Blessings Friends,
I’ve heard it said that if you want to be successful, you should follow in the footsteps of successful people. Whether it’s in business, finances,writing, athletics, or any other area in life, you can’t go wrong if you find someone who has achieved the pinnacle of success in that area, and do what they do. Follow them, if you can, talk to them, ask questions, listen to them, read everything you can about them, their thought processes, strategies, and practices—until you begin to think as they think. Until their attitudes become your attitudes.
Christians can learn a lot from this piece of advice.
What is the pinnacle of success for a Christian? The term “Christian” literally means “little Christ.” The whole point of accepting Christ as our Savior is to allow Him, through the Holy Spirit, to make us over in His likeness. Jesus said,
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.
Is that all? No problem. So . . . how do I do that?
The word “perfect” here speaks of conformity to the principles of God’s kingdom. So, applying the principles of success mentioned earlier, who can we look to as a success in being perfect?
There’s only one—Jesus, himself!
“But, Jesus isn’t here,” you might say. That’s right, He’s in Heaven—praying for us continually. But he did send the Holy Spirit to guide us.
We read in His Word everything there is to know about Jesus’ success—His thought process, strategies, and practices. And, through The Holy Spirit and the applied blood of The Lamb of God, we have access to the vey throne of God!
We can sit down any time, day or night and have a heart-to-heart—even a face-to-face—with the greatest success in history. Not only will He show us what isn’t working, He’ll help us get rid of it and give us what will work. He won’t tell us what we want to hear, He’ll tell us what we need to hear. He’ll give us specific instructions in every situation, insuring our success. We’ll never play hit and miss again.
Jesus will do all that for me? That and much more!
Best of all, He’ll never say, “You need to make an appointment,” or “Sorry, I don’t need any more competition.” The truth is He wants to talk to you! He wants to make you a success!
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
Jesus lives to make you a success! In fact, He died to make you a success.
Here’s the challenge: Jesus wants to be more important to you than anything or anyone in your life. He has said that if we seek His kingdom first, He will give us everything else.
So I challenge you, today to set aside thirty minutes each day to talk with The Lord alone, and thirty minutes to spend in His Word. Make it a priority, and don’t let anything or anyone take that time away from you! If early mornings are best for you, meet Him first thing in the morning. If evenings are more quiet, Take an hour before bed.
In this world of constant stimulation, it may take practice to shut out your thoughts and focus on Him. But, I promise you, if you are faithful in building a personal relationship with your Jesus, “this mind will be in you, that was also in Christ Jesus!” And you will begin to see His promises fulfilled in your life.
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven . . . .” Matthew 16:19
Not only will you be on the road to success, you will form a lifelong bond with the best friend you’ll ever have.
I want to hear your stories of success, so please, share!
God’s grace and peace be yours,
Rebecca
