Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust GOD to bring victory. Proverbs 21:31 (MSG)
- Expecting the Best – the Bible calls that faith
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
- Planning for the Worst – the Bible calls that wisdom
Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later. Proverbs 22:3 (TEV)
How do you do both at once?
- STOP PRETENDING TO BE GOD
"God knows that if you eat the fruit from that tree, you will learn about good and evil and you will be like God!" Genesis 3:5 (NCV)
"But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Matthew 23:12 (NLT)
Action Plan: Read The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. This short book is an excellent look at God's attributes. You can find it under the "discipleship" tag atsaddleback.com/books.
- BASE YOUR PLANNING ON GOD'S WISDOM
God's wisdom for margin:
- Invest your money
The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets. Proverbs 21:20 (TLB)
"Give, and you will receive . . . The way you give to others is the way God will give to you." Luke 6:38 (NCV)
- Spend your time
Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16 (AMP)
- Take care of your body
Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)
- Be diligent in your work
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8 (NIV)
- Value your relationships
Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. Colossians 3:14 (CEV)
Action Plan: Make five columns on a piece of paper (landscape) and write down how you use God's wisdom for each of these areas. Is one area shorter or more difficult to fill? Focus on that area this week and try to memorize that verse.
- TRUST THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
The LORD is good to everyone who trusts in him, so it is best for us to wait in patience – to wait for him to save us. Lamentations 3:25-26 (TEV)
- BELIEVE THAT GOD IS WORKING FOR YOUR BEST
Since he did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for the sake of all of us, then can we not expect that with him he will freely give us all his gifts? Romans 8:32 (NJB)
"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:11 (NIV)
Action Plan: If you haven't taken CLASS 101-401, sign up to your next CLASS this Sunday.Click hereto register at a campus near you.
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship begins a series looking at the relationship principles of Jesus. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
