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Success
How do we measure success or failure in Christ?Is it the number of souls that are 'saved' through our influence?Is it the success of the bank account, the hundred fold return on investment?Is our success measured by our notoriety, our apparent holiness?Is our success based on our knowledge, our degree of spiritual understanding?Is it based on the manifestation of gifts, prophesying and casting out devils?Is success our oratory ability, where words flow like warm oil?Is success performing great spiritual acts if front of an admiring audience?
Was Pharaoh successful doing the will of the Lord?Did his stubbornness show the glory of God?Did Judas fulfill the will of God by betraying Jesus?If it wasn't for Him where would be the salvation of the blood of Christ?If Jacob wasn't fearful of Esau would he have wrestled with the angel?If David wasn't chased by Saul would his psalms had any meaning?If Paul didn’t have his ‘messenger of Satan’ would God have shown His grace and strength?If there isn't a successful adversary where would be the Christian?
Our purpose in life is to love Him with all our heartWith all our soul, our strength and with all our mindTo reach for Him with all our yearning and desire,To seek His will for our lives with the passion of our soul,To do the will of God even to our detrimentNot to be presumptuous, and think we can add any value to His will,In the end we are unprofitable servants, we have only done our dutyBut Success for us is to hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servantEnter into the joy of thy Lord"
4 March 2007
References::Luk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.Exo 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.Deu 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.Luk 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14© Stephen Share 2007
Was Pharaoh successful doing the will of the Lord?Did his stubbornness show the glory of God?Did Judas fulfill the will of God by betraying Jesus?If it wasn't for Him where would be the salvation of the blood of Christ?If Jacob wasn't fearful of Esau would he have wrestled with the angel?If David wasn't chased by Saul would his psalms had any meaning?If Paul didn’t have his ‘messenger of Satan’ would God have shown His grace and strength?If there isn't a successful adversary where would be the Christian?
Our purpose in life is to love Him with all our heartWith all our soul, our strength and with all our mindTo reach for Him with all our yearning and desire,To seek His will for our lives with the passion of our soul,To do the will of God even to our detrimentNot to be presumptuous, and think we can add any value to His will,In the end we are unprofitable servants, we have only done our dutyBut Success for us is to hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servantEnter into the joy of thy Lord"
4 March 2007
References::Luk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.Exo 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.Deu 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.Luk 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14© Stephen Share 2007