WINNING WITH THE WORD
“Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.
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Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and Certified Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, February 7, 2022, and this is Episode #6 of Series 2022. This episode is titled “Are You Reading the Wrong Story?.”
Years ago, I was driving along the Beltway outside of Washington, DC, when I missed my exit. Of course, I didn’t realize that I had missed my exit until I started passing the same landmarks I had already passed. But, I had to go around the Beltway yet again in order to reach my exit. So, around the Beltway I went. Again!
Perhaps your life feels like my Beltway ride. You’re going around the same circle again and again. Or you’re going around the same mountain again and again, getting nowhere except frustrated. If so, I can relate.
There’s a saying that doing the same thing over and over again without getting results is insanity. If this describes you, perhaps you’re reading the wrong story.
What do I mean?
Well, each of us reads and follows a story for our lives. It is usually the story we’ve grown up with or been told along the way. We think it’s the right story because the ones who told us the story were trusted people in our lives.
For example, we may all have heard the story that, to be successful, we need to “grow up, get a job, and work hard.” That’s the story I heard growing up. Perhaps it’s the same story you heard. So, let me ask you: “Is that story working for you?”
You see, it’s not necessarily working hard that makes you successful; it’s working smart with the wisdom of God.
What does it mean to work smart? Here are a few thoughts I’d like to share with you:
1__Working smart being doing things God’s way, not our own way. Years ago, I was talking with the Lord when He spoke these words to me: “Your vision is Your provision.”
One huge thing I learned when I stopped reading the wrong story is that working smart does not mean trading hours for dollars. You see, when you trade hours for dollars, if you need more dollars you have to work more hours. That’s what most people are doing today. They are trading hours for dollars. In fact, that is the work model throughout most of the world. And this “hard” work model is stressing out a lot of people, leaving them little better than they were when they started the journey.
If you’re like most people, you’re thinking, “the harder I work, the behinder I get.”
Yet, the Bible tells us in Proverbs 23: 4 MSG, “Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.”
This verse sheds light on something very important. It implies that we don’t have to kill ourselves in order to achieve financial freedom. Or any other kind of freedom for that matter.
Another wrong story I read growing up was that I had to earn my way to Heaven. I remember asking a priest one day, “How and when will I know if I’ve done enough to get into Heaven?” He said, “You’ll find out when you die!”
What? I looked at him in disbelief.
I don’t know about you, my friend, but I certainly didn’t want to take such a chance. Would you? What if, after I died, I found out that I had not done enough? Then what? It would be too late to do more.
You see, reading the wrong story can have very serious consequences, not only in this life but also in the life to come.
What about you? Are you reading the wrong story?
You may be asking, “How can I know?”
You can know by comparing the story you’re reading with the story that’s written in the Bible. That is the only true story. That is the only story that will keep you from wasting your life doing the wrong things. That is the only story that will ultimately lead you to Heaven.
If you’ve been reading the wrong story, switch stories today. Start reading the Holy Bible, the only story that will lead you to all truth, whether it’s in this life or in the life after this one.
The best thing about reading the Bible is that, as you read it, you will discover the One Who died and rose from the dead to save you. You will be meeting Jesus Christ Himself. From beginning to end–from Genesis to Revelation–Jesus is the focal point of the Bible. All things were created by Him, subsist by Him, and have their destiny in Him.
If you do not yet know this magnificent Jesus, I urge you to invite Him into your life today. He wants a relationship with you because He loves you. And He loves you just as you are and just where you are. You don’t have to do anything to earn His love. He has already given it to you. So just receive it. Pray this simple prayer after me now:
Lord Jesus, I want to read the right story. I want to read Your story. So I repent of my sin now, and I invite You into my life to be my Savior and my Lord. Reveal Yourself to me through Your story. In Your Name I pray, Lord. Amen.
If you sincerely prayed this prayer, please write down today’s date. It is your spiritual birthday. And please write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com or at drmaryann@celebrationlifecoaching.com. I would like to send you a free PDF booklet, titled After You’re Born Again. This booklet will help you get started in your walk with Christ.
I also encourage you to get yourself a Bible and read it every single day. The Bible is God’s love letter to you, His manual for your life. In the Bible, God reveals Who He is, and He teaches you how to live.
Finally, ask the Lord to lead you to the church of His choice for you where you can learn about Him and have fellowship and encouragement with other Christ-Followers. It is critically important in these last days to fellowship with other believers who are mature in Christ and who can guide you as you grow in Him.
If this podcast has helped you in any way, please consider supporting it by becoming one of my valued patrons. Just go to patreon.com/winningwiththeword to join my wonderful Team. Patrons receive numerous benefits in appreciation for their support.
I also invite you to visit my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table. There you can find a complete listing of my books for both children and adults at the vendor of your choice for the price of your choice.
Finally, if you’re looking for someone to walk alongside you as you find and fulfill God’s purpose for your life, consider hiring me as your Personal Life Coach. Visit my coaching website at CelebrationLifeCoaching.com or contact me at drmaryann@celebrationlifecoaching.com
Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are, and that He will help you to keep on Winning with the Word!
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