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Southside is a loving, vigorous, and growing congregation in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Our vision is toward the future: Our Children, Our Ministry, and Our Outreach. Our goal is to embrace all people in our hearts and fellowship as we strive together to support Christ’s mission on earth.
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Do We Get In God’s Way Sometimes?

There are those that will assure you a verse is in the Bible that reads: “God helps those who help themselves.” I’ve never been able to locate it nor can those who quote the phrase, but many will declare it is there!  Sounds reasonable and there may be some truth in the saying.

The phrase originated as the moral to one of Aesop's Fables.  It has been commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin as well.

The internet gives three thoughts to the phrase’s meaning. Depending on self is key!

(1.) to be able to come out of a bad situation by self-help rather than hoping for divine intervention

(2.)to be able to help one's own self

(3.)to make a plan to help your own self out of a situation

Read the following by Max Lucado: “So the sisters of Lazarus simply wrapped their concern in a sentence, and they left it with Jesus. They did not tell him how to respond. No presumption. A lesson for us perhaps? Christ responded to the crisis of health with a promise of help. “‘Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death.’” (John 11:4 NLT). Lazarus, we learn, will find himself in the valley of death, but he will not stay there. Because Christ was with him. Remember, friends, you are never alone.”

In place of relying on “self” do we ask God’s help in resolving our problems and issues then meddle in them by telling Him how to go about taking care of them. If we ask God for His help, then do not provide multiple choice options for Him. He’s got this! Trust and have faith! Let Him have the problem or issue and be patient. For those of us who have a patience problem read the following verses:

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, ”declares the Lord.”

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

 Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Now, practice these verses!

*Consider this prayer by Alan Jackson: “Heavenly Father, I admit that I at times been impatient and have doubted that You were listening to my prayers. I know that I ought to trust You now as I have in the past. You have never failed me or let me down. Your love has been poured out in my life many times. Help me, Lord, to be still and wait on your answer. In Jesus’ name, amen".

Thanks!

Mike    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*Standing Firm – Alan Jackson  - Intend Publishing 2018

 

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