Key Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9
Ever feel like you've worked hard to achieve success and things just aren't panning out as expected? Not to worry, God has a formula for success that is sure to keep you equipped and motivated this year to finally begin to prosper as your soul prospers!
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2
Like the Israelites, we too are in glimpse of the promise land. Yet, often times we have a skewed vision of attaining these promises in comparison to God's vision of success for our lives. A common misconception of success is having a mindset mirroring [Drake] [I wanna be successful]: “I want the money, money and the cars, the cars and the clothes, the hoes, I suppose, I just wanna be successful”. As Christians, many times we measure success with a worldly barometer and try to attain God's promises with a fleshly mind. God has given us a proven formula for success. The problem is, we often reject Gods formula and try to do it our way. Joshua's life proved that following God's formula for success works! It's no mystery friends, if you are feeling stagnant, one key part of the equation may be missing.
Operating in purpose + speaking the word + meditating on the word+ being obedient to the word = GODLY SUCCESS!
If you're anything like me, 2010 was an awesome year, yet full of many faith testing obstacles and victories..... or maybe just one ongoing test. Whatever season 2010 was for you, lets agree that 2011 will be the year of Godly success in our spirits and in the work of our hands! I believe God will begin opening unexpected doors and revealing the answers to obtaining success in our lives! We have been commissioned to conquer the land and seize new territory and new blessings. But first, we must be PREPARED and SPIRITUALLY EQUIPPED. In Chapter 1, we see that Joshua was in a season of divine preparation.
In order to achieve success in 2011, we must first prove our faith. You will be commissioned to do a task that requires you to operate in faith. How far do you believe God? We talk a good talk, but as soon as we get a glimpse of one giant we shrink back. Can YOUR faith be trusted when the odds appear to be against you?
Here are ways to ensure Godly success this year:
• Know your commission and specific assignment Joshua 1:2
-God's purpose for us is not self-serving, Joshua was sent to lead others, not just himself
-Your assignment should require courage and seem too great to achieve without God’s help
- Walking in your purpose should cause you to arise and get up out of where you are
-When you are commissioned the stakes are life or death
-Often times walking in purpose can be lonely (It wasn’t the book of "Joshua and them", he was commissioned alone)
• Claim your territory Joshua 1:3-4
-Stop tip toeing around
-You no longer have to fearfully walk on egg shells in pursuit of your blessings!
-Imagine how much more you would achieve if you truly claimed your surroundings and believed each footstep was blessed
• Operate in power Joshua 1:5-6
-You are not alone! Once you've accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, know the power that worketh in you.
- He is constantly working on your behalf waiting to bestow abundant favor over your endeavors.
• Stay Focused on the word of God (look not to the right or left) Joshua 1:7
- It is impossible to achieve success without remaining focused on the word of God
-Try hard not to compare yourself to others, stay focused!
• Speak the word Joshua 1:8
- In order to speak God's word, you must know it.
- The Lord has planted the word in our hearts that we may know it and not sin against him
- Eliminate idle talk, gossip and negative thoughts.
- Do not speak doubt concerning your purpose and goals, "Be strong and of good courage"
- Ingest the word and speak words of encouragement in your life and in the lives of those around you, soon God's light will cause you to "GLITZ" and gleam everywhere you go!
-Make encouraging scriptures your daily mantra- "Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world"! "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"!
• Meditate on the word day and night
• Be doers of word (we must be obedient) Joshua 1:8-9
-There is no success without obedience
-Joshua's success came from his faith in God and obedience to His word rather than military might or numerical superiority
-God is looking for obedience!
-Then you will have good success
When you walk with God, HE will ensure your success in accordance with HIS will for your life! Here are some scriptures expressing what God thinks about success:
Proverbs 22:4 - Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.
Proverbs 8:18 - With me are riches and honour, enduring wealth and prosperity.
Proverbs 8:19 - My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
Deuteronomy 28:11 - The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity
Deuteronomy 28:12 - You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
Deuteronomy 28:13 - The Lord will make you the head, not the tail.
Deuteronomy 28:2 - All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God;
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. (Proverbs 22:4 KJV)
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1-3 KJV)
Dear heavenly father, thank you for every soul reading this blog. Lord this prayer is on behalf of your humble, young servants faithfully seeking you. Many of us have been seeking more than your hand as we truly yearn to seek your face and heart. Lord, you said you are a rewarder of those who diligently seek you. Sometimes the rewards seem far away. We trust that the blood, sweat and tears will be worth every struggle and trust that every promise SHALL come to pass in due season. Lord, sometimes this walk gets tough especially when our current situations do not look like the greatness you have placed in us. It seems as if we've been working and waiting and certain things remain to appear dormant. We need a word from you. What is that we're missing? Forgive us for comparing ourselves to others. Please remove any bitterness, frustration, jealousy or fear standing in the way of our success. Let us know if we are on the path or off, in your will or twisting your word. Give us the wisdom to be all that you've made us. We know that in many cases you are still molding us to enter into a season of promise and inheritance. We submit ourselves as clay to be molded for success! Lord, I ask that you begin to position your people in places of influence for the sake of your kingdom and allow us to prosper as our soul prospereth. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven!
Amen.
"GLITZ your way to Success"
