Prosperous

Things aren’t always what they seem. And just because things appear one way in a moment of time, it doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way. Case in point: Jesus. If we’d been in Jerusalem when Jesus was hanging on the cross we might have concluded, “Jesus failed.” However, what appeared to be Jesus’ lowest moment was in fact God’s highest plan being accomplished. Three days after Jesus’ death on the cross, God raised Him. So the moment was really, “Jesus accomplished His mission and is now at the right hand of God having died for our sins and opened the way to salvation and eternal life.”

Isaiah 52:13 prophesied that God’s plan and Jesus would be successful. “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.”

The Isaiah passage prophesied Jesus would be a suffering servant, lifted up on the cross for our sins.

Hebrews 12:2 gives us the rest of the story. Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus is high and lifted up, this time not in shame, but high and lifted up to a place of glory at the right hand of God.

What is Jesus doing in this place of exaltation? Among many things, interceding for us as Hebrews 7:25 states. “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Jesus, high and lifted up on the cross, paid our sin debt. Jesus, high and lifted up to the right hand of God is interceding for us.

Jesus, HIGH AND LIFTED UP, greatly exalted, we thank You and worship You.

NOTE to Moms (or anyone who has a mom or loves a mom): Hey Mom, we can sometimes (or often) feel like a failure. God knows how many times we fail and cry out to Him for forgiveness, strength, “overs,” wisdom, protection for our children, and that they will come to know Him as Savior and Lord. If you can relate, I encourage you to get my book, “The Plan A Mom in a Plan B World.” (A different book from The Plan A WOMAN in a Plan B World.) I had mom friends of all ages/stages share personal stories that will encourage you and provide practical/spiritual tips. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter make it a great resource for mom groups as well. Grab a copy for Mother’s Day while it’s on sale!

PS: If you aren’t getting my monthly Kidz Time devotional activity for your kids to watch, get it here and spread the word. It’s free and it’s fun! Subscribe & it’ll be delivered to your inbox monthly. A great Saturday morning or rest time activity.

Things aren’t always what they seem.  And just because things appear one way in a moment of time, it doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way.  Case in point: Jesus. If we’d been in Jerusalem when Jesus was hanging on the cross we might have concluded, “Jesus failed.”  However what appeared to be Jesus’s lowest moment was in fact God’s highest plan being accomplished. Three days after Jesus’s death on the cross, God raised Him. So the moment was really, “God’s plan succeeded. Jesus accomplished His mission.”  Isaiah 52:13 prophesied, “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be HIGH and LIFTED UP and greatly exalted.” Jesus is seated at the right hand of God – HIGH AND LIFTED UP – greatly exalted. The next time you feel like a failure and that God’s plan isn’t working, remember Christ on the cross. A moment doesn’t define you. It may be a step forward. Look up and pray in faith. Ask your Heavenly Father, who can move mountains and bring success out of defeat, to work positive changes in your circumstances. Walk by the promptings of His Spirit.

NOTE to Moms: (Or anyone who has a mom or loves a mom.) Hey Mom, we can sometimes (or often) feel like a failure. God knows how many times we fail and cry out to Him for forgiveness, strength, “overs,” wisdom, protection for our children, and that they will come to know Him as Savior and Lord. If you can relate, I encourage you to get my book, “The Plan A Mom in a Plan B World.” (Different book from The Plan A WOMAN in a Plan B World) I had mom friends of all ages/stages share personal stories that will encourage you and provide practical/spiritual tips. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter make it a great resource for mom groups, also. $7.49 Mother’s Day special.

We praise You, Lord Jesus, HIGH, and LIFTED UP, greatly exalted. We can’t wait to see You face to face! 

PS: If you aren’t getting my monthly Kidz Time devotional activity for your kids to watch, get it here and spread the word. It’s free. It’s fun! Subscribe & it’ll be delivered to your inbox monthly. A great Saturday morning or rest time activity. 

