Being Successful In 2009

A. INTRODUCTION

“This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

1. Think success – task goals.

2. Make plans – strategize.

3. Follow actions – planning work.

4. A goal of prosperity –formalize priorities.

To be a success in life, don’t plan to reach that nebulous place called success, rather plan to do successful things each day. “Success is a journey, not a destination.” The Success Journey, John Maxwell

Formula To Be Successful

Don’t plan to be successful,

Plan to do successful things.

B. TEN STEPS TO SUCCESS

1. Being successful on the inside is your first step to doing successful things. God’s first instructions were, “Be strong and of a good courage” (Joshua 1:6).

If you win on the inside, you win your first victory;

If you lose on the inside, the battle is over.

C. THREE EXCUSES FOR FAILURE

1. Joshua knew Israel was outnumbered. The enemy soliders were physically superior, and the enemy had fortresses. “My biggest problem is not my competitor, but myself.” –John Wooten

a. The competition is too big.

b. The circumstances are against me. Joshua knew the enemy would fight harder to defend its homeland.

c. My background is inadequate. Joshua didn’t come from a strong Jewish home, nor from the best universities in Egypt. Joshua grew up a slave.

2. Take responsilbity for your growth and future achievement.

You acquire your greastest ability,

when you begin taking responsibility.

“Arise, go over this Jordan, you and all the people” (Joshua 1:2).

You start growing to become what you can be,

When you take responsibility for what you can do.

3. Follow good role models in doing successful things. Moses was dead. Now Joshua had to do the things Moses had modeled.

4. Commit yourself to your task to do successful things. “Meditate . . . that you may do.”

You get strength to do, when you make a commitment to do.

5. Learn to rise above your mistakes to do successful things.

a. Joshua knew that Israel had disobeyed God 40 years earlier. Now their children were given the same opportunity to obey God and enter the Promised Land.

To refuse because you think you will fail

is to do nothing and to actually fail.

b .God promised Joshua, “I will not fail you, nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Let mistakes be the tuition you pay for your education and advancement.

6. Doing what you promise leads to successful things.

I may have failed but, I’m not a failure.

a. God told Joshua, “Rise go over this Jordan” (Joshua 1:2). Next God promised, “Every place that the sole of your foot shall walk upon, that I have given you” (Joshua 1:3). God promised to overcome obstacles, “There shall not any man be able to stand before you” (Joshua 1:5).

b. “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said” (Joshua 11:23).

7. Discipline yourself to do what you have to do.

First you think about doing,

then you commit yourself to doing.

8. Prioriitize your work and life to do successful things. My mother gave me a rule in life,

Do—what you have to do.

9. Giving more to others than expected leads to doing successful things.

Don’t judge each day by what you get,

rather, judge each day by what you give.

10. Believing in yourself will lead to doing things successfully.

Belief in yourself, is not what you possess.

Belief in yourself, is what possesses you.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord,

I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.