Daily Devotional
God’s Way
By Pastor Paula White
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
I believe a life of success is built on those things that are of great value in the eyes of God. A life of success will exhibit signs of inner spiritual maturity – not outward signs of material acquisition.
The Bible repeatedly describes the behavior, beliefs and actions that will lead to a successful life. Some of the most notable marks of spiritual maturity and a level of true success in life include:
An Ability to Love. Love is giving. Love flows from having received love and value from the Lord. Spiritually mature people are givers. They are motivated to help others succeed, even more than they want to benefit themselves.
A Joyful Outlook on Life. True joy is not rooted in the material trappings money can buy. Spiritually mature and successful people realize that, often, the “things” we think will make us happy don’t. True joy is rooted in an awareness of the greatness of God and the many blessings He showers on us on a daily basis. Joy flows from the inside out, and is not based on external things, people, or situations.
A Peaceful Spirit. Striving for “outward success” can keep us restless, always on the hunt for something to satiate our anxiety, fears, or unsatisfied yearnings of the heart. Genuine peace is a feeling of wholeness and calm that stems from knowing one is in right relationship with God. Spiritual mature people have a genuine peace that stays with them even when the world outside is falling apart.
Patience. Spiritually mature people realize that true success in anything is very rarely gained overnight. Success comes from being able to persevere, and when necessary, wait for the desired result. Spiritually mature people have learned that long-lasting fixes and cures take time, slow-cooked meals are generally far better than fast food. Rewarding relationships require patience and take time to build. Often, success is sweeter and more sustainable when it comes slowly!
Attitude of Kindness and a Humble Stance. True success carries an attitude of humility, courtesy, and respect for others. A spiritually mature person allows others to express their opinions and make their own choices -- while still being strong enough to express and make best decisions for their own good. Before God, the successful person meekly carries the attitude, “Not my will, but Your will, be done.”
Faith in God. The spiritually mature person leads a life of success by putting their trust solely in God. They realize that to trust oneself is folly, and to trust others without question is naïve. They recognize the sovereignty, wisdom, and divine direction of God, and apply His Holy Word to their life on a daily basis.
Self Control. The successful, spiritually mature person has developed willpower and restraint, seeking what is best for all involved, in the ways and times that are most beneficial and appropriate.
When we seek to develop these godly characteristics, we are well on our way to creating a life of success – God’s way!
Scripture Of The Day: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." - Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
A life coach, author, and highly sought after motivational speaker, Pastor Paula White is the host of her own television program—Paula Today, which reaches an audience of 2.3 billion people worldwide, spearheading a number of global humanitarian efforts. Her mission in life is to Transform Lives, Heal Hearts and Win Souls. Visit http://www.paulawhite.org.…
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Ten Before Eleven
2010
Friday
10
September
Daily Devotional
Ten Before Eleven
By Milan Ford
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
I made a startling discovery not too long ago. My oldest daughter, now four, asked me late one afternoon to read the brand new Dr. Seuss book her grandmother had just sent to her in the mail. Being a big fan of Dr. Seuss ever since I was a kid, and even a bigger fan of the sparkle in my daughter's eye whenever she would ask me to read to her, I quickly obliged.
So I sat my daughter next to me on the couch, opened the new book, and began to read. But just before I was about to turn over the first page of the book, it happened.
On page 4, it happened. On page 9, it happened.
And on page 14 and 15, it happened again.
I stopped reading and asked my daughter if it was okay if we could take a little break. Puzzled as to why I stopped so suddenly, she slowly and (as any four year-old would) reluctantly agreed. I put the book down and went into bedroom where my wife was sleeping, and frantically tried to wake her up, something I wouldn't normally do.
After she woke up and turned to me with that 'this-really-better-be-good' look on her face, she asked me what was wrong. I took a deep breath, and then told her...
"...I keep SKIPPING words."
I explained how while reading to my daughter, I kept skipping over certain adjectives and prepositions as if I had already read the book before, making many of the sentences I was reading to her incomplete and at times, confusing. It was though my eyes were in a race to the finish each page, which caused me to have to go back at times and reread certain words.
While my reaction to this newfound discovery was one of fright, my wife's reaction was totally different. She burst into laughter and told me in a very calm and reassuring tone...
"...I've known THIS (about you) for some time now."
Overjoyed that my wife was not going to send me to the local psychiatric ward, I began to wonder if I was the only one with this problem. But after flipping through a few religious television channels later that evening, I realized it wasn't me at all. This is a problem most in the Body of Christ have today.
I would argue that over the past five, perhaps even ten years, when it comes to providing the Body of Christ with a renewed hope and faith in God, no passage of scripture has been referenced and recited more than Jeremiah 29:11. I'm sure you've heard of it:
"For I know the plans that I have towards you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Sunday after Sunday, and at times, channel after channel, millions of believers all over the world are encouraged with the message of an all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves us and has plans to give us a successful and bright future in Him. To know that God, despite all of our shortcomings, would be mindful of us in such a way is truly incredible.
However, what is interesting about this particular passage of scripture is not the words that are found within it, but rather in the words that come BEFORE it.
