Seven Principles That Lead to Success
Do you want to be a miserable failure? Of course not! No one wants to fail, but many have not attained the level of success that they desire. Why not? Because being successful involves following a certain set of principles that many have neglected. In the following paragraphs I have outlined seven principles that were originally defined by the founder of the Worldwide Church of God, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. If applied, these principles can lead you on the pathway to success.
1. Set the right goals
Before you can even begin to work toward being successful, you must set the right goal. Setting the right goal gives you direction and purpose.
Imagine that you decide to take a trip. Would it make sense to jump in your car and drive, ignoring road signs or directions?
It is possible that you might discover an interesting place, but you also might drive around in circles. Would it not be much better to examine a map and consider all of your options and then develop a plan?
To reach physical and spiritual success, you must begin with the right goals. As Christians, our main goal should be to seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). After all, our main duty is to fear God and obey His laws (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
2. Education and preparation
In order to be successful, you must make needed preparations and acquire the necessary education that is required to reach your goal. For example, one of my goals is to become an elementary school teacher. Not only does this involve being knowledgeable about the material I will be teaching, but it also requires that I understand how to work with and motivate children.
Another aspect of becoming educated is to find the best sources to gather information. As we strive to become better Christians, our best source in acquiring knowledge is the Bible. Second Timothy 2:15 implies that we are to study to be approved by God. We also find several proverbs that urge us to gain wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9; 16:21-23). Wisdom can be gained by requesting counsel from those who are qualified to give advice (Proverbs 15:22).
Click here to donate as The Spirit leads you to support the vision of this mission and the orphange for God loves a cheerful giver - Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: -Jeremiah 32:17
Click here to donate as The Spirit leads you to support the vision of this mission and the orphange for God loves a cheerful giver - Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: -Jeremiah 32:17
3. Maintain health
This principle of achieving and preserving good health—physically, mentally and emotionally—is one that can easily be neglected, but it is vital. Can you be truly successful if you are continually ill? Reaching your goals will become difficult if you feel sick or tired much of the time.
Or you may reach a particular goal that you have sought, but if you are in poor health, you will not benefit as much from reaching that goal. There are those who are financially well-off but their lives are very stressful and they have severe health problems. They have indeed been successful in many ways, but unfortunately poor health is preventing them from fully enjoying it.
To reach physical and spiritual success, you must begin with the right goals.
Glorifying God in our bodies includes maintaining our health (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Achieving good health requires eating properly and getting the right amount of exercise and sleep that your body needs. Since our main goal should be to enter into God’s Kingdom,
then this principle would also include maintaining our spiritual health. We can accomplish this through prayer, Bible study, meditation and occasional fasting.
then this principle would also include maintaining our spiritual health. We can accomplish this through prayer, Bible study, meditation and occasional fasting.
4. Drive
As with your car, drive is what propels you forward so that you can achieve your goals. It is essential to have zeal and determination if you are to be successful. While pursuing your goals, it is easy to become lethargic and lose energy when you are tired or things seem to be going wrong. But we are admonished to remain diligent and work with all of our might (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
5. Endurance
To be successful at reaching your goals, you should never give up. Most of us have felt like quitting at one time or another, and unless you are steadfast, it is easy to succumb to the temptation to simply give up. But in order to experience success, you must learn to endure trials and difficulties in order to persevere.
Those who run marathon races provide a great example of endurance. Despite pain and fatigue, they push forward and, in many cases, finish what they have started. Our Christian life is compared to running a race (1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1). To successfully enter into God’s Kingdom, we must endure until the end (Matthew 24:13). Despite the trials and setbacks in our struggle against Satan and our human nature, we should always remember that God will always be there to see us through (Hebrews 13:5).
6. Resourcefulness
While pursuing your goals, you are sure to face obstacles. Resourcefulness, which includes imagination, creativity and inventiveness, is the principle that helps us cope with emergencies and unexpected setbacks. Successful people have usually “failed” many times, but they keep trying, using new approaches. Though they are fictional characters, superheroes are often good examples of characters that use resourcefulness. No matter what crises they face, they always manage to find a solution to their dilemmas, such as a plan of escape.
