How to Succeed in Unstable Times

Proverbs 3:5-10

I.                  GettingHis direction in your business

a.     TrustHim with all your heart 3:5

                                                 i.     Meansthat you will start off every day in Bible reading and prayer

                                                ii.     Meansyou will lay out your plans and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what is not inagreement with the Word of God

                                              iii.     Especiallyspend time in the book of Proverbs which is the book of wisdom

b.     Don’ttrust your own understanding 3:5

                                                 i.     Lookat everything you are doing and consider that you are using man’s wisdom

                                                ii.     Bedoubtful about the ways you think might work and ask Him for guidance in yourprayer time

c.     Acknowledgehim in everything 3:6

                                                 i.     Inevery situation be sure to make known that He is the reason for your success

                                                ii.     Don’tmake plans, decisions or purchases without asking for guidance

d.     Hewill direct your paths 3:6

                                                 i.     Ifyou seek Him and honor Him He promises to guide you

                                                ii.     Thisdoesn’t mean that you do not think, nor that you spiritualize everything butthat you diligently ask Him for direction and believe that He is guiding you aslong as what you are doing is in agreement with Biblical principles

II.                Becareful of your own wisdom 3:7

a.     Don’tthink that you know what you are doing

                                                 i.     Ifthe truth be known we go to work and leave God at home

                                                ii.     Wefigure that God is in charge of the spiritual aspect of our life but doesn’tmix with business

b.     Reverenceand respect the God of Heaven and His Word 3:7

                                                 i.     Tofear Him means to really believe that He is there and has wisdom and power

                                                ii.     Itmeans to believe that He is the rewarder of those that diligently seek HimHebrews 11:6

c.     Departfrom evil—don’t do whatever it takes to get ahead 3:7

                                                 i.     Getrid of the dichotomy that exists in our thinking—church is church and businessis business

                                                ii.     Realizethat true believers honor Him in everything that they are doing

III.             Honorthe Lord 3:9

a.     Realizethat His blessings are for His glory and not your good

b.     Usewhat He gives you to honor Him 3:9

c.     Giveto Him first—that is true honor—not after you get yours—firstfruits 3:9

d.     Whenyou realize why He wants to bless you and accept that then He can bless you

e.     Hewill cause you to succeed and be blessed 3:10