Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Solomon
Organizing the Inside – Day 352 Pursuits In Order
24A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:24 (NIV)
Other than Jesus, Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. He matter-of-factly concluded that there are great deals of meaningless activities that most people spend time on. The daily grind of working and pursuing goals and ambitions are all for the most part worthless. Should we conclude by his writings that there is nothing in life worth accomplishing? I believe that Solomon wanted us to understand that the only thing in life worth living for is the fulfillment of God’s purpose for you and me. How many times have we sought after things and explored ideas that led to a dead-end? I’ll be the first to admit to several futile pursuits in life. There are however lessons to learn. Solomon set out to do it all, live it all, build it all and have it all. He experienced great highs and lows, but the reality of living a life apart from God’s direction and purpose (he concluded) is essentially a waste of time.
Only through a relationship with God does life have meaning. When we try to do things on our own and build kingdoms unto ourselves what value does all this hard work really have? Businesses, homes and acquisition upon acquisition are meaningless apart from the purpose and plan of God. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36 How can life take on meaning without the One who gives us purpose? “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
Do you want your life’s work to have meaning? Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (KJV) Then turn your attention to God’s will. Let your life’s pursuits be about His plan for you and not your own. Set your heart on helping to build God’s kingdom. Let Matthew 6:10 be your heart’s prayer. In the end only what we do for Christ will matter. In Him we can accomplish His goals and experience sustainable success.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NLT)
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 (NIV)
Organizing the Inside – Day 171 Lord, Keep My Heart Focused
Teach me your way, O LORD, so that I may live in your truth. Focus my heart on fearing you.
~Psalm 86:11
God knows and will meet your needs.
When God gives you a plan He sends the right people at the right time to help you carry it out. God knew long before Solomon was born what He had planned for His life. God knew the huge amount of resources and help that Solomon would need. This was God’s plan for Solomon and He provided everything he needed to build the temple. There were three thousand six hundred overseers, and eighty thousand to quarry stones, skilled workers, craftsmen and seventy thousand burden bearers. God provided because He had a plan and a willing leader to carry out His plan. The people were ready, willing and able to fulfill this great work that was before them. (Proverbs 29:18)
2 Chronicles 1-9 shows us how awesome it is when God has a humble and willing person to work through to put His plan in action. Solomon planned the work and worked the plan. He was organized and knew exactly what he needed and had the resources to get it. If God gives you a plan, surely He will give you whatever resources you need to do it. The enemy will try to distract you and get you off course. He will try all types of interesting things that glisten and glitter especially when you’re having a lull in activity. Chances are right before God is about to give you the breakthrough you’ve been expecting, the enemy will ramp up distractions.
Stay focused on your purpose and God’s plan.
One way to keep yourself focused and single-minded is to write what God shows you. It will become a source of encouragement later when you need a bit of inspiration. And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Habakkuk 2:2 Don’t let anything get you off course, no matter how tempting. Don’t entertain conversations, and or seek appointments with people who you know don’t fit into what God has planned. If you are talented and gifted people will often want you to join their team or help them with their plans. Beware, this is inevitable and if you expect it you will be prepared to say no to things that will take you off course. While on this journey I’ve experienced far more sidebar distractions that would (and some did) get me off course, than I care to recall. These distractions came at the right time, just to get me off task long enough to lose my focus. Serious time wasters!
The enemy tries to use the Word of God.
The devil presents himself as an angel of light. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 Obviously if he wasn’t in disguise he couldn’t trick you into believing his lies. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness the enemy used the scriptures to make his evil plans seem right. However, knowing God’s plan and God’s purpose for His life Jesus spoke the Word of God as the final authority of truth. (Matthew 4:1-11) If you trust God’s Word it will show you how to walk away from the wrong opportunities and how to walk toward the right ones. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
Organizing the Inside – Day 126 How Would You Answer God?
7That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 8Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 11God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
I’ve often wondered, if asked the same question by God what my answer would be.
Solomon’s answer pleased the Lord, and because of his humility and sincere desire to serve the Lord with wisdom; God granted him much more than he’d asked for.
Every Christian has to consider what their priorities are.
Solomon’s priority was to do the best he could for God, and he knew it would take much more than he had within himself to get the job done. Many Christian are considering renewing their commitments, and making changes in their routines and daily habits to be better stewards of their time and talents. Lots of new commitments are made during this time of the year, as most of us are looking to the future with a renewed sense of optimism. It’s nice to have a fresh starting point, a chance to try yet again, to do better and to get it right. What commitments and priorities have you set in place for the New Year? We are on day seven, the number of completion. How are you doing so far?
Solomon made an outstanding choice.
He could have chosen to ask for something that would make his life easy.
He could have chosen to ask for something that was adventurous or exciting.
He could have chosen to ask for what he thought was most important.
He could have chosen to ask for favor among the people he ruled.
He could have chosen to ask for his enemies to be eliminated.
He decided to ask for what he needed first and foremost.
In his humility, he thought to seek the wisdom of God. Before setting your priorities and establishing new goals, or adjusting the old ones did you seek the wisdom of God? Solomon could have relied on his own understanding and asked for what he thought was most urgent or most expedient but instead, he put first things first. He asked God to grant him the wisdom and knowledge to lead His people, how amazing, how selfless.
Put first things first, and you too will be given not only what you need, but far more than you ever asked for. (also read Matthew 6:33 and Ephesians 3:20)
Organizing the Inside – Day 77 Get Rich and Find Happiness
1A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. 4By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.
~Proverb 22:1, 4
What does it mean to you to have true riches?
Some believe wealth and riches are defined by how many zeros are on found on their paychecks. There are those who would suggest that the balance of their savings account or the total of their estates with all hidden and non-hidden assets would represent their accumulated wealth. But what does all that amount to? How deep are their pockets with faith, and honor and happiness? Certainly we know that money can’t buy happiness or good character.
Can you live a fulfilled life without being rich?
I would suggest that perhaps a look at Solomon’s life might uncover the answer. Solomon was the richest man of his time, some say the wealthiest man who ever lived. But Solomon pleased the Lord, because of his humility. His humble heart pleased the Lord so much, that the Lord promised to give him great wealth. God’s plan was for Solomon to take on the tremendous responsibility of being king over His chosen people. Solomon knew God’s purpose for his life and out of humility and a sincere desire to please the Lord he asked for wisdom to govern well.
Discovering your purpose and living a life that honors that purpose is the only means to true happiness.
Toward the end of his life, when he had completed his search for the meaning of life and happiness, he concluded the matter. Solomon in all his wealth and riches found that God’s inheritance of true wealth wasn’t about quarterly dividends, or the accumulation of houses and land. Rather it is about a life that results from a humble heart, yielded and ready for service. Solomon concluded the matter and found that it is the duty of man to fear God and keep His commandments.
Fulfilling God’s plan for your life has nothing to do with accumulated financial wealth.
While this may very well be a part of God’s chosen path for your life it is far more prudent to humble yourself under His mighty hand and allow Him to award the wealth and honor because of your humility. It would be foolish to spend your time seeking prosperity which is like chasing the wind.
Also read Matthew 6:33
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 