In our lives not everything is going to go as planned, and it is wise to have a “plan B” to work around unexpected obstacles. In our Christian lives we can use resourcefulness to confront the temptations of this life. Christ admonishes us to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16).
7. Reliance on God
It is easy to become lethargic and lose energy when you are tired or things seem to be going wrong.
The last principle is the most important one of all. This seventh principle is to acknowledge God and Jesus Christ in our daily lives and to include Them in all our endeavors (Proverbs 3:6). This means praying for guidance and help in everything and trusting that God will answer in the ways that are best. We are to put God first in our lives and to love Him with all our heart, soul and might (Deuteronomy 6:5). You need to have God in the picture if you are to be truly successful. Remember that the most important goal is to be in God’s Kingdom—God’s family—and that certainly requires God’s constant guidance and help.
The last principle is the most important one of all. This seventh principle is to acknowledge God and Jesus Christ in our daily lives and to include Them in all our endeavors (Proverbs 3:6). This means praying for guidance and help in everything and trusting that God will answer in the ways that are best. We are to put God first in our lives and to love Him with all our heart, soul and might (Deuteronomy 6:5). You need to have God in the picture if you are to be truly successful. Remember that the most important goal is to be in God’s Kingdom—God’s family—and that certainly requires God’s constant guidance and help.
These seven principles show the way to true success. By following these principles, there is no need to be a miserable failure. Instead, you can be successful in this life and, more importantly, reach your awesome potential in the next life!
Study Topic: Achieving Godly success
We all know ambitious individuals who drive themselves. They want success at all costs. We also know people who consider themselves failures, who constantly feel like giving up and are convinced they can never be successful. But what is true success? There is a standard of godly success, given in Scripture—and there are proven principles that can help us achieve success. Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong called these principles the “Seven Laws of Success.” Applied properly, they can help Christians find true success in life.
The Bible comments on mankind’s desire for money and wealth. King Solomon, a man to whom God gave great wisdom, wrote most of the Proverbs. Solomon had everything a human being could wish for, yet he gave this warning: “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes to itself wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:4–5, RSV).
King Solomon was striving to experience “life to the full.” But he retained his wisdom in examining the effect of his experiences. What was the result? “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:10–11). In other words, all his possessions and pleasure amounted to nothing—because they produced nothing of lasting value!
Some look for success in status, power and position, rather than in wealth. Is that true success? The mother of James and John—two of Jesus’ disciples—came to Him with a request: “She said to Him, ‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you ask’” (Matthew 20:21–22). He then told them that those positions were for those chosen and “prepared by My Father.”
Jesus then shared a great key to true success, in contrast to the vanity of rulers lording over others. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25–28).
The greatest is one who is a true servant—one who truly cares for and helps others! Notice that it was the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, who took little children up in His arms and who stooped over to wash the feet of His disciples. You can read about that foot-washing service in John 13. It was Jesus who sacrificed His life for us all! As the Apostle Paul wrote: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Jesus’ example was one of service, sacrifice and love. “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10).
Whatever position we may hold in this life, we will never find true success unless we have an attitude of godly service toward others. One of the measures of true success is the degree of godly service one is willing to give. False success depends on the get principle, the standard carnal condition—or “default characteristic”—of human nature.
True success depends on the give principle.
Can we find success through the pursuit of knowledge? Certainly God wants us to use our minds to learn godly values and true knowledge. But unless we practice genuine humility, material knowledge may lead to intellectual vanity—a feeling of superiority and even arrogance. Knowledge puffs up, as the Apostle Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 8:1). Without God, education and learning is little more than vanity. As Paul wrote: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile’” (1 Corinthians 3:18–20).
Ask yourself: how many times have you seen so-called history or theology “experts” on television, using their “expertise” to twist or pervert the plain truth of Scripture? How often have you seen the “entertainment” industry demean God’s law and Jesus Christ’s sacrifice? Truly, “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”
Can one find success through the pursuit of physical pleasure? King Solomon, who “had it all,” said: “I said in my heart, ‘Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure’; but surely, this also was vanity’” (Ecclesiastes 2:1).
