Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (NKJV).
What a wonderful Kingdom principle it is that when we line ourselves up with the Word of God, which is doing our part, God is faithful to do His part!
Last time, we looked at the first of the two "God's part" clauses in the Joshua 1:8 promise, that if we immerse ourselves in God's Word, meditate on and obey it (both our part), God will covenant with us so that we will make our way prosperous (His part).
Today, let's look at the second "God's part" clause of Joshua 1:8, "...and then you will have good success" (NKJV). Let me remind you that this verse is the only verse in the early English version of the Bible which contains the word "success."
When you compare this second "God's part" clause to the first "God's part" clause, you see a familiar phrase, "then you will," which we know means "at that time you will..." The use of the conjunction "and," linking the two "God part" clauses, assures us that not only will God see to it that we "make [our] way prosperous," but He will also see to it that we "have good success."
Let's look at the original Hebrew for "have good success." The Hebrew word for "have" is hâyâh (haw-yaw’), which means "to exist, i.e. to be or become, come to pass (always emphatic): beacon, altogether be (become, accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), + follow, happen, have." Look at that list. To which word or phrase are you drawn? Take note of it, for there is a reason you are drawn to it.
The Hebrew word for "good" is râtsâh (raw-tsaw’), which means "to be pleased with, satisfied, acceptable, delight, enjoy, favourable, desire, (good) pleasure (own self, voluntary), will, as...(what) would." Do you see that you determine what is "good success" for your situation, and because you are in covenant relationship with God, He agrees with you?
We have so many believers praying and merely asking God to help them pay their bills month by month. If they are in covenant relationship with God, that's exactly what He does for them. What will you believe God to do for you, for your family? Will you be content to accept that "good success" for you is merely food, clothing, and shelter? That's not a bad thing; it's "acceptable." Do you want to live an "acceptable" life, though, nothing more? Think about that. As lovingly as I can, I tell you that it is up to you, my dear brother/sister in Christ.
The Hebrew word for "success" is sâkal (saw-kal’), which means "to be, make, act circumspect and hence intelligent:--consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(-ly), guide wittingly."
So often we think of "success" as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Consider that "success" may be the "rainbow," the road on which you have chosen to travel. Line yourself up with the Word of God, and He promises to equip you for the journey. He'll help you have the intelligence, the wisdom and understanding, the guidance to make wise decisions and equip you with the skills to bring about what you decide is "good" and the "success" that you determine to make happen.
If you do your part, God will do His part, and "...you will be wise and successful in everything" (NCV).
What this has to do with weight loss: What is "good success" for you, on your weight-loss journey? Is it the goal weight at the end or the day-by-day getting there? Focus on living daily by God's Word, and you will find that your weight-loss journey is positively affected. God will do His part, as you do yours.
Confession:
Because I line myself up with the Word of God, He covenants with me to assist me on the journey which I decide is "good success" for me and my family.
Showing posts with label success. Show all posts
Showing posts with label success. Show all posts
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #119 [Success]
Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (NKJV).
Joshua 1:8 is the only place in the early English version of the Bible where the word "success" is found. I feel the Lord would have us look at this very important verse, once clause at a time. Today, we will focus on the first clause of Joshua 1:8, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth."
When God breathed "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth," did He mean that we shouldn't speak it? Of course not. Let's look at this clause in other Bible versions.
I frequent www.BibleGateway.com often, for the many versions of the Bible there, and because you can look at the same passage of scripture in up to 5 versions at a time. This is how some of those versions state the first clause of Joshua 1:8.
--"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips" (Today's NIV).
--"Never stop reading this Scroll of the Law" (NIRV).
--"Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings" (NCV).
--"This Book of the Law must not leave your mouth" (NLV).
--"This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth" (HCS).
--"Don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind" (Message).
--"Study this Book of Instruction continually" (NLT).
It is absolutely crucial that you know what is written in God's Word. Read it (and read it often), memorize it (and review it), study it (go after God's Word, as a scholar), get it down deep into your mind and heart and spirit (until you know that you know it), think it (let it renew your mind), and speak it (to yourself and to others). Those are the first 6 rungs of the Ladder of Success. Don't try to skip any of them, or you may fall off the ladder.
Take an honest look at your relationship with God's Word, especially in the quantity and quality of time you spend with it. Do you climb those 6 rungs quickly or sporadically, or perhaps you try to skip some of those rungs up the Ladder of Success. We'll look at more of this verse next time, and, eventually, we'll look at what "success" means. Right now, though, answer this soul-searching question, "How much do you want it?"
What this has to do with weight loss: Are you experiencing success in your weight-loss journey? If not, ask yourself, "How much do I want it?" An even more powerful question would be, "What steps am I willing to take to get to my goal?" The answers will come. When they do, move forward with courage.
