MANY PEOPLE do well when seeking God to succeed but stop being circumspect (cautious) when great things happen to them.
EPHESIANS 5 verse 15 says: Therefore, see that you walk carefully [living life with honour, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people].
SOLOMON is unintelligent when he ignores the counsel of the elders and consults with the young men who grew up with him. (1 Kings 12:1-16)
SAUL was unwise when he didn't wait for the prophet to come and proceeded with the sacrifice.
When Samuel came, he told him the people were scattered as if they were his (1 Samuel 13:11-14)
He forgot that the main ingredient of faith is patience.
AARON wasn't patient and discerning enough when the people told him to make them idols.
He took their gold and made a calf. And when Moses returned, he said that the people were prone to evil. (Genesis 32:1-29)
As a leader, it’s your responsibility to discern and avoid traps and to watch the company you keep.
He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise. But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm. (Proverbs 13 verse 20)
The company you keep will determine your success.
EPHESIANS 5 verse 16 says, Make the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence] because the days are [filled with] evil.
TIME is fleeting; you can’t recoup it when you lose it.
You redeem the time by doing God’s Will. You walk in the light as he is the light. (1 John 1 verses 7-9)
As YOUR SERVICE to God is your door to promotion, diligence is your fast track to honour.
Do you see a man who is skillful and experienced in his work? He will stand [in honour] before kings and not before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29).
When your diligence in obedience permeates every aspect of your life, you’ll realize that greatness comes from serving others. (John 13 verses 1-17)
MOST BELIEVERS do well in church because we have a preponderance of knowledge but little or no application (wisdom) outside.
You must live as one who wishes to be a Christian and be called a Christian.
Your duty is not to feel superior to anyone but to illuminate the world. When you allow God to sit on your life's throne, you become a reflection of Him. (Matthew 5 verses 14-16)
Your success as a believer depends on your knowledge of God's love.
God will overrule whatever you do not allow Him to rule over
EPHESIANS 5 verse 17 Therefore, do not be foolish and thoughtless but understand and firmly grasp the will of the Lord.
The enemy looks for cracks in your life and relationships to exploit.
The twelve DISCIPLES were thoughtful.
So, when they learned that the Hellenistic (native Hebrew) widows were neglected, they told the believers to choose seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom they may put in charge of the task.
They avoided the trap by sticking to God’s calling and giving themselves to studying the word and the apostles’ doctrine.
They implemented strategies and systems that made it impossible for the enemy to penetrate.
Strategies and systems are things you need to keep out the enemy.
EPHESIANS 5 verse 18: Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
To maintain what you have, you need the Holy Spirit.
David understood only God could choose and maintain his lot. (Psalm 16:5)
Job knew only a man approved by God could laugh at famine and destruction. (Job 5:22)
Bringing it Together
The KINGDOM of GOD must be your primary focus. (Matthew 6 verse 33).
Know that God will overrule whatever you do not allow Him to rule over.
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