God helps those who helps themselves

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jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
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#1
There is no bible verse that says this specifically. But there is some wisdom to this old saying. For faith to be activated requires action by the individual.
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
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#2
There is no bible verse that says this specifically. But there is some wisdom to this old saying. For faith to be activated requires action by the individual.
Yes, we have this expression in my culture and yes it's not anything Bible but it's a vary valid advice by the elders who basically don't want people to be lazy, and it has practical reasons that if you hone a skill or if you're persistent then your determination will pay off.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
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#3
I love David Goggins and after I read his books, I won’t lie… I accomplished a lot of tasks. Things jsut got done.


David Goggins’ message, which emphasizes extreme mental toughness, pushing physical limits, and taking responsibility for one’s actions, generally aligns with certain values found in Christianity but can diverge from Christian teachings in other ways.

Points of Alignment

1. Perseverance and Endurance:
• The Bible values perseverance and overcoming trials. For example, James 1:2-4 encourages believers to find joy in trials, as they develop patience and maturity. Goggins’ message of grit and pushing through pain can resonate with this emphasis on enduring hardship.
2. Personal Responsibility and Discipline:
• Goggins advocates for taking full responsibility for one’s life, which can align with Christian teachings on self-control and diligence (e.g., Proverbs 12:24, Galatians 5:22-23). The Bible teaches the importance of working diligently and being accountable for one’s actions.
3. Pushing Past Comfort:
• Christianity teaches that following Christ often requires sacrifices and stepping out of comfort zones. Goggins’ emphasis on pushing beyond limits can align with the idea that growth often comes through discomfort and self-sacrifice.

Points of Divergence

1. Self-Reliance vs. Reliance on God:
• Goggins’ philosophy often emphasizes extreme self-reliance and mental strength, whereas Christianity emphasizes reliance on God’s strength. Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” showing that, while perseverance is encouraged, Christians believe their strength comes from God.
2. Pride and Humility:
• Goggins promotes pride in one’s accomplishments through relentless effort, which can sometimes emphasize personal glory. Christianity, however, calls for humility and giving glory to God, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
3. Rest and Compassion:
• Goggins’ philosophy sometimes promotes ignoring pain, pushing limits relentlessly, and neglecting rest. The Bible, however, teaches a balanced approach that includes rest (like the Sabbath) and compassion for oneself and others, as in Psalm 23:2: “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

Conclusion

Goggins’ principles of resilience, discipline, and mental toughness can complement aspects of a Christian life, especially in areas like perseverance and personal responsibility. However, his focus on self-reliance, personal pride, and relentless physical pushing may diverge from Christian values, which prioritize reliance on God, humility, and a balanced approach to life. Integrating Goggins’ message with Christian values may involve adapting certain elements to maintain a foundation of faith and reliance on God’s guidance and strength.
 
Oct 24, 2012
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#4
There is no bible verse that says this specifically. But there is some wisdom to this old saying. For faith to be activated requires action by the individual.
Careful of the double edged sword
some say okay, i will help myself to whatever one wants. Misinterpreting happens a lot in unredeemed flesh nature
and one can see the truth and do right and misuse that too.
what i am saying is God is sharper than any doubled edged sword
evil uses the double edged sword tried that on Jesus when he was out in the desert, using scripture to deceive him.
do you think evil has stopped and will not use good talk as God helps those that help themselves
God loves you and all 1 John 2
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
698
388
63
#5
Careful of the double edged sword
some say okay, i will help myself to whatever one wants. Misinterpreting happens a lot in unredeemed flesh nature
and one can see the truth and do right and misuse that too.
what i am saying is God is sharper than any doubled edged sword
evil uses the double edged sword tried that on Jesus when he was out in the desert, using scripture to deceive him.
do you think evil has stopped and will not use good talk as God helps those that help themselves
God loves you and all 1 John 2

I tell you the truth, but I’m having a lot of problems with this in real life.. I would spend hours praying and reading the Bible and not being productive in real life task. Enriching my spirit, so to speak to the detriment of r
Practical real life activities.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
698
388
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#6
I pray, please Lord let my wife be content with our finances, the wife comes home and bitches at me… did you find a. Job yet… and I think to myself, I need to do more than just pray and read the Bible.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
698
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#7
Six months ago I was super into fitness tracking every calorie I ate with a goal of 12% body fat… Now the thought of that seems so mundane… Back then I had a process, I had a routine, I had a goal, and if I hit those goals every day, I could see tangible results
 
