God-Guaranteed Success

GOD-GUARANTEED SUCCESS

#4 of 7 in the SUCCESS-SERVICE-REWARDS series

Proverbs 16

Verse 3: “Commit yourself to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

Previous devotions, God’s Plan for You, The Last Thing Satan Wants, and Grand Plan show how deeply God is invested in His kid’s lives. All we need for success is to cooperate (ko-OP-er-ate means help willing, be on same team) with His indwelling Spirit. But the definition of success for a Christian is different than the world’s.

Eight year-old twins Danny and Benjy want different jobs when they grow up. Danny wants to drive NASCAR, and Benjy wants to teach math. While goals usually change throughout lives, everyone wants to be successful. And every person has a different definition of success. Many people think success is the same as being rich. Others want to be important. Still others say it’s being famous, someone who’s immediately recognized and adored. Fame, wealth, and fortune are all external—things seen outside the body.

God defines success internally, what’s inside one’s heart. The first step of God-guaranteed success is a person’s relationship with Jesus. Those who trust Him as Savior and Lord follow His lead. The Holy Spirit grows them more like Jesus every day. They do exactly what God created them to do, on the very path He preset for them.

This is personal. You are one of a kind. You’re created for a specific purpose, a plan that no one else can fill. God planned your success. He equipped you with the personality, talents, abilities, and Spiritual gifts specific to achieve victory (1 Corinthians12:4-11, Ephesians 2:10).

God-guaranteed success comes to those who cooperate with His Spirit, and don’t quit (Joshua 1:7). 1 John 5:4-5 says, “...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

So success, or victory, can also be measured in terms of death or life. What the world embraces as success leads to eternal death. God-guaranteed victory is eternal life. Apostle Paul mocks death, then praises God in 1 Corinthians 15:55, 57: “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?...But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Take Home Nugget

One day every person will be judged. Romans 14:12: “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” How important is external success, really? Psalm 60:12a says, “With God, we will gain the victory.”

Nothing on our own we claim,

All that matters is what’s done in Jesus’ name.

His strength, a mighty tower by our side

Guarantees success. Yes, God will provide!

J.D. Griffith

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Grand Plan

GRAND PLAN
#3 of 7 in SUCCESS-SERVICE-REWARDS series

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”

Jesus, as God-man, had to grow up just like you and me. His breathtaking job eventually dawned on Him (Luke 2:52). Aren’t you grateful that He didn’t give up? Who could live perfectly sinless, rejected by the same people whom you were born to save? And yet Jesus still willingly sacrificed His life for us, dying a horrible death that bought redemption for our sins.

But we serve a triune God. The Father is administrator of the grand plan. Jesus put into action the Father’s grand plan, offering Himself as sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 7:27). What’s God’s grand plan? The Holy Spirit applies salvation to every believer in Christ. He’s the One who sanctifies (SANK-ti-fies), or grows people up into Christ-likeness. (See The Last Thing Satan Wants devotion).

“Why did Jesus come to earth?” Mr. Robbins asked his 5th-grade Sunday school class.

Phillip said, “Jesus came so that we could go to heaven instead of hell.”

“Right.” Mr. Robbins said. “But the Father’s main concern is to shape His kids into the image of His Son. That’s called sanctification. This continues throughout our lifetimes. I am not done yet, and neither is Pastor John.

“Let’s follow the thread of this discussion further. You all took the first step: believing in Jesus. Now, enter the Holy Spirit—living inside every Christian. His job is to set Christians apart from everyone in the world who does not accept Jesus.

“But as long as we’re on earth, we must deal with sin. The Holy Spirit enables us to say, ‘No’ to sin. And for those sins we commit, He urges us to confess and repent of them. We won’t sin in heaven.”  (1 John 2:16).

“Really? Cool!” Brad interjected.

“And yet” Mr. Robbins continued, “as close as the Holy Spirit gets to shaping us into Christ-likeness while we’re alive, there’s another step to complete.”

