Mindset For Success

Woe to my rebellious children, says the Lord; you ask advice from everyone but me and decide to do what I don't want you to do. You yoke yourselves with unbelievers, thus piling up your sins. For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says: Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved; in quietness and confidence is your strength; but you'll have none of this. - Isaiah 30:1,15 (Living Bible) Because of the sinful nature we are born with; our default mode is wanting our will, our way, and in our timing. If we ask God for what we want and do not get the answer we want, we tend to figure out how to get it and then convince ourselves it was God's will. We may validate our actions by manipulating the situation to make it work out, or seek "advice" from people who will validate the desire for what we want. This is exactly what the Israelites did when they aligned themselves with Egypt over God. They listened to advisors who told them to turn to the Egypti

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. - Psalm 37:4-5 (NASB) As a Christ-follower, one who has been justified by faith, our ultimate purpose in this life is to follow Jesus, to have the mind of Christ, and to be conformed to His image. In doing so, we will sensitize our hearts to the leading of the Holy Spirit and understand the will of God for our lives. If we chose not to renew our mind and seek the mind of Christ, we will continue to deceive ourselves into thinking our will is God's will. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2 (NASB) For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son - Romans 8:29a (NASB) When your will is God's will, you will have your will. - Charles Spurgeo

How blessed and favored by God are those whose way is blameless [those with personal integrity, the upright, the guileless], who walk in the law [and who are guided by the precepts and revealed will] of the Lord. Is each step I take guided by God's Word? Blessed and favored by God are those who keep His testimonies and who [consistently] seek Him and long for Him with all their heart. Am I seeking God daily with all my heart? You have ordained Your precepts, that we should follow them with [careful] diligence. Do I follow God's Word with careful diligence? Oh, that my ways may be established to observe and keep Your statutes [obediently accepting and honoring them]! Do I structure my life around the Word of God? How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts]. Is each step I take guided by God's Word? With all my heart, I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You]; do not let me

My [only] sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise. - Psalm 51:17 (Amplified Bible) In the greatest sermon ever given, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins with the Beatitudes, His description of the character of true faith. His first words are "Blessed are the poor in spirit", which refer to the deep humility of recognizing one's spiritual bankruptcy apart from God. When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. Then He began to teach them, saying, "Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. "Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God's grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be