Today’s society seeks pleasure in sexual licentiousness, drug abuse, alcohol abuse and almost every imaginable form of stimulation. The Apostle John summed it up: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lustof the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15–17).
Billions have been deceived by sexual temptations. They are sowing to the flesh, and of the flesh they will reap corruption (Galatians 6:8). God intends human beings to enjoy sexual pleasure in marriage; He wants us to enjoy life to the full within His laws and His precepts.
After all of King Solomon’s experimentation, he came to a final conclusion. “And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:12–14).
The NRSV states it a little differently: “fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.”
Seven Laws of Success
Once we understand what success is, we still need to devise a plan to achieve it. Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong pioneered what he called the “Seven Laws of Success”—a series of steps, or guidelines, for achieving success in a biblically based and Christian framework. What are those laws?
Law 1:
Set the Right Goal
Successful people know that to accomplish anything of value, one needs to set goals. Unless you know where you are going, you will never arrive there!
Perhaps you have a specific career in mind. Learn all you can about the career you may be considering. And ask God to guide you. Remember Jesus Christ’s wonderful promise: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8).
And no matter what our short-term goals, we must always pursue them in the context of the right ultimate goal. Jesus told his followers that they should not become anxious about food and clothing; He said that if God provides food for the birds of the air, surely He will much more provide for His children. His point was that all the necessities of life, about which we humans so often worry, are secondary to the most important goal of all. As Jesus said: “Seek first the kingdom of God
A Christian’s ultimate destiny is the Kingdom of God
Law 2:
Educate (or Prepare) Yourself
What knowledge do you need to achieve your goal? What preparations must you make? If you are choosing a career as a craftsman, you will need to work as an apprentice before you can be a journeyman. And many professions require at least a college education, if not an advanced degree. More than ever, we need to increase our knowledge just to keep up with our goals. As God told the prophet Daniel concerning the end-time: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4).
One should never stop learning. But make sure that the knowledge you are learning is true knowledge, and not false education. Scripture teaches us that true knowledge begins with an awe and reverence toward God, and an acknowledgement that He is the source of wisdom and knowledge. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).
We find a similar instruction in Proverbs 9:10. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
True Christians apply the second law of success by preparing for the coming Kingdom of God
Law 3:
Maintain Good Health
How healthy are you? Do you have energy and vigor to work hard? Do you have the well-being to accomplish? Our very environment may be detrimental to our health. We have come to expect pollution in our 21st century. We have polluted our air, water and food. It may be difficult to obtain genuinely organic food and pure drinking water, but we must do the best we can. You might consider starting your own vegetable garden. Our fast-food, high-fat, high-sugar diet is not the steady diet God intended for humans.
In addition to a good diet, regular exercise is important. The Apostle Paul told the evangelist Timothy: “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Again, the Bible emphasizes the spiritual dimension in our lives as priority. But we have a responsibility to honor God in our body as well as in our spirit (1 Corinthians 6:20). Other laws of health include maintaining a positive and tranquil mind, and avoiding accidents. You will be able to produce more effectively and efficiently if you have good physical fitness.
But we also need to understand our limitations, and do the best we can within them. Because of our physical limitations we may not always have the same opportunities to serve as others with different skills and limitations. Still, no matter what our physical limitations, God will provide ways in which we can serve Him, and serve our neighbors, effectively.
Law 4:
Drive Yourself
Mr. Herbert Armstrong called this an “all-important law.” He wrote: “You will always find that the executive head of any growing, successful organization employs drive. He puts a constant prod on himself. He not only drives himself, he drives those under him, else they might lag, let down and stagnate” (The Seven Laws of Success, 1974, p. 40).
Yes, we have to put a prod on ourselves to move. Scripture provides a graphic illustration. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:6–11).
Proper rest is essential, but God warns against being slothful and lazy! The ant, in this case, keeps moving a little grain of food or grain of sand at a time, and accomplishes much over a long period of time. We all need energy and purpose. We need to discipline ourselves to work effectively.