“But we’ll be dead, Mr. Robbins!” Melanie said, confused. “How can we finish the job?”

Mr. Robbins smiled and continued, “We don’t, Melanie. God finishes the job. He resurrects us, just as He resurrected Jesus! He’ll unite our souls with new bodies that will live forever. Then sanctification will be complete: spirit, soul, and body.”

All the kids sucked in breaths of wonder.

Take Home Nugget

This may sound too good to be true, but God is faithful, and He will do it.

Every person of the Triune God has a role in believer’s complete sanctification. Thank you, God!

J.D. Griffith

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The Last Thing Satan Wants

THE LAST THING SATAN WANTS

#2 of 7 in the SUCCESS-SERVICE-REWARDS series

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Verse 1: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

At this stage of our sanctification (sank-tif-i-KA-shon means to shape in Christ’s image), God’s indwelling Spirit requires our partnership. Christ-likeness transformation zooms when believers participate willingly instead of resisting spiritual growth. The last thing Satan wants is for God’s kids to join the Holy Spirit’s team. Satan knows that he can’t win those people’s souls.

BUT he can play around the edges of believers’ lives and hearts. Satan tempts people 24/7 to join in the world’s kaleidoscope of sin fun. Believers’ strength to resist is getting worn down. Some Christians dare to play with Satan on the edge (just one time won’t hurt), and test gray areas of sin. Shrugging their shoulders, “Nobody’s perfect,” is their defense. How can weak Christians overcome such obstacles?

Ten-year olds Jeremy and Brad visited the snack bar at the town pool. “Hey guys, lookie here” their school classmate, Adair, urged.

“What?” Jeremy wondered.

Adair showed them a flask under his towel. “We’re just nipping some moonshine. Drinking makes swimming way more fun!”

“No thanks, Adair.” Jeremy said, waving his hand in front of his wrinkled-up nose. “We’re having fun just as we are.”

After embracing Christ as Savior and Lord, the next instant finds believers in spiritual warfare. Satan is prince of this earth (John 16:11), and it’s on his playground where we’re in constant battle. His job is to sidetrack, hinder, and discourage Christians. But God gifts His indwelling Holy Spirit to believers to resist sin with power and strength.

The last thing Satan wants is to challenge people who’re on fire for the Lord!

Unfortunately, people become lazy and stop battling evil every minute of every day. The word abdicate (AB-di-kate means to step down, or give up) describes their spiritual battle. Satan’s warfare has worn them completely down. It’s too hard. Holy living is something they mock as “narrow-minded” thinking. They look and act exactly like everyone in the world. There’s no difference. Their spiritual growth has stopped far short of Christ-likeness.

Take Home Nugget

What’s present in your life that doesn’t belong? It’s better, and less painful to rip it out right now. Before long that thread will grow into a rope, then turn into a cable. The cable transforms into a chain, a chain that enslaves. That chain soon traps people into a prison that began as a “one-time” taste of innocent fun.

It’s never too late to partner up on the Holy Spirit’s team again, resuming spiritual growth sanctification.

Satan has no use for God’s saints who’re useful for His kingdom!

J.D. Griffith

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God's Plan for You

GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU

#1 of 7 in the SUCCESS-SERVICE-REWARDS series

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Kids are often asked, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” Grown-ups remember the wondrous possibilities that fascinated them where they were young. After graduation, all bright and shiny and armed with a plan, they eagerly dove into the job market. Years later, many are discouraged. They hate their jobs. Their unhappy lives became an unfulfilled hole of previous hope.

What went wrong? How can youngsters avoid that trap? Our heavenly Father created everyone with a life purpose and plan. He weaved specific talents and abilities into our DNA so that we’d enjoy doing what we were created for (Psalm 139:13-16). When we fit our likes into God’s purpose for our lives, we’re never sorry. We love work. Our lives are satisfied and joy-fulfilled.

It’s vital to understand that we cannot achieve God’s purposes on our own. Trusting the Holy Spirit devotion showed why He’s trustworthy. As He indwells every believer in Jesus, He guides us specifically toward the life destination that God prepared. And He empowers us to succeed!

