Adstar;75048]What kind of abundance? Gold? Mansions? a private Jet? Or an abundance of Love and peace and strengh of purpose............................................................"Only"... ? ............................................................ I am not a fan of the prosperity doctrine. When it comes to material things Jesus never promised His followers material riches in this life. [/QUOTE]....................................................................................................[COLOR=Purple]Hi Adstar said:
abundance[/I] ---I say 'abundance until it overflows'- (AMP)- in everything - love, laughter, peace, wealth, health ---actually I read that as no limits - just as my Lord is Limitless and Boundless and a Father that gives and gives.Some interpret scriptures for their soul's journey as to live in poverty.Other's interpret scripture for their soul's path as limitless wealth, health, joy, success in relationships at work and home and finding the perfect parking space.I say -each is correct - for them. You said you are not a fan of the prosperity doctrine. That's your perogative."Prosperity doctrine" is a label (like the label "liberal" meant only to create more separations) put onto the teachings of some pastors that want to tear down the "oh-poor-defeated-me-thinking"... that, "No, you are a child of a Great Father that loves you. If you asked a father for bread would he give a stone?" Yes, Jesus was talking to the Disciples that they would be rejected, etc. (you mentioned)And at the same time He would say - Do not worry, do not be concerned about your food and shelter, ask whatever you desire in my name, believe and receive.OT - Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.Stay your mind on me and I will give you perfect peace...One of pure logic was from St. Paul - "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? " Rom 8:32Again, the Lord is like a huge Diamond -He has many sides and no side is not Him and no side is better than another. I personally am done with the "oh poor lowly me" attitude.You quoted - some think godliness is a means of gain -I lost the quote, sorry (Timothy?) I must split hairs here - godliness is not in gain or possesions -if one thinks that, they are wrong. -This, however, does not imply that "gain" in whatever arena is bad or ungodly. It would be ungodly to think that godliness was a means for (to) gain. The 'austere, poverty consciouness that each wave that comes and I get the flu again attitude' is not for me anymore.I am strong and clear that I am an inheritor of God's Promises...which include abundance in every way, period.Did I and others come to the Lord because of some promises we heard? Because of some financial prosperties ??? (As was mentioned was a fear of Jimmy's?) Well, let me say - God drew me to Him ---not the other way around. And it wasn't FEAR that drew me!!! Ha! First came the "unworthy" space and the dropping to my knees. I blossomed and now know who I am - my blossom doesn't hang it's head. It lifts happily and joyously to the Sun accepting all the love in whatever form it comes. You quoted - some think gain is godliness ---I lost the quote, sorry (Timothy?) I must split hairs here - godliness is not in gain or possesions -if one thinks that they are wrong. ---This, however, does not imply that "gain" in whatever arena is bad or ungodly ----do you see the difference?Do others want to label me following some prosperity doctrine sometimes---not in the circles I hang with - they have gotten off their medications, walk in positivity and hope for and receive more job opportunities. If some have their sights set on jets - I don't care ----when I look at them my focus is off God. It's that simple.Thanks,:) Miss Hepburn[/COLOR]