KEYS TO SUCCESS 

 

Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 say" there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death". 

Pick almost any subject and there are those who will tell you that they have the secret or the right way to do it. Most of these theories are derived from preconceived ideals usually seeded in the upbringing of the individual. The Psalmist said there is a way which will bring prosperity to what ever a person does. 

PSALMS 1:1-3 1. "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." 2. "BUT HE DELIGHTETH IN THE LAW OF THE LORD; AND IN THE LAW DOETH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT." 3. "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." 

What are the principles, there are a few, and easily understood.

 I). Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly. Someone once said if you want to get good advice seek out those who have been where you want to go, who have done what you want to do, and have accomplished what you want to accomplish. Their advice is from experience where all others are theory and opinion untested and unproved. Therefore if one would seek advice he would do well to seek it from Godly men, and not from ungodly men of the world. But you say who can know who is a godly man. The Lord knows those that are his by name, but we must know them by their character. 

There are four great test of character;

(a) The home test: How a man treats those with whom he lives.

 (b) The business test: How a man conducts himself towards his customers and employees.

 (c) The social test: How a man acts toward those who do not enjoy the same social advantages as themselves. 

(d) The success test: 

How a man behaves himself when favoring circumstances bring him wealth, power, position, and honor. Thank heaven, there are honest men! Men who believe in honesty for the sake of honesty. John Bright said of William E. Gladstone that he had "Persuaded the House of Commons to do many things for no other reason than that they were just and right," and Sidney Smith said concerning the historian, Lord Macaulay, "I believe Macaulay to be absolutely incorruptible. You might lay before Him ribbons, stars, garters, titles, wealth and position without temptation." We ought to thank destiny for these great historical illustrations. "Blessed are the pure in heart," said Jesus.

 II). "Nor standeth in the way of the sinners," He is not referring to our preventing people from coming to Christ by the way we live (even though it does) but rather our life stile. A Christian friend of mine ask me " Chuck why do you a Christian drive like the devil, "That the point if I'm a one of God's chosen why do I keep company with, and act like those who are not. If we are to succeed our lives must be a reflection of the person Jesus Christ who lives in and through us by the power of the Holy Ghost. If He is in control of my life I walk like a Christian, talk like a Christian, and conduct my affairs that way. The measure of our success is not the same as those used by the non- Christian.

 III). Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." You know there are only 3 businesses I can think of where scorn, criticism, and complaining is the way it is. Property management, Media News, and Politics. These always seem to find only what the other party, or predecessor did wrong, and then waste valuable time and energy with criticism and scorn. Paul said in Phil 2:14 "Do all things without murmuring and disputing." Identify the problems, write them down if necessary so that they are clearly understood and then get work on a plan to fix it through the guidance of the holy spirit, and when it is successfully completed you will be called a hero, and the you can say " I was only an instrument used by the God of the universe who permitted this situation to happen that I might have the opportunity to bring glory and honor to His name."

 IV). "But delighteth in His law, and in His law doeth he meditate day and night...." and then see what happens in verse 3 .... Who on earth can argue with this kind of success. Three words Walk Stand Sit .... Walk Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, (do not seek your advice form people who do not know God). There is a way that a person should live and it is called the walk, it referrers to the way we live our lives under the guidance of the holy spirit. If you are a spiritual person then walk in the spirit, seek counsel from spiritual people, Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate there in day and night that though mayest observe to do all that is written there in; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then shalt thou have good success."

 John 16:13-14 " Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive mine, and shall shew it unto you." Want good advice? ... just listen to the Spirit he speaks to you what he over heard the Father and Son saying.

 Psalm 33:11 "The counsel of the Lord is forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations." Proverbs 16:7 "When a mans way is pleasing to the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at pease with him." Stand "Nor standeth in the way of sinners." 

I Cor 2:5 "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." 

Eph 6:10-18 "Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may stand against the wile of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of pease; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit , which is the work of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Sit Eph 2:6-7 "and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." When I see may and might I always think of what my teacher, and my daughter who is also now a teacher, and of the best quality, A. J. used to say when I would ask " can I do thus and thus and so?" My teacher would answer with "are you able;" Here when you see may and might, it is not saying that there is a possibility, or that we have permission, no this word in the greek means much more, it means we have the ability, the power, the might, disposition, permission, and the opportunity. Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with the whither soever thou goest." We need not ask "am I where God wants me to be?" When we in all things "Seek first the kingdom of God " in our lives, all these other things will be added to us. The only question then becomes "am I what...!!!... He wants me to be?"

Copyright © 2001 Churcheshosting.com. All rights reserved