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Success means different things to people. For some, success is being wealthy and having everything money can buy. For others, success is having the position of power in your career. For others, success is in the form of fame and recognition. Those things may look like success, but real success is something that cannot be taken from us. Money can be taken from us in a moment. We may be at the top of our profession, but it will all end one day. Fame and recognition are fleeting. We strive for everything we think is successful, but they do not satisfy us.
King Solomon had everything that the world offers, but he shows us what real success is:
Proverbs 21: 1-3, “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He guides is wherever He pleases. People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines the heart. The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer Him sacrifices.”
Real Success comes:
- When we allow the Lord to direct and guide our lives, we make our plans, but we need the direction and guidance that only the Lord can give us. Remember: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” How many of us have made mistakes and then regretted our choices? We need the Lord to direct and guide us in life. That is what success is!
- We need to allow the Lord to examine our hearts. This deals with the motives behind why we do what we do. What is our motivation in life? What is our motive in our family? What is the motive in ministry? We need the Lord to examine our hearts and show us what is happening inside us.
- We need to live right and obey God’s Word if we want to succeed in life! For those who follow the Lord, listen to what will happen: “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
Lord, help me to live in Your success in my daily life!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and significant emotional life experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is getting rave reviews. His daily devotional appears in this publication.
