Please read a personal message for EDL Readers I have included at the end of today’s Devotional . .
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“I pray that you may prosper in all things, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV.
Prestige will not satisfy if your soul is bereft of God’s benediction.
My thoughts and comments today are about “success with satisfaction.”
Success is a worthy goal; satisfaction should be the result. No one plans to fail; some fail to plan. It is important that you establish your personal definition of success. Without reliable benchmarks for measuring success, you cannot know when you achieve it, or recognize when you have failed. Everything without God is nothing, but little or nothing with God can be everything.
Do not allow other people to determine what success looks like for you. The world’s values are vastly different than God’s. Decide to which value system you will give your heart and where you will invest valuable effort and energy. Someone has written, “As you climb the ladder of success, be sure your ladder is leaning against the right building.”
Prosperity does not result from the labor of your hands alone. True prosperity rests in the contentment of your heart. The prophet, Isaiah, asked a probing question, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.” Isaiah 55:2. Prosperity is found only in what God provides.
His intention for you is clear and simple; “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2. God delights in your success – materially, physically, and spiritually. Your greatest delight is when your success is evidenced by satisfaction. Prosperity is the sweet fruit of success; and real prosperity occurs, “as your soul prospers.” Read Joshua 1:7-8 NIV.
Neither possessions nor prestige will satisfy, if your soul is bereft of God’s benediction. “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Consider how things are going for you! You have planted much but harvested little. You have food to eat, but not enough to fill you up. You have wine to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst. You have clothing to wear, but not enough to keep you warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!’ This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Consider how things are going for you!’” Haggai 1:5-7 NLT. In things important, are you succeeding or failing. Take time to consider.
This is Godly counsel; “Teach is to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NAS. The intangible contentment and satisfaction of your achievements are a more reliable measurement of success than all tangible rewards gained by your accomplishments. Satisfaction is a reliable measurement of success. Gayle and I have simply tried to obey God and serve Him and others to the best of our abilities and opportunities, “seeking God and working wholeheartedly.” 2 Chronicles 31:21 NIV.
Today, I pray for you to always place the highest value on that which has eternal reward.
Christian Communications, Inc 07187
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Dear EDL Readers: due to travel and ministry opportunities in California these next two weeks, the devotionals may be less frequent as time and travel allow, but resuming regularly as we enter July. Meanwhile, I encourage you to visit the EDL website and archives and draw inspiration and encouragement among the 1,200 Devotionals archived at www.allenrandolph.com. And to increase the effective reach of EveryDay Life, I am asking each of those who appreciate and have benefited from the spiritual encouragement and teaching of EDL to recommend a friend, or friends, to visit the website and subscribe. I request your prayers for effective ministry these next Sundays. Blessings . .
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