Take a look now at VERSE 10: "For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place..."
Did you catch that? If not, allow me to help you.
The entire 29th chapter of Jeremiah consists of a letter that was delivered to the King of Judah by the prophet Jeremiah; a letter that prophesied that the land of Jerusalem (all 10,000 of its citizens) would be taking captive by the infamous tyrant and ruler of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar. I dare you to do a background check on him; he's got quite the record.
Within this letter, God shares with Jerusalem that while He indeed has thoughts and plans to prosper them, their future successes will only come AFTER a period of great trial and pain.
A period that lasted seventy years.
(So why is that important to remember on today, you ask?)
Simply because I want you to know that SUCCESS, while something we all desire and often dream of, does not happen overnight. True success (in God) comes through process.
Now more than ever before, we as believers must exercise patience not only with the reading of God's word, but also when it comes to our personal lives and goals. Our desire to get to the end of our struggle must not be at the expense of truly appreciating our struggle.
You are in the middle of a great story. One that is marked for great success.
Just remember, as it is with math, or the pages of a children's book, so it is with scripture:
TEN always comes before ELEVEN.
Scripture Of The Day: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Milan Ford has been a leader (and survivor) of ministry within the local church for most of his life. The author of 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing, you can find Milan rambling and writing at http://www.thepewview.com or at http://twitter.com/milanford.…
Friday
10
September
Daily Devotional
Ten Before Eleven
By Milan Ford
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
I made a startling discovery not too long ago. My oldest daughter, now four, asked me late one afternoon to read the brand new Dr. Seuss book her grandmother had just sent to her in the mail. Being a big fan of Dr. Seuss ever since I was a kid, and even a bigger fan of the sparkle in my daughter's eye whenever she would ask me to read to her, I quickly obliged.
So I sat my daughter next to me on the couch, opened the new book, and began to read. But just before I was about to turn over the first page of the book, it happened.
On page 4, it happened. On page 9, it happened.
And on page 14 and 15, it happened again.
I stopped reading and asked my daughter if it was okay if we could take a little break. Puzzled as to why I stopped so suddenly, she slowly and (as any four year-old would) reluctantly agreed. I put the book down and went into bedroom where my wife was sleeping, and frantically tried to wake her up, something I wouldn't normally do.
After she woke up and turned to me with that 'this-really-better-be-good' look on her face, she asked me what was wrong. I took a deep breath, and then told her...
"...I keep SKIPPING words."
I explained how while reading to my daughter, I kept skipping over certain adjectives and prepositions as if I had already read the book before, making many of the sentences I was reading to her incomplete and at times, confusing. It was though my eyes were in a race to the finish each page, which caused me to have to go back at times and reread certain words.
While my reaction to this newfound discovery was one of fright, my wife's reaction was totally different. She burst into laughter and told me in a very calm and reassuring tone...
"...I've known THIS (about you) for some time now."
Overjoyed that my wife was not going to send me to the local psychiatric ward, I began to wonder if I was the only one with this problem. But after flipping through a few religious television channels later that evening, I realized it wasn't me at all. This is a problem most in the Body of Christ have today.
I would argue that over the past five, perhaps even ten years, when it comes to providing the Body of Christ with a renewed hope and faith in God, no passage of scripture has been referenced and recited more than Jeremiah 29:11. I'm sure you've heard of it:
"For I know the plans that I have towards you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Sunday after Sunday, and at times, channel after channel, millions of believers all over the world are encouraged with the message of an all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves us and has plans to give us a successful and bright future in Him. To know that God, despite all of our shortcomings, would be mindful of us in such a way is truly incredible.
However, what is interesting about this particular passage of scripture is not the words that are found within it, but rather in the words that come BEFORE it.
Take a look now at VERSE 10: "For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place..."
Did you catch that? If not, allow me to help you.
The entire 29th chapter of Jeremiah consists of a letter that was delivered to the King of Judah by the prophet Jeremiah; a letter that prophesied that the land of Jerusalem (all 10,000 of its citizens) would be taking captive by the infamous tyrant and ruler of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar. I dare you to do a background check on him; he's got quite the record.
Within this letter, God shares with Jerusalem that while He indeed has thoughts and plans to prosper them, their future successes will only come AFTER a period of great trial and pain.
A period that lasted seventy years.
(So why is that important to remember on today, you ask?)
Simply because I want you to know that SUCCESS, while something we all desire and often dream of, does not happen overnight. True success (in God) comes through process.
Now more than ever before, we as believers must exercise patience not only with the reading of God's word, but also when it comes to our personal lives and goals. Our desire to get to the end of our struggle must not be at the expense of truly appreciating our struggle.
You are in the middle of a great story. One that is marked for great success.
Just remember, as it is with math, or the pages of a children's book, so it is with scripture:
TEN always comes before ELEVEN.
