“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV

God is always involved in your success; you alone are responsible for your failures.

My thoughts and comments today are about “success that matters.”

Discussing success requires a conversation of how you define and measure success. Should a person who prospers in business but fails terribly in marriage and family be described as successful? Would a man that devotes time and attention to his family but does not adequately provide for the family financially be thought a success?

Jesus told the story of a business man that was very prosperous. Financially, he had done well. He worked hard; he planned wisely; he valued what he had; he appreciated the fruit of his labor. Read Luke 12:16-21 NIV. Spiritually, he missed the point altogether. He had neither thought nor time for God. Just when he was ready to become even more prosperous, God pronounced him “foolish! . . this is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Read God’s appraisal carefully. The mistake was not his wealth. His mistake was a wrong focus, “things for himself,” with little or no room for God. Success apart from God is too great a price to pay.

Everyone should want to succeed at all they do, nothing wrong with that. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23 NIV. Who would prefer failing, after all? Desiring success only for its rewards is an inadequate and misdirected motivation. And your definition of success is important. Real success has multiple components, but not single faceted. Though not an exhaustive list, I think success requires: a great idea, good opportunities, focused direction, sustained effort, ample sacrifice, sufficient time, much patience, others’ contribution, and most important of all, the Lord’s favor and blessing. Real success doesn’t just happen; God is its source. See Joshua 1:8 NIV/Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV.

I recall my father saying, “Many people can stand adversity better than prosperity.” Read Proverbs 16:18 NIV. There is a tragic figure among the Old Testament kings. See 2 Chronicles 26:1-21 NIV. He became King of Judah at sixteen and, “he did what was right in the sight of the Lord . . and as long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” Uzziah was victorious over his enemies; his wealth and fame exceeded; his armies were feared; his accomplishments were many. “For he was greatly helped [by the Lord], until he was strong . . but after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to his God.” vs. 5/16. Uzziah presumed authority and rights God did not give him, and his epitaph was, “King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died.”

God made you to succeed, not fail. See 3 John 2 NKJV. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV. Read that slowly and carefully. God is always involved in your success; you alone are responsible for your failures. I think the intent of the verse above is to rest “whatever you do” completely into God’s hands, trusting Him for the success He gives rather than the success you want. It is foolish to make plans with the naïve presumption that God will assume responsibility for them. When God’s plans are your plans, those plans have His blessing.

My prayer for you today is that you will prosper in all good and Godly ways.

Devotionals 3 John 2, Colossians 3:23, father's advice, God's plans, Joshua 1:8, Luke 12:16-21, measure success, presumption, pride, prosper, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 16:3, Psalm 1:1-3, real success, succeed, Uzziah

“That you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV.

“Satisfaction is a more reliable measurement of success than the resulting rewards.”

My thoughts today are about the “illusion of success.”

Success is a worthy goal; no one wants to fail, or need do so. But how do you measure success? It is important that you define success and set accurate benchmarks for measuring that. How else will you know when you achieve it, or recognize when you fail? Do not allow other people’s ideas to determine what success is for you. The world’s values are vastly different from God’s.

Someone has written, “As you climb the ladder of success, be sure your ladder is leaning against the right wall.” Will money be your final proof? Will others’ applause or acclaim convince you of success? I saw a bumper sticker that said, “At the end, the one with the most toys wins!” If that is all your success is about, you will never feel satisfaction. Some success is just an illusion, a reality more akin to failure. Read Luke 12:16-21 NIV.

God certainly intends His best for you. In a letter to the church, John wrote, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV. You cannot truly experience the best of the first two without substantial attention to the latter – “as your soul prospers!”

My recent release of pastoral responsibilities after more than three decades includes significant reflection about my life to this date, as well as the new season ahead. In both, I share this confidence with the Psalmist, “As for me, I trust in you, O Lord. You are my God. My times are in Your hand.” Psalms 31:14-15. My times have always been; they continue to be – in His hands!

What is the primary reward for a lifetime of industry? I think contentment and satisfaction with what you achieve is a more reliable measurement of success than counting up the external and tangible rewards of your achievement. For me, the things in which I have found the greatest satisfaction and prize any measure of success are family and ministry.

