This is how the American Economic Foundation puts it and Henry Grady Weaver explains it in his book, 'The Mainspring of Human Progress'. No...this is NOT some secret algebraic formula concerning the theory of relativity, but is the formula for natural and spiritual success! Oh, you want to know what those letters stand for? Here's the formula for success..."man's material progress depends on natural resources plus human energy multiplied by tools"
It should be fairly clear by now, after five weeks of 'playing the game', it is tougher to break those bad habits that have brought us into captivity over all these years. No matter what the situation of life, our progress in any of those situations depends upon the resources we have available and then how we apply ourselves to the use of those resources. Think about it. Each part of this formula is contingent upon the other in order for progress to be made. We can have all the resources known to mankind, but if we don't put any energy into the proper use of those resources, just sit around and do nothing with them, well then, no progress will occur. Then on the other hand, we may have all the energy in the world, but if we don't have the necessary resources, then our available energy is squandered. We may have all the brains and know how to build a ship, but if we have no trees, wood, or iron ore...any of the resources necessary to build that ship, then our energy is useless. Now we could have all the necessary resources AND the energy needed to use those resources, but if we don't have the tools to mine and craft those resources, then once again, we will struggle to move forward for the betterment of ourselves. Each component of the formula is dependent upon the other for true progress be achieved.
But lets talk about the spiritual side for a moment. Why, you say? Because, if we would truly be transparent for a moment...the reason why we cannot or have not achieved thus far in this game, is because of some spiritual stronghold in our lives. Somewhere in our past...some emotion...some anger...some resentment...some pain...has allowed us to become captive to the will of the flesh. Instead of tapping into the resources of an Almighty God, we have become prisoners of our own imaginations. Lets face it...without God, we can do nothing!
So then, if this formula holds true for natural success then it must also be relevant for spiritual success. Lets try to write this formula within the context of seeking good success spiritually..."MSP = SP + HE x T" or "man's spiritual progress depends upon spiritual resources plus human energy multiplied by tools". There is a God who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, and All Powerful God who divested Himself of His glory, came down to earth and put Himself in a body. He robed Himself in fleshly body that walked this earth as Jesus Christ, showing mankind how to over the wiles of the devil. Hebrews 2:14 says, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;" This is why Jesus is our spiritual resource. He was God in a body! He wasn't God's little boy sent here to do God's dirty work, but He was God himself in a body, the Lamb of God, showing us how to put off the old carnal nature of Adam and live victoriously in this life. Jesus felt what we feel and was tempted as we are tempted, yet He would not allow the infirmities of the flesh to rise above His calling to redeem mankind from the wickedness of our own evil doings. "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:14-15) We call ourselves Christians because we are vying to become like Christ! He is our role model. Jesus Christ is our spiritual resource! He is the way, the life, and the truth and there is no way to understand anything spiritual without understanding who Jesus was and why He came!
Not only do we have the spiritual resource, but Jesus Christ IS the spiritual resource and without Him we can do nothing. Now in order to fulfill any spiritual progress, we must have the human energy and the tools necessary to tap into this resource. The scripture says in Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." We must have the heart and desire to seek Him! In the Sermon on the Mount, one of the beatitudes was... Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Jesus cried out in John 7..."In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." In order to mine the resources of the Almighty God, there must be a hunger and a thirst for Him. If you are thirsty, there is no need to walk and draw water out from the well, let alone use any of the tools necessary to help draw the water up out of the well.
There are many who believe on God, but they don't have the tools needed to mine the vast resources of God. This is not God's fault, nor has He left us without the necessary tools. We has left us the richness of His Word. How many times have you sat troubled by life's situations, and yet His Word remains collecting dust on the coffee table? How many times could we have mined a nugget of wisdom if we had just been willing to use the tool of God's Word? Yet, there is MORE than just His Word. God gave us the church, and with the church God gave us preaching, (1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.)and with preaching, God gave us a God called man to help us understand the vastness of His resources! "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:11-17 There is no doubt about it, if we are going to tap into the richness of God's glory, we must have a preacher, who is sent of God (not a seminary), to preach to our souls! God gave us a five fold ministry! "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" (Ephesians 4:11-12) And lets not forget the Holy Ghost..."These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:25-27) Really...if we are honest, God has not left us without, but He has supplied us with all the tools we need to tap into His resources. God would have it that ALL men would be saved and tap into the abundant life that is available through His goodness and mercy!
I could go on and on concerning the manifold greatness of God and His resources! God has been merciful to us and rather than neglect His tools, we ought to take advantage of His desire to save us from ourselves.
