God’s Pattern for Success

 

Have you ever read through the Bible in a year? Would you like to read through the Bible in a year? Many options are available to read through the Bible in a year such as front to back, some chapters from the Old Testament and some chapters from the New Testament, read some in the morning and some in the evening or check out Life Principles Daily Bible:Biblical Principles For Each Day of the Year.

Each day includes readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament. This process starts from the beginning of each area and does not skip around. The amount of reading in each area will vary; the length of time to cover the reading stays about the same. After talking with several people who read this daily for study or devotion, we came to the same conclusion; all of the readings are coordinated.

 In order to explain this, I will use January 26 as an example. The Old Testament scripture is Exodus 1:1- 2:25 Pharaoh’s attempt to eliminate the Hebrew baby boys, God’s plan to save the Hebrews through Moses. Moses went through difficult times; many of us go through difficult and devastating experiences. Read 2:23 “…and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.”

 The Psalms scripture is 15:1-5, A Psalm of David asking who may abide in God’s tent, or may dwell on God’s holy hill. David contrasts walking with integrity, doing works of righteousness and speaking the truth in his heart with evil that speaks slander, does evil to neighbors, and is a reprobate.

 The Proverbs scripture is 4:25-27

²⁵Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. ²⁶Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. ²⁷Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. New International Version, Copyright 2011-2019 Biblica

The New Testament scripture is Matthew 17:1-27, God speaks to Peter, James and John in :5 …a voice out of a cloud said “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” In this same section of reading after a failure we read :20, “Because of the littleness of your faith….”

 Life Example, page 112, “MOSES: God’s Pattern for Success” Exodus 1:22-2:25 “One of the greatest differences between the world’s message about success and God’s message is this: The world seeks a single formula to produce one set of results for all people, while God’s plan is far more creative, far more individualized, and far more personal….”

 God has an individual plan for each one of his creations. The first part of the plan for humans is to acknowledge that He is God! Acknowledge that He is creator and controller of the universe. Acknowledge the depravity of humans, this includes me and you! God offers me and you the free gift of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. Just as God’s plan for success is individual, I must, as an individual, accept this free gift of spiritual life, not spiritual death. After accepting spiritual life, I can call God, “Abba” father.

Now on to the rest of the plan for success as explained in the example above:

Examples of attempting to make life work my way

God’s mercy and grace of repeating the same message again and again

Focus, focus, focus on Jesus Christ

When I feel like I have failed, it is because of my lack of or littleness of faith. Am I wanting God’s will “Thy will be done” or my will? Am I willing to wait for God’s time? Where is my focus? Am I looking straight ahead? God has an individual plan for my success, your success!!!