Family. A few years ago we enjoyed a wonderful week in Hawaii with our children, their spouses, and our incredible grandkids. I have never enjoyed a time together more. It was the family, not the place, that made that memorable. I think that Gayle and I will count our success by the fruit of their lives, their faith and values common to our family, the enjoyment one another’s company, and our loving service to the Lord together. I find our life together incredibly satisfying. However anyone else chooses to measure my success or lack thereof, our family and our shared faith are central to my definition of life’s success.

Ministry. I choose to evaluate ministry on the sole basis of obedience and faithfulness to God’s call. Have I done what He asked, and been faithful where He placed me? My honest answer to those questions reveals understanding of my success or failure. I am grateful for whatever measure of outward success experienced these previous years, but in my heart I know that whatever success might be generously attributed, God’s grace and people’s graciousness have been its true source. I have simply tried to obey God and serve Him and others to the best of my large opportunities and smaller abilities. So, I will thank God, my family, and others, and celebrate the years of blessing and privilege that have been, and will yet be extended to me, “as my soul prospers!” If serving God and others are not factors in your list of achievements, your success was merely an illusion.

My prayer for you today is that you value satisfaction in God more than man’s recognition or riches.

Devotionals 3 John 2, faith, family, illusion of success, Luke 12:16-21, measurement, measuring success, ministry, prosperity, Psalm 31:14-15, reflection, satisfaction, success

“Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life.” Proverbs 10:27 NLT

“Life works as it should when God is first in your heart and life.”

My thoughts today are that you “live long and prosper.”

When it comes to one’s lifetime, it seems that some people naively assume the fatalistic philosophy, “what will be, will be.” On the other hand, others may worry too much about their lives, and in doing so possibly shorten their lives, and certainly make whatever years they do have far more encumbered and much less enjoyable.

What you don’t bother to do – live wisely, eat healthy, stay physically active, reduce stress – can certainly shorten your length of years. And yes, healthy practices can strengthen and add both extent and enjoyment to your life. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things, and be n health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV. God does not wish you ill; He wishes you well!

Doing all you can to live in health is important, but if you desire your life to be richer and longer, consider this: the Bible says there are things of a spiritual nature that can add years to your life. Living right has much to do with living well and living long.

Live with reverence for God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you . . Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.” Proverbs 9:10-11 NKJV/10:27 NLT. Reverence for God means living in right relationship with God. Life works as it should when God is first in your heart and life.

Listen to God. If God made you, it makes sense that He would best know what brings you life and joy. “This is the promise: if you honor your father and mother, ‘You will live a long life, full of blessing.’” Ephesians 6:2 NLT. Healthy, respectful relationships with others are to be a reflection of God’s relationship with you.

Love God. “Because he has set his love upon me . . with long life I will satisfy him. And show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14/16 NKJV. Sincere love releases God’s best for you and enriches every aspect of your life.

Live obediently to God’s Word. “Store My commands in your heart, for they shall give you a long and satisfying life.” Proverbs 3:1-2 NLT. You cannot ignore God and have life work well for you. I think there could be found a noticeable correlation between satisfaction and better health, and we know there is a direct correlation between health and longevity. Enjoy life; you’ll live longer.

The eventual end of your life here need not mean the end of life for you forever. Heaven’s promise is abundant life now, and eternal life forever. That is only promised when your life is “hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-4 NKJV.

My prayer for you today is that you live life to its fullest.

Devotionals 3 John 2, Ephesians 6:2, Fear of the Lord, healthy habits, long life, longevity, Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 3:1-2, Proverbs 9:10-12, reverence, satisfaction

“God is always at work in you, to make you willing and able to obey.” Philippians 2:13 TEV

“God’s heart is set on only one thing for you, your highest and best.”

My thoughts today are about “achieving potential.”

Obedience does not seem natural to any of us. You were born wanting your own way, with a cantankerous, independent streak that resents being told what to do. In your everyday life, and especially in your spiritual development, obedience is not about forcing you to do something you don’t want to do, and certainly never about getting you to do what you really don’t need to do. Obedience is God’s practical means of teaching you how to be productive, to have and enjoy success with satisfaction by realizing your full potential. You can do more than you think; you can become better than you have been. Don’t settle for less!

