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True Success

by Tonja Taylor  
12/25/2021 / Christian Living

Stop measuring success by what it looks like. You are in the world and not of it!  the LORD said in my heart one day a few months ago.  

He was right (He is always right!) I was glad my dear Father, through His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), had made me aware of my wrong thoughts and attitude. 

Overall, the world measures "success" by material wealth, and physical beauty. It was revealed to me a few years ago that these are what the enemy lost when he (then called Lucifer) rebelled against the Most High God, and was immediately cast out of Heaven. So those areas are huge targets that he especially loves to torment people about, and tell us as often as we'll hear it that we are "never enough."

The enemy was right (but the rest of the time, he's lying!)! In our pitiful natural state, without the Covenant cleansing and protection and royal robe of Righteousness provided by the blood of Jesus Christ, we could never be enough!

In the fallen state into which every person is born, we are doomed to failure in God's eyes--no matter what the world (meaning people in the world, who have no covenant with God, no matter how much money, looks, or other power they have) thinks about it.

How great and gracious is our loving God, Who sent Jesus, His only Son, to die for and cleanse and cover the whole of humanity for all time, to redeem us from the fallen state of man (John 3:15-17, Romans 5:6). Hallelujah!

"Success" to God is simple; just one word: obedience. 

When I taught public school, I would sometimes have gifted kids that would start on a project, then get distracted and start doing something else (I've done the same thing. God has been very patient with me!). I would affirm their efforts, then remind them I needed them to do what I had actually assigned them to do.

To me, that was "success."

The LORD our Father (once we have received Jesus Christ, His Son, as our Savior and LORD, that is) is so kind to continue to remind us of what He's called us to do, and to encourage us along the way. 

I've heard an internationally-respected minister state that God never speaks fear, doubt, or discouragement. He is the perfect Parent, and although He warns us as needed, and convicts us--as any faithful parent will do--He is the Encourager, and the One Who gives us strength and vision and boldness to take action. 

He is such a good, good Father! He loves us no matter whether we obey Him or not. His plan is always to shield us from harm, and give us days of Heaven on earth (Deuteronomy 11:21), which was His plan from the beginning (Genesis 1)!

So how does God define "success"? He tells us in Micah 6:8 (AMP): 

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?

"Great!" you say, "I've tried that, but I'm coming up short in these things!" 

I understand, totally! So was I, and every day, every hour; sometimes, every moment, we have to humble ourselves (as I'm learning, and by His Grace, doing better at!) and rememeber to ask Him to help us yield to His Spirit within us. He is Love (I John 4:8) and goodness and gentleness. He is the ultimate humble One!

There is nothing good in us, but Him! 

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.--Romans 8:7, KJV

As we yield to Him, we allow Him to increase, and we decrease. Our carnal nature, with which every human is born, and continues in, unless they are born again by faith in Jesus and His blood shed on the cross, must decrease, so the real Christ can be seen in action!

The LORD tells us how we can overcome the carnal nature and let Him take the reign (the "reins") in our lives: 

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.--Josuah 1:8, NASB

You can never have too much of The Word! Ask God to increase your hunger for Him and His Word, and He will (Matthew 5:6)!

He will help you have more true success, and you will bring Him even greater glory. Then, more people will see the real Jesus, become born again, and we true Believers--the Family of God--can all get to Heaven quicker! 

 

 

 

 

 

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.

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