God's Wisdom In A Nutshell

Hello,

Today I want to talk to you about a saying that most people have heard and believe- yet it is NOT found in the Bible anywhere!

“God helps those who help themselves”

This saying has been around for decades and it is actually opposite of Jesus’ teachings.

How on earth can we exhibit the power of God through our lives unless we rely on Him and rely on the promises He left for us in the Bible? Our lives are to be lived in such a way that we depend on our all knowing, ever present heavenly Father.  He is our provider of all good things: health, prosperity, peace, joy and contentment. We may work hard thinking that working hard is a virtue (and it is- up to a point) yet cause ourselves pain, exhaustion and lack of peace. Worse yet it could cause health problems down the road from the stress.

Instead of searching frantically for the perfect job that fits what we deem important, we need to let the Lord guide us to the best job or the best schedule for our lives.

“The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.”(Prov 10:22 NIV)

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be given unto you.”(Matt 6:33)

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”(Psalm 37:4)

 Not inviting God into our decisions may lead us to a job with a great income so that we can meet our financial and prideful goals- but those goals mean nothing to God unless they are used to advance His Kingdom.

“Now all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: you will lie down in great torment.” (Isaiah 50:11)

If we have a sensitive heart, we will learn that God’s way is the only way. Lighting our lives with our own “torches” amounts to a fire that will eventually go out- which will require us to backtrack in order to get it right.

Matthew 7:24-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

Building on a Solid Foundation
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash”.

We need to leave room in our decisions for God to step in and guide us. And the best way to do this is to set aside time daily to read Scripture and then sit quietly and listen.  If we truly desire to follow Him, He will make sure we know His will.

The Bible is not self help, it’s God’s help and it is always entirely reliable.

Have a happy week!

Lisa