Good Evening Devotion :-)❤️

shirleynpenalosa (63)in #christian-trail • 8 years ago

Real Success

Read Proverbs 12:1-28

2The Lord approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness. 3Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots. 4A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones. 5The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous. 6The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives. 7The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm. 8A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised. 9Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food. 10The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel. 11A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.Proverbs 12:2-11

Cheating, cutting in line, fudging the numbers, covering up your mistakes, and working so many hours that you neglect your family responsibilities—these are the techniques people use to get ahead. This is the “American way.” Is it yours?

When it comes to achieving success, there is a tremendous contrast between the techniques used by the wicked and those used by the righteous. There’s also a big difference between whom the wicked and the righteous worship. In the end, only one will really be successful. As you read, look for the proverbs that teach how to attain real success.

You will also find these topics in Proverbs 12: a smart step that everyone can take; tips for responding to insults; how to use words; and laziness.

“Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots” (Proverbs 12:3). This proverb refers to success. Everyone knows people who have cheated to pass a test or to get a larger tax refund. While they may get away with it and enjoy a good grade or a bigger refund, don’t be tempted to view them as successful or desire to emulate them. Real success comes only to those who do what is right (12:3). Although the efforts of the righteous may not always be successful from the world’s point of view, their efforts will have lasting worth. The apparent successes of the wicked will not last.

The choices that will set you on the path to real success—obedience to God and doing his will—have everlasting consequences. If you are not a success by God’s standards, you have not achieved success at all.

Determine to be firmly rooted in living God’s way. Don’t sell your character to achieve worldly success.

(Source: from my friend's {@catietan} devotional materials)

Good evening my dear, sweet and grateful steemit family and friends :-)❤️ I praise and thank God for my friend, @catietan for her generosity and faithfulness in sharing her devotion with me. I'm so blessed to have a friend like her and so as my way of giving back to her, I'm sharing this devo to all of you.

Tonight's devo speaks to me and confirmed me that indeed, true success is the fruit of faithfulness in obeying God and doing His will. "The choices that will set you on the path to real success—obedience to God and doing his will—have everlasting consequences. If you are not a success by God’s standards, you have not achieved success at all." I am not telling that I am obedient to God 100%, but I can honestly testify (through my experience) that indeed, obedience brings blessings (success). When I finally conceded to God and told Him one evening during my prayer and quiet time that I have let go and forgiven the person who have hurt me that much, the very first answer or command He told me is to pray for that person. It's been years that I have stopped praying for him. And almost every Sunday the topic or message is always about forgiveness. I was cornered by God and I have no way to run away from His command. There's no way for me to get away with it. And so I did, slowly of course, it's not automatic. I am not yet consistent up to now when it comes to praying for that person. But the moment that I have released and lifted up everything to Him, including my forgiveness and the moment I have started to pray for that person, I began to feel lighter and happier. Of course, there were still times that I don't feel like praying (for him) but I need to. Then God finally answered one of my long time prayer - - a new job. It was then that I realized that forgiveness is the key to success. I praise and thank God for blessing me a more stable job because I have finally learned to let go and let God. I've finally learned to forgive the person. Although not yet 100% because there were still times that I don't pray and then I pray. I'm not yet consistent. That is my struggle but I know God will work it out for me, I just have to prepare my heart and be willing to be led by Him, through His mercy and grace.

" Real success comes only to those who do what is right (12:3). Although the efforts of the righteous may not always be successful from the world’s point of view, their efforts will have lasting worth. The apparent successes of the wicked will not last." So next time, if we want to be successful, let us be reminded by these scriptures, let us do what is right and to "Determine to be firmly rooted in living God’s way. Don’t sell your character to achieve worldly success."

That would be all for tonight's devotion, my dear sweet and grateful steemit family and friends.

I am @sashley a.k.a. shirleynpenalosa, a recipient of God's love, mercy and grace. ❤️

Have a blessed and rainy month of June 2018 everyone :-)❤️

I am forever grateful to God every day of my life for giving me everything that I need and praise Him all the more for not giving me everything I want. To God be all the honor, praise and glory ❤️ :-)

@surpassinggoogle is such a generous person and has a very big heart for all of us here. Please support him as a witness by voting him at https://steemit.com/~witnesses and type in "steemgigs" at the first search box.

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