Achievement: November 19, 2010

Today's Word for Friday November 19, 2010

ACHIEVEMENT

DEFINITION

Something accomplished, as through great effort; skill; perseverance or courage; the act of achieving; attainment or accomplishment.

SCRIPTURE

"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits which God appointed us." II Corinthians 10: 12-13.

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

When people think of achievement, they think of successfully accomplishing a goal in life. It might be achieving a certain level of education, getting a job, becoming famous, obtaining a position of power, finding a marriage partner or owning a new home. From the world's perspective these achievements are more important than from God's perspective. God's goal for each of us is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to live for Him and to strive to achieve all that He wants us to be. He wants us to achieve things while we are on this earth to bring honor to Him. We all need to strive daily to achieve the success that God expects of us in our marital, family, work place and friend relationships.

In II Corinthians 10: 12-13 (above), Paul warns that it is not wise to measure ourselves by comparing ourselves to others. It is a real temptation to compare ourselves to others so we can take pride in feeling we have achieved more than someone else. God holds us to a higher standard.

We should never measure success by the world's standard of popularity, fame or fortune. God measures success by His standards of obedience, faithfulness, and righteousness.

There are four steps to achievement noted by William A. Ward. Each of these four steps relate to our achievement in spiritual and physical relationships. We have added some personal thoughts following each of Dr. Ward's four steps.

PLAN PURPOSEFULLY: You have a responsibility to plan for yourself, for your family and for your future. In all of your plans you need to have a purpose to achieve success both spiritually and intellectually.

PREPARE PRAYERFULLY: When you plan you need to pray that God will guide your thinking so that your plans will honor God. You cannot achieve success if God's hand of blessing is not upon you and your plans. Christ must be in the center of all you do if you expect God to give you success. In Proverbs 16:3 we are reminded to "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

PROCEED POSITIVELY: You need to plan your actions so you can achieve your goals with a positive attitude and also with a program for a positive completion.

PURSUE PERSISTENTLY: You must not become discouraged if you have setbacks. If you do not succeed at first you must try again. When you want to achieve a goal that you have set, you must be persistent in all of your efforts to meet that goal and not give up if your first attempt fails.

As you look at your life you must first evaluate your achievements on what you have accomplished for your Lord. Have you set high spiritual standards to live by each day? Have you led your family so that their first priority in life is their relationship with Jesus? Do others that you meet know without a doubt that you have a relationship with the Lord? Positive responses to these questions are all vital in order for you to achieve your goals spiritually in life. If you are right with the Lord, He will bless you and enable you to achieve success in other areas of your life.

As we trained our children we put strong emphasis on their spiritual achievements but along with that emphasis we wanted each one to understand the importance of achievements in their daily activities. When they made commitments in school, in church, in sports or in any other activities they were encouraged to give 100% at all times, so that they would honor God and have the satisfaction that they had given their best.

In life today many people, children and adults, just do enough to get by. This is not acceptable to God but we see it as the norm every day. God wants us to excel in whatever we attempt so that He can receive the honor and glory.

In Ecclesiastics 4:4 it reads: "For all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor." Achievement in life is admired by society, but the only achievement that counts with God is what we do for our Lord.

What are your spiritual goals in this life? Have you achieved each one yet or, if not are you working to achieve them? Think also about what you want to achieve while God has you on this earth and then compare that to what you have accomplished.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27

The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.

PRAYER

Help me today dear Lord, to achieve my goals in life both spiritually and physically. Help me to achieve a special relationship with You. Thank You for Your love, Your support, Your guidance and Your direction today in all that I do.