How to Prosper in Hard Times Lesson 6

This sermon is part 6 of 13 in the series Prosper in Tough Times

Diligence:  constant and persistent attention to one’s work;

Hard work and personal discipline are a channel for prosperity.

1 Thess 4: 11 To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you,  12 So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self‑supporting] and having need of nothing.  AMP

Today’s society focuses on leisure and recreation in stead of diligence. Many illegal drugs are referred to as : “ Recreational Drugs “ or party-time, feel-good drugs. But, where is wisdom ?

Prov 22:29 Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.  AMP

Prov 10:4 He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

AMP

The diligent child of God is not moved by circumstances, but continues to trust the Lord to change circumstance in his favor.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. NKJV

Prov 20:4  If you won’t plow in the cold, you won’t eat at the harvest. TLB

Eccl 9:10  Whatever task comes your way to do, do it with all your strength; CJB

Col 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. NKJV

God’s people prosper by precepts, and by principles, found in God’s Word.

Isa 28:9 “Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.” NKJV

John 8: 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” NKJV

Only those of God’s children that commit to following His Word daily have the promise to prosper.

James 1:25 But if you look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, and keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice — you will be blessed by God in what you do. GNT

God’s prosperity is success in every area of life: spirit, soul and body, spiritually, materially, and financially. Remember, the promise is to the diligent, the faithful, the persistent, and the devoted.

Eph 5:15‑16 So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to. 18 Don’t drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit and controlled by him.  TLB

Consider this statement made from the Lord to Solomon while he was open and receptive.

2 Chron 1:11 Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life — but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king —  12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor,  NKJV

In order to truly prosper over a long period of years, we must learn to control three major areas of our life : our thoughts, what goes into our hearts, and what comes out of our mouth.

Prov 23:7  For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. NKJV

Thoughts can be influenced by the demonic or the heavenly. We are the gatekeepers of our souls.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things. NKJV

2 Cor 10: 5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings { thoughts } and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), AMP

Guard what goes into our heart { spirit }.

Prov 4: 20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.21 Don’t lose sight of them.

Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. NLT

Matt 12: 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”  NLT

Matt 12:34 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. NKJV

Prov 6:2 You are snared with the words of your lips, you are caught by the speech of your mouth. AMP

Prov 21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. NKJV

Josh 1:8  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. NKJV

We must develop an attitude of expectation. We must confess continually that we believe God’s Word is truth, and that it will prosper in our lives as we continually obey it, confess it, and expect it to operate in our lives.

Isa 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. NKJV

And that Word has been sent to you and me !!

Ps 107:20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. NKJV

Series Navigation<< How to prosper in Hard times Lesson 5How to Prosper in Hard Times Lesson 7 >>

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>