True Success

We usually think of a successful person as one who has accomplished fame or fortune. We call them successful who have risen to the top in their fields of endeavor. The Bible tells us how we may be successful. The formula is spelled out for us in simple language. You might be surprised.

Joshua 1:7 reads: “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.”

Notice some things about success and how to achieve it. (1) You need strength and courage—this is not going to be easy, you are going to have to work hard for it, and you will encounter trials and tribulations along the way. But you must endure. (2) You must be cautious that you follow God’s word precisely. (3) The word you follow is to be that which is taught by God’s spokesperson. In other words, the teaching we follow must come from a divine source. In past times, the prophets who were true and faithful to God were a reliable source. Jesus is a reliable source, and the words recorded in the Bible are a reliable source. (4) Follow the Bible precisely, and do not waiver. Don’t take chances with your soul on the line. The Bible tells us that success will go with us wherever we go. But we must continue in the things we learn from the Bible.

Joshua 1:8 reads: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

Notice: (1) God’s law should be in our language and reflected in our speaking and must abide in our hearts. (2) Once in our hearts, we need to meditate and think about God’s word all the time. (3) Caution needs to be there when we try to do God’s will, because we want to make sure we do it right. (4) All the Bible is given to us by inspiration, thus we need to follow it and study it so that we can apply the right application to our lives. (5) Notice that success comes AFTER we do God’s will and not before. God will reward those who demonstrate faithfulness to Him.

I hope you can see that the success God talks about is different from the success the world talks about. Start being faithful to God and your success will follow. We may never achieve the worldly standards of success, but we will achieve the spiritual standards which are much more important. Come and let us work together for this success.

We know that God is not willing that any perish (2 Peter 3:9). You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on the cross for your sins. (Acts 8:37). You must repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), you must confess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32) and you must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then you must remain faithful and continue learning how to serve God(2 Peter 3:18). Let us help you on your spiritual journey. May God bless you in your study of His word.

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By Carey Scott via the Madisonville Meteor, January 28, 2009

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