Law 5:
Apply Resourcefulness
Mr. Armstrong called this “the emergency law.” Perhaps the road ahead to your planned career or goal looks clear and smooth. But life often meets us with unexpected obstacles. You may suddenly face a financial problem, or health emergency. What are you going to do?
Always investigate alternatives and options. What resources are available? What agencies or individuals might be of help? Of course, the first step to take in any serious emergency is to ask for God’s help. Remember the time Jesus came walking on the water to His disciples? The Apostle Peter wanted to do the same. So Jesus told Peter: “‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:29–30).
We often overlook the obvious when we are in trouble. In this case, Peter quickly cried out for help. And what does it say Jesus did? “And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:31).
Ask God to deliver you from your predicament. But be sure to do your part and search out all the resources available. Never just give up. Ask for wise counsel. “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22).
Law 6:
Persevere Toward Your Goal
Always have perseverance—-stick-to-it-iveness. During World War II, when the future looked gloomy for Great Britain , Prime Minister Winston Churchill spoke on October 29, 1941 at Harrow School
Click here to donate as The Spirit leads you to support the vision of this mission and the orphange for God loves a cheerful giver - Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: -Jeremiah 32:17
Click here to donate as The Spirit leads you to support the vision of this mission and the orphange for God loves a cheerful giver - Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: -Jeremiah 32:17
Those who respond to God’s calling are in a spiritual race to persevere. Hebrews 11 is called the “faith chapter.” It mentions successful men and women of faith. Chapter 12 encourages us to remember their example, and to look forward to the final goal. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1–2).
Apply the sixth law of success. Run the race with endurance, or “patience” as the KJV has it, or “perseverance” as the NRSV translates it. Never give up! Run the race of life with perseverance.
Law 7:
Seek God’s
Continual Guidance
If you are going to practice the first six laws successfully, you need the vital seventh law. You need to seek God’s continual guidance. Billions of men and women may carnally be practicing some of the first six laws, but unless they seek God’s continual guidance, their efforts are but vanity.
You may ask: “How can I have God’s continual guidance?” The answer is that if God is calling you to understand His truth, you need to respond to that calling and seek Him. As you read your Bible, you will find priceless promises. Isaiah gives the following: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6–7).
As you begin to pray—as you begin to change your whole way of life to God’s way of true success—He will forgive you through the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. God has promised that He will have mercy on you and pardon you, if you repent and seek Him.
God gives us many promises of His continuing and loving guidance. For example: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). God promises that He will direct your paths, and that He will guide you through life to fulfill your human potential and ultimate destiny. When you come to a crossroads, and are faced with a decision, pray and ask for God’s will to be done in your life. As Jesus promised us: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Finally, what is the right goal of a successful Christian? The right goal is the Kingdom of God kingdom of God
Can You Really Succeed?
True success comes at a price—but not the kind of “price” many might expect. As Mr. Armstrong wrote: “You can’t buy it with money. It comes to you FREE—without money and without price. There is a price, of course—your own application of these definite laws. It is not guaranteed to be the easy way—but it is guaranteed to be the only way to real success!” (The Seven Laws of Success, 1974, p. 10).
Can you really achieve success? As the Apostle Paul stated in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The Bible reveals the unseen, immutable laws of life. When we are in harmony with those principles and instructions, we are blessed. In fact, from the beginning of the Bible to the end, you will find that obedience to God’s way of life brings blessings, and disobedience to God’s way of life brings curses. The world’s criteria for success: possessions, power, position and pleasure—-only bring pain, suffering, failure and death. Those who define success as “getting ahead” of others, and engaging in selfish indulgence, will not only harm others; they will ultimately harm themselves. True success comes only through the Savior of the world, who taught us to love our enemies, lay down our lives for one another and live by every word of God. When we do this through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live truly happy, productive and successful lives, because we will be helping others into the family of God, and into the Kingdom of God
So apply all seven laws of success. If you do, you will come to find the true abundant life Jesus promised: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
7 Ways To Increase Your Capacity For Success
During two days last week on the Rich Thoughts For Breakfast phone calls we discussed seven scriptural insights to a better life.
These insights are all contained in Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 in the Message Bible which says:
“After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live.”
As I’ve read and re-read that verse in preparing the teachings. . .I was stirred by Ecclesiastes 5:19 which says:
“Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it.”
The word capacity ignited in my spirit and God showed me seven ways to expand our capacity for success as we move in His blessing flow.
But first, let’s lay a foundation for this teaching.
I’ve read Isaiah 54 many times. . .generally focusing on verse 17 particularly in the Amplified Bible which says:
“But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.”
But on this occasion, I was lead to Isaiah 54:2 which says:
“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.”
According to Strong’s Concordance and the Hebrew dictionary the word enlarge means to:
“grow large, to go beyond, to make more room, to increase capacity, to break out; to breakthrough; to expand, go further, occupy new territories, no limits, no boundaries, thinking big.”
Enlarging our tent. . our reach. . .our capacity for success is not optional or a suggestion. . .it is a scriptural command.
Each of us knows that when we obey God. . .amazing opportunities and blessings open to us.
As we reflect on where we are in life. . .and what we feel led to do and accomplish we need to believe God to enlarge and expand our horizons.
As we walk by faith we are unleashing a supernatural dynamic where we will experience miraculous breakthroughs by expanding our capacity for His blessing flow.
Scripturally speaking I believe we can all agree that God has the ability, the willingness, the desire and the capacity to bless us superabundantly above all that we could ever think or ask.
If you don’t agree. . .send me an email and I will provide you with the scriptural documentation.
However, if we do agree. . .there is a question that needs an answer.
If it is God’s desire to bless us by enlarging our borders then why is it that we are not receiving the blessing flow that God desires for each of us.
I know there’s no a shortage in heaven. . .that heaven will never run out of the promises and provision promised to the children of God.
If there’s no shortage of resources in heaven then the problem lies here on earth. . .with our capacity to receive what heaven releases to each of us. We limit our capacity to receive.
In the story of the widow woman in 2 Kings 4. . .as soon as her capacity of jars were used up. . .the oil ceased to flow.
2 Kings 4:6 in the Amplified Bible says:
“When the vessels were all full, she said to her son, Bring me another vessel. And he said to her, There is not a one left. Then the oil stopped multiplying.”
The oil stopped multiplying when she no longer had the capacity to capture it in the jars.
2 Kings 4:7 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Then she came and told the man of God. He said, Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons live on the rest.”
The woman was able to pay all her debts and save her sons from being taken by her creditors. Not only that, but she got her retirement and that of her sons fully funded in one day.
However, if she had more jars. . .a greater capacity to receive. . .she could gotten other people out of debt as well.
The lack of jars. . .limited the widow woman’s capacity to receive and bless others.
When you expand your capacity to give and receive. . .you enlarge your blessing flow.
As your capacity increases so does the blessing flow in your life.
Luke 6:38 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour [a]into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.”
For with the capacity you deal out. . .with the measure of that capacity you use. . .as you confer benefits on others. . .blessings will be measured back to you.
When our capacity to give is expanded so is our capacity to receive.
The last part of Luke 6:38 in The Living Bible says:
“Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you.”
Our capacity determines our blessing flow. If we can increase our capacity we can increase our blessing flow.
Click here to donate as The Spirit leads you to support the vision of this mission and the orphange for God loves a cheerful giver - Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: -Jeremiah 32:17
Click here to donate as The Spirit leads you to support the vision of this mission and the orphange for God loves a cheerful giver - Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: -Jeremiah 32:17
Psalm 81:10 in The Living Bible says:
“For it was I, Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Only test me! Open your mouth wide and see if I won’t fill it. You will receive every blessing you can use!”
As we go through this teaching be mindful of Isaiah 1:19 in The Living Bible which says:
“If you will only let me help you, if you will only obey, then I will make you rich!”
A closer look at Isaiah 54:2 reveals five special instructions.
“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;”
Enlarge. . .stretch. . .do not hold back. . .lengthen and strengthen.
In other words, God is telling us to increase our capacity to receive His ever increasing blessing flow.
Our capacity to give and receive determines what we’re capable of receiving. God will not result a blessing we cannot handle either spiritually or financially.
