What are you expecting? Are you content with your life or do you desire more?  How do we increase and prosper in a time of great upheaval? To prosper we must be able to accurately discern the times and seasons. Part of discerning is recognizing there is a significant difference between the world’s prosperity messages of greed, ‘get all you can get’ and the Gospel message of God’s eternal love, saving grace, and salvation that causes us to prosper.

With the shaking of today’s economic system we must realize the Bible has a lot to say about stewardship; saving and sowing money. There is a correlation between how we steward our finances and the prosperity of our personal lives and the health of our bodies. 3 John 2, says, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” Matthew 6:21 further states, “For where your treasure (desire, money, fortune, relationship) is, there your heart (focus, attention or love) will be also. We must ask ourselves, what or who do I place my hope and trust in? What or who am I seeking in this life? Whose kingdom am I building? What or who do I really treasure? Jesus said in Matthew 13:44, "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field”. Are we willing to sell out to this world so we can inherit the unshakeable Kingdom of God?

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has the eternal words of life for a dark world that is perishing in sin and sickness. The Bible declares in 2 Corinthians 4:3-11, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body”. The major difference between nonbelievers in the world and believers in God’s kingdom is one is blinded by greed, and holds onto everything they earn; yet still does not prosper; while the other is a sacrificial giver and prospers in every area of their life.

Promotion comes from the north, or from God who creates the ability to gain wealth by making opportunities available for believers. Many times creative ideas for new ventures or breakthroughs on existing ventures come when we seek God’s face in prayer or simply have a dream while we sleep. God given “wisdom, concepts, insights, and ideas” can entirely change our lives overnight.

Acquired Wisdom brings Exaltation, Honor, Grace, Beauty and Understanding

Proverbs 4:7-9, "The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding." Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. "She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty." Godly wisdom is imparted by the Holy Spirit, unlike the intellectual ways of the world that are consumed in an information era. All the university degrees and compiled knowledge will not enable anyone to understand the ways of God or determine the plans of success He has determined for them.

God is the only One who knows the future! So how do we position ourselves in the right place at the right time to benefit from God’s wisdom? The Bible tells us in Proverbs 23:23, to “Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.” How do we buy wisdom and gain spiritual understanding of future things? We receive godly wisdom through the Holy Spirit who brings revelatory knowledge and deposits it in our hearts. John 14:16-17,says that Jesus "Will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you”. Isn’t that great news? The same God who created the universe dwells within us! Scripture also tells us in John 16:13-15, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you”. If we will spend quality time with the Holy Spirit He is able to answer any question, solve any dilemma and position us for greatness.

The difference between our present level of success and understanding today and our future prosperity is the level of revelation knowledge we are able to receive from the Holy Spirit. Revelation comes to us through the measure of faith in God we currently possess. To obtain God’s pleasures in us and to apprehend His promises requires that our faith is active, growing and strong. God’s powerful hands are moved by the prayers of the faithful; not by human desire or needs.Are you spending time with the Holy Spirit to hear His voice and receive wisdom from on high or are you consumed with fear, worry and doubt?

The Spirit of Truth

The Holy Spirit is the Paraclete or Comforter who dwells inside of us, to lead us into all truth. He brings all things to our remembrance and empowers us with grace and heavenly authority. Holy Spirit although a still small voice, must become the strongest, loudest, clarion voice directing our lives. There is an art to listen to God’s voice. Practicing His presence enables us to receive from God; entering into peace, trusting and resting in His arms knowing He has all things under control. Bold faith opens our eyes to see, enabling God to show us, the right paths to take and the open doors that are waiting for us to walk through. As we learn to discern the Holy Spirit’s voice Isaiah 45:3, says "I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.” There are many hidden secrets and treasures that will be revealed to those who seek after God’s face with their whole heart. God shares His secrets with His friends.

God is omniscient (all knowing) and omnipotent (all powerful) there is nothing impossible for Him. In God’s mercy He has reserved treasures and stored up opportunities for believers.  These resources, ideas and provision have been hidden from the world because they do not know the ways of God.

Dreams, Visions, Prophecy and Miracles 

In Acts 2:16-21, the prophet Joel declared that in the last days,' God says, ‘that I will pour forth of my spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my bond slaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of my Spirit And they shall prophesy. And I will grant wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

The last days began during the outpouring of Pentecost in the book of Acts. Through the centuries God has continually poured out an increased measure of His Spirit on all flesh, both the saved and the unsaved. The revelatory realm has increased the level of visions, dreams, prophecy, and miracles taking place today. God’s anointing is on the rise. "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Isaiah 60:1-3, tells us, "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

Moving in the powerful gifts of the Holy Spirit makes it more fun than ever to fulfill the Great Commission that was given to us in Matthew 28:18-20 "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Separate from Detractors

Some people are givers of themselves and their possessions while others are selfish hoarders and takers. The detractors in our lives won’t leave on their own. They will continue to take, destroy, and drag us down as long as we allow them to. The wrong people in our lives will encourage us to make erroneous decisions. God’s plan is always abundance, to exceedingly bless and prosper us. To obtain the innovative increased levels of prosperity, we must be willing to let go of the old comfortable ways and familiar relationships in order to add the new. Encouragement and hope comes from God and following His plans and purposes. Hearing God’s voice clearly, knowing the Word and then walking in obedience will bring a greater wisdom and ability to discern the thoughts, intent and motives of people’s hearts.

Favor Brings Promotion

God’s favor will catapult us into the next level of blessing. Remember to keep your eyes focused on God not on your situation. Get into position to listen to God’s still small voice because promotion is knocking at the door. By removing the portion of the populace that resists and fights against God and the negative situations that detract from our lives we make room for new relationships and strategic people to enter our lives. Their godly influence will sharpen us. We can’t allow fear to keep us from acting in faith. Fear will cause many to miss greater opportunities for increase. A true covenant relationship with God removes lack and removes a victim mentality of poverty. Realize God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory if we continue to sow into His kingdom. If we allow fear to close up our giving or stop our sowing; God will also shut up the windows of heavens that provides us with wisdom and wealth.

God Wins Battles

In life we will continue to learn, grow, and gather wisdom through life experiences. The difficulties we overcame in the past have made us stronger and prepared us for more success. God is the answer! He is more than able to handle the major struggles we face with our associations, assets, hindrances, loss of jobs and sickness. If we will trust the Holy Spirit to guide us in prayer, God will fight our battles for us and silence our enemies. Vindication will come for the false accusations that came against us, restoring some broken relationships. God knows how to right every wrong and turn every situation to our advantage. God has a plan and divine strategy for our present and future success.

Seeds of Faith

God said, in Genesis 8:22,"While the earth remains there will be seedtime and harvest”. The Apostle Paul said, Galatians 6:7-10, Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” We are told to be good to everyone, even our enemies. It is the goodness of God that leads people to repentance.

Jesus taught His followers about the power of fasting, prayer, and faith enabling them to cast out demons even if their faith was the size of a mustard seed. Matthew 17:19-21, “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. ["But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."]” Fasting and prayer not only benefits others but it is health to our body and spirit too!

Godly authority has given us the power to speak to any physical mountain or spiritual opposition in our life. If we exercise our faith and believe God’s Word that mountain will be removed and cast into the sea. The sea often represents humanity. When the right sea of people come and surround us, they will help us remove the mountain that has barred us from moving forward. If we have sown doubt and unbelief in the past, it is time to repent. Ask God to uproot and destroy that negative harvest. Now sow seeds of faith and believe God for an abundant harvest.