Oct 24, 2012
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#8
I tell you the truth, but I’m having a lot of problems with this in real life.. I would spend hours praying and reading the Bible and not being productive in real life task. Enriching my spirit, so to speak to the detriment of r
Practical real life activities.
Work(s) of people will not get anyone in. Belief , jesus is risen for you to God Father personally, puts you in. Unless you would use this miraculous gift for self gain.
people ask and do not get why? Read James they ask amiss, to spend it on their own pleasures
Solomon< why did Solomon get everything from God who offered him everything?
because all Solomon wanted was how to deal with the people righteously?
so God gave him wisdom to do that.
Do you know the story of the two women that each claimed.a baby as theirs?
God gave Solomon the answer and Solomonn said , well since neither of you can prove whose baby that baby‘s is. Let’s cut that baby in half. The true mother immediately gave up her Son to the liar, which told Solomon the truth
i once heard an evangelist talk on fire about God, had the people going.
on a break talking with him outside, i mentioned Mary Magdalene that he had preached on
i watched him scowl over her being saved by God. I saw truth in that person using evangelism for money.
be made wise as a serpent by God, not anyone else, and remain harmless as a dove. When God is not only your savior, is also your teacher. Then you can discern and not get angry in seeing the entire truth, as is happening in you. Evil trying to trouble you in thought of this and that. Did i do that right or not, yet you know you did it right or not< you do not need anyone to tell you. You know right from wrong. Doubt, even a modicum kicks self out
all evil does or can do is plant thought, as soon a a person accepts a thought they know is not true, Doubt ensues read Isaiah 7:9 in context God told them what was going to happen, and if they doubt, God will not establish them. We do troubles to ourselves, i know i did and still can. Yet i choose not to, daily dying to me and standing in trust to God, not anyone else read Phil 3
 

glf

Active member
Mar 18, 2023
251
107
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#9
There is no bible verse that says this specifically. But there is some wisdom to this old saying. For faith to be activated requires action by the individual.

Faith is that form of believing that is authored by Jesus, based solely upon Spirit iluminated scripture and always produces works appropriate to repentance in those who have it. It is the conduit for obtaining the object of a prayer request and it's the only way to be pleasing the Lord. It is greatly empowered by a clear conscience, fervent effectual prayer of the righteous, repetition, and by fasting. And yes, faith it to be acted upon.
The Lord who desires us to grow so so much, will often withhold the object of a prayer request even after the faith required is met, so that we'll learn perserverence which will often make him to be the God of the last minute.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
698
388
63
#10
Faith is that form of believing that is authored by Jesus, based solely upon Spirit iluminated scripture and always produces works appropriate to repentance in those who have it. It is the conduit for obtaining the object of a prayer request and it's the only way to be pleasing the Lord. It is greatly empowered by a clear conscience, fervent effectual prayer of the righteous, repetition, and by fasting. And yes, faith it to be acted upon.
The Lord who desires us to grow so so much, will often withhold the object of a prayer request even after the faith required is met, so that we'll learn perserverence which will often make him to be the God of the last minute.
There are things that God can do. They’re also things that you can do as well. Let’s say you have cancer. You can definitely ask, Pray and ask God to heal you, but at the same time you can probably go to an oncologist and get diagnosed and start treatment.. I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive. You can have faith and pray, but you also have to be pragmatic.
 
Aug 23, 2024
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#11
Feb 17, 2023
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#12
I pray, please Lord let my wife be content with our finances, the wife comes home and bitches at me… did you find a. Job yet… and I think to myself, I need to do more than just pray and read the Bible.

Is your wife working? Is that why "the wife comes home..." because she just came back from making some income?

Did something happen that you no longer work and are finding other things to do besides make income? I'm not trying to condemn you. I'm just trying to understand what is going on with you so that I can pray for your situation. I can understand if you went through some kind of trauma that caused you to lose heart and not work anymore.


🔮
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
698
388
63
#13
Is your wife working? Is that why "the wife comes home..." because she just came back from making some income?

