BIBLICAL WEALTH
ACTIVATING BIBLICAL WEALTH - PART 1
Here is an amazing promise from the Bible…
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4 NIV
When I first read this, I thought this is wishful thinking. It’s too good to be true!
The desires of my heart are pretty big. Let’s see… Financial Freedom (so I don’t have to work), Travel the World (business class and 5 star hotels), Live where the weather is great all year long, etc, etc.
When I first started reading the Bible, I was far from having the desires of my heart. I just lost my business. I was 34 years old, bankrupt, with a wife, 3 year old and 5 year old boys, living in Beijing, China (that's another story).
Since I was starting over, I thought, let me give this "Following Christ" thing a try. I started reading the Bible and praying. I was quickly attracted to the promises of provision, fruitfulness and an abundant life.
The more I read the Bible, deep in my heart, I knew the words were true.
The Bible makes many fantastic promises, but there are essential ingredients before you'll see the realization of Biblical promises in your life.
ACTIVATING BIBLICAL WEALTH IN YOUR LIFE
Essential Ingredient #1 - FAITH
Let's look at these words from the Bible...
The Call of Abram
The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you. ”
So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.
Genesis 12:1-4
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6
Having FAITH is essential to activating the promises in the Bible. Abram illustrates FAITH.
God told Abram to go and Abram went.
Abram left behind his country, his friends and family and all things familiar to follow God.
Faith is more than believing God. Faith is believing and doing. The doing part is important. If you don't do, you don't really believe.
Here is more from the Bible about the importance and power of faith...
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
.... “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:23
Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Matthew 15:28
... Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20
You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
Matthew 21:22 NLT
PERFECTION NOT REQUIRED
The full story of Abram is found in the book of Genesis. If you're serious about activating Biblical Wealth in your life, I encourage you to read it.
Abram is a story of faith and also stumbling in his faith. Abram wasn't perfect, and... that's good news.
My faith is far from perfect. The intention is there, but I stumble and fall. The important part is getting back up, learning and trying again.
I've been doing the "Following Christ" thing for almost 25 years. I'm far from perfect, and still... the Biblical promises of provision and abundance came true in my life.
Perfection is not required.
Our Creator, God, is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Have a Great Day!!!
Dragon Xu
