James H. Hooks

It is one thing to know and believe God’s word. It is quite another to know how to use it effectively in our daily lives.  Without this vital knowledge we will find ourselves struggeling with unanswered vision and prayer. In bringing vision to reality, I like to use the term, (Rules of Engadgement)

I heard a saying one time that stuck with me and I believe it applies very well here.

Life itself can’t give you joy unless you really will it.  Life just gives you time and space, it’s up to you to fill it.

When I ask the question, do you want to prosper? the answer from all would be of course, who wouldn’t? The question is, do you really want to prosper enough to do your part of the process to bring it to a reality in your life? That separates the by-slanders from the participators.

If your answer to both is yes, then prosperity is yours if you are Christ’s. I assure you that you can depend upon Jesus but the question is can He depend upon you?
He must be able to depend upon you so that when He calls you are ready to answer with a positive, yes.
So, the question is not, what do I want for myself but rather what does Jesus want from or for me? There is a basic understanding we must realize. What we withhold from God that which is His He divides what we have and what we give to God He multiplies. Ask yourself, what do I want divided and what do I want multiplied in my life.
Example: we do not want doubt, fear, hate or poverty multiplied. We want those things divided.
We do want faith, goodness, kindness, love finances and prosperity multiplied. So, simply, those are the things we need to give.
Have you ever promised God, if you give me more I will certainly give you more? Have you ever withheld your giving and ask God for enough money to pay your bills? That is like a farmer standing at his field refusing to plant a seed and praying for God to send the crop. If he plants nothing, nothing will grow.

If we do not have the faith that God will multiply a small seed how can we possibly have the faith that He will send a crop from seeds we have not planted? That is a prayer conceived in fear and doubt. God will not honer fear and doubt, however He will honer faith.

Rule #1- Recognize that everything we have comes from God.
Phil. 4:19- For my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Notice the word is shall and not may and all, not some.
Mark 9:23- Jesus said unto him if you believe, all things are possible to him that believes.
You have a part. ( Believe)
111 John.2:1- I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in good health, even as the soul prospers.
Jeremiah 29:11- for I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

If we are not prospering it is not because God does not want us to. He not only wants us to prosper, he plans for us to prosper. The keys to prosperity is believing enough to act on faith.

Rule #2
Be thankful for what you have.
If we are not thankful for what God has already given us we will never appreciate getting what we want.
Ungratefulness is saying to God, you messed up, you have given me the short end of the stick and I do not appreciate it. Looking at it from God’s eyes, why should He give you more?

Happiness is not having what you want it is wanting what you have.
Some people count their blessings on their fingers and their miseries on an adding machine. We need to condition our minds to consider what we have already been given as blessings from God.
THANKING GOD FOR OUR BLESSINGS EXTENDS THEM! FAILURE TO THANK HIM WILL SOON END THEM
When you have faith, doubt and fear will starve.

What Would you do if you were absolutely sure that God was with you?
If God is with me, who can be against me?
When you think about the answer to that question the only other question is, what is stopping you? You have to take the next step forward in faith if you are looking for God to help you.
Step out