Did something happen that you no longer work and are finding other things to do besides make income? I'm not trying to condemn you. I'm just trying to understand what is going on with you so that I can pray for your situation. I can understand if you went through some kind of trauma that caused you to lose heart and not work anymore.


🔮
Yes, I was fired from a job 10 months ago. I was an executive. It was a mistake someone under me made, my mistake was not reporting the mistake quickly. Before this, maybe a couple years ago, my wife was scammed and also scammed me of all of our short term savings, equivalent to 10 years of savings., enough to buy a small house in middle America. I thought to myself.. I'm still good, because I'm an executive and I can make it back with hard work.
I forgave her, we almost divorced 99% of marriages would have broke, only through the grace of God was I able to hold on. Still I was living in deep sin, pornography had a grip of me so deeply, I couldn't break it until I went to Church.

The holy spirit spoke to me and said go to Church, you can't take on your issues on your own. After getting back to Church, God's voice spoke to me through a couple sermons, basically he told me.. I blessed you and you ignored me and kept living in Sin and chastened me big time.

I got the message, it was a tough one... The Lord flattened me completely.; ego gone, finances took a tremendous hit. But OK, I'm back in the arms of the Lord after 30 years. Through the grace of God, my children are saved too, my wife, she's getting there but maybe not fully there yet. I have much to be thankful for, but I still need a job, I still need a purpose, at 51 I'm too young too retire or maybe not.. I have no idea what I want to do or what God wants to me do. I've prayed and prayed but I don't hear God's voice on what's next. I apply for jobs online and stacked with rejection emails and it's very bad for my state of mind to say the least.

I know that God is near, this I have zero doubt. But I not one who usually does nothing, so I want to help where I can. I'm here searching for answers, searching for the truth.. OK.. I'm saved, now what.. I can't roll up in a ball. I still need to live, I still need to pay my mortgage, my kids still need a college fund. etc etc.

my wife works full time, so she's keeping us afloat.
 
Feb 17, 2023
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#14
Yes, I was fired from a job 10 months ago. I was an executive. It was a mistake someone under me made, my mistake was not reporting the mistake quickly. Before this, maybe a couple years ago, my wife was scammed and also scammed me of all of our short term savings, equivalent to 10 years of savings., enough to buy a small house in middle America. I thought to myself.. I'm still good, because I'm an executive and I can make it back with hard work.
I forgave her, we almost divorced 99% of marriages would have broke, only through the grace of God was I able to hold on. Still I was living in deep sin, pornography had a grip of me so deeply, I couldn't break it until I went to Church.

The holy spirit spoke to me and said go to Church, you can't take on your issues on your own. After getting back to Church, God's voice spoke to me through a couple sermons, basically he told me.. I blessed you and you ignored me and kept living in Sin and chastened me big time.

I got the message, it was a tough one... The Lord flattened me completely.; ego gone, finances took a tremendous hit. But OK, I'm back in the arms of the Lord after 30 years. Through the grace of God, my children are saved too, my wife, she's getting there but maybe not fully there yet. I have much to be thankful for, but I still need a job, I still need a purpose, at 51 I'm too young too retire or maybe not.. I have no idea what I want to do or what God wants to me do. I've prayed and prayed but I don't hear God's voice on what's next. I apply for jobs online and stacked with rejection emails and it's very bad for my state of mind to say the least.

I know that God is near, this I have zero doubt. But I not one who usually does nothing, so I want to help where I can. I'm here searching for answers, searching for the truth.. OK.. I'm saved, now what.. I can't roll up in a ball. I still need to live, I still need to pay my mortgage, my kids still need a college fund. etc etc.

Ah, okay. Thank you for sharing! I will pray for your situation.

Are you looking for a certain type of job but not getting any offers from it? It might be that God has closed the door on that and wants to direct you to a different type of job/career? I will pray that God makes it clear to you. Because if God wants you in another type of work, He will help you get that work and bless it.


🔮
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
698
388
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#15
Ah, okay. Thank you for sharing! I will pray for your situation.

Are you looking for a certain type of job but not getting any offers from it? It might be that God has closed the door on that and wants to direct you to a different type of job/career? I will pray that God makes it clear to you. Because if God wants you in another type of work, He will help you get that work and bless it.


