Success without following God's plan is failure
November 20, 2010
I have a hard time understaanding how people measure success in their life without beginning their first measure with the question "Is this God's purpose for my life?" Failing to follow God's plan is certain failure. Now that does not necessarily mean that you will not have money on Earth, or a great career, or a big ministry, or a great family, but it is guaranteed that you will never experience the "fullness" of Christ if you are living day to day without knowing what God has called you to do in your life. "We must be careful that we are not planning and praying that our plan will work, when we shyould be praying first and then following God's plan" (Meyer; Never Give Up 159). This really helps me understand that the successes, peace, joy and fulfilment I have experienced happen because of prayer and following prayer with action rather than the other way around. I also realize that the reason fear has really been an issue for me the past few days is b/c I have not been as dedicated in my prayer time. Everything in my schedule just comes together better when I am focused on daily prayer. Because I have so much going on with two businesses and a ministry, it is critical that I do not lose sight of this. I ahve really had to deal more with "what - if" fears leately than before and I know this negative thinking is an outcome of not enough time with God. Following God has to mean that the first % of my time goes to Him. He is first. What is so hard about that is that we all have really important things - like our kids - our spouses - our jobs - that rank at the top as well. We often justify less prayer time by saying we spent more time with our family. Well, that would be okay if God's word designed our priorities that way - but He clearly calls us to give Him our time first. This prayer time is even more important as we take steps of action toward the life and purpose we are called to, You see, when you start to follow God's plan it often takes you to a new place with a new set of circumstances you have never experienced before. In fact, most people never follow God b/c of their own fears about this sort of change. More than likely you will feel stretched and out of control. BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL - and HE IS IN CONTROL :) Only through prayer and His word, can we really fulfill the responsibilities He sets out for us. Nothing - no new path - whether its a job, relationship, ministry - that He leads us into is bigger than Him - SO GO FOR IT!!! "God's power and presence enable us to do things we could not do on our own" (Meyer 161). Therefore, our daily routine has to begin with seeking His presence and power. The tools for this are His word and Prayer. What are all the "what - ifs" you are dealing with as you feel led by Him to make a change in your life? How much of your time do you spend talking and venting about it? If you would change spending that % of time from talking with others into communion with Him you will be blessed.
I have a hard time understaanding how people measure success in their life without beginning their first measure with the question "Is this God's purpose for my life?" Failing to follow God's plan is certain failure. Now that does not necessarily mean that you will not have money on Earth, or a great career, or a big ministry, or a great family, but it is guaranteed that you will never experience the "fullness" of Christ if you are living day to day without knowing what God has called you to do in your life. "We must be careful that we are not planning and praying that our plan will work, when we shyould be praying first and then following God's plan" (Meyer; Never Give Up 159). This really helps me understand that the successes, peace, joy and fulfilment I have experienced happen because of prayer and following prayer with action rather than the other way around. I also realize that the reason fear has really been an issue for me the past few days is b/c I have not been as dedicated in my prayer time. Everything in my schedule just comes together better when I am focused on daily prayer. Because I have so much going on with two businesses and a ministry, it is critical that I do not lose sight of this. I ahve really had to deal more with "what - if" fears leately than before and I know this negative thinking is an outcome of not enough time with God. Following God has to mean that the first % of my time goes to Him. He is first. What is so hard about that is that we all have really important things - like our kids - our spouses - our jobs - that rank at the top as well. We often justify less prayer time by saying we spent more time with our family. Well, that would be okay if God's word designed our priorities that way - but He clearly calls us to give Him our time first. This prayer time is even more important as we take steps of action toward the life and purpose we are called to, You see, when you start to follow God's plan it often takes you to a new place with a new set of circumstances you have never experienced before. In fact, most people never follow God b/c of their own fears about this sort of change. More than likely you will feel stretched and out of control. BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL - and HE IS IN CONTROL :) Only through prayer and His word, can we really fulfill the responsibilities He sets out for us. Nothing - no new path - whether its a job, relationship, ministry - that He leads us into is bigger than Him - SO GO FOR IT!!! "God's power and presence enable us to do things we could not do on our own" (Meyer 161). Therefore, our daily routine has to begin with seeking His presence and power. The tools for this are His word and Prayer. What are all the "what - ifs" you are dealing with as you feel led by Him to make a change in your life? How much of your time do you spend talking and venting about it? If you would change spending that % of time from talking with others into communion with Him you will be blessed.
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