MEASURE OF SUCCESS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

How do you define your success?

Is it you’re…

Career?

Cash?

Fame?

Influence?

Position?

Or are you a little more altruistic?

Frangipane once penned that…

“Our success in life is determined by one primary objective: how functionally transformed into Christ's likeness have we become? If He sees that we were forgiving even when wounded; if He sees in us a heart that holds fast its faith even in times of adversity; if He finds us to be truly repentant and genuinely humble, even when we could boast; and if He sees we are... committed to a life of love, we will have fulfilled the purpose of God.

That my friends is a tall order.  But it truly is the objective, it truly is the measure of a successful day, a successful purposed-laden life!

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. - 1 John 2:6 (ESV)

I am sure all of us remember the WWJD movement a few years back; the bumper stickers and bracelets. But what Frangipane is saying goes a little further than that doesn’t it?

Frangipane sets a very high bar!

Functionally transformed?  That sounds involved, doesn’t it?

But it is the call!  It is the goal!

And John said that in order for this transformation to advance:

He (CHRIST) must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 (ESV)

I think that is why Frangipane offers some practical ways for this transformation to advance, ways for us to not just DO what Jesus DID but BECOME more like who Jesus IS!

Forgive.

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Persevere.

…when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 (NLT)

Stay grounded, repentant and humble.

….those who humble themselves will be exalted.

– Matthew 23:12 (NIV)

And love.

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27 (NIV)

So my encouragement is for us to embrace these things today. 

Allow the Spirit and the mind of Christ who has blessed these things as good and pleasing to Him advance your “transformation” and I promise you will begin to see HIM increase in your life and that, at the end of the day, will truly equate to success!

I love you all…

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)