I guess I’ve been at this thing called life for a little while now. I’ve come to realize I have limitations, I have needs, I have weaknesses, and I face challenges. Awareness of my frailty makes me certain I need a source outside of myself to orchestrate success and make me fruitful. Not only do I need Yahweh to achieve success, I also need Him to define it. In today’s society there are many definitions of “success”.
Materialism is a value for some and therefore success in their eyes includes financial prosperity, normally their view is the more you have the better life is and the more “successful” you are.
Early in my walk with Yeshua (Jesus) He began to conform me to His teachings. His Words:
“…Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
Luke 12:15
or
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
and
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 6:24
put me in pursuit of something more than riches and materials. My soul is not satisfied with credentials, connections, money, and acclaim. In fact, I’ve come to understand that too much stock in those things equates to loving the world:
“Do not love the world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
The Scripture makes a distinction between living to please God and living to please ourselves or the people of the world. Brethren I am increasingly aware that the lawlessness in our world is abounding and the love of many is growing cold (Matthew 24:12). People professing to know and love God are falling away to the things of the world, desiring to please those who hate God more than the One who sits on the throne above all Heaven and earth. I plead with you brothers and sisters, please pray for yourselves and me. May God grant us to love Him with all our mind, soul, and, strength (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37). Guard your heart for it will determine the course of your life (Proverbs 4:23) and choose your friends wisely (Proverbs 12:26) because they will either encourage you in the things of God or pull you away into the flood of dissipation (1 Peter 4:1-6). Be steadfast. You can stand and I can stand because Yahweh is our strength!
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song. The Lord is the strength of His people; He is a stronghold of salvation for His anointed. Save Your people, bless Your possession, shepherd them, and carry them forever.”
Psalms 28:7-9