He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.  Proverbs 18:9 AMP

He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer.

When it comes to our work and our responsibilities – whether it is for ourselves (our own business or family) or for a boss – we must be faithful, diligent and hard working. If we aren’t, then the Bible says that we have the same impact as a vandal, or a person who actively works to destroy rather than build. Now, few of us plan to mess things up deliberately, but we need to realize that if we are lazy, unfocused, unfaithful, neglectful, and/or procrastinators, then we are having an actively negative effect on the areas of responsibility that are ours! Proverbs 25:19 AMP says that, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.”

A lot of people like to just coast along, looking busy, looking like they are contributing, meanwhile they are allowing others to pick up the slack and carry an extra burden. People do this at work and at home. In a family, you might have one of the couple – the husband or the wife – picking up more than their fair share of the family responsibilities because the other person neglects or refuses to do their part. This is never a successful strategy in the long term. The family is going to be unbalanced and lacking. Eventually it will fall apart, one way or another. The destruction that is caused will manifest in either the marriage failing and/or the children growing up dysfunctional. Ecclesiastes 9:18b says that, “One sinner destroys much good.” One person can make a big difference – positively or negatively. Don’t be the one who ends up destroying a lot of good because you are lazy and irresponsible. Ask the Lord to help you do what’s right every day in your work and your family responsibilities.

Proverbs 10:4 AMP – He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

He who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.
[This sentence is added to Proverbs 18:9 in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament).]

It is our own responsibility to walk in good health to the best of our ability! The Lord expects us to trust in Him first and only, but He also expects us to work with Him to accomplish His will. God’s will for you is God’s word to you. He has let us know what He wants for us – He laid our sins, our sickness, our disease, our torment, and everything else that’s from the pit of hell, on Jesus! He doesn’t want us sick, diseased or tormented. He wants us healthy and well – spirit, soul and body!

Some people trust only in man – doctors – for their healing, but God wants us to first trust Him! When doctors can no longer help you, you’ll need a miracle from God. However, this scripture says that you must use your own endeavors to heal yourself. What does that mean? That means that you must do everything you can in the spirit and everything you can in the natural! God’s best for you is not for you to neglect your health and then just run to a doctor for a pill or to a minister for a prayer. You need to take care of your body: you need to eat healthy foods and avoid unhealthy ones; you need to get up and move your body – exercise or go for a brisk walk; drink water; get enough sleep; take a regular vacation or a have rest from your usual routine; laugh often; decide to enjoy your life; don’t hold grudges; forgive; choose peace; have a positive attitude; regularly do something nice for someone else. Educate yourself concerning prevention of disease by eating healthy, going to a natural health practitioner – if necessary – and by living a healthy lifestyle.

Use your endeavors to heal yourself – take an active part in your own health and well-being.

Some people refuse to go to doctors because they have the mistaken belief that God will not heal them if they go to a doctor. Or they equate going to doctors with doubt and unbelief. This is simply not true. We cannot and should not put our trust in man or in doctors, but we must do what we can to save and preserve life – especially if it is for someone else, like our children. If your children are sick or hurt, then pray first, but if the situation warrants intervention, then by all means take them to the doctor. It’s not a sin to get help. God’s best for us is prevention, rather than cure, but He wants us to live and to do our part to stay living, so we can fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives. When we refuse to do what is necessary – and also within our ability – to preserve life, then the Bible says we are “brother to him who commits suicide”!

Don’t let the devil lie to you. Do whatever you can to save and preserve life – yours or another person’s – this is God’s will for you. Here are some scriptures to feed your spirit regarding God’s will to have you healed and whole and your participation in the process:

Proverbs 3:8 AMP – It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.
Proverbs 4:22 AMP – For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.
Proverbs 14:30 – A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.
Proverbs 15:4 – A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.
Proverbs 16:24 – Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.
Proverbs 17:22 – A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  John 10:2-4 NKJV

 

6. A good Pastor/Minister is a good example: he leads, and does not drive; he feeds and builds, and does not destroy; and he lives what he preaches.

 

1. In 1 Corinthians 4:9-21 Paul talks about the price he and the other Apostles paid to bring the Gospel to the Corinthians and the other cities and nations. They loved, disciplined, and cared for them like they were their own children.

 

1 Corinthians 4:15-16 AMP – After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel). 16 So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me.

 

1. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-18, Paul talks about how he and the apostles suffered much persecution and hardship to bring the truth of God’s Word to the world, but they did it willingly and joyfully, because of the reward of seeing the fruit here on earth, but most of all the reward waiting for them in heaven when they died.

 

1. In 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Paul talks about the fact that he and the apostles did their utmost to set a good example to all, even through terrific hardships and sacrifice.

