Too many times, we go out in search of success in various aspects and end up getting so overwhelmed by the desire for it that we lose track of the reasons we wanted it to begin with. We begin to change... we begin to find ourselves fitting into a mold that wasn't designed for us.
Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Seeking success in the world is much the same as chasing your own tail... there will always be someone more successful than you; there will always be those who do not consider you successful. It is only when you do according to the will of God that you know true, uncompromised success - the kind of success that doesn't require worldly involvement, approval, or confirmation - the kind that is only dependent on the holy spirit!
No amount of success in this world will ever make you content. If you find that you are in a place you have always dreamed of being, but you are still seeking more; still feeling that something is missing... that is because your success is literally only skin deep. The Spirit penetrates so much further.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
A Crown That Lasts Forever...
1 Corinthians 9:24-25: "Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. (25) every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever." (GNB)
Day in and day out, we speak of this constant rat-race, which apparently never ends... therefore, no one ever really wins. When someone asks a question about what they should do in a certain situation, my Pastor often uses the phrase, "That's world stuff." This is a nice way of saying, "You are concerning yourself with the wrong things..." You see, there are many things in life that should not concern you. There are often times when we put waaaaay too much emphasis on the sacrifices that we make "for the greater good..." God is more concerned with obedience than sacrifice... What is the point in running yourself ragged for a world that will never reward you if that leaves you with no energy or motivation to run the race that actually matters - the one that will crown you with a wreath that is eternal? We pat ourselves on the back for being 'loyal' and for 'sticking it out' in our jobs and our relationships... we believe that we are good people because people can depend on us.
But, ask yourself, "Can GOD depend on me?"
We waste precious time in an attempt to 'win' in the world, not realizing that it is only what we bind in HEAVEN that counts... and only those things done in Jesus' name will last. Take time to evaluate what it is that you are doing that is taking away from what you are doing for Christ, and what it is that is limiting the time you are spending in prayer... make a commitment to change those things - to do away with them. Don't settle for worldly treasures - they quickly lose their value; instead, work toward a CROWN THAT LASTS FOREVER!
Kathleen Robertson, Founder of StepInFaith Ministry
kat@stepinfaith.org
PO Box 2614 Ruston, LA 71273-2614
(800) 707-1373
Day in and day out, we speak of this constant rat-race, which apparently never ends... therefore, no one ever really wins. When someone asks a question about what they should do in a certain situation, my Pastor often uses the phrase, "That's world stuff." This is a nice way of saying, "You are concerning yourself with the wrong things..." You see, there are many things in life that should not concern you. There are often times when we put waaaaay too much emphasis on the sacrifices that we make "for the greater good..." God is more concerned with obedience than sacrifice... What is the point in running yourself ragged for a world that will never reward you if that leaves you with no energy or motivation to run the race that actually matters - the one that will crown you with a wreath that is eternal? We pat ourselves on the back for being 'loyal' and for 'sticking it out' in our jobs and our relationships... we believe that we are good people because people can depend on us.
But, ask yourself, "Can GOD depend on me?"
We waste precious time in an attempt to 'win' in the world, not realizing that it is only what we bind in HEAVEN that counts... and only those things done in Jesus' name will last. Take time to evaluate what it is that you are doing that is taking away from what you are doing for Christ, and what it is that is limiting the time you are spending in prayer... make a commitment to change those things - to do away with them. Don't settle for worldly treasures - they quickly lose their value; instead, work toward a CROWN THAT LASTS FOREVER!
Kathleen Robertson, Founder of StepInFaith Ministry
kat@stepinfaith.org
PO Box 2614 Ruston, LA 71273-2614
(800) 707-1373
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