We are now five weeks into this game and the way to good success is to follow this formula. Our biggest problem is and can be attributed to the laziness of the flesh. Like Cain, we want to present a sacrifice that is acceptable only within the constraints of our lifestyle. God forbid we have to step outside of our comfort zone and job description! I believe we have the resources needed for success. We have the tools. I can encourage you. I can write these blogs. I can write newsletters. I can give you recipes. I can direct you to new and greater revelations of eating right and maintaining health, but only YOU can apply this formula to your life. Only YOU can pick up the tools and put the energy needed to make progress in your health...naturally and spiritually. The old cliche still stands true..."You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!"
But lets talk about the spiritual side for a moment. Why, you say? Because, if we would truly be transparent for a moment...the reason why we cannot or have not achieved thus far in this game, is because of some spiritual stronghold in our lives. Somewhere in our past...some emotion...some anger...some resentment...some pain...has allowed us to become captive to the will of the flesh. Instead of tapping into the resources of an Almighty God, we have become prisoners of our own imaginations. Lets face it...without God, we can do nothing!
So then, if this formula holds true for natural success then it must also be relevant for spiritual success. Lets try to write this formula within the context of seeking good success spiritually..."MSP = SP + HE x T" or "man's spiritual progress depends upon spiritual resources plus human energy multiplied by tools". There is a God who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, and All Powerful God who divested Himself of His glory, came down to earth and put Himself in a body. He robed Himself in fleshly body that walked this earth as Jesus Christ, showing mankind how to over the wiles of the devil. Hebrews 2:14 says, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;" This is why Jesus is our spiritual resource. He was God in a body! He wasn't God's little boy sent here to do God's dirty work, but He was God himself in a body, the Lamb of God, showing us how to put off the old carnal nature of Adam and live victoriously in this life. Jesus felt what we feel and was tempted as we are tempted, yet He would not allow the infirmities of the flesh to rise above His calling to redeem mankind from the wickedness of our own evil doings. "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:14-15) We call ourselves Christians because we are vying to become like Christ! He is our role model. Jesus Christ is our spiritual resource! He is the way, the life, and the truth and there is no way to understand anything spiritual without understanding who Jesus was and why He came!
Not only do we have the spiritual resource, but Jesus Christ IS the spiritual resource and without Him we can do nothing. Now in order to fulfill any spiritual progress, we must have the human energy and the tools necessary to tap into this resource. The scripture says in Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." We must have the heart and desire to seek Him! In the Sermon on the Mount, one of the beatitudes was... Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Jesus cried out in John 7..."In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." In order to mine the resources of the Almighty God, there must be a hunger and a thirst for Him. If you are thirsty, there is no need to walk and draw water out from the well, let alone use any of the tools necessary to help draw the water up out of the well.
There are many who believe on God, but they don't have the tools needed to mine the vast resources of God. This is not God's fault, nor has He left us without the necessary tools. We has left us the richness of His Word. How many times have you sat troubled by life's situations, and yet His Word remains collecting dust on the coffee table? How many times could we have mined a nugget of wisdom if we had just been willing to use the tool of God's Word? Yet, there is MORE than just His Word. God gave us the church, and with the church God gave us preaching, (1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.)and with preaching, God gave us a God called man to help us understand the vastness of His resources! "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:11-17 There is no doubt about it, if we are going to tap into the richness of God's glory, we must have a preacher, who is sent of God (not a seminary), to preach to our souls! God gave us a five fold ministry! "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" (Ephesians 4:11-12) And lets not forget the Holy Ghost..."These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:25-27) Really...if we are honest, God has not left us without, but He has supplied us with all the tools we need to tap into His resources. God would have it that ALL men would be saved and tap into the abundant life that is available through His goodness and mercy!
I could go on and on concerning the manifold greatness of God and His resources! God has been merciful to us and rather than neglect His tools, we ought to take advantage of His desire to save us from ourselves.
We are now five weeks into this game and the way to good success is to follow this formula. Our biggest problem is and can be attributed to the laziness of the flesh. Like Cain, we want to present a sacrifice that is acceptable only within the constraints of our lifestyle. God forbid we have to step outside of our comfort zone and job description! I believe we have the resources needed for success. We have the tools. I can encourage you. I can write these blogs. I can write newsletters. I can give you recipes. I can direct you to new and greater revelations of eating right and maintaining health, but only YOU can apply this formula to your life. Only YOU can pick up the tools and put the energy needed to make progress in your health...naturally and spiritually. The old cliche still stands true..."You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!"
Hey I can testify that quitting coffee is one of the best things that I ever did. I now have gone a month and a half without any.. I can totally tell the difference in my body. Awesome Job Brother Green... I'm liking what I'm reading. Give you that extra umph to go on with your day!
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