Why is Transformation Necessary? (Part 2)
ESSENTIALS FOR SOUL PROSPERITY
1 Kings 8: 54-61
When individuals and churches fail to seek God’s fresh, innovative direction by faith, they revert to past traditions, personal
inclinations and recycled repetition. As they do this, the individual or church veers farther and farther away from the heart, the will and
the activities of God in the present! The only hope for the individual or church is our turning back to God and allowing our souls to
prosper.
How do we return to God when such a thing is true? We must be transformed! Transformation means “Turning Back to God!”
In order to live the Christ-life, the soul of the true follower of Jesus needs constant nourishment. God wishes to fill that need by being
our sustainer. John, the beloved, speaks to this issue when he prays for his dear friends …
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2 (NKJV)
SOUL PROSPERITY
God wants you to possess true prosperity – one that fills and feeds your soul. What will that look like? One of the best definitions of
soul prosperity comes from the snapshot given to us by Paul when he speaks of possessing the fruit of the Spirit.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22 (NLT)
God wants to give us so much! There are several gifts in God’s fruit basket which He wants to give to us! In actuality they are a fruit
basket of spirituality! What are these fruits?
Love to fill your broken heart
Joy to lift your sagging spirits
Peace to calm your anxiety and worry
Patience to deal with the trials you are going through to perfect your character
Kindness to respond to others when they treat you badly
Goodness to meet the needs of those less fortunate around you
Faithfulness to stay the course when it seems hopeless
Gentleness to touch other shattered lives you meet along life’s journey
Self-control to avoid the perils which will destroy your testimony for Jesus Christ!
And like any gift given, we must reach out with arms wide open and accept them! Next time we will explore how to accept the gift of
soul prosperity!
© 2007 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith. All rights reserved.
ESSENTIALS FOR SOUL PROSPERITY
1 Kings 8: 54-61
When individuals and churches fail to seek God’s fresh, innovative direction by faith, they revert to past traditions, personal
inclinations and recycled repetition. As they do this, the individual or church veers farther and farther away from the heart, the will and
the activities of God in the present! The only hope for the individual or church is our turning back to God and allowing our souls to
prosper.
How do we return to God when such a thing is true? We must be transformed! Transformation means “Turning Back to God!”
In order to live the Christ-life, the soul of the true follower of Jesus needs constant nourishment. God wishes to fill that need by being
our sustainer. John, the beloved, speaks to this issue when he prays for his dear friends …
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2 (NKJV)
SOUL PROSPERITY
God wants you to possess true prosperity – one that fills and feeds your soul. What will that look like? One of the best definitions of
soul prosperity comes from the snapshot given to us by Paul when he speaks of possessing the fruit of the Spirit.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22 (NLT)
God wants to give us so much! There are several gifts in God’s fruit basket which He wants to give to us! In actuality they are a fruit
basket of spirituality! What are these fruits?
Love to fill your broken heart
Joy to lift your sagging spirits
Peace to calm your anxiety and worry
Patience to deal with the trials you are going through to perfect your character
Kindness to respond to others when they treat you badly
Goodness to meet the needs of those less fortunate around you
Faithfulness to stay the course when it seems hopeless
Gentleness to touch other shattered lives you meet along life’s journey
Self-control to avoid the perils which will destroy your testimony for Jesus Christ!
And like any gift given, we must reach out with arms wide open and accept them! Next time we will explore how to accept the gift of
soul prosperity!
© 2007 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith. All rights reserved.
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