Live Long and Prosper...

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.   (3 John 2).

Okay – I’ll admit it...I was a 'Trekkie' back in the day. 

I loved watching Star Trek each week as Captain James T Kirk and First Officer Spock explored brave new worlds in far-away galaxies aboard the Federation Starship Enterprise.

Set the in 23^rd century, their galactic adventures centered around the United Federation of Planets and its interaction with both friendly and hostile alien species.  Each week the show featured the young crew facing life and death decisions as they navigated through difficulties and dangers.

Mr. Spock would, on occasion, give a blessing of sorts to someone with whom he had respect for or to whom he paid homage to by saying, “Live long and prosper”.  A caveat here: in my opinion, Gene Roddenberry likely had 3 John 2 in mind when he crafted that famous line.

To prosper is to become strong and flourishing – successful or thriving. It also refers to succeeding in an enterprise or economic activity. 

Genesis 39:5 and 39:23 refers to Joseph’s prospering under God’s mighty hand.  Verse 3 tells us, “And his mater saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.”  Later in verse 23 we see, “The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s hand, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.”

Prosperity can relate to the physical, the mental, and the spiritual state. What does prosperity look like to the Christian? It is proof of God’s working within the daily circumstances of a believer’s life.  It can be an economic surplus, or it can be a physical advantage.  It may manifest itself as an emotional boost, or it can become a spiritual fountain.

Prosperity to me is an indication of inner joy working itself outward in a Christian’s life that is so evident to others that it can only be attributed to God.

Psalm 1 tells us that that the blessed man [woman] delights in God’s law and meditates on His precepts.  Verse 3 says, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

Psalm 35:27 tells us the Lord has pleasure in the prosperity of His servants.  Psalm 122:6 declares those who love the Lord will prosper.  Even the Apostle Paul told the Corinthian church to “…lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”

Biblical prosperity opens the door for the Christian to share their abundance with those in need.  It is never to be hoarded and wasted.  Even King Solomon warned us in Ecclesiastes 7:14 that God brings both prosperity and adversity – that we might be joyful in the one, and mindful in the other.

3 John 2 was written as a greeting to John’s dear friend Gaius, who most likely supported traveling teachers and missionaries.  

John commended him for his steadfast adherence to God’s Word.  He prayed for him to have good fortune and good health – that his everyday affairs would prosper and flourish as his soul did.  John was happy to hear the good report concerning his beloved student of truth.

In biblical times good health and longevity were a rarity.  Thus, this saying was frequently used to bless someone and to bestow God’s favor upon them by proxy. 

Our Vulcan friend might have exuded little to no emotion while giving his blessing, but we can all agree it is a benediction of sorts nonetheless.  

Live long and prosper definitely has its roots right here in Scripture.

Right on Mr. Spock… good job!

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.   Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

 If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Live Long and Prosper...

The Christmas Gift

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (II Corinthians 9:15)

Christmas isn’t just about the gifts, or is it?  We all know it’s better to give than to receive. Sometimes we spend months looking for just the right gift to give. We often take the time to wrap it with colorful paper, ribbons and bows. Presentation is everything! Once in a while we’ll try to get the recipient to “guess” what’s inside. There’s just something about gift giving that can be so exhilarating!

Matthew Chapter 2 tells us, “When they [Magi] had come into the house they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” These were precious gifts fit for royalty, which had been transported for hundreds of miles. The wise men had followed a bright star which had originated in the East, and had led them to the specific dwelling place of the Christ Child.

One of my favorite passages of scripture is in the 4th Chapter of John. Jesus had a Divine appointment with a woman in Samaria. His disciples had gone into town to purchase food and provisions. While they were gone, Jesus remained by Jacob’s well, weary from the journey. The woman came out at noonday to fetch water because she was an outcast in the community. As she drew the water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink”, to which she replied that Jews don’t normally have social contact with Samaritans. Verse 10 is the best part! Jesus said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” Jesus goes on to explain in verse 14 (after her rant about Abraham and their shared heritage) “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst…” 

Christ had extended her the favor of grace. Verse 15 tells us she wanted that gift right then and there! She was tired of her old life and knew He had something real to offer. She basically said, “Show me where to sign-up! I’m ready!” Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The woman at the well knew she was in sin and would face her Maker. God’s Righteousness demands a payment for sin. Jesus shared the good news with her that God’s Gift was indeed standing before her. He offered her eternal life in exchange for eternal separation from God. God in the flesh offered her the greatest token of His love.

Jesus meets us right where we are – ready to give us The Gift of God. Of course, it’s available anytime – not just at Christmas! James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” No one knows how to give gifts like Our Heavenly Father!  Matthew 7:11 states, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, now much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who as Him!”

Your greatest gift is what Jesus has already prepared for you… He is just waiting for you to accept it!  God sent Jesus in the flesh  -  Emmanuel  - “God with us” - 2000+ years ago.  

Make this your best Christmas ever!

To view a presentation by the Billy Graham Evangelical Assoc. on how to become a Christian, please visit this link: http://bit.ly/hHxb7z   (Steps to Peace with God)

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.   Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

The Christmas Gift

I AM The Good Shepherd

In Scripture, Jesus is portrayed as our Shepherd:

John 10:11... I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.  (Provider – Caretaker)

I Peter 5:4 …and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
(Protector – Sustainer – Guide)

Hebrews 13:30 …that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. (Trustworthy – Protector)

Jesus tells us in Luke15:4-6 the parable of the lost sheep: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”

In biblical times, shepherds were employed to tend, feed and guard the sheep. Abel, Rachel and David were all keepers of sheep. The shepherd’s equipment consisted of a scrip made of goat’s skin with legs tied, and in which was placed food & other articles. He usually carried a sling to protect himself and the sheep against wild animals. He carried a rod (stick) about 30 inches long with a knob on one end. He had a staff that looked like our walking cane, usually with a crook on one end. Oftentimes he carried a flute made of reeds to entertain himself and comfort his sheep. He led his sheep, and knew them all by name, and they knew his voice.  In the villages, Jewish shepherds kept their flocks in communal sheepfolds. These sheepfolds would have had gatekeepers who knew all the shepherds who kept their sheep there. As he entered through the gate, and walked among the sheep, only his own sheep would respond to him, thus following him out to the pasture.

John 10:3-5 states, “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus was of course illustrating the relationship between Himself and His spiritual children (believers).

The Old Testament often portrays God as the Shepherd of Israel. Psalm 78:52 says, “But he made His own people go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock”; Psalm 95:7, “For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand”; and Psalm 100:3 tells us, “Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Then, in Ezekiel 34:31, “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God.” Says the Lord GOD. Isaiah 53 tells us that the Messiah came to redeem His wayward flock as portrayed in verse 6: “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way…” Jesus fulfilled His role as our Great Shepherd (I Peter 5:4) through the New Covenant – His blood.


Psalm 23, written by King David, was a vivid tribute to his LORD – calling Him his very own shepherd. David knew the qualities that a shepherd possessed, and he eloquently penned what he felt in his heart regarding the love he had for his God. We have a beautiful picture of provision, nourishment, refreshment, protection, consolation, exaltation, and contentment as David worshiped in this very personal psalm.

David was called a “man after God’s own heart”, and I can’t help but wonder if just maybe Jesus had a special place in His heart for shepherds…

I AM The Good Shepherd