The children of Israel wandered through the wilderness for 40 years because they did not have the capacity to accept, appreciate and act on the blessings on God. Because of their murmuring. . .only two of the original Israelites who came out of Egypt entered the Promised Land.
A journey that should have taken less than two weeks. . .took forty years.
Our capacity to receive and understand the blessing flow of God will either release or limit our potential for success. To increase our capacity we must learn to take God at His Word and to think beyond our imagination.
But first, we must increase our capacity beyond our current capacity of understanding.
Luke 5:1-2 says:
“And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.”
Let’s study Luke 5:3 for a moment…..
“And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.”
Have you ever wondered why Jesus taught first…before the miracles took place?
Why didn’t Jesus just tell Peter to cast his nets to the other side, get some fish, have a fish fry and give Him a pat on his miracle-working back.
Put yourself in Peter’s shoes ... he’d been fishing all night long….he’d caught nothing…now the boat is cleaned and he’s ready to go to Ihop for the rooty tooty, fresh and fruity breakfast special.
If Jesus had walked up and just said, cast your nets out into the deep on the other side of the boat, Peter would have probably said, “Sorry I’m going to eat breakfast then I’m going home to sleep.”
Peter would have heard Jesus’ words but he would not have understood.
The teaching expanded Peter’s capacity to believe.
Let me say that again, the teaching expanded Peter’s capacity to receive.
Jesus knew Peter needed to enlarge his thinking. . .to increase His capacity. . .to understand the miracle working power of God.
Luke 5:4-5 says:
“Now when he had left speaking (teaching), he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.”
Miracle manifestation came into their lives once they understood. . .allowing them to increase their capacity for God’s blessing flow.
Peter might have been skeptical but because of what he heard, he decided to step out into the unknown.
Now here’s another question for you…did Jesus make the fish appear?
No, the fish were there all the time. The miracle was always there Peter just had to have his capacity to understand receive increased.
The fish were there…but Peter had to changed his perception…..He said, “Master we have toiled all night long….but at your word, we’ll let down the net.”
Peter’s faith had increased because his capacity to understanding increased.
Here’s a fact, what you perceive will become your reality. When we perceive right things. . .our capacity to receive God’s blessing flow increases.
As we increase our capacity to understand. . .it allows us to put our nets where the miracles are waiting.
Our faith increases our capacity to receive.
It’s also important to understand that our capacity to receive must be enlarged in the triune man (spirit, soul and body). We may be spiritually sound. . .with great understanding but God does not want us to ignore our soul and body.
Our ability to increase our spiritual capacity is directly proportional to our time reading and studying the Word, praying, worshipping through our voice and our checkbook. Giving, as we’ve taught before, is an act of worship. God will only increase the spiritual capacity of those who have a hungry for His Word and His presence.
Our soul refers to our mind (intellectual capacity) our will (decision making capacity) and our emotions (our capacity for feeling things). God tells us numerous times in scripture that He does not want us ignorant.
1 Corinthians 12:1 says:
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”
Increasing our body capacity doesn’t mean weight gain. It means our health, our relationships and capacity for success.
Here are seven keys to increasing our capacity in spirit, soul and body.
1. Ask God to increase your capacity.
1 Chronicles 4:10 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Jabez cried [prayed] to the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and You would keep me from evil so it might not hurt me! And God granted his request.”
Have you ever asked God to increase your borders. . .you capacity for a greater blessing flow?
I’d like to believe that most of you have. However, the real question is. . .did you ask in faith believing. . .not wavering or doubting?
I’ve known way too many believers whose faith comes in sudden bursts. . .when their back is against the wall or even when it’s convenient.
When we ask God. . .we’ve got to know that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
2. Charge out of your comfort zone by challenging the way things are.
Stretch your thinking. . .increase your understanding. . .do something you’ve never done. . .enlarge your capacity for increase by believing something. . .you previously thought impossible.
Believe God. . .like Abraham who left what was familiar and held onto the promises of God.
Believe God. . .like Noah who had never seen rain but built the ark.
