Pollster George Barna reports that eight out of ten Americans actually believe the statement God helps those who help themselves is in the Bible. For the record, it is not. Scour the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and you will not find anything even close to such words or sentiments.

On the contrary, it was Aesop who first said in one of his famous fables, the gods help them who help themselves. Later, Euripides, a Greek philosopher, said something similar: Try first thyself, and after, call on God. In the seventeenth century, George Herbert wrote, help thyself and God will help thee. The version of this falsehood we are most familiar with actually came from none other than Benjamin Franklin, a deist who believed that God did not play an active role in the world today. God helps those who help themselves, said Franklin. Oh really?

Many of us would be hesitant to admit that we are among the eighty percent in Barna’s poll that actually believe the statement is biblical. We are also afraid to confess that we live our lives like practical deists, our attitudes and actions denying belief in a personal God who is involved in and cares about our daily life. Rather than trusting God to get us through a given situation, we, more often than not, take matters into our own hands, thinking God will help me if I just help myself.

God never promises to help those who help themselves. Instead, he comes alongside those who are willing to admit their own helplessness. That’s why he sent the Helper. And that’s why Jesus said to his disciples, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Many of the first leadership lessons I learned came from playing quarterback for my high school football team. While reminiscing about the good ole days, I made a list full of gridiron grit. I hope you enjoy it and can even improve the list from your own experience in life and sports.

Gotta have a game plan

Practice the fundamentals

Practice as you will play

Passion, more than talent, might make the difference between winning and losing

Listen to your coach

In the huddle, call the play with confidence

Run the play!

Capitalize on turnovers

Seize the momentum

Move the chains forward

Football is a game of inches

Study your opponent’s strategies

Play hard all four quarters of the game

Treat your teammates with respect

Feed your offensive line all the red meat they want

Find the open receiver

Protect the football

Nobody disputes the fact that the Bible predicts the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. But I’m always amazed when people try to pinpoint the actual day when it will happen. For sure, Jesus gave us signs and told us what to watch for. But on at least five occasions he was careful to warn us about setting dates.

“No one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:42

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:44

“The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.” Matthew 24:50

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13

The apostle Paul echoes the words of Jesus, and so does Peter. Let’s keep building our case by adding their words to the previous ones listed.

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 2 Thessalonians 5:1-2

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 2 Peter 3:10

I’ve never known a thief to set an appointment with the owner of a house, have you? That would be a pretty stupid thief. But if you’re the owner and you know the thief is coming, it’s best to stay awake and keep your clothes on. That’s what a thief-like person named Jesus told us to do. Now before you get all frothy because I might have called Jesus a thief, read on.

“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” Revelation 16:15

Yes, those are the words of Jesus and one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible. It tells us an important truth to apply to our lives when thinking about the Second Coming of Christ: never let a thief catch you naked!

Try sharing that truth with someone today and see what they say. Then share your experience on my blog with a comment, okay?

Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount from IBC on Vimeo.

This weekend I start a brand new series of messages called Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount. This series begins at the same time we are launching our new Saturday Night Worship service. I will be preaching the same sermon and series on both Saturday night and Sunday morning. I begin this weekend with a message titled INFLUENCE from Matthew 5:13-16.

We now have six (6) exciting worship services to choose from at Immanuel:

• Saturday night at 6:30pm (Union Station at 5pm)
• Sunday at 8am, 9:30am and 11am
• Hispanos en Cristo at 12:30pm led by Pastor Juan Ancalle
• Venture Young Adults service at 11am (in the gym) led by Dr. Danny Leavins

Saturday Night Worship from Immanuel Videos on Vimeo.

Saturday Night Worship at Immanuel begins in 27 days! Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 19 at 6:30pm. Here’s a glimpse from one of our preview services last spring. R U coming? Bring a friend. Send an evite. Learn more on our website.