 

2 Corinthians 6:3-7 AMP – We put no obstruction in anybody’s way [we give no offense in anything], so that no fault may be found and [our] ministry blamed and discredited. 4 But we commend ourselves in every way as [true] servants of God: through great endurance, in tribulation and suffering, in hardships and privations, in sore straits and calamities, 5 In beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless watching, hunger; 6 By innocence and purity, knowledge and spiritual insight, longsuffering and patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love; 7 By [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend]

 

1. In 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Paul sets the standards for those who would desire a leadership role in the Church. These are the standards required:

He must give no grounds for accusation, but must be above reproach; the husband of one wife; circumspect, temperate and self-controlled; sensible, well-behaved and dignified; lead an orderly, disciplined life; hospitable; be a capable and qualified teacher; not a drinker of alcohol nor a drunkard; not combative, but gentle and considerate; not quarrelsome, but forbearing and peaceable; not covetous or a lover of money; he must rule his own household well and with dignity, with obedient, respectful children (for if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how is he to take care of the church of God?); he must not be a new convert, or he may become blinded by conceit and pride and fall like the devil once did; he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church; he must have integrity and be beyond reproach; he must not be shifty and a double-talker, but sincere in what he says; he must preach the truth of the Gospel, with a clear conscience. The woman likewise must be worthy of respect and serious; not gossipers, but temperate and self-controlled; thoroughly trustworthy in all things.

 

1. Paul instructed Timothy concerning ministry, in 1 Timothy 4:11-16, and his advice applies to all those the Lord calls into ministry. He instructs him to:

Be an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity; study the Word; to preach, teach, exhort and instill doctrine; to not neglect the calling, gifts and anointing on his life that were given to him by the Holy Spirit; to throw himself wholly into doing God’s will and serving the Church; to make sure that he lives what he believes and preaches. This advice is also for the rest of us who are called to ministry.

 

1. In 2 Timothy 2:1-13, Paul instructs Timothy further:

Be strong; raise up more leaders, who are reliable, faithful, competent and qualified to teach other also; endure the hardships and suffering of a first-class soldier of Christ Jesus, with the aim of satisfying and pleasing only Him; work hard and run the race with integrity; whatever you suffer on earth, you will receive an equivalent reward in heaven; remain faithful to Him, for He is faithful to you; study hard and rightfully divide the Word of Truth; don’t waste time arguing or being argumentative; cleanse and separate yourself so you can be a vessel unto honor; shun and flee from youthful lusts; pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace; be kind; be a skilled teacher; correct your opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in order to possibly win and convert them.

 

1. In Titus 1:4-16, Paul reiterates what he said before to Timothy, about leadership, including these qualities:

Be a person of unquestionable integrity; not open to the accusation of being loose in morals and conduct, or unruly and disorderly; blameless; not self-willed or arrogant or presumptuous; do not be quick-tempered; be hospitable and generous; be sober-minded; sensible; discreet; upright and fair-minded; devout; temperate and self-controlled; hold fast to the Word and teach it as you were taught it; keep the message pure and accurate; correct those who are in error.

 

1. These standards do not apply only to the apostles and early church leaders, but they fully apply to us today. We must aspire to be like the apostles and follow and imitate them as they followed and imitated the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17).

 

2 Timothy 1:13-14 ERV – What you heard me teach is an example of what you should teach. Follow that model of right teaching with the faith and love we have in Christ Jesus. 14 This teaching is a treasure that you have been trusted with. Protect it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.  Revelation 4:11 KJV

This Greek word translated “pleasure” means desire, pleasure, or will. All things were created and exist according to God’s will and desire, and to please Him.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Genesis 1:26-27 NKJV

This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.  Genesis 5:1-2 NKJV

God made mankind in His own image – in the image of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – and Heblessed them the day they were created.

Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.  Isaiah 43:7 NKJV

This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.  Isaiah 43:21 NKJV

Our – and all mankind’s – ultimate purpose is to bring God glory and declare His praise.

The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them. Psalms 89:11 NKJV

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. 15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.  Psalms 89:14-15 NKJV

God created all things and they are established in His righteousness, mercy and truth. The only way for the whole earth to thrive and prosper is by his mercy and through His righteousness and truth.

I have made the earth, And created man on it. I — My hands — stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded. 13 I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward,” Says the Lord of hosts.  Isaiah 45:12-13 NKJV

God declares here that it is He who made the earth and created man on it. He did not create us for evil or to do what we wish, but He created us for righteousness and to serve His purposes.

Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: 6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,

As a light to the Gentiles, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. 8 I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”  Isaiah 42:5-9 NKJV

Jesus was called in righteousness to fulfill His purpose, which was to destroy the works of the devil and to redeem mankind. Because He was raised from the dead in righteousness, we too, have been the righteous of God in Christ. God has a wonderful plan and purpose for each of us. From the moment we are made righteous, God’s ultimate plan for each of us kicks in. we are created in righteousness to BE righteous and to DO good works that glorify God.

Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another By profaning the covenant of the fathers?  Malachi 2:10 NKJV

The same God created all of mankind. We honor our Creator and act righteously when we love one another and treat one another with kindness and generosity. We dishonor Him when we are unfaithful and treacherous toward our neighbor. Who is your neighbor? Jesus says everyone is your neighbor, not just the people you like and trust.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God planned for us to walk in! Not for anything else.

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.  Colossians 3:9-11 NKJV

Adam and Eve were created in the image of God. Our New Man is recreated once again in the image of our Creator when we are born again. We must make a conscious decision to put off the Old Man and then to put on the New Man. We must stop acting like the devil is our father and start acting like Jesus and our own Heavenly Father, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.  1 Peter 4:19 NKJV

Keep doing good – even when the pressure is on for you to quit and give up; even when your good deeds result in persecution and suffering. Commit your soul to your Creator – the One who made you – He is faithful and will see you through and reward you for your faith and your faithfulness.

What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? [How can I repay Him for all His bountiful dealings?]   Psalms 116:12

 

Gracious is the Lord, and [rigidly] righteous; yes, our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He helped and saved me. 7 Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For You have delivered my life from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling and falling.  Psalms 116:5-8

 

The Lord has been so good to each and every one of us, whether we acknowledge it or not. God is good and only good! How can we repay Him for all His benefits toward us? How can we repay Him for all His bountiful blessings? How can I repay Him for all His benefits and bountiful blessings toward me?

 

I can repay Him like this:

 

I will love the Lord:

 

I love the Lord, because He has heard [and now hears] my voice and my supplications. Psalms 116:1

 

And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). 38 This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.  

Matthew 22:37-38 AMP

 

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  Jude 21 NKJV

 

God is pleased when I show my love for him – not with mere lip service – but with heart and with deeds.

 

I will call upon Him as long as I live:

 

Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live.  Psalms 116:2

 

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.  Psalms 145:18 AMP

 

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.  Romans 10:12 NKJV

 

Call upon the Father. Look to him for everything you need. He is the source and supply of everything you will ever need. Do not turn to anyone, but Him, for what you need. Do not give praise or love to any other gods or idols. Call upon Him! He is rich to all who call upon Him!

 

I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living:

 

I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.  Psalms 116:9

 

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I am the Almighty God; walk and live habitually before Me and be perfect (blameless, wholehearted, complete).  Genesis 17:1 AMP

 

Serve God with all your heart down here on earth. Do not wait until you die to try to start serving Him – it may be too late for you – you may not even make heaven if you won’t serve Him. Live for Him, with all your heart, while you can.

 

I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord:

 

I will lift up the cup of salvation and deliverance and call on the name of the Lord.  Psalms 116:13

 

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.  1 Corinthians 11:25-26 NKJV

 

There is only one way to be saved – one way to make heaven. You must drink the cup of HIS salvation. Believe in Jesus and ALL that He did for you in His death, burial, and resurrection!

 

I will pay my vows to the Lord in public:

 

I will pay my vows to the Lord, yes, in the presence of all His people.   Psalms 116:14&18

 

Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High, 15 And call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me.  Psalms 50:14-15 AMP

 

Be faithful with your money. Serve and worship God with it. Make Him first place where your money is concerned. Whoever has your money first, is the person or thing you worship. Worship God, not mammon and idols.

 

I will offer to the Lord the sacrifice of thanksgiving:

 

I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord.  Psalms 116:17

 

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and rehearse His deeds with shouts of joy and singing!  Psalms 107:22 AMP

 

Always give God the praise. Bring Him sacrifices of thanksgiving for what He has done, for what He is doing, and for what He is about to do. We are to continually give thanks, even as we expect Him to continually watch over, and provide for, us.

 

I will call upon the name of the Lord:

 

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.  Psalms 99:6 KJV

 

O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.  Psalms 105:1-2 KJV

 

And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.  Isaiah 12:4 KJV

 

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  Acts 2:21 KJV

 

Call upon His name. Exalt His name before the people. Give Him all the praise and the honor and the glory for all of time and eternity! Never be quiet when you can speak out and let everyone know how great and how mighty and how awesome He is!