Scripture Of The Day: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Milan Ford has been a leader (and survivor) of ministry within the local church for most of his life. The author of 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing, you can find Milan rambling and writing at http://www.thepewview.com or at http://twitter.com/milanford.…
Thursday, September 9, 2010
In Position For Promotion
2010
Thursday
09
September
Daily Devotional
In Position for Promotion
By Pastor Marvin Moss
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
Being in a particular position brings with it responsibility. Whether it is the position as an employee, a parent or an employer; whatever the position might be, there is responsibility. How we handle the position that we have been assigned, may bring success-- a reward in the form of a promotion. God has watched us in this thing called life to see how we’re handling our jobs. How are we dealing with adversity? How are we dealing with conflict? How did we handle going through one setback after another? Was our prayer life consistent even though it seemed like there was no answer?
God is also asking: Did they continue to serve me even in the time of trouble? Did they start thinking that they were above calamity and turmoil? Did they think they would not be subject to trial and tribulation? God is saying I haven’t forgotten about you. Just stay in position. I know that it’s been a while, but just stay in position. Yes, yes it looks like everyone is climbing faster and farther, but just stay in position. Your promotion is coming. But how do we stay in position when life seems so uncertain?
The Life Application Study Bible states that the purpose of the book of Hebrews was to present the sufficiency and superiority of Christ. It is in the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews that we find the FAITH CHAPTER. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.
In our daily living, our faith in Jesus will keep us in position until God says it’s time for us to be promoted. He’s watching. He knows. Jesus cares. We’ve got to stay in position for a promotion. Life has a way of nudging us out of position. But it is our hope in Christ Jesus that keeps us engaged. Hope is essential to the Christian walk. There should be persistency in looking at the brighter side of things, quickness to discern every sign and possibility of God, and skill to nourish it into expression and strength. We can’t get mad at God and quit. We can’t give up because things have not happened within our time frame. Just stay in position for a promotion. You may not be promoted yet on that job. You’ve got to come outside of your comfort zone to be in position for your promotion. Fear might be holding you back. Complacency might be holding you back. A false sense of security might be holding you back. Let God put you in position for a promotion.
Now there can be the negative side of the promotion--one which deals with “self.” All too often a promotion comes at the expense of a friendship or relationship. All too often one who receives the promotion forgets from whence he or she came. All too often a promotion causes the recipient to get a new attitude. Can’t speak to you anymore; can’t have lunch with you anymore; you don’t get together like you used to. But the promotion that God gives is predicated upon unity. The promotion that God gives is preceded by love for one another and humility. The promotion that God gives lets others know that they too can be promoted; they just have to be in position.
Hebrews 6:12 tells us, You will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience.
They watched you. You kept praying.
They watched you. You kept going to church.
They watched you. You sang with tears in your eyes.
They watched you. You gave God thanks when it didn’t seem like you had anything to be thankful for. You didn’t become spiritually dull and indifferent. But you walked on with your head up and your shoulders back.
You had a look about you like you knew you were going to inherit God’s promises.
Your patience and your faith kept you. You stayed in position for a promotion.
You fought the good fight of faith – PROMOTION
You ran the race with patience – PROMOTION
You endured till the end – PROMOTION!
My brother, my sister--stay with God. Study to show thyself approved. Get ready, get ready, get ready for your promotion!
Scripture Of The Day: "Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience." - Hebrews 6:12
Pastor Marvin Moss is senior pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church, located in Atlanta, Georgia. Pastor Moss is extremely active within the Atlanta community, and serves on the Board of Trustees at Gammon Theological Seminary. For more information about Pastor Moss, log onto http://www.cascadeumc.org.
Thursday
09
September
Daily Devotional
In Position for Promotion
By Pastor Marvin Moss
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
Being in a particular position brings with it responsibility. Whether it is the position as an employee, a parent or an employer; whatever the position might be, there is responsibility. How we handle the position that we have been assigned, may bring success-- a reward in the form of a promotion. God has watched us in this thing called life to see how we’re handling our jobs. How are we dealing with adversity? How are we dealing with conflict? How did we handle going through one setback after another? Was our prayer life consistent even though it seemed like there was no answer?
God is also asking: Did they continue to serve me even in the time of trouble? Did they start thinking that they were above calamity and turmoil? Did they think they would not be subject to trial and tribulation? God is saying I haven’t forgotten about you. Just stay in position. I know that it’s been a while, but just stay in position. Yes, yes it looks like everyone is climbing faster and farther, but just stay in position. Your promotion is coming. But how do we stay in position when life seems so uncertain?
The Life Application Study Bible states that the purpose of the book of Hebrews was to present the sufficiency and superiority of Christ. It is in the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews that we find the FAITH CHAPTER. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.
In our daily living, our faith in Jesus will keep us in position until God says it’s time for us to be promoted. He’s watching. He knows. Jesus cares. We’ve got to stay in position for a promotion. Life has a way of nudging us out of position. But it is our hope in Christ Jesus that keeps us engaged. Hope is essential to the Christian walk. There should be persistency in looking at the brighter side of things, quickness to discern every sign and possibility of God, and skill to nourish it into expression and strength. We can’t get mad at God and quit. We can’t give up because things have not happened within our time frame. Just stay in position for a promotion. You may not be promoted yet on that job. You’ve got to come outside of your comfort zone to be in position for your promotion. Fear might be holding you back. Complacency might be holding you back. A false sense of security might be holding you back. Let God put you in position for a promotion.