Things aren’t always what they seem.  And, simply because things appear one way in a moment of time, it doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way.  Case in point: Jesus. If we’d been in Jerusalem when Jesus was hanging on the cross, we might have concluded: “Jesus failed.”  However, what appeared to be Jesus’s lowest moment was in fact God’s highest plan being accomplished. Three days after Jesus’s death on the cross, God raised Him. So the moment was really: “God’s plan succeeded. Jesus won.”  Isaiah 52:13 prophesied, “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be HIGH and LIFTED UP and greatly exalted.” Jesus is seated at the right hand of God – HIGH AND LIFTED UP – greatly exalted. The next time you feel like a failure and that God’s plan isn’t working, remember Christ. A moment doesn’t define you or your destiny. Look up and pray in faith and trust to your Heavenly Father who can move mountains and bring success out of defeat and positive changes in your circumstances.

We praise You, Lord Jesus, HIGH, and LIFTED UP; greatly exalted. 

Things aren’t always what they seem.  And, simply because things appear one way in a moment of time, it doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way.  Case in point: Jesus. If we’d been in Jerusalem when Jesus was hanging on the cross, we might have labeled the moment, “Jesus failed.”  However, what appeared to be Jesus’s lowest moment, was in fact, God’s highest plan being accomplished. Three days after Jesus’s death on the cross, God raised Him. As Isaiah 52:13 prophesied, “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be HIGH and LIFTED UP and greatly exalted.” Jesus is seated at the right hand of God – HIGH AND LIFTED UP – greatly exalted. The next time you feel like a failure, look heavenward and pray. God can change things; even us and our situations.

We praise You, Lord Jesus, HIGH and LIFTED UP; greatly exalted. 

#biblegateway Blogger Grid Member

LISTEN

Are you familiar with the term “prosperity theology”? It’s defined as “a religious belief among some Christians, who hold that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them.” Jesus didn’t teach or live a prosperity theology.  Isaiah 52:13 does say that Jesus will prosper. However, the Hebrew word in this verse means “success.” During Jesus’s life on earth it didn’t appeared He was successful. However, He was. By His death He successfully secured our salvation. If we have our heart set on riches this side of heaven, we may be hugely disappointed. If we build our lives on Christ, we’ll experience joy on earth and eternal rewards in heaven.

Lord Jesus, thank You for successfully securing our salvation now and for eternity. 

You’re Invited! Join me this Sunday, September 9, 5:15 pm for my PRAYERS of MY HEART Prayer Journaling Workshop. Discover the 7 Benefits of Journaling, how to enhance your prayer life, and develop an attitude of gratitude through journaling. Journal -$14.99. Info below. Or, email me- debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com.

What:     PRAYERS of MY HEART Prayer Journal Workshop

When:    Sunday, September 9, 5:15 pm

Where:   Trinity Baptist Church Chapel, 800 Jackson Rd, Kerrville, TX

Who:      You!

“Behold, My servant will PROSPER, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.” Isaiah 52:13

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology

Behold, My servant will PROSPER,
He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.

Isaiah 52:13

Are you familiar with “prosperity theology”? It’s defined as “a religious belief among some Christians, who hold that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive speech, and donations to religious causes will increase one’s material wealth. If humans have faith in God, he will deliver security and prosperity.” *

However, Jesus didn’t teach or live that. He preached the gospel. He taught, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy… But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven,…” Mt 6:19-20. Jesus taught that we are to build our lives on Him. He is to be the foundation of our life, so we don’t collapse when floods destroy our homes. Lk 6:46-49

What does the Bible mean, then, when it says Jesus prospers? The Hebrew word in this verse means “success.” Although during Jesus’s life it appeared that He was doing anything but prospering, He was successfully accomplishing God’s will by securing our salvation.

As family, friends, and our world suffer devastating floods and earthquakes, it’s a somber time for us to consider what we’re building our lives on and for. Is it the here and now that can easily be destroyed? Or, are we instead, storing treasures in heaven that last eternally?

Lord Jesus, Prosperous One, thank You for successfully securing our salvation with You for eternity. Help those in harm’s way to find strength and security in You. 

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology