the donkey, that we chase, but can never quite obtain, while we bear it’s burdens and tasks…We see the carrot, and pursue it, but cannot easily see the invisible hand holding the stick: satan, or one of his minions, quietly exercising more and more insidious control of our lives.

Proverbs 11:4

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death

Doing right with money, will grant you favor with God to have a continually supply, but no amount of money can protect one from destruction for violation of the Word of God.

My son is ten years old, and I have worked hard on keeping the heart strings tight between us, endeavoring to not only mold him scholastically, calling out and developing the mighty man he is called to be, but pray, with God’s help, that he will pick up not only the lessons I teach him, but the very spirit of why I instruct him so strenuously.
Over the holiday, I overheard an interchange between he and his BFF (Best Friend Forever), another boy, named Jack. There were both excitedly telling each other what they got for Christmas, and suddenly, my son yelled: “Dad! Guess what? Jack got a new smart phone for Christmas, and a bike!”

He was not envious, jealous, nor competitive with his best friend, rather, a partaker of his joy, and truly excited for his friend!

Would to God that we all had friends like that!
Instead of people who compete, and play the old ‘one-upmanship’ game!

Why cannot we adopt this spirit seen in my son, recognizing that we all have a loving heavenly Father, that delights to give us good things, as we serve Him. When we see a friend or colleague receive a blessing, why cannot we shout out:  in faith towards heaven:NEXT!

In leadership, we study, and we quietly make decisions, set goals, and then pursue them, with fire, intensity, and bull dogged resolve!

I read this quote today along those lines, and it seems to fit here:

To protect against envious people, as you create things:

“You have a brain and mind, use it, and reach your own decisions. If you need facts or information from other people to reach decisions as, as you probably will, in many instances, acquire these facts or secure the information you need quietly, without disclosing your purpose….
If you talk more than listen, you not only deprive yourself of many opportunities to accumulate useful knowledge, but also disclose you plans and purposes to people who take great delight in defeating you, because they ENVY you.
Genuine wisdom is usually conspicuous though modesty and silence…
TELL THE WORLD WHAT YOU INTEND TO DO, BUT FIRST, SHOW IT! DEEDS BEFORE TALK!”
Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich, p 195

Mr. Hill hit the nail on the head in this. (If you would like my thoughts on Mr. Hills 25 year study of leadership commissioned by Andrew Carnegie, from a Biblical standpoint, please read: (https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/leadership-the-fate-of-the-world-depends-upon-it/)

Unfortunately, it is a fallen world, and we cannot share our hearts, dreams, plans, or purposes, with everyone: sometimes, even those close to us, will take our designs and run with them.

I have had that happen in business a couple times, whereby we discovered and developed an innovative new product, then innocently showed it to some wealthy people, to try and solicit interest, only to have them take it from us, and produce it themselves, making the profits we should have obtained.

We forgive, and learn…

Make a commitment to growth!

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/07/15/learn-and-apply-something-new-today/

Not mere academic knowledge, but education of heart, in our spirit, through the Word of God.

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/the-word-of-god-shall-talk-with-thee/

I believe firmly, that academic knowledge, without corresponding development of the heart in morality, will simply produce intelligent criminals.

God would develop our whole person: spirit, soul (mind and intellect) and our body. (The resistance that you fight physically in the gym and the resistance that you fight in life can only build a strong character. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Leadership, can be spelled R-E-S-P-O-N-S-B-I-L-I-T-Y!

I think of the great Biblical leaders, and the responsibility they each faced:

Abraham: Had 400 employees directly working for him.
David: Incredible enemies, and the responsibility of managing and ruling an entire nation.
Moses: Led, provided for, and governed 3 million former slaves.
Joseph: Governed the nation of Egypt, but also looked after the food distribution of Egypt food stocks to not only Egypt, but also surrounding nations, during a famine he knew would last for 7 years, with enough strength of character and will, that the food supplies did not run out until the famine ended.

Sure, we can use these, and others, as great examples of faith, courage, prayer, etc, but what about the integrity, and responsibility they exercised before God, to lead in their spheres of influence, well.

Would to God, that we too, might grow in integrity before God, to do the same, for the betterment of humanity, not merely our own selfish desires!

We must commit to grow, the world depends upon it….

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, men look on the outward, You look upon the heart! Search me, cleanse me from envy, competition, pride, and my own selfish greed’s and ambitions, that I might, in purity of heart and purpose, grow, lead, and become the leader You have need of, in this, my generation. Educate my heart, Father, that my moral strength, become greater than my physical or mental abilities, that I might truly grow into becoming the person of excellence, you require. Prosper me Father, that You be glorified in my well being, as Your child. This, I ask, in Your precious name, Lord Jesus, Amen!’

For prayer, comments, or to donate online:

Email: chris.aomministries@gmail.com

Donate on-line: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=95XHSDDXDS7MC

Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I am a five-fold ministry gift and office – this is my life – I pray, I hear, I write, and wonderful things happen. You have your job description, I have mine – this is mine….

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!