“What do you guys want to do when you grow up?” the twins' Benjy and Danny’s 10-year-old cousin, Jeremy, asked at their birthday party.

“I want to drive NASCAR” Danny yelled, sailing down the sidewalk on his new bike.

“I want to teach math” Benjy said. “What do you want to do?”

“I hope to be drafted to play football in the NFL one day.” Jeremy admitted.

Kids are convinced of their strength and endurance. They ignore their weakness. They tend to take on every challenge by their own strength. And they take all the credit when they succeed at anything.

Then, when trials come, they often feel defeated. If they miss the lesson to depend on God for their strength, they try all the harder on their own. In the long run, self-reliance creates a mess. And it interferes with fulfilling what God had already prepared.

Is failure the time when people learn to depend on God? He lovingly breaks one’s pride by showing us that we cannot live fully—nor receive His abundance—without following His Spirit’s guidance.



Take Home Nugget

People naturally resist surrendering to anything. Check out Trusting the Holy Spirit devotion and test for yourself that He’s trustworthy. Human victory is assured when we surrender to God’s will for our lives. Only when we yield control to Him, Jesus—(disguised in our face and body)—claims victory through us.

I truly don’t understand

The path You’ve laid for me,

But I surrender into Your hand

My life, whatever it be.

J.D. Griffith

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Trusting the HolySpirit

TRUSTING THE HOLY SPIRIT

Galatians 5:16

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature,”

Special and Sanctified devotion showed that people mature (ma-TURE means to grow up) in their own time. People’s bodies mature at different rates, and spiritual maturity is based on one’s readiness. Eight-year old Benjy was honest when asking his dad for a new bike. There was nothing wrong with his current bike, except that he had outgrown it. His twin brother Danny was different.

Danny popped the last Oreo cookie in his mouth. Benjy opened the cookie jar, reaching inside. “I thought there were more cookies!” he said.

Danny chewed hard, swallowing fast. “Nope.”

Benjy looked at him. “You took the last one—I see chocolate on your face.”

“Did not!” Danny lied.

It’s not easy to trust people. People lie. People cheat. People manipulate (man-IP-u-late means to influence or control) others. But not God. God shoots straight. God cannot lie. If there was anyone worthy of trust, it would be God!

The Holy Spirit—who lives inside everyone who believes in Jesus—is God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit make up our triune God. Each person is fully God. Each is equal in power, and completely trustworthy. The reason that Benjy is slightly more mature spiritually than Danny is because Benjy listens to the Holy Spirit instead of ignoring Him.

So while both boys are the same physical height, they’re different spiritual weights. The Holy Spirit’s work is ongoing to transform each Christian into Christ-likeness. That’s what sanctification (sank-tif-i-KA-shon) means. People’s spiritual maturity either grows as they trust the Holy Spirit, or stays the same when they don’t trust Him.

The Holy Spirit’s job, other than sanctification, is also to guide God’s kids. He strengthens us. He warns us of danger, steering us into truth (John 16:7-8).

Just like people can’t earn salvation, the Holy Spirit is also a gift to everyone who believes in Jesus. We need His counsel as much as we depend on God’s grace for salvation.

“I think that we’re getting new bikes for our birthday next month” Benjy whispered to Danny.

“No way!” Danny insisted.

Maybe Danny needs to complete the lesson, from the link below?

Take Home Nugget

It’s safe to believe that sin is a defeated enemy for Christians who trust the Holy Spirit’s lead. It’s knocked down, and completely knocked out! When we’re on the same team as the Holy Spirit, our spiritual growth zooms! Won’t you trust the Holy Spirit by listening to and obeying Him each day from now on?

Holy Spirit, You’re so dear!

Make us sensitive to Your small voice.

Nothing on earth brings us fear

When God’s will is our choice.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Trusting the Holy Spirit

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Special and Sanctified

SPECIAL AND SANCTIFIED

2 Timothy 2:15-21

NIV vv.15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

The Message vv.20-21: “In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compound buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.”

