76. Living successfully With God. Matthew 6:33

Some people think that God’s sole purpose is to save their Soul, help them become morally upright and spiritually mature and one day He’ll take them to Heaven to live with Him. Now, in a sense all that is true. But here’s what is not true – That God is not interested in your job, your health, your relationships, your finances or your dreams and goals because somehow those things are carnal, worldly and temporal. When you think like that, you “spiritualise” every promise you read in Scripture, and when you pray, you get to believe the only thing God wants you to do is to become more spiritual. Let’s look into scripture and see what God really says about this. The truth is, in fact, the exact opposite. Take a look at these scriptures (Joshua1:8, Isaiah 48:17), 3 John 2.). By maintaining that God plays no part in your achieving career success or financial security, you are contradicting His Word. And when you do that, you’re on dangerous ground, because then you are making yourself the sole source of your success, and the Bible calls that – “pride”. What Jesus taught is this; in (Matthew 6:31-33.“Do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? For after all these things The Gentiles (Who do not serve God) seek... For your Heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first The Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” So let’s be clear on this, God wants us to succeed in life, work and play. For the right reason putting and keeping Him at the top of the list. Why? Because He knows best how to direct our lives, in any and every area, Spiritually, Physically, emotionally, intellectually or financially.-- Makes sense doesn’t it! In (Mark 8:36) Jesus says “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and suffers the loss of his own soul.” And to drive home the point, He told a parable (story) about a rich man who died and went to hell, while a poor man on his doorstep went to heaven. He was making the point that nothing is more important than your salvation but, God also has a plan for your life, and he wants you to know that plan and succeed in life through it. In (3 John 2) we read; “I prey that you may prosper in all things… just as your soul prospers.) note the phrase ‘in all things’ that means your mental and physical health, your emotional well-being, your family relationships, your career and finances. All things means – all things. There’s not an area of your life that God is not interested in or that He wont get involved in when you seek, obey and honour Him. In The Old Testament (Deuteronomy 29:9) God said; ‘Keep the words of this Covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do’ and in The New Testament Jesus said in (Matthew 6;33)’But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ Aren’t you totally invested in the success of your children? When they succeed in life, don’t you celebrate with them? Well, as His redeemed child, your heavenly Father is invested in your success and celebrates it with you. So start praying and believing Him today for success in all your endeavours. How can you know God wants you to succeed in life? There are several reasons, I’ll zero in on just three of them. 1. Because He created you;--. In (Genesis 1:26) we read ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness’ The words ‘image’ and ‘likeness’ are important. Think about it; we sometimes tell a child, ‘You are the image of your Mother or your Father” Now, because you are God’s supreme creation, He poured into you His mind, His power, His wisdom and everything else you need to succeed. Once you grasp the truth of that and begin to act on it, your outlook will be transformed. You will start thinking like a ‘no limit person.’ 2. Because you have worth.;-- Actress Ethel Waters who used to sing at the Billy Graham crusades said ‘I am Somebody, cause my God don’t make no junk!’ As the crowning achievement of God’s creation, you are the object of His attention and affection. The Psalmist wrote in (Psalm 139:17-18) “How precious are your thoughts about me Oh God, they can’t be numbered, I can’t even count them.” 3;--. Because everything God made was for you. “You made them rulers over the works of your hands: you put everything under their feet.” Does that mean God will simply drop success into your lap? No, God blessed them, and...said to them in (Genesis 1:28,)“Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” God has given you His authority and creative ability to succeed in whatever He calls you to do. So instead of thinking like a victim, start thinking like a victor. In Scripture, the word “success” simply means knowing and doing God’s will in your life. It’s that simple! For Joshua success meant entering The Promised Land, conquering it living there and enjoying all its blessings everyday, read what God told him; in (Joshua1:7-8) “Only be very strong and courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; not to turn from it to the right hand or to the left; that you may prosper wherever you go. This book of the law ,shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night that you may observe to do all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and… you will have good success.” True success involves these three things; 1.Becoming what God wants you to be. 2 .Doing what God wants you to do. 3. Having what God wants you to have. While you achieve the goals He has set for your life, you become successful. As the renowned author and Lecturer Dale Carnegie once observed “success is getting what you want, Happiness is wanting what you get>”In their endless quest for achievement, some people become so greedy and grasping that they are never satisfied. And because they are always wanting more, they fail to enjoy what God has already given them. Real success isn’t a destination, it’s a journey, it’s a joy created by progress. It’s knowing that you’re on schedule when it comes to God’s assignment for your life. Thank you for reading these thoughts. I pray we all lead a successful life achieving the ultimate goal Our Heavenly Father has set for each of us. God Bless. Phaline.