Success: September 8, 2010

Today's Word for Wednesday September 8, 2010

SUCCESS

DEFINITION

The favorable determination of endeavors; attainment of wealth; position; honors; a successful achievement.

SCRIPTURE

"If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success." Ecclesiastics 10:10

"Please give me success this day and show kindness to my master Abraham." Genesis 24:12

"God gives strength and success in proportion to the strain. He gives power to the weak." Isaiah 40:29

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

The key to success lies in the exchange of our limited resources for God's limitless strength. You cannot store up treasures in heaven [this is success from God's point of view], if you are holding on to the treasures of earth. No level of success is safe or has real value without the presence of God's hand on your life.
The best starting point for one to achieve success is to pray and ask God for success. In Genesis 24:12 it is Abraham's most trusted servant who is asking God for success. He was sent by Abraham back to the land of his family to find a suitable wife among his relatives for his son Isaac. The servant prayed that he would know which girl God had chosen. God answered his prayer and gave him success.

Solomon advises us to commit our plans to the Lord if we want success. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3. When we commit our plans to the Lord, we are putting our trust in God for His guidance and giving Him control. We must work as if everything depends on us, but pray as if everything depends on God.

Solomon also advises those who would be successful that they need the right tools and must learn the necessary skills. It is difficult to chop wood with a dull ax. You must recognize the areas of your life that are lacking and then you must sharpen those skills. It will require hard work. But if you are diligent and put your trust in God, success will follow. If you desire to be effective in doing God's work it is imperative to "sharpen your ax" by studying daily God's Word. It is written by David to his son Solomon in I Chronicles 22:13 "Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed."

God told David that his son Solomon would build the Temple and David wanted Solomon to be successful. David gathered the material and the workmen and then instructed Solomon, "Now begin the work and the Lord be with you." David laid the groundwork for Solomon to be successful. As parents we must realize we have to instruct our children and prepare them if they are to be successful.

As children we were taught to strive to be successful by working hard and doing our best. As parents our number one goal was to be successful in leading our children to having a personal relationship with Jesus. We can be successful in every other area of life but if we do not have this spiritual success it is all worthless. Like Solomon, we say to our children; "Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you." Like Solomon we encouraged them to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid or discouraged.

We always wanted our children to be balanced in their approach to their everyday lives. Thus we encouraged success in their school studies, church activities, sport activities, leadership roles, and general life responsibilities. When the right approach is taught and learned it will reach down to the next generation. We rejoice in seeing our grand children striving to be balanced in their success in all areas of their individual lives.

As Christians we are Christ's representatives to a lost world. The importance of being successful in this life is not about "success" itself, but about bringing glory to God through our success.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:46.

And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

PRAYER

Help me today to look at success in terms of what I have done for You. Make my life speak loudly to all that I meet today, and may each person see that God is my strength and the source of my success. In my weak moments I look to You for my strength. Thank You for answering my prayers.