I have found success in life, I am successful and I will continue to succeed!
Pretty bold assertions, hey?! You’re probably thinking, “Who do you
think you are?” And if your definition of success is different than mine,
you’re probably saying, “Yeah right, says you.” How you define success
certainly determines whether or not you can say if you’ve been successful,
but as Christians, we know that it isn’t our definitions that count anyway.
And besides that, people could care less if I think that I am successful if
they don’t think that I am. For example, if a Hollywood star heard me say
that I was successful they would probably disagree. Or, let’s say some Wall
Street broker or investor heard me say that I was a success, they would
probably chuckle and then ignore me. People define success differently and
how you define success determines whether or not you can say if you are
successful. But like we said before, as Christians, our definition must be in
compliance with God’s and where they differ is where we fall short and are
wrong. For example: If I say that I love God, but God thinks that I don’t,
then it doesn’t matter what I think. The truth is that I don’t. Let me put it
this way. I say that I love God but that is as far as it goes (just talk and
some feelings) However, God says that love for Him is the keeping of His
commandments. So, if I don’t keep His commandments then obviously I
am not loving God, as God defines love. Now back to success. How does
God define success and what is the criteria for a successful life. Jesus said
that He came to give us life and that life would be abundant life. He said
that I would have joy that words could not describe and peace that tran-
scended my understanding. He would give me hope and a bright outlook
for the future. He promises that with this overcoming, abundant life, I will
inherit the kingdom of heaven with all its glory and pleasures. He promised
that I am going to live forever in a better world, a world of God’s making –
a new world. He promises that I will be a king and a priest and that I will
serve God forever and nothing shall ever harm me or make me afraid. He
says that whatsoever things I ask for in prayer, I may have them, because I
love Him and He loves me. And all these things are possible because God
is God. Yes, I am a success story –because God said so!

Have a great week!
Pastor Jim