Now there can be the negative side of the promotion--one which deals with “self.” All too often a promotion comes at the expense of a friendship or relationship. All too often one who receives the promotion forgets from whence he or she came. All too often a promotion causes the recipient to get a new attitude. Can’t speak to you anymore; can’t have lunch with you anymore; you don’t get together like you used to. But the promotion that God gives is predicated upon unity. The promotion that God gives is preceded by love for one another and humility. The promotion that God gives lets others know that they too can be promoted; they just have to be in position.
Hebrews 6:12 tells us, You will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience.
They watched you. You kept praying.
They watched you. You kept going to church.
They watched you. You sang with tears in your eyes.
They watched you. You gave God thanks when it didn’t seem like you had anything to be thankful for. You didn’t become spiritually dull and indifferent. But you walked on with your head up and your shoulders back.
You had a look about you like you knew you were going to inherit God’s promises.
Your patience and your faith kept you. You stayed in position for a promotion.
You fought the good fight of faith – PROMOTION
You ran the race with patience – PROMOTION
You endured till the end – PROMOTION!
My brother, my sister--stay with God. Study to show thyself approved. Get ready, get ready, get ready for your promotion!
Scripture Of The Day: "Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience." - Hebrews 6:12
Pastor Marvin Moss is senior pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church, located in Atlanta, Georgia. Pastor Moss is extremely active within the Atlanta community, and serves on the Board of Trustees at Gammon Theological Seminary. For more information about Pastor Moss, log onto http://www.cascadeumc.org.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
How To Measure Success
Daily Devotional
How To Measure Success
By Brent Barnett
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
We live in a world where success is defined in innumerable ways, most of which are wrong. Sadly, even the professing church has been prone to increasingly err in its understanding of true, Biblical success.
Whether the pressuring voices come from within the church or without, we must not give in to their distortions and perversions of what God says success really is.
Paul says toward the very end of his life, writing to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."
Paul had achieved great fame and power very early on in his life, outdistancing many of his contemporaries in terms of Bible knowledge and understanding (Galatians 1:14). He was mentored by the best Jewish teacher of all (Acts 22:3), and he was considered a man of high rank. But these things he counted as loss (Philippians 3:7).
This was not because there was evil in leading or having status, but it was that he had pursued these kinds of things at the expense of pursuing God. Thus, he chose to abandon the "success" which he had experienced in persecuting Christ in exchange for service to Christ, choosing rather to suffer with Him (Romans 8:17).
Paul understood that success is not what we can achieve or gain in terms of worldly things. It is not a race for rank, money, publicity or power. Sometimes he had much, and sometimes he had little (Philippians 4:12).
But in all things he was content, and as he wrote to Timothy, "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). Thus, Paul measured success by the state of his heart in relation to God. Godliness, faithfulness, and contentment were paramount in terms of how he wanted his life defined.
From Paul’s testimony, we can conclude that success contains the following elements:
1) living life as a sacrifice, pouring out the love of God to others in service and ministry for the sake of Christ
2) fighting the good fight of faith, continuing to preach the gospel and contending for truth without compromise no matter the cost (2 Timothy 3:14)
3) finishing the course, persevering in godliness and not being disqualified from effective ministry due to a lack of discipline (1 Corinthians 9:27)
4) keeping the faith, continuing to serve Christ and abounding in the work of the Lord, wherever He has called us, never growing weary of loving Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Interestingly, Paul didn’t measure his success by how many converts he had or by how many people read his letters; rather, he was concerned with faithfulness, holiness, and endurance. He didn’t judge himself based upon how much he suffered but upon how he suffered for Christ’s sake.
Paul’s criteria for success had nothing to do with what others of the day thought of him or even what people in times to come, people like us today, would think. He trusted Christ that he would be faithful to bear fruit and advance the kingdom if only he would be faithful and maintain obedience to the truth of the gospel (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
This impacted every area of his life so that Christ would be honored in each and every conversation, in each and every relationship, in each and every business venture, and in each and every message preached. No area of his life was exempted from needing to meet the Biblical criteria for true success.
Our hope should be that we can come to the end of our lives, whenever that may be, and look back as Paul did, with joy, hope, and exaltation because by faith we will have lived as holy sacrifices, having fought the good fight, having kept the faith, and having finished the race (2 Timothy 4:7).
We ought to want to hear our Savior say to us one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23). There is no clearer definition and affirmation of success than that.
Scripture Of The Day: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain" - 1 Timothy 6:6
Brenton M. Barnett is the founder of the free Bible teaching ministry, Relevant Bible Teaching, found on the web at http://www.relevantbibleteaching.com. He is also the author of Catch Fire: A Call to Spiritual Awakening. Brent’s greatest joys in life are his wife, Sarah, and daughter, Anneke.…
How To Measure Success
By Brent Barnett
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
We live in a world where success is defined in innumerable ways, most of which are wrong. Sadly, even the professing church has been prone to increasingly err in its understanding of true, Biblical success.
