Secrets And Successes

​Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word, it distinguishes.  It teaches you discernment.  It’s helpful to listen to successful people.  When interviewed, they will give away secrets of their success.  Whether intentionally trying to share successful principles for the benefit of others, or merely boasting about what they have accomplished.  When that reporter asks them questions, (unless they are keeping their cards close to the vest) they will usually come to life, as people love talking about themselves.  But when they do, it is critical to distinguish what kind of success they are talking about.  Just like there is the wisdom that comes from the world, and the wisdom that comes from God, the same is true regarding success.  The wise discern.  They mentally separate between true and false – between one and the other. True and what seems or appears true.  Like the rich fool, successful, of one kind, but not the other.  He would be the one that every church would want on the board.  To head up the building campaign, to build bigger church buildings like he builds bigger barns, but his heart is not toward God, but the desires of this world.  He will lose everything.  David and other men of God, conversely, gave insight into true success, what made them tick, and how they think.  Psalms is kind of an exclusive interview with David, a man after God’s own heart, and he gives away the farm when it comes to a success manual.  Psalms 44:4 – You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob.  Through you we push back our enemies through your Name we trample our foes.  I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory, but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.  In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.  David is talking in psalms, first to himself, then to God, and then to us or anyone who has ears to hear.  Here He is reminding himself, as well as talking to God.  “You are my King and my God.” You are the one I obey as King, who’s kingdom and dominion I am a citizen of.  I follow your laws, rules and regulations.  I submit to you as King.  Telling God that He will fully submit himself today, and also telling himself, what He is going to do.  Then He says, “You are my God.” The one who created me, who sustains me, who loves me and saves me.  The one I worship – the one I honor as the Supreme Authority – the one I bow down to, and worship with my whole heart, soul, mind and might.  (You) decree victories for Jacob.  God renamed Jacob Israel.  If you are not part of God’s chosen people of Abrahams natural seed, you can now become through Christ, God’s chosen people of Abrahams spiritual seed.  Praise God.  Through You we push back our enemies.  It’s God who does it.  And God said our enemies are not people, but principalities and powers of this dark world.  Our enemy is the enemy of our soul, the one who hates God, and therefore hates us.  And he is pushed back every time we resist sin, every time we fear God, turn from evil.  Every time we obey His plans for us today, and choose His Word to transform our mind, every time we overcome with our testimony, exhorting one another daily, every time we choose to praise, and sing, and worship and rejoice, the enemy is pushed back and the adversary is put to shame.  David said to himself.  Just as a reminder. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory, but you give us victory over the enemy.  It is God that does it, not my skill, strength, initiative, diligence, persistence or resolve.  I don’t do those things to succeed, I do them to obey the LORD my God, and honor Him – And His right arm, is the arm that brings me victory.  The God who declares victories for us!  His people – Israel – where He rules as God.  In you O GOD, we make our boast all day long.  He was reminding himself – today – I will keep talking about God, He will be on my mind, in my heart, and on my tongue.  I will praise your Name forever.  Your fame and reputation, your renown.  Everything you are, that You say and said, that You do and did. Your Name and your Fame, your Renown, Reputation, Track Record of undefeated success and all the promises for the future…  We will praise all of that – forever.  Praying that you will discern between successes – that you will measure everything you hear against God’s standard of truth, that you will tell yourself like David, it’s not your plans or effort that brings you victory, but the arm of the LORD your strength, that you will obey Him as King, worship Him as God, and Praise His Name today, and every day for the rest of your life. 
 
Love you all,
dad