Confession:
Because I want success in every area of my life, I read, memorize, study, meditate on, think about, and speak the powerful Word of God every day.
Joshua 1:8 is the only place in the early English version of the Bible where the word "success" is found. I feel the Lord would have us look at this very important verse, once clause at a time. Today, we will focus on the first clause of Joshua 1:8, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth."
When God breathed "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth," did He mean that we shouldn't speak it? Of course not. Let's look at this clause in other Bible versions.
I frequent www.BibleGateway.com often, for the many versions of the Bible there, and because you can look at the same passage of scripture in up to 5 versions at a time. This is how some of those versions state the first clause of Joshua 1:8.
--"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips" (Today's NIV).
--"Never stop reading this Scroll of the Law" (NIRV).
--"Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings" (NCV).
--"This Book of the Law must not leave your mouth" (NLV).
--"This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth" (HCS).
--"Don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind" (Message).
--"Study this Book of Instruction continually" (NLT).
It is absolutely crucial that you know what is written in God's Word. Read it (and read it often), memorize it (and review it), study it (go after God's Word, as a scholar), get it down deep into your mind and heart and spirit (until you know that you know it), think it (let it renew your mind), and speak it (to yourself and to others). Those are the first 6 rungs of the Ladder of Success. Don't try to skip any of them, or you may fall off the ladder.
Take an honest look at your relationship with God's Word, especially in the quantity and quality of time you spend with it. Do you climb those 6 rungs quickly or sporadically, or perhaps you try to skip some of those rungs up the Ladder of Success. We'll look at more of this verse next time, and, eventually, we'll look at what "success" means. Right now, though, answer this soul-searching question, "How much do you want it?"
What this has to do with weight loss: Are you experiencing success in your weight-loss journey? If not, ask yourself, "How much do I want it?" An even more powerful question would be, "What steps am I willing to take to get to my goal?" The answers will come. When they do, move forward with courage.
Confession:
Because I want success in every area of my life, I read, memorize, study, meditate on, think about, and speak the powerful Word of God every day.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #7 [Success]
There are two ways to define "success"--the world's way and God's way. The world's way is to define success in terms of fame, wealth, possessions, power, perfection, or popularity. God's way is to define success as bringing glory to Him in whatever we think, say, and do.
Which definition of success beckons you? While God's way is always best, the world's definition isn't necessarily wrong. It just shouldn't be enough. True success is coming to the place in your life when nothing and no one else will satisfy your longings and desires, and then finding that satisfaction in Jesus Christ.
A successful person is one who uses the gifts and abilities God has given him/her to make a difference. A successful person recognizes that in whatever situation/season/place he/she is in, God will have opportunities available to glorify Him and to impact others, and the successful person will take advantage of those opportunities.
Philippians 1:6 [NIV]
"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
What this has to do with weight loss: Most weight-loss surgery people would define success as reaching and maintaining goal weight. That's true, but the truly successful weight-loss surgery person is the one who also gives all the glory for reaching and maintaining goal weight to God and then uses every opportunity to lead others to the One who can help them find true success.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I am confident of this, that You who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Your return. Today, I pray that I will gain more clarity about true success, which is living for You, as You carry out Your good work. My desire is to 'show up' wherever You call me, every day, and cooperate with You, pointing others to You. As I give You permission to make me successful in Your eyes, I know that good gifts will come to me that may be included in the world's definition of success. I pray that I will keep my eyes on You and use it all, including myself, for Your glory. In the Name of Jesus. Amen."
Go forth today, and pursue true success.
Which definition of success beckons you? While God's way is always best, the world's definition isn't necessarily wrong. It just shouldn't be enough. True success is coming to the place in your life when nothing and no one else will satisfy your longings and desires, and then finding that satisfaction in Jesus Christ.
A successful person is one who uses the gifts and abilities God has given him/her to make a difference. A successful person recognizes that in whatever situation/season/place he/she is in, God will have opportunities available to glorify Him and to impact others, and the successful person will take advantage of those opportunities.
Philippians 1:6 [NIV]
"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
What this has to do with weight loss: Most weight-loss surgery people would define success as reaching and maintaining goal weight. That's true, but the truly successful weight-loss surgery person is the one who also gives all the glory for reaching and maintaining goal weight to God and then uses every opportunity to lead others to the One who can help them find true success.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I am confident of this, that You who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Your return. Today, I pray that I will gain more clarity about true success, which is living for You, as You carry out Your good work. My desire is to 'show up' wherever You call me, every day, and cooperate with You, pointing others to You. As I give You permission to make me successful in Your eyes, I know that good gifts will come to me that may be included in the world's definition of success. I pray that I will keep my eyes on You and use it all, including myself, for Your glory. In the Name of Jesus. Amen."
Go forth today, and pursue true success.
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