A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (November 30, 2016)
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 2).
God’s will is that you prosper in all things. His plan is for you to be prosperous in all areas of your life – financially and in your relationships. God is very pleased when we walk in prosperity. Actually, the Bible tells us that God takes great pleasure when those who believe in Him are prosperous (Psalm 35:27).
Of course, prosperity is not just money, but it does include money. True prosperity is actually shalom, meaning nothing broken and everything whole and complete in our lives. As we read further in 3 John 2, we see that it is also God’s will that we be in health. Walking in good health is greater than being healed because one who walks in health does not need healing. God’s desire for His children is that they prosper and walk in health.
As this verse continues, we find a very interesting revelation. Yes, it is God’s will that we prosper and be in health, but our prosperity and health is connected to the prosperity of our souls. This verse says that God wants us to prosper and be in health to the same degree and in the same measure that our soul prospers. The health of your body cannot be separated from the thoughts, words, and emotions of the soul.
If it is true that the health of your body is determined by the prosperity of your soul, then it would be a good idea to understand what the soul is and how to bring it into the realm of prosperity.
First Thessalonians 5:23 says that we were created as three-part beings. We are spirit, soul, and body. In Genesis, we are told that we were created in the likeness and image of God (Genesis 1:26). God Himself is a three part-being, as the apostle John told us: “There are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one”(1 John 5:7). Your spirit is the real you. When you were born again, it was your spirit man that was born again. Your soul is your mind, your will, your intellect, and emotions. Let’s briefly examine how to walk in prosperity in these four areas of your soul.
1) Your mind. Although our spirits are renewed by God, it is our responsibility to renew our minds. This is done by washing our minds with the Word of God. (See Ephesians 5:26.) We must daily read and meditate on His Word. This will create a prosperous mind–one that is filled with faith, not fear, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”(2 Timothy 1:7).
2) Your will. In order for your will to prosper, you must bring your will into agreement with God’s will. Being submitted alone is not enough. You must submit and willingly set aside your own plans and desires and embrace His with joy. Remember, Jesus said, “Not My will, but Thine, be done” (Luke 22:42 KJV).
3) Your intellect. Many feel that education is not connected in any way to your health. However, God’s Word says in Hosea 4:6 that, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.” Second Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (KJV). We are also told that “All scripture is…profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16).We cannot ignore God’s Word and expect to walk in revelation knowledge concerning any part of the Word that we have never read. Revelation knowledge of Scripture is given by the Holy Spirit to those who read and meditate on the Word. So, in order for our intellect to prosper, we must meditate on God’s Word and submit to the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
4) Your emotions. God expects you to have control over your emotions. When God imparted love, joy, and peace, He also imparted self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Walking in self-control is a choice, just like walking in love is a choice. A Christian has no excuse for not walking in self-control. Your emotions are subject to you. There may be reasons, but there are no excuses. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” The health of your body is subject to the condition of your heart and your attitude.
So the next time you pray for prosperity or health, examine the prosperity of your soul. There is definitely a connection.
