May 20, 2006 - I Chronicles 10-12 and John 6:45-71
What are the keys to success in the life of a believer? I believe this passage gives us insight into what it takes to be a success as a believer. I pray that you will be a success for the Lord. That is what He wants for all believers.
In chapter 10 we see the first key to success. We see it from the negative side. Saul failed because of his unfaithfulness. He did not keep the Word of the Lord. (v.13) This is the foundation for a believer's success. It is not how much we accomplish. It is whether we accomplish what God wants us to do. Therefore, we must be faithful to do what He tells us in His Word, and what He shows us through His Spirit. Saul failed to do this, because he followed his flesh. In the end he committed suicide, and his sons died on the same day. What a sad ending to his life!
David was much different. His life was characterized by faithfulness to God and to His Word. He did sin, as we all do. However, his heart was set on doing God's will, and he did it faithfully most of the time. There was an additional element in David's success. It was the presence of many loyal supporters who were willing to use their skill to fight for him. He was surrounded by mighty men of valor. They were unified in their support of David, because they saw that he was God's man for that time. It was their loyal support that helped David succeed in being the king. It was a big job, and he could not have done it alone. When God gives us a task that requires assistance, He provides the helpers, but we must be a person of integrity, so they will be willing to follow us. We must show them that we are following God's will. Then, we can accomplish much more together than one person could do alone. That is what David did as king. That is what we can do today.
John 6 shows us one more element of success for the Christian. We must be willing to receive Christ as the Bread of Life. Bread represents our daily need for nourishment. Just like God provided the manna for the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 plus years, He has given us the True Bread, Jesus. He is not just the Savior for our sins. He is our Life each day. He is our strength. Without Him we can do nothing. Until we see life in this way, we can't be a success as a Christian. We must respond to Jesus as He reveals Himself to us. That is being faithful. Then, we must abide in Him all along the way. We must be nourished by our love relationship with Him, so that we have the strength to do His will. If not, we will fail for lack of power. I pray that you already know Jesus as the Bread of Life. If not, I pray that you will come to know Him in that way and allow Him to lead you to success in life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 13-15 and John 7:1-27.
In chapter 10 we see the first key to success. We see it from the negative side. Saul failed because of his unfaithfulness. He did not keep the Word of the Lord. (v.13) This is the foundation for a believer's success. It is not how much we accomplish. It is whether we accomplish what God wants us to do. Therefore, we must be faithful to do what He tells us in His Word, and what He shows us through His Spirit. Saul failed to do this, because he followed his flesh. In the end he committed suicide, and his sons died on the same day. What a sad ending to his life!
David was much different. His life was characterized by faithfulness to God and to His Word. He did sin, as we all do. However, his heart was set on doing God's will, and he did it faithfully most of the time. There was an additional element in David's success. It was the presence of many loyal supporters who were willing to use their skill to fight for him. He was surrounded by mighty men of valor. They were unified in their support of David, because they saw that he was God's man for that time. It was their loyal support that helped David succeed in being the king. It was a big job, and he could not have done it alone. When God gives us a task that requires assistance, He provides the helpers, but we must be a person of integrity, so they will be willing to follow us. We must show them that we are following God's will. Then, we can accomplish much more together than one person could do alone. That is what David did as king. That is what we can do today.
John 6 shows us one more element of success for the Christian. We must be willing to receive Christ as the Bread of Life. Bread represents our daily need for nourishment. Just like God provided the manna for the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 plus years, He has given us the True Bread, Jesus. He is not just the Savior for our sins. He is our Life each day. He is our strength. Without Him we can do nothing. Until we see life in this way, we can't be a success as a Christian. We must respond to Jesus as He reveals Himself to us. That is being faithful. Then, we must abide in Him all along the way. We must be nourished by our love relationship with Him, so that we have the strength to do His will. If not, we will fail for lack of power. I pray that you already know Jesus as the Bread of Life. If not, I pray that you will come to know Him in that way and allow Him to lead you to success in life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 13-15 and John 7:1-27.