5 Things Spiritually Successful People Do

I saw an article from Forbes this morning titled 5 Things Super Successful People Do Before 8 AM. First of all, I was disappointed to see that sleep wasn't on that list, because that is typically what I am doing before 8 a.m.  The list did include exercise, mapping out your day, and eating a healthy breakfast.

There is no shortage of advice on being successful in this world. A simple google search for books on success yields page after page of resources. To me, that shows people are in search of answers. This world is full of failure and our friends and neighbors are looking for ways to overcome that disappointment.

However, there is only one fool-proof way to combat that issue. It starts with changing our definition of success to one rooted in God's word. If we put our self worth in the things of this world, we will continually be disappointed. There is always going to be someone out there with a nicer car, a more expensive house, and a bank account with a few more zeros.

There is a lot of wisdom in Matthew 6:19-21

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Success starts and ends with finishing the race as Paul talks about in 1 Timothy 4:7-8

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

If we make the crown of righteousness our goal, we simply put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ. There are many things we can do on a daily basis to keep our eyes fixed on Him. In the spirit of the article linked above, I will list 5 Things Spiritually Successful People Do.

1. Read the bible. There is no better roadmap to success than God's Word. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

2. Pray. It is an amazing thought to consider you have the ability to speak to the creator of the universe. He is not only willing to listen, but He cares about what you have to say! ...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)

3. Forgive others. It's not easy and they don't always deserve it. But, it's not about them. It is about storing up treasures in heaven. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)

4. Serve your neighbors. That is exactly what Christ came to this world to do. Our aim as Christians is to represent him in this world. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)

5. Love! It all comes back to this. Love is the foundation of our faith! The words of Jesus: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)