Whether the pressuring voices come from within the church or without, we must not give in to their distortions and perversions of what God says success really is.
Paul says toward the very end of his life, writing to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."
Paul had achieved great fame and power very early on in his life, outdistancing many of his contemporaries in terms of Bible knowledge and understanding (Galatians 1:14). He was mentored by the best Jewish teacher of all (Acts 22:3), and he was considered a man of high rank. But these things he counted as loss (Philippians 3:7).
This was not because there was evil in leading or having status, but it was that he had pursued these kinds of things at the expense of pursuing God. Thus, he chose to abandon the "success" which he had experienced in persecuting Christ in exchange for service to Christ, choosing rather to suffer with Him (Romans 8:17).
Paul understood that success is not what we can achieve or gain in terms of worldly things. It is not a race for rank, money, publicity or power. Sometimes he had much, and sometimes he had little (Philippians 4:12).
But in all things he was content, and as he wrote to Timothy, "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). Thus, Paul measured success by the state of his heart in relation to God. Godliness, faithfulness, and contentment were paramount in terms of how he wanted his life defined.
From Paul’s testimony, we can conclude that success contains the following elements:
1) living life as a sacrifice, pouring out the love of God to others in service and ministry for the sake of Christ
2) fighting the good fight of faith, continuing to preach the gospel and contending for truth without compromise no matter the cost (2 Timothy 3:14)
3) finishing the course, persevering in godliness and not being disqualified from effective ministry due to a lack of discipline (1 Corinthians 9:27)
4) keeping the faith, continuing to serve Christ and abounding in the work of the Lord, wherever He has called us, never growing weary of loving Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Interestingly, Paul didn’t measure his success by how many converts he had or by how many people read his letters; rather, he was concerned with faithfulness, holiness, and endurance. He didn’t judge himself based upon how much he suffered but upon how he suffered for Christ’s sake.
Paul’s criteria for success had nothing to do with what others of the day thought of him or even what people in times to come, people like us today, would think. He trusted Christ that he would be faithful to bear fruit and advance the kingdom if only he would be faithful and maintain obedience to the truth of the gospel (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
This impacted every area of his life so that Christ would be honored in each and every conversation, in each and every relationship, in each and every business venture, and in each and every message preached. No area of his life was exempted from needing to meet the Biblical criteria for true success.
Our hope should be that we can come to the end of our lives, whenever that may be, and look back as Paul did, with joy, hope, and exaltation because by faith we will have lived as holy sacrifices, having fought the good fight, having kept the faith, and having finished the race (2 Timothy 4:7).
We ought to want to hear our Savior say to us one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23). There is no clearer definition and affirmation of success than that.
Scripture Of The Day: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain" - 1 Timothy 6:6
Brenton M. Barnett is the founder of the free Bible teaching ministry, Relevant Bible Teaching, found on the web at http://www.relevantbibleteaching.com. He is also the author of Catch Fire: A Call to Spiritual Awakening. Brent’s greatest joys in life are his wife, Sarah, and daughter, Anneke.…
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
A Life Of Success
2010
Tuesday
07
September
Daily Devotional
A Life Of Success
By Aqualyn Toi Jones
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
If I had the desire (or the patience) to count the number of books on success, I’m sure the number would reach well into the thousands (and possibly hundreds of thousands). Everyone claims to know the way to success.
There’s probably a “Success for Dummies” book. Not to mention the countless number of “steps” to success. I don’t mean to negate the value or validity of such tools. I just want to bring a different question into view.
Instead of asking, “How can I become successful?” maybe we should ask ourselves, “What does it mean for me to live a life of success?” Although the two questions may sound similar, they are not.
You and I can be successful in a number of things: education, career, or business ventures. But a life of victory and triumph (pretty good synonyms for success) cannot be measured solely by our mental, physical or tangible prosperity.
If we allow ourselves to be deceived, we’ll think that success is measure by material things. Becoming a homeowner, though notable, is not synonymous with success. Neither is buying a car, losing weight, purchasing a new wardrobe, or investing in the stock market. Those things are accomplishments and by-products of a successful soul.
Many people prosper financially. Many people prosper vocationally. Some are fortunate to prosper relationally. Yet, our souls are supposed to prosper as well (3 John 1:2). In this verse, John indicates that his prayer is for us to prosper in all things, just as our soul prospers. He believed that the prosperity of our souls is just as important as other things. And I believe that is the key ingredient to a life of success and not just moments of success.
It is also important for us to remember that failure is a part of the life of success. Times of weakness, pain, heartbreak, illness and sin (yes, even sin) are all things we will experience along the way. But these should be regarded as defining moments and not defeating moments.
It’s quite simple for us to create our own course and set goals for the next five, ten and fifteen years. With discipline we can succeed in anything we put our minds to. Let’s give an even greater amount of energy and determination to making sure our souls prosper.
As we become better individuals, better children, better spouses, better parents, and better leaders we will undoubtedly lead lives of success. It starts with the soul.
