I love Peter's "First Presidency Letters". They are so inspiring, and full of counsel as to how to recognize prosperity, then expand it. Here is the entire chapter - again, simple yet incredibly profound. Read it slowly and find the keys to abundance:
(remember: red=commandments, blue=blessings)
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (an increase in the knowledge of God means more peace and blessings!)
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (knowledge of God & righteousness means resistance to the worldly and temporary)
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
(remember in seminary how we were always asked to find and write down lists? the previous three verses are a great one. what sticks out the most to me:
1) this list moves from a starting point to the end goal that will lead us to a knowledge of God and all of the blessings previously listed, and
2) the beginners focus inward, the more advanced focus on others - in other words, to get closer to God and a knowledge of Him, we MUST have charity)
(remember in seminary how we were always asked to find and write down lists? the previous three verses are a great one. what sticks out the most to me:
1) this list moves from a starting point to the end goal that will lead us to a knowledge of God and all of the blessings previously listed, and
2) the beginners focus inward, the more advanced focus on others - in other words, to get closer to God and a knowledge of Him, we MUST have charity)
8 For nor if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (can this actually be a goal?)
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
(in other words, Peter knows he is dying soon - these are the things he wants the saints to remember most. here comes the pep-talk!)
(in other words, Peter knows he is dying soon - these are the things he wants the saints to remember most. here comes the pep-talk!)
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (in other words - remember how you felt when you were converted or when you first felt the Spirit, or heard His voice? remembering that leads to instant motivation)