There is a saying that "God helps those that help themselves." Although many believe that the expression is in the Bible, it is not. The statement was actually made by Benjamin Franklin. However, the concept is not entirely unbiblical.

It is obvious from the Word that there are things that we cannot do for ourselves. Salvation, deliverance, redemption, and righteousness are only a few of the benefits of Christianity that only God can bestow upon us. We cannot do any works to receive them. We simply receive them by faith--trusting in the finished work of the Lord--and walk in them. However, that does not mean that nothing in the kingdom of God requires effort from us.

In fact, Jesus describes the operation of the kingdom of God as one that went out to sow seed. He is describing a farmer. Being from an agricultural area, we know that farming requires a lot of effort. Farmers must prepare the soil, sow seeds, water and weed the ground continually, and eventually reap the ripened harvests.

In the parable, Jesus revealed that the kingdom of God requires due diligence. Due diligence is making every effort to pursue what you are believing God for. Don't miss your blessings by waiting for them to knock on your door. You are going to have to aggressively and persistently go out to reap your harvest. Therefore, a prosperous and blessed Christian life is not available for those that are fearful or lazy. Fear will hinder you from moving forward. Laziness leads to idleness and procrastination. Just liking sowing: If you do nothing, you receive nothing. But God has not given us a Spirit of fear, timidity, shyness, or intimidation. He has given us the Holy Ghost! By Him we have power to do the will of God, love to guide our actions, and a sound mind to make wise decisions. So there's nothing left to do but get up.

I am encouraged when I read the passage about the four lepers in the seventh chapter of Second Kings. They were idly sitting at the entrance to a gate and were too fearful to enter. Finally, one of the men honestly assessed their dilemma: if we sit here or go into a city with famine, we will surely die. It takes courage to admit that what you haven't been doing can eventually lead to your destruction. So instead of letting life roll over them, they got up and decided to fight the Syrians! They did what others were afraid to do-go boldly in the direction of their blessings. And God blessed their diligence! They didn't even have to fight the battle they thought they would encounter. When they not only decided to go forward, but actually went forward, their enemies ran from before their faces.

The Word declares, "Faithful is He that promised." God has already done His part. It is up to each of us to seize the moment. Do your due diligence. Faith without works is dead. But faith with corresponding action produces waves of supernatural breakthroughs in your life.

The Word says that God gives the increase. In other words, He blesses our efforts. When His Spirit urges us, we must go forward in full assurance of faith to inherit our promises knowing that He is with us all of the way.

I do not want to know what you are believing God for. I only want to know: what are you doing? Go confidently in the direction of your God-given dreams.
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

2 Kings 7; Luke 4:17-19, 13:18-19, 16:8; Romans 4:5-7; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:23; James 2; Revelation 5:9