Scripture Of The Day: "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." - 3 John 1:2
Toi Jones is a writer and an advocate for youth, underdogs, and all things (and people) that are broken and overlooked. Compassionate at her core, Toi is also an educator, a mentor, and a supporter of multiple initiatives for South Africa. For more information about Toi, log onto http://www.bewrite-livewrite.typepad.com.…
Tuesday
07
September
Daily Devotional
A Life Of Success
By Aqualyn Toi Jones
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
If I had the desire (or the patience) to count the number of books on success, I’m sure the number would reach well into the thousands (and possibly hundreds of thousands). Everyone claims to know the way to success.
There’s probably a “Success for Dummies” book. Not to mention the countless number of “steps” to success. I don’t mean to negate the value or validity of such tools. I just want to bring a different question into view.
Instead of asking, “How can I become successful?” maybe we should ask ourselves, “What does it mean for me to live a life of success?” Although the two questions may sound similar, they are not.
You and I can be successful in a number of things: education, career, or business ventures. But a life of victory and triumph (pretty good synonyms for success) cannot be measured solely by our mental, physical or tangible prosperity.
If we allow ourselves to be deceived, we’ll think that success is measure by material things. Becoming a homeowner, though notable, is not synonymous with success. Neither is buying a car, losing weight, purchasing a new wardrobe, or investing in the stock market. Those things are accomplishments and by-products of a successful soul.
Many people prosper financially. Many people prosper vocationally. Some are fortunate to prosper relationally. Yet, our souls are supposed to prosper as well (3 John 1:2). In this verse, John indicates that his prayer is for us to prosper in all things, just as our soul prospers. He believed that the prosperity of our souls is just as important as other things. And I believe that is the key ingredient to a life of success and not just moments of success.
It is also important for us to remember that failure is a part of the life of success. Times of weakness, pain, heartbreak, illness and sin (yes, even sin) are all things we will experience along the way. But these should be regarded as defining moments and not defeating moments.
It’s quite simple for us to create our own course and set goals for the next five, ten and fifteen years. With discipline we can succeed in anything we put our minds to. Let’s give an even greater amount of energy and determination to making sure our souls prosper.
As we become better individuals, better children, better spouses, better parents, and better leaders we will undoubtedly lead lives of success. It starts with the soul.
Scripture Of The Day: "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." - 3 John 1:2
Toi Jones is a writer and an advocate for youth, underdogs, and all things (and people) that are broken and overlooked. Compassionate at her core, Toi is also an educator, a mentor, and a supporter of multiple initiatives for South Africa. For more information about Toi, log onto http://www.bewrite-livewrite.typepad.com.…
A Life Of Success
2010
Tuesday
07
September
Daily Devotional
A Life Of Success
By Aqualyn Toi Jones
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
If I had the desire (or the patience) to count the number of books on success, I’m sure the number would reach well into the thousands (and possibly hundreds of thousands). Everyone claims to know the way to success.
There’s probably a “Success for Dummies” book. Not to mention the countless number of “steps” to success. I don’t mean to negate the value or validity of such tools. I just want to bring a different question into view.
Instead of asking, “How can I become successful?” maybe we should ask ourselves, “What does it mean for me to live a life of success?” Although the two questions may sound similar, they are not.
You and I can be successful in a number of things: education, career, or business ventures. But a life of victory and triumph (pretty good synonyms for success) cannot be measured solely by our mental, physical or tangible prosperity.
If we allow ourselves to be deceived, we’ll think that success is measure by material things. Becoming a homeowner, though notable, is not synonymous with success. Neither is buying a car, losing weight, purchasing a new wardrobe, or investing in the stock market. Those things are accomplishments and by-products of a successful soul.
Many people prosper financially. Many people prosper vocationally. Some are fortunate to prosper relationally. Yet, our souls are supposed to prosper as well (3 John 1:2). In this verse, John indicates that his prayer is for us to prosper in all things, just as our soul prospers. He believed that the prosperity of our souls is just as important as other things. And I believe that is the key ingredient to a life of success and not just moments of success.
It is also important for us to remember that failure is a part of the life of success. Times of weakness, pain, heartbreak, illness and sin (yes, even sin) are all things we will experience along the way. But these should be regarded as defining moments and not defeating moments.
It’s quite simple for us to create our own course and set goals for the next five, ten and fifteen years. With discipline we can succeed in anything we put our minds to. Let’s give an even greater amount of energy and determination to making sure our souls prosper.
As we become better individuals, better children, better spouses, better parents, and better leaders we will undoubtedly lead lives of success. It starts with the soul.
Scripture Of The Day: "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." - 3 John 1:2
Toi Jones is a writer and an advocate for youth, underdogs, and all things (and people) that are broken and overlooked. Compassionate at her core, Toi is also an educator, a mentor, and a supporter of multiple initiatives for South Africa. For more information about Toi, log onto http://www.bewrite-livewrite.typepad.com.…
Tuesday
07
September
Daily Devotional
A Life Of Success
By Aqualyn Toi Jones
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
If I had the desire (or the patience) to count the number of books on success, I’m sure the number would reach well into the thousands (and possibly hundreds of thousands). Everyone claims to know the way to success.