At home and at work, doing what you’re directed may at first seem to be only for someone else’s pleasure, but doing that readily, joyfully, and excellently results in your always being the one who ultimately benefits. This is even more true as it relates to your obedience to God. When you are convinced that God’s heart is set on only one thing for you – your highest and best – you will joyfully embrace the truth that “God is always at work in you, to make you willing and able to obey His own purpose; do everything without complaining or arguing.” Philippians  2:13-14 TEV.

God’s Word declares, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV. Prospering and healthy! Aren’t those the very things you most desire to be? Here’s the catch: the Bible teaches those things are vitally related to your spiritual well being; they occur as, and to the measure that “your soul prospers.”

Obedience is God’s way, more than just a better option; it is the only way to achieve your greatest potential, and find fulfillment and satisfaction at the deepest levels of your personality and identity. God created you to be productive, not just busy and hard working. There are people who are efficient, but not always effective. Others are effective but not efficient. Obedience helps you be both efficient and effective – no wasted energy, no wasted effort, no unrealized potential.

Imagine the regret of coming to the end of your life and realizing that you could have been better – more than you became. God does not wish one moment of your life to be wasted, nor one ounce of effort and energy misdirected, nor one opportunity thrown away needlessly. You are capable of achieving more than you dare dream, but not apart from God directing your life. “God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey His own purpose.” Your fullest potential is found only in His purpose!

My prayer for you today is that you will choose His way; it’s always best.

Devotionals 3 John 2, obedience, Philippians 2:13-14, potential, productive, purpose, satisfaction, success

“The Lord has pleasure in (your) prosperity.” Psalm 35:27 NKJV

“Prosperity may result in material blessings, but it never starts there.”­

My thoughts today are about “soul prosperity.”

Who doesn’t want to prosper – to do better for themselves and family? Let me be clear right at the start; God delights in your prosperity. God blessed Abraham with wealth. Genesis 13:2. God told Joshua how he could be “prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 NIV. God blessed Solomon with such wealth as unequalled before or since. See 1 Kings 10:6-9 NIV. The Bible says plainly, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV. Now that God’s desire and intent for you is settled, let’s consider what prosperity is, and is not.

Have you ever thought of what prosperity might look like for you? To some that may look like more money, more things, bigger house, nicer cars, better job, or a more secure retirement – that kind of things. We would probably all agree that those are nice to have. But is that really enough? Can’t you have some or all of those and still not be truly prosperous?

I think there are other things for which you would readily trade any of those, if that were necessary and possible. Consider less tangible things like peace of mind, contentment, love of family and friends, or satisfaction in the success you enjoy. What are any of those worth? What kind of price tag could you put on those and others like them?

You see, prosperity may result in material blessings, but it never starts there. True wealth always begins in one’s soul – in the heart of the man or woman who is “rich in good works.” Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV. Let me repeat the Bible verse I quoted above. “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV. See Psalm 1:1-3 NLT. If things aren’t right between you and God, you may be wealthy but you are not spiritually prosperous.

Prosperity is not all about hard work. Granted, without your willingness to do so, you leave God without much to bless and multiply. It very much involves your relationship with God and your lifestyle of generosity. Your bank account and earnings alone, as God views it, cannot measure prosperity.

Soul prosperity both results from, and results in, a life of generosity toward God and others. Make no mistake; giving is at the heart of all prosperity. Giving begins with the Tithe, which is “holy unto the Lord,” but does not end there. Leviticus 27:30-33/Luke 11:42 NLT. Generosity toward others is also part of a lifestyle that is blessed with increase. See Matthew 6:38 NIV.

I well remember this caution from my Dad when I was still a teen, “More people can stand adversity than can properly handle prosperity.” Across my lifetime, I have observed that to be more accurate than I would have wished. Read Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV. God delights in your prosperity, but He finds no pleasure in a person’s greed, pride, or unfaithful stewardship. The Bible cautions the person who seeks wealth apart from God, “. . anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Read Luke 12:15-21/1 Timothy 6:6-12 NIV. Be grateful for prosperity; be cautious of its temptations; be faithful in its added accountability. 1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV.

My prayer for you today is to work hard, live generously, and give God all the praise.

Devotionals 3 John 2, Abraham. Solomon, adversity, genrosity, giving, Joshua, lifetsyle, Paslm 1:1-3, prosperity, Psalm 35:27