Rights For Apostles devotion showed that not all Christians are pastors or priests. We don’t usually get paid money or material goods for loving others as Jesus commands us. But it’s not unusual for believers to feel unworthy to talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good News of Salvation. We’re shy. We’re scared. We’ve no idea how to begin.

But those who believe in Jesus Christ, making Him Lord of their lives, are special. We’re special to God. We’re worthy. He promises to walk with us through difficult scary times. He’s given us His indwelling Spirit. The Holy Spirit will give us the words to say in every conversation, if we let Him.

God has an awesome plan for your life. He set you apart from the world for this very reason. We’re not here on earth to live how we please. But you already know that, don’t you? (See Godly Freedom devotion). Sanctification (SANK-tif-i-ka-shon means to make holy, approved) is the ongoing process of the Holy Spirit to change you into the likeness of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit’s “work in progress” won’t end until we’re done living. Eventually, those who cooperate with Him will see their attitude and desires change. His job is to transform regular people into being more like Jesus in character, conduct, and conversation. We don’t have to follow a list of rules. We just allow Christ to live through us. The more we yield to the Spirit’s leading, the more victorious our daily living.

Eight-year old Benjy thought, I could just lie about why I want a new bike. Instead he said, “Dad, this bike is too small for me. May I please get a new one?” Benjy remembered whose he was. Good boy, Benjy!

Take Home Nugget

Benjy’s dad replied, “Why don’t you hang on son?—your and Danny’s birthday is next month.” The twins were growing spiritually (being sanctified) at different rates, but their bodies were exactly the same. While Christians still sin, our spiritual growth varies according to our degree of cooperation with God’s Spirit, willingness to listen and obey.

Lord, help me to obey Jesus every day

As His faithful disciple, pleasing Him in every way.

J.D. Griffith

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Rights for Apostles

RIGHTS FOR APOSTLES

1 Corinthians 9

Vv. 3-6: “This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don’t I have the right to food and drink? Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?”

Godly Freedom devotion called those who follow Jesus, His disciples. Our job description, as Christian disciples, is the same as Jesus’, found in Isaiah 61:1. While this may overwhelm believers, it is really quite an honor. God is calling you to participate in His kingdom as His chosen apostle (a-POS-sel means same thing as disciple, follower, believer, student).

There are too many lost people in this world—that God wants in His family—for us not to do our part! Our job is to love one another like Jesus loves us (John 15:12). The Bible was given to teach God’s kids, so that we may share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Not every disciple of Jesus, you and me, is like Paul. He preached the gospel of Christ to people far and near 2,000 years ago. The ninth chapter of 1 Corinthians outlines preachers’ wages.

Eight-year old Benjy asked his mom, “What’s Pastor’s day job?”

“Taking care of the congregation in our church IS his day job” Benjy’s mom replied. “What else would you have him do?”

“Well, how does he earn money for food, gas for his car, and rent for his home?”

Pastors and priests are paid a salary and usually provided a home. They are responsible for the congregation’s spiritual health. They visit the sick, pray with those who’re faced with terrible problems, and assist those in need. They tend their flock (congregation) in many areas too large and varied to list. They copy Jesus as the “Good Shepherd,” John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

Although Jesus willingly died to redeem us from our sins, pastors and priests aren’t called to die for us. Jesus, as God’s Son, was the only One who lived a sinless life. The Father’s payment for people’s sins could only be paid by a perfect sacrifice. That’s why Jesus had to die. Pastors and priests sacrifice themselves by being on call 24/7.

Take Home Nugget

“Oh, I get it” Benjy said. “Like when I was in second grade he visited me in the hospital, he was working....Does he ever get vacation?”

Faith is what prompts Christians to do

Things like feeding starving people bread.

Faith is more than a teaching or two,

Faith is actively alive, not dead.

