In today’s message, the scripture I want to focus on is Joshua 1:8, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Joshua speaks of success in all you do. True success is not measured by material things. As you steer yourself purposefully to develop skills based on spiritual laws and principles, you can chart a course for true, good, success. No matter how discouraged you are with the circumstances in your life now, no matter how many disappointments you have experienced, you can do some big things with what you have, because God has a perfect plan for your life. You are like a seed. Inside of you is everything good that God created you to be. And as with any seed it is just waiting to be released into all of its fullness. There is greatness inside of you. I believe success is becoming the person you were meant to be and living out your God-given potential. Fulfillment will come when you get in line with His plan for you. And, when you are aligned with God’s plan for you, that plan will not fail.
Shoot for your maximum potential. Work to create a mindset for the fulfillment of God’s plan for you. Romans 12:2 has been the theme verse for this “Mindset Matters” message series. You need transformation, but you can't transform you. God does the transformation. The vehicle for that transformation is a change of mindset. Most of us want to get to Heaven someday because that is where there are no sorrows and no sickness, where there is peace of mind and security. Well, I believe heaven can be in the here and now. You can enjoy the goodness of God in the land of the living. You have the ability to release the will of God, enjoying God’s will on earth as it is in Heaven.
You're designed for the spirit of life to operate within you. Eden was here on earth. It was created for humans to dwell in. God gave people dominion, but we lost our ability to see things correctly and were removed from that perfect place. Because God couldn’t bear to be separated from us, He sent Jesus to restore us. Jesus brought a portion of Heaven to earth and demonstrated the will of God through His life, through healing and teaching, through His life, death and resurrection. Jesus was the Word embodied and demonstrated truth for us through His life. The Word of God gives us instruction for every area of our life. We need to know God’s word. In fact, the Bible is the original success book.
Hosea 4:6 shows us that people are being destroyed because they do not know God. The right kind of information gives you the ability to see correctly. Wisdom and correct judgment come from knowing the Word. With this knowledge, you can tell the difference between light and darkness, evil and good. You learn to stand on the Word, to live your life based on the truth. Circumstances and feelings will blind you. Learn to open your eyes to the truth as it is, based on Scripture, not what truth seems to be when you look at your circumstances.
Joshua 1:8 says to study continually. Don't be destroyed from lack of knowledge. God gave this book to help you. Meditate on it day and night. Think seriously about God’s word. Ponder it. Only then will you be prosperous. And God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Then you will do well and have good success. Then you will become the person you're meant to be. You do the study and meditation and then this promise follows. This is reflective of our partnership with God. The Word works for those who work the Word. That is how you have a foundation for living, a foundation of righteousness, thoughts that are right, beliefs that are right and speech that is right. As you allow this transformation to take place you will be in a position to receive what is right. This is your prescription, read the Word every day. it will settle in your heart and change your life.
James 4:2-3 reveals the truth, “You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.” Check your heart. Learn to ask God for what you want - or - settle for what you get. It is still your choice. God has so much for you. Don't settle. Make your mind mind. Don't let wandering and unintentional, random thoughts rule. Harness and bridle your thoughts. There is an old saying. “A bird may fly over your head but you don't have to let it build a nest.”
Choose your thoughts. Study God’s word and meditate on it. Introduce good things to your mind. Reject thoughts that do not reflect the truth of God’s Word. Thoughts will impact your feelings and your feelings will impact your behavior. God created us for brilliance. You decide what to let in. We each have a purpose to reach our maximum potential. As you ponder the truth, it subjects your mind to God‘s plan for your life and it establishes you with hope and defeats discouragement that limits progress. “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” (Hebrews 6:19). Don’t live your life with inhibited hope. Harness your thinking. Get God’s plan, His thoughts. Build on the Word of God. Just like an instrument rated pilot, trust the instrument God has given you. Study and meditate on His Word and then watch Him replace the impossible with the possible. He will transform your thoughts and your life as you meditate on His thoughts. Renew your mind with God thinking. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