Foundation scriptures:

In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months: 21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. 22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. 23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. 26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? 29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons. 30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, 32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground. 34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.  Acts 7:20-34 KJV

 

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  Acts 1:8 KJV

 

1. A burning bush experience.
2. I have seen, I have seen.
3. I have heard – and am come down to deliver them.
4. I will send you.
5. To you – salvation
6. In you – Holy Ghost and fire – Holy Spirit baptism.
7. Through you – He wants to use you.

 

2. This is why we have revival.
3. Revive the Church, renew the Church, and bring the Church back to its first love.
4. Get your heart right.
5. Revelation 3:14-22 KJV – “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
6. Hot, cold, or lukewarm.
7. Lukewarm – He will spew you out of His mouth.
8. What is your temperature?

 

3. In order to have revival, you need to get hungry and thirsty.
4. Indian chief – Big Holy Ghost – not little Holy Ghost.
5. John 4 – a well
6. John 4:13-14 KJV – “Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
7. John 7: 37-38 – a river.
8. John 7:37-38 KJV – “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
9. If you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you will be filled (Matthew 5:6).
10. Get hungry; get thirsty; get desperate.
11. Get it now – Jesus promised it; the apostles had it; you need it!

 

4. My testimony – when God anointed me.
5. July 1979.
6. Hungry; thirsty; desperate.
7. The Lord touched me – the fire fell.

 

5. Today is your day.

1. Receive today: a touch from heaven; the touch of God.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you that obedience releases Your blessing. Lord, what You have planned for me is so much bigger than the plans I have for myself. I submit myself to You and Your Word and I prepare my heart to receive Your abundant blessing and favor in my life.

I listen diligently and pay attention to the voice of the Lord my God.
I am watchful to do all His commandments, which He commands me this day.
Therefore, the Lord my God is setting me high above all the nations of the earth.
All these blessings are coming upon me and overtaking me because I heed the voice of the Lord my God:
I am blessed in the city and blessed in the field.
The fruit of my body is blessed and the fruit of my ground is blessed and so is the fruit of my beasts, the increase of my cattle and the young of my flock.
My basket is blessed and so is my kneading trough.
I am blessed when I come in and blessed when I go out.
The Lord is causing my enemies, who rise up against me, to be defeated before my face.
They may come out against me one way, but they will flee before me seven ways.
The Lord is commanding the blessing upon me in my storehouse and in all that I undertake.
The Lord my God is blessing me in the land, which He has given me.
The Lord is establishing me as a person holy to Himself, as He has promised me, because I am faithful to keep the commandments of the Lord my God and walk in His ways.
All the people of the earth see that I am called by the Name of the Lord and that His hand is upon me, and they are afraid of me.
The Lord is making me to have a surplus of prosperity, through the fruit of my body, of my livestock, and of my ground, in the land which the Lord promised to give me.
The Lord is opening to me His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to my land in its season and to bless all the work of my hands.
Therefore I will lend to many nations, but I will not borrow.
The Lord is making me the head and not the tail.
I am above only and not beneath.
I am blessed today and every day, because I heed the commandments of the Lord my God,
which He commands me this day and I am watchful to do them.
I will not turn aside from any of the words, which He commands me this day—to the right or to the left—to go after other gods to serve them.
I am abundantly blessed, because I serve the Lord my God with joyfulness of mind and heart, in gratitude for the abundance of all with which He has blessed me.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and 47
Paraphrased from the Amplified Bible
I am blessed and fortunate, because I fear, revere, and worship the Lord.
I delight greatly in His commandments.
My offspring shall be mighty on the earth.
I am upright and I and my family, my children, our generations, are blessed.
Prosperity and welfare, wealth and riches, are in my house.
My righteousness endures forever.
Light arises in the darkness for me, because I am upright, gracious, compassionate, and just.
I am in right-standing with God.
It is well with me, because I deal generously, give, bless, and lend.
I conduct my affairs with justice.
I will not be moved forever.
I will be in everlasting remembrance.
I do good works.
Because I do good, I have a good name and the good I do is remembered.
The good that I do will have an eternal impact.
I will not be afraid of evil tidings.
My heart is firmly fixed, trusting in, leaning on, and being confident in the Lord.
My heart is established and steady.
I will not be afraid, while I wait to see my desire established upon my adversaries.
I am a blessing and I distribute freely.
My righteousness endures forever.
The Lord is raising me up and bringing promotion.
The enemy has no place in my life.
Only God’s plans for me will succeed.
Psalm 112:1-10 Paraphrased
PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you that obedience releases Your blessing. Lord, what You have planned for me is so much bigger than the plans I have for myself. I submit myself to You and Your Word and I prepare my heart to receive Your abundant blessing and favor in my life.