Short Sermon #103: A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE TO SUCCESS - Daily devotions for women online free

People look at life with different lenses, depending on what they believe.

In the year 2003, a friend introduced me to the subject of success motivation and personal development. I then began to attend workshops on the subject but came out a bit confused.

What confused me was the exclusive focus on wealth. I thought to myself, “Does success mean just wealth?”

I believed that success was broader than just the possession of material things. I also believed that success was supposed to be based on a specific spiritual foundation.

Thus began my quest for an answer, or an understanding of the matter.

Then one day, as I read my Bible, I came across a verse that struck me.

The verse reads as follows: “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John v2, NIV).

I almost jumped after reading this verse.

“This is it! This is the definition of success!” I almost shouted to myself.

If you are enjoying good health, if all is going well with you, if your soul is getting along well, what more would you seek in life?

One singer once queried, "Who is wealthier, the one who has money or the one who is of perfect health?"

I also ask, "Who is wealthier, the one who has money or the one who has the peace of mind that surpasses all understanding?"

These are dimensions that should make you think afresh about success and personal development.

In my view, John wished his friend nothing but genuine and total success.

I believe this kind of success can only be a result of one's communion with God - for that is what John was writing about, the Christ issues.

As far as I am concerned, therefore, God is the source and foundation of true success. Why not, if you believe He created everything?

I hope that I have helped you … or ignited controversy. Either way, I think it's worth it, for it may get you thinking deeper about this subject.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER

Prayer Point for Today: That I may pursue the God-kind of success in my life.

Holy Father, this is the kind of success that I desire - the success that hails from the fullness of the Holy Spirit in my heart.

It would not matter much to me if I were to acquire immense wealth in the natural if my soul continues to suffer from acute spiritual poverty, hunger and thirst.

It has to start with You my God - success in the spirit first, followed by success in the physical. So, my heart desires.

I therefore come before You, Holy Father, so that You help me in my prioritization when it comes to matters of success and personal development.

Without this prioritization, I would achieve the kind of success that won't impress or satisfy me.

In the name of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

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