SUCCESSFUL LIFE

The road to success in life ties in to our relationship with God. If God is the creator of the universe, the Earth, and everything in it, He designed everything that exists. Since God created life, He knows every secret in life. James 1:17 says, "Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." God is the one who gives us opportunities and success in our lives. If we truly believe that God is the giver of good and perfect gifts, our natural response should be to follow His Word. We should not resist doing what God wants in our lives. Jesus said, "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock." The key to achieving success in life lies in our relationship with God. Walking according to the Word of God should be a way of life to us, and not an option. We should be seeking what the Word of God says about the issues that we face in our culture today, so that we can help the kids, youth, and others that we have influence on and think biblically. 

As Christians, we should think differently from the society in which we live. Romans 12:2 says, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Trying to fit into the thinking and attitude of this world will only lead us to an unsuccessful life. If we disregard God and what He says in His Word, we are disregarding the one who is the giver of good and perfect gifts. The reason God does not want us to give what we want is that we are asking them in wrong motives. James 4:3 says, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." Prayers focused on personal selfish gain, rather than honoring God, are often unanswered. God is willing to give us good and perfect gifts in our lives if we live according to His ways. 

There are thousands of self-help books written to help people to better their lives and become successful, but only God, who created the universe, the Earth, and everything in it, can help us better our lives and lead us to a successful life. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What is successful life mean to me? Do I believe that my relationship with God leads me to a successful life? Why do I believe that God leads me to a successful life? What should I do then to be successful?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, you are the giver of life, the sustainer of life, and the blesser of life. Please help me to follow your ways and think according to your Word. My relationship with you is very important in my life because you are the only one who can lead me to a meaningful and successful life—a life that is beyond this world. You are my eternal hope because you never change. You are the God who created me, and the God I will follow for the rest of my life. In your name, Jesus, I pray, Amen.