There’s probably a “Success for Dummies” book. Not to mention the countless number of “steps” to success. I don’t mean to negate the value or validity of such tools. I just want to bring a different question into view.
Instead of asking, “How can I become successful?” maybe we should ask ourselves, “What does it mean for me to live a life of success?” Although the two questions may sound similar, they are not.
You and I can be successful in a number of things: education, career, or business ventures. But a life of victory and triumph (pretty good synonyms for success) cannot be measured solely by our mental, physical or tangible prosperity.
If we allow ourselves to be deceived, we’ll think that success is measure by material things. Becoming a homeowner, though notable, is not synonymous with success. Neither is buying a car, losing weight, purchasing a new wardrobe, or investing in the stock market. Those things are accomplishments and by-products of a successful soul.
Many people prosper financially. Many people prosper vocationally. Some are fortunate to prosper relationally. Yet, our souls are supposed to prosper as well (3 John 1:2). In this verse, John indicates that his prayer is for us to prosper in all things, just as our soul prospers. He believed that the prosperity of our souls is just as important as other things. And I believe that is the key ingredient to a life of success and not just moments of success.
It is also important for us to remember that failure is a part of the life of success. Times of weakness, pain, heartbreak, illness and sin (yes, even sin) are all things we will experience along the way. But these should be regarded as defining moments and not defeating moments.
It’s quite simple for us to create our own course and set goals for the next five, ten and fifteen years. With discipline we can succeed in anything we put our minds to. Let’s give an even greater amount of energy and determination to making sure our souls prosper.
As we become better individuals, better children, better spouses, better parents, and better leaders we will undoubtedly lead lives of success. It starts with the soul.
Scripture Of The Day: "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." - 3 John 1:2
Toi Jones is a writer and an advocate for youth, underdogs, and all things (and people) that are broken and overlooked. Compassionate at her core, Toi is also an educator, a mentor, and a supporter of multiple initiatives for South Africa. For more information about Toi, log onto http://www.bewrite-livewrite.typepad.com.…
Monday, September 6, 2010
Extraordinary Success
* 2010
* Monday
* 06
* September
Daily Devotional
Extraordinary Success
By Bonnie St. John
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
How does a person achieve extraordinary success? Ken Kragen, a major Hollywood agent, took talented performers like Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, and Lionel Ritchie and made them superstars. His observations on what makes the difference between a star and a superstar might surprise you.
Lots of people sing beautifully, work hard, and stay focused, yet still don’t make it to the top. According to Ken, author of Life is a Contact Sport, superstars are usually the people who get the most help. He taught his clients to cultivate help by making more contacts, sending more thank you notes, and just being nice. Being “helpable” is key to achieving your full potential.
God answers a request from Paul in 2 Corinthians with the phrase we all know so well, “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” In other words God is saying to Paul, “By admitting you have weaknesses and need help, you can be so much stronger. If you try to do everything on your own, you’ll only get so far.”
Paul may not have been able to accomplish what he did for the Kingdom of God if he had not understood this message. By opening himself up to God’s help, Paul achieved superstar status in the Bible. He appreciated God’s direct help spiritually, as well as the help he received through the people God had placed in his life. In most of Paul’s letter we see him thanking his brethren and asking for continued help and support.
By admitting you have weaknesses and need help, your life will be so much more successful. By allowing God to work with you and through you, achieving success is not only easier, it’s more lasting and more fulfilling. Being created by God, we all have the potential for being superstars in the kingdom if only we allow ourselves to accept His help.
Scripture Of The Day: "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'" - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJV)
Bonnie St. John
Bonnie St. John is a professional speaker and Olympic medalist, who has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, the 700 Club, and Life Today. The author of How Strong Women Pray and Live Your Joy, Bonnie St. John is committed to reaching out to the world with a message of triumph over circumstance. For more information about Bonnie, log onto http://www.bonniestjohn.com…
* Monday
* 06
* September
Daily Devotional
Extraordinary Success
By Bonnie St. John
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
How does a person achieve extraordinary success? Ken Kragen, a major Hollywood agent, took talented performers like Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, and Lionel Ritchie and made them superstars. His observations on what makes the difference between a star and a superstar might surprise you.
Lots of people sing beautifully, work hard, and stay focused, yet still don’t make it to the top. According to Ken, author of Life is a Contact Sport, superstars are usually the people who get the most help. He taught his clients to cultivate help by making more contacts, sending more thank you notes, and just being nice. Being “helpable” is key to achieving your full potential.
God answers a request from Paul in 2 Corinthians with the phrase we all know so well, “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” In other words God is saying to Paul, “By admitting you have weaknesses and need help, you can be so much stronger. If you try to do everything on your own, you’ll only get so far.”
Paul may not have been able to accomplish what he did for the Kingdom of God if he had not understood this message. By opening himself up to God’s help, Paul achieved superstar status in the Bible. He appreciated God’s direct help spiritually, as well as the help he received through the people God had placed in his life. In most of Paul’s letter we see him thanking his brethren and asking for continued help and support.
