February 13, 2013 … God’s Two Steps To Success!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 44

Passage of the Day: John 14: 21 [NLT] … 21 “Those who obey My commandments are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them.” 
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Contextual Study of today’s passage: John, Chapter 14 [NLT] … Go to this link … 
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Reference Passage #1: Deuteronomy 4: 29 (in the context of verses 27-29 : [NLT] … {But are we really searching for The LORD – with ALL our heart?} …  
27 For the LORD will scatter you [Israel] among the nations, where only a few of you will survive. 28 There, in a foreign land, you will worship idols made from wood and stone gods that neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. 29 From there you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for Him with all your heart and soul, you will find Him. 

Reference Passage #2: Jeremiah 33: 3 [NKJV] … {But are we REALLY seeking for God’s remarkable secrets?}…  
2 “The LORD, the Maker of the heavens and earth—the LORD is His name—says this: 3 Ask Me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here.” 

Reference Passage #2: Hebrews 11: 6 : [NLT] … {But are we REALLY – SINCERELY - seeking Him?} …  
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. 

My Journal for Today: Os Hillman is right. We live in an era where mankind is searching for the keys or formulae for success. There are those who pursue 12 steps to recovery or read from success gurus to find the seven keys to success. So, what about us Christians? Has God given us any of HIS KEYS TO SUCCESS? And if you’re willing to take in, believe, and apply what God’s word says from the passages I’ve cited above (as well as other passages like Joshua 1: 8, Luke 9: 23, and all of Psalm 119, any Christian can find and activate God's two-step method of being personally and spiritually successful.

Hillman’s word picture is a good one. It’s like seeking diligently trying to tune in to God’s radio signal with one of those old AM radios. You ardently turn the tuning dial, seeking out God’s frequency to hear from Him; and as long as we allow the static from Satan, the world, and our flesh to interfere with the signal, we won’t be able to clearly hear what God has to say. However, when we REALLY and SINCERELY do what it takes to tune into God’s station, we will find it and it comes through loudly and clearly – primarily through His word.

 But that’s only half of God’s formula for success. The other half is wrapped up in Nike’s old catch-phrase, ”Just do it!” Many times we hear God clearly; and we know what He’s asking us to do; but then we drift off into following our flesh, the world, or Satan, … doing life any way BUT God’s way.

So, what is God’s formula for success? Pretty simple really, if you’ve taken in those passages of truth I’ve laid out above.

STEP #1 … Seek God with ALL our heart! … Are we? What is the evidence of our being totally sincere about seeking for God’s will and His ways? Are we digging deeply into God’s word to find His ways of success as Joshua 1: 8 and all of Psalm 119 direct us to do? Are we devoting significant time to know God intimately?

STEP #2 … FINDING GOD’S WILL – and - JUST DO IT! … And again, are we? Many Christians know what God’s word teaches – His absolute truth? But knowing it is one thing – doing it is another. If we’re willing to seek after God will and His way, He will make sure we find Him; and He will willingly yield His true way? But as God’s word says, that way is narrow and sometimes harrowing; and quite often, even knowing God’s way, we’re just not willing to follow it.

 As today’s highlight verse, from Jesus Himself, as well as Luke 9: 23, we clearly have The Lord’s formula for Spirit-led success; and it’s is really quite simple; but simple is not always – in fact, it is quite seldom – easy. Jesus wants us to seek Him – voluntarily, intentionally, and sincerely. That’s tough enough. But then once we tune in to His frequency and we hear Him clearly, the next step – JUST DOING IT – is even tougher. I guess it all boils down to how badly we want to know God and follow His two-steps to success, isn’t it?

But with God, nothing is impossible, is it? So, if we want to seek out God’s way … and we choose to do it, … the results are worth anything we need to do to find the Lord and live in Him.

My Prayer for Today Lord, I want NOTHING but Your will!! I’m here today seeking more of Your ways for my life. And hearing You clearly, help me to just do it Your way. … Amen