J.D. Griffith

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Godly Freedom

GODLY FREEDOM

Galatians 5:1

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

True Freedom in Christ devotion and lesson showed how Christians’ bodies are not our own. Everything a believer sees, hears, speaks and acts on either delights or grieves the Holy Spirit, who lives within! People watch and judge Christians to determine what’s different about us. Do we look like happy free people?

“Mike! Where are you?” Ten-year old Jeremy yelled out the back door of his house. It was a hot day and he wanted to bike to the pool with his big brother, fourteen-year old Michael. He walked into the woods. Sniff. Sniff. That smells like cigarette smoke! he thought.

Michael blew smoke out from his mouth, the lit cigarette by his side. Jeremy watched a few seconds before saying, “Mike. What do you think you’re doing?”

“Ah, nothing, lil’ bro.” Michael said, throwing the lit cigarette on the ground. He stamped it out and faced Jeremy. “This is none of your business.”

“Comon man, we’re football players! You really don’t want to get hooked on cigarettes do you?” Jeremy challenged his big brother.

Jesus’ job description comes from Isaiah 61:1-3: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

Christians are assigned this job description too, as Jesus’ disciples!

“OK, give me one, Mike” Jeremy said. “What’s good for you is good for me.”

Don’t do it, Michael! 1 Corinthians 8:9 warns us, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”

God’s kids are on display for the world to see. If we behave exactly as the world behaves, what’s the difference? Why would anyone want to follow Jesus if they see Christians hooked on the same drugs that enslave many others? Check out the lesson link, below.



Take Home Nugget

“Nah” Michael said. “I was just bored, and ended up messing around with the cancer sticks. The smoke doesn’t even taste good. Why do people waste money on what kills?”

Freedom doesn’t mean that you have to taste everything the world tempts.

J.D. Griffith

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True Freedom in Christ

TRUE FREEDOM IN CHRIST

1 Corinthians 6:12-17

V. 17: “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.”

Independence Day in USA is a big deal. Most people are off work for the holiday that celebrates the nation’s independence from Great Britain in 1776. That makes USA 236 years old in 2012! And yet she’s young—compared to nations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Independence (from being under another’s rule), or freedom (to do what one wants), is a big responsibility.

For example, the founding fathers of USA designed a framework for the nation (Constitution). Their vision included a three-branched government. The elected Legislative branch, or Congress, writes laws. The Judicial branch—the Supreme Court's nine justices appointed by the president—enforce these laws as interpreted from the Constitution. The elected president manages, or directs order in the Executive branch. Freedom is a huge responsibility!

Kids can’t wait to grow up and have the freedom to do whatever they want. They often don’t understand the responsibility that comes from freedom. Being in charge of one’s life gets scary when the money runs out. Where to live, who to turn to for help, and other “what if” situations always pop up.

Freedom isn’t as cool as what it’s cracked up to be. But those who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord, find true freedom when we follow Him. Our dynamic relationship with Jesus guides us every day. We happily embrace what it means to have true freedom in Christ, but even that’s a big responsibility.

Believers are inseparably joined with Christ when choosing what to eat, how to spend our time, and which activities to pursue. We understand that even our bodies are united with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:14-15). We’re confident that after death, we’ll be raised up to live with Him forever.

Believer’s responsibility is to maintain fit physical and spiritual bodies: healthy and hearty inside and out. Confession and repentance of sin keeps hearts pure and blameless, without shame and guilt. True freedom means living without the chains of sin (destructive behavior).

Jesus paid a dear price (death on the cross) for His brothers and sisters to live free from the shackles of sin. Instead of choosing self-serving pleasures, we’re to pursue godly living. Christians are “earthen vessels” created by God in order to bring Him glory and honor (2 Corinthians 4:7). Polluting the human body with drugs or immoral behavior is reckless—exactly what Christ died to free us from!

Take Home Nugget

Bad habits make slaves of Christians. True freedom in Christ comes when we glorify God with our whole self: mind, heart, body, and soul.

Freedom in Christ liberates us from the chains of sin.

J.D. Griffith

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