🔮
Thank you. I was thinking God wanted something new for me. I really believe this, but I don't know what it is. The other day I talked to a recruiter and he basically told me a lot of jobs postings are all AI driven. Everything is different and there are algorithms for screening and you need a different resume for each job you apply for with it being tailored. I was floored because I had no idea.
Basically, I didn't have the information I needed to win. I just didn't know.

So I'm also thinking I also don't know all the secrets of the bible and spiritual life as well! Even in God's currency there are rules you need to follow, maybe there are secrets like fasting, like praying in the spirit or tongues, having elders at Church pray for you, etc. Proclaiming your faith vocally, willing a positive outcome through faith in Jesus. Reeping and sowing through offerings, etc etc.
 
Feb 17, 2023
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#16
Thank you. I was thinking God wanted something new for me. I really believe this, but I don't know what it is. The other day I talked to a recruiter and he basically told me a lot of jobs postings are all AI driven. Everything is different and there are algorithms for screening and you need a different resume for each job you apply for with it being tailored. I was floored because I had no idea.
Basically, I didn't have the information I needed to win. I just didn't know.

So I'm also thinking I also don't know all the secrets of the bible and spiritual life as well! Even in God's currency there are rules you need to follow, maybe there are secrets like fasting, like praying in the spirit or tongues, having elders at Church pray for you, etc. Proclaiming your faith vocally, willing a positive outcome through faith in Jesus. Reeping and sowing through offerings, etc etc.

😲 I didn't know that job postings are AI driven nowadays either!

Maybe the job/career God has for you will be given to you through other means besides job agencies? I've gotten some pretty good jobs out of nowhere without even asking specifically for them. God just put the right people in my life. It might be that way for you too. I will pray that for you as well. That might be how God opens the doors for you.

Do you also have a skill that can help you make money? People start out with a small business, but if they manage it well, it can turn into a profitable one? Ask God about that too.

It's good that you are availing yourself of all the ways that focus you on the Lord - that is the main intention. Just continue to seek God's will and follow Him. I'm actually excited for you that you are on this journey together with the Lord!


🔮
 

Derobo

Active member
Sep 28, 2024
102
87
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#17
My dad always said this, and there may be some truth to it.
I Mean God can do anything, he can help you whenever he wants to, but for example if you Yourself don’t want to wake up and go to work. You can do a prayer and say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. BUT you still have to do the action and you yourself have to GET OUT OF BED , & God will help you in that moment and help you power through your day. Another example could be in savings. I can watch all the videos and pray all I want to start saving money , however until I myself start putting aside money and developing healthy habits, it won’t get done. The praise goes to God bc I was able to even start doing those healthy habits in the first place.
 

Derobo

Active member
Sep 28, 2024
102
87
28
#18
I found these verses, and this is the closest if not a perfect match to ''God helps those who helps themselves''

Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Proverbs 16:9
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

So God will establish YOUR plans when you commit to do something in the Lord.
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
698
388
63
#19
I found these verses, and this is the closest if not a perfect match to ''God helps those who helps themselves''

Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Proverbs 16:9
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

So God will establish YOUR plans when you commit to do something in the Lord.

Thank you, I have Jeremiah 29:11 printed out and taped on my wall, I read this over and over and God can not lie.


Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
 

glf

Active member
Mar 18, 2023
251
107
43
#20
There are things that God can do. They’re also things that you can do as well. Let’s say you have cancer. You can definitely ask, Pray and ask God to heal you, but at the same time you can probably go to an oncologist and get diagnosed and start treatment.. I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive. You can have faith and pray, but you also have to be pragmatic.

Jesus said in Jn 16: 23:
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Jn 16: 24:
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Jn 15: 7:
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Mt 21: 22:
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Mk 11: 24:
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Jam 5: 16b:
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Lu 18: 1-5:
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
This reminds me of another verse, in Pr 6: 2:
Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
I deliberately ensnare myself with the Lord's word.
From the above three verses, I endeavor to have my prayers to be faith projects making them effectual, which I take to mean not taking "no" for an answer. The more I love others, the more fervent my prayer request become.
And James tellls us by the Spirit, in Jam 4: 2-3:
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
And in 1 Jn 3: 21-22:
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
The Lord is able to tell us no as he did with Paul regarding the thorn in his flesh...