“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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
~ Joshua 1:8 ~
1. Watch your words
Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. – Your words reflect your belief system. Words have power to impact your present as well as the future. Today, we can clearly see how words are strong drivers of relationships, businesses, ministry, education, the financial world and government among other things. In James 3, the writer shares how powerful our conversation is. If used improperly, we can destroy people, hurt our futures, negatively impact our business or ministries, etc. Conversely, we can empower ourselves and others with the right words. We can bless our surroundings, business and ministries when we speak the right words, thoughts and ideas.
We have a running commentary going in our minds all the time. We usually end up speaking based on our internal thoughts and perspectives. This is why we must align our minds with God’s Word and His way of thinking. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mind speaks (Matthew 12:34), When I learned this principle, I started listening to my own conversation. I then realized how much damage I was doing to my own future. Faith comes by hearing…… Part of what you believe comes from what you are saying to yourself and others. If you continue to spout out doubt and fear, that is what you will reap. Put a watch to your words, remove any destructive conversation from your conversation, and replace them with God’s promises, words and commentary that reflect your better future, thoughts and concepts that increase your self-worth and confidence. God believes in you. You must also. “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me” (Phillipians 4:13).
Also, we must work with the revelation and understanding that God gives us in His Word to break out of our self-imposed or culturally-imposed limits. NOTE: for as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7, KJV). God told Joshua that if he would meditate on His Word day and night, he would make his way prosperous. NOTE: it does not say that God would make his way prosperous; It says that Joshua would make his own way prosperous as he meditates and acts on God’s Word. What are you meditating on day and night? What are you studying? Many study TV programs every day (I say that sarcastically). That is fantasy and will stagnate and paralyze your future and destiny. We need to get our heads out of the things that are causing us to be detracted and entertained to the point that we never activate the actions that are going to cause us to enter into our more beneficial future. It won’t happen by dreaming only. Meditate on and speak His Word daily, and then your thoughts and corresponding actions will fall in line with His Will, and you will prosper in life and ministry.
2. Faith needs corresponding works and a clear objective.
What are you believing for? You need to know what to believe for. In order to successfully decree a thing, you must know it is the will of God and beneficial to your future. If not, what gets established in your future will be unsure. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Also, a person who is moving in true faith goes to work on what he/she believes, and partners with God to bring it to pass. Faith and action go hand in hand. Faith without action is a pipe dream. One is deceived if one thinks that they can have what they believe for without corresponding actions. I can vividly remember when God placed it in my heart to write a book. Even though I had faith that God was going to help me write a book, I had no idea how and where to get started. After doing a lot of praying, I realized that nothing would come to pass if I did not start writing. What I did was reach out to those friends of mine who had already written books. I asked them how did they get started. I asked them what steps did they take to end up with the finished product. Then, after I did all the research, I began the process of writing my book.
I wish I could tell you it was quick and easy, but I would be lying. It was a new process for me, and a foreign one. It took all my strength and discipline to begin the process. After several months I considered giving up. I had to dig deep and remember what was important. I had learned that a book is an extension of my ministry and life. It would live on even after I was gone. It could go to places that I might never go to. It could be translated into many languages and impact people all over the world. I imagined a person reading my book and being impacted and changed forever. I then remembered it was not about my momentary comfort. It was about all the people this book would help in the future. That motivated me to continue the process.
It took a total of 5 years for me to finish the book. It could have take 6 to 9 months, but due to all the personal and internal challenges that I had to deal with, I kept on delaying the process.
However, what I learned and became during the process, was just as important as the book itself. I was able to grow as an individual and in my writing skills. But if I would never had put “feet” to my faith, the book would never had been written.
3. True greatness is being sensitive to and helping to meet the needs of humanity.
Many have lost their passion for the lost. They have become cold and insensitive to the needs of others. Paul taught Timothy to counsel the rich not to become high-minded, but to be rich in good works. Real greatness is being a servant leader at heart. Jesus taught the disciples to wash each other’s feet and serve one another. We need to overcome the conditioning of society as well as the resistance of your flesh because it only wants to be pampered. It doesn’t want to serve others. We also must overcome the contamination of religious rituals and habits. It is dangerous to learn without implementing what we learn in faith and love. Never allow yourself to get so desensitized that you neglect the simple obedience to just serve in love. One prospers to the degree that one serves and cares and meet needs. Your value in society is linked to the problems you solve and the issues that you can correct. Be the one that brings solutions and excellent service and you will rise to the top in your chosen profession. Mankind is at its highest when it helps others. God is a Giver, and He created us in His image. We are at out happiest when we can help others in some way, shape or form. When we are in a position to give to others, it makes us feel alive and vibrant. As a father, I love when I give gifts to my children. I enjoy the feeling I get when I see them open their gifts and celebrate what they just received. Don’t just be a receiver; Be an amazing giver, and your life will be truly amazing.
4. Personal accountability and discipline is vital to success in any endeavor.
Do you have a budget? Do you log your spending? Are you proactive as to how you spend your time? How do you treat others? Jesus once said: “For this purpose I have been sent”. He was accountable to His purpose. Once you find your purpose, everything you say and do is accountable to your purpose. You must overcome the need and desire to be entertained to the exclusion of preparation and good health. Here are some disciplines that are needed today: prayer, study of the Word, exercise, good eating, reading great material, becoming an expert at something, serving others, financial disciplines. Your income will be based on your ability to be an asset in your place of employment. Don’t be like everyone else. Most only do just enough to not get fired. Become the one that has the answers. Ask your supervisor what needs to get done, and proceed to get it done. Find out the company’s vision statement and history. Take any needed courses to become a vital resource in your chosen profession. Whether you see it or not, your supervisors are always looking, and they will notice your growth as an individual, and when it comes time to get promoted, get ready because you will be considered. And if they don’t take notice, another door will open and you will be able to walk right in because you did what it took to go to the next level.
As you add, include and practice these four principles in your daily life, you will notice that you will become more focused, and you will begin to accomplish things that you never though you would be able to accomplish.
Applying wisdom to everyday life for extraordinary results,
Victor Nazario