Believe God. . .like the Centurion who knew one word from Jesus would bring life to a dead situation.
Believe God. . .like David who took a rock and rolled the giant.
If God is going to enlarge your borders you’ll need to leave your comfort zone and the predictable behind so He can increase your capacity to believe and receive beyond your previous expectations.
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Genesis 12:1-2 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Now [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.
“2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].”
3. Put on your spiritual glasses.
We must stopping looking at life through our rearview mirror. . .at what’s happened or didn’t happen in the past.
Our future is in front of us. . .and we need to allow the Word of God to be the glasses through which we view our capacity for success. We need to see the world before us through the promises of the Word.
To increase our capacity for success. . .our blessing flow. . .we need to have 20/20 vision.
2 Chronicles 20:20 says:
“. . . Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”
To believe the Lord our God. . .is to see things as He sees them. Take a moment to allow that statement to sink in…He is the God of limitless possibilities.
4. The miracle of thinking big. . .like God.
Years ago, I read a book entitled “The Magic of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz. It’s a good book. . .but truthfully, I’m not into magic. . .I’m into miracles. . .the supernatural intervention of God to change circumstances. Miracles Come When You Think Big and Don’t Doubt.
When our thoughts line up with His thoughts and they should. . .because 1 Corinthians 2:16 in the Amplified Bible says:
“For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.”
Colossians 3:16 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.”
Now that’s how we expand our capacity for success and His blessing flow.
5. Negative conversations will adversely affect our capacity for increase.
We can never be motivated by those who aren’t motivated.
We can never share dreams with those who aren’t dreamers.
We can’t talk about achieving our goals with those who don’t have any.
If we desire to increase our capacity. . .we need to make sure we hang around the folks who can help fill that capacity with the pure, the powerful and the positive from God.
People who will cause us to stretch our thinking while expanding our borders.
1 Corinthians 15:33 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.”
6. Positive associations will dramatically increase our capacity for success.
Make it your business to learn from people who’ve been or are at where you want to go.
In selecting a mentor. . .here are three things you should consider.
First, does your mentor have the proper spiritual insight to train you?
Second, has your mentor actually experienced the advice they are giving you?
Third, does your mentor have a successful track record in the area in which they’re advising . . .be it the marketplace or ministry?
Advice that has not been tested, proven and successful is just opinion. . .an experiment … not experience.
Someone, regardless of how good they sound,. . . cannot take you where they haven’t been.
When it comes to your capacity for success and change. . .you need to realize that every new generation can go beyond the previous generation.
Proverbs 15:22 in the New Living Translation says:
“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”
7. No one can limit or restrict your capacity for success. . .unless you allow them to do so.
Enlarge your tent. . .the place of your surroundings. Make and take conscious decisions to move beyond past limitations.
According to the Herring Life Experiences Dictionary. . .breakthrough is defined as:
“A sudden burst of faith that will take you beyond all previous points of past resistance.”
In other words, you. . .nobody else but you . . . will make a decision to move beyond the boundaries that societal inertia or attacks of the enemy has taken you.
May your capacity for success be commensurate with the blessing flow that God is bringing into your life. . .beginning today.
Psalm 40:5-7 in the Amplified Bible says:
“5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered.
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6 Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear and obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require.
7 Then said I, Behold, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me;”
Read your Bible….do what it says. . .and these seven words will guide you to your increased capacity for success and His blessings flow.
One final thought.
Your capacity for success is directly affected by your generosity.
2 Corinthians 9:11 in the New Living Translation says:
“Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.”
And, one more scripture on increasing your capacity.
2 Corinthians 9:10 in the New Living Translation says:
“For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.”
Beginning today, I’m expanding my capacity for success. I’m taking the limits off. I’m enlarging my borders which are with limitations.
Brgds, Uchenna Celestine Okonkwor
The Principal Coordinator FREE TUITION UNIVERSITY
AND SCHOOLS CONSTRUCTION VISION AND MISSION
Carre 998 Djidje 08Bp058
Cotonou -Republic of Benin
Text messages only on Tel: +22997181607
For immediate Enquiries. Please call me on +2348037173193
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