Success

Our world and our culture are flooded with images of what the mass media says is a sexy, successful, and worthwhile life. It seems if we have a big house, nice cars, designer clothes, booming careers, and an attractive physical appearance, then we have achieved success. While there is nothing wrong with having these things, if these are the only things that bring contentment, then why are so many people unhappy and unfulfilled? The answer can be found when we take a deeper look at our lives and realize that we will never fulfill our true calling and be content without God directing our paths. No one can chase after shallow desires and possess true peace and joy. Only in Christ are we able to understand that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and attain peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), regardless of our circumstances. Only in Christ are we able to be truly successful in this life.

There are several steps that you can take, in order to ensure that you are successful and that you fulfill your true calling. The first decision you need to make is to give your life to Jesus Christ. It is only by faith in Jesus that anyone can be forgiven for the sins that they have committed, and have the assurance of eternal life in Heaven (John 3:16). There are so many religions in the world, but it is not through religion that we are able to gain access to God. It is only through Jesus Christ that we have access to God and are able to have a relationship with Him. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” Jesus did not say, “I am one of the ways to God.” Jesus said that He is “the way” and that no one comes to God except through Him. In fact, Christianity is the only world religion that does not tell people that they can reach God through their own efforts and good works. If reaching God and Heaven was dependent on what we do, then how would we ever know if we were good enough? No one can ever be certain of salvation, unless they choose to follow Jesus. Jesus is the Only Way, and His blood, shed on the cross for our sins, is what makes us worthy of God and Heaven.

After we give our lives to Christ, something supernatural takes place. At the moment that we receive Jesus into our hearts and lives, we become a child of God. God adopts us into His family. Ephesians 1:4-5 says that God “chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” This tells us that God already planned to have you in His family and for you to be His child, before the world was even created! In 2 Corinthians 6:18 the Lord says, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters." When we commit our lives to the Lord, we become His children, and He becomes our Father. He is not a distant, angry God that is mad at us, shaking His fists, like some religious denominations would like people to believe. He loves us deeply with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) that we cannot even fully comprehend. Our lives are precious and valuable to Him! Once you give your life to Christ, not only will you have access to God, the ability to have a relationship with Him (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), and eternal life, but you are now a child of God with a new life in Christ that has a calling and a purpose.

After accepting Christ and being adopted into God’s family, the next step you need to take is to follow the Lord. There are many people who label themselves as Christians but do not truly follow Christ. Following Jesus means laying down the life you were living (in sin and to your flesh) and giving your life over in complete surrender by obeying the commands that God has given us and living for God’s will. Accepting Jesus might be easy for some people, but following Him is a little more difficult. If you are serious about walking with the Lord, you will have to make changes in your life. Being in fellowship with God should be your number one priority. Spend time with God by praying, listening to His voice, reading the Bible, fasting, attending church, and worshiping Him. Know what His Word says and follow the commands that God has laid out for all believers, in order to live a pure, godly life that glorifies the Lord.

You may have to let go of unhealthy or ungodly relationships, give up ungodly behaviors, make new friends with other believers, or even quit a job or a career that isn’t in synch with what you know is God’s plan for you, but hang in there. When you are tempted and want to give up, remember that God is there with you in the trenches, and He will never give you more than you can bear. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13).” A lot of things in your life will probably change dramatically. You will not be the same person that you used to be, because the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, and God is renewing your mind. Your life will take on a new direction, but remain in faith and stay on course, no matter how difficult or challenging the road may get. Nothing will be impossible for you, if you believe, have faith and trust God (Marks 9:23; Matthew 17:20).

There are several steps that you can take, in order to ensure that you are successful and that you fulfill your true calling. The first step that you should take is to give your life to Christ. The second step that you should take is to follow Christ by obeying His commands, and being surrendered to God. There is more that you can do, in order to ensure that you are successful in this life and that you are fulfilling your calling, so continue reading the blog’s for this week.