By admitting you have weaknesses and need help, your life will be so much more successful. By allowing God to work with you and through you, achieving success is not only easier, it’s more lasting and more fulfilling. Being created by God, we all have the potential for being superstars in the kingdom if only we allow ourselves to accept His help.
Scripture Of The Day: "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'" - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJV)
Bonnie St. John
Bonnie St. John is a professional speaker and Olympic medalist, who has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, the 700 Club, and Life Today. The author of How Strong Women Pray and Live Your Joy, Bonnie St. John is committed to reaching out to the world with a message of triumph over circumstance. For more information about Bonnie, log onto http://www.bonniestjohn.com…
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Have It All
Daily Devotional
Have It All
By Pastor Andre Butler
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
Have it all! Isn’t that what the world is striving for? People read books, chase money, fame, and sex all in a futile effort to have it all in life. Sadly, they don’t realize that the only person that can bring them to a place of satisfaction is God.
The good news is that we can tell them about Jesus and demonstrate to them what God can do with a life that is totally sold out to Him. We can tell them that they can have it all in God! They can have a life of satisfaction and significance! A life worth living!
To be effective in our witness about God, we need to allow God to develop our character so that we are enjoying the rich life He desires us to have for ourselves. The rich life is where you prosper spiritually, emotionally, physically, professionally, and financially. It includes growing spiritually through a life lived in the Word and daily fellowship with Jesus.
It also includes consistently enjoying the blessing that comes from being a blessing to others, especially in leading someone into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Living a life of significance is the key to living a life of satisfaction.
In giving us the greatest gift of Jesus, God has demonstrated His great love to us. His Word teaches that He will give good things to His children, and that He’ll withhold no good from those of us who will walk right before Him. In short He desires that we have it all. When I married my wife Tiffany, I gave her my heart. And after 10 years, that is the greatest gift I gave her--myself.
Sure, buying her material things to fill her needs and wants has shown her how much I love her, but those things are just bonuses. This is what God has done with us. He gave us Jesus, and with this greatest gift came the ability to receive from God in every area of life. God has demonstrated to us that His desire is that we enjoy the life
He intended for Adam and Eve to have all along, and we can start living it now. Of course, we have to deal with the enemy in this life but ‘greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world’ (1John 4:4). We have the tools to defeat him every time!
Today is the day to start having it all!
Choose to give up control of every area of your life to God. Say yes to Him about everything! Never tell God no. And as you grow in your relationship with Him and fulfill His plan for your life, you will be able to witness to the world around you that it is possible to have it all in this life.
You Can Have It All in God!
Scripture Of The Day: "For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right." - Psalm 84:11
Pastor Andre Butler
Pastor Andre Butler is a young man anointed and commissioned by God to spread the Good News of Christ. A 1996 graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center, Pastor Butler serves as Co-Pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI.s. For more information about Pastor Andre Butler, log onto http://www.andrebutler.tv.…
Have It All
By Pastor Andre Butler
This week's topic: A Life Of Success
Have it all! Isn’t that what the world is striving for? People read books, chase money, fame, and sex all in a futile effort to have it all in life. Sadly, they don’t realize that the only person that can bring them to a place of satisfaction is God.
The good news is that we can tell them about Jesus and demonstrate to them what God can do with a life that is totally sold out to Him. We can tell them that they can have it all in God! They can have a life of satisfaction and significance! A life worth living!
To be effective in our witness about God, we need to allow God to develop our character so that we are enjoying the rich life He desires us to have for ourselves. The rich life is where you prosper spiritually, emotionally, physically, professionally, and financially. It includes growing spiritually through a life lived in the Word and daily fellowship with Jesus.
It also includes consistently enjoying the blessing that comes from being a blessing to others, especially in leading someone into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Living a life of significance is the key to living a life of satisfaction.
In giving us the greatest gift of Jesus, God has demonstrated His great love to us. His Word teaches that He will give good things to His children, and that He’ll withhold no good from those of us who will walk right before Him. In short He desires that we have it all. When I married my wife Tiffany, I gave her my heart. And after 10 years, that is the greatest gift I gave her--myself.
Sure, buying her material things to fill her needs and wants has shown her how much I love her, but those things are just bonuses. This is what God has done with us. He gave us Jesus, and with this greatest gift came the ability to receive from God in every area of life. God has demonstrated to us that His desire is that we enjoy the life
He intended for Adam and Eve to have all along, and we can start living it now. Of course, we have to deal with the enemy in this life but ‘greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world’ (1John 4:4). We have the tools to defeat him every time!
Today is the day to start having it all!
Choose to give up control of every area of your life to God. Say yes to Him about everything! Never tell God no. And as you grow in your relationship with Him and fulfill His plan for your life, you will be able to witness to the world around you that it is possible to have it all in this life.
You Can Have It All in God!
Scripture Of The Day: "For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right." - Psalm 84:11
Pastor Andre Butler
Pastor Andre Butler is a young man anointed and commissioned by God to spread the Good News of Christ. A 1996 graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center, Pastor Butler serves as Co-Pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI.s. For more information about Pastor Andre Butler, log onto http://www.andrebutler.tv.…
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