Success.....

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1. Education/ Possessions/ Money/ Popularity/ Fame - "What? Is this all there is to life?"
2. Who doesn't want to be successful?
3. But what is success really?
4. And how do you get it?

Jesus said that the reason he came to earth was so that everyone would have the fullest life ppossible. Isn't that what you want? The fullest life possible! Another time he promised that when we make obedience to God our first priority, all of the things we need will be provided for us. God is all about success including your success. Too often the standards for success are measured by the level of education we have attained, the amount of money we have in the bank, the size of our house, or how much material possessions we own. Education is important; we should go for all tha is available to us. And there's nothing wrong with a good job and wealth. But in reality, it is how we treat others and what we do with our education and money that people will remember long after we are gone. True success can only be measured at the end of our lives by how we used what we had to serve society and honor God. This is the only kind of success that can never be taken away from you.

5. How do you measure success?

Let's say you had a lot of money. Anything you wanted, you could buy. Now, you'd probably have  a pretty long shopping list. And with all that money, many people would say that you are successful. But about the other list? The real list of things that miney can't buy. The list that comes from the heart. That real list probably includes: you long to loved;  you want your family to get along; you need to be accepted just the way you are. And you want that hole in your heart filled, which only God can do.  So work for true success - success of the heart.

QUIZ

What is your idea of success?
1. Expensive homes, cool cars, and designer clothes are the ultimate success.
      Not At All                     Very Much
      1             2         3        4              5

2. Success means getting what you want when you want it.
      Not At All                    Very Much
      1             2         3        4              5

3. My money is mine to spend any way i want.
      Not At All                     Very Much
      1             2         3         4              5

4. To gain success, you have to put yourself first.
      Not At All                     Very Much
      1             2         3         4              5

5. Success is obtained by using any means necessary, even if you have to strech the truth or bend the rules.
      Not At All                     Very Much
      1             2          3        4              5

If you mostly choose numbers 1's, 2's, and 3's you recognize that success isn't found in stuff, money, or looks. Even knowing this, you have to guard against instant gratification - getting what you want now. Maybe it's unpopular, but the truth is that good things come from hard work.

If your score is mainly 4's, and 5's, you've bought into the wrong definitionof success. Real success is taking your eyes off yourself and material things and putting them on God and others. Jesus had this kind of success, even when he was young. "Jesus became wise, and he grew strong. God was pleased with him and so were the people."