Good Success starts with... By Aije Barnes, January 4, Issue 2, Vol 6

Good Success starts with... 

...Paying attention to wise words. In my last ministration on focus, I made mention of the story of Mary and Martha, the friends of Jesus, and admonished that to follow Mary's example - to sit at his feet and pay attention to what he is saying to us will be more beneficial to us than being distracted.  A distracted person finds it very difficult to focus and hence succeed in life. Gaining wisdom is essential for achieving good success 

Listening to the word of God, who is  Jesus, is the starting point for  gaining wisdom. 

Proverbs chapter 4, is the focal point of this ministration. In case you don't have a bible to hand, let me treat you. But first, come and sit next to me at the feet of Jesus and let us pay attention to his words. Here it is...

“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.” 

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. 

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 

Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:1-27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What can I say! Wow! Mega Wow!

Not all success is good as the scriptures above shows that some people also achieve success by doing bad things, and admonished us not to follow and copy them as shown in the following verse: 'Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.'

I pray that the Lord would give us wisdom and the we will apply it to our lives so that it would lead us to good success. 

Thank you Lord for your precious words of wisdom. Help us to keep them in our hearts. Keep us steadfast on your path and focused on you Lord Jesus. Lord give us obedient hearts to follow your instructions and obey your commandments, that the blessings that follow those who do, will be ours. Amen. 

Shalom