Success God's way is determined as we pursue the will of God. Steven Olford, founder and lecturer of the Stephen Olford Institute for Biblical Preaching, said "it is our duty and it is our joy to find, to follow and to finish the will of God for our lives."
The first step in discovering success is to express a FULL DEPENDENCE on the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."
Why do we find it difficult to trust the Lord? One reason is that we don't know Him well enough to trust Him. To know God is to love God. Then to love Him, is to trust Him. To trust Him, is to obey Him. And to obey Him, is to be blessed.
Another problem we have is that we can't let go of the situation for which we need to trust God. We want to do it ourselves. But, in order to be successful, we must turn everything over to Him. If He's worth part of it, He's worth all of it.
Let me say one final thing on this point. Don't be afraid of the will of God. But, what if He sendsme to a remote village in a foreign country as a missionary? If He sends you there, then that's exactly where you'd want to be. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).
When you fully depend upon the Lord, then He will provide FAITHFUL DIRECTION. The last part of Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "He shall direct thy paths." Either that's true or that's false.
Now, how will He direct your path? First, He'll do it through His Word (see Psalm 119:105). The Word of God will show you the will of God. Second, God will direct you through prayer (see Philippians 4:6-7). Not every question is answered in the Bible. Prayer is a two-way street. Let God talk to you. Third, God will direct you by His providence. God closes doors and opens doors (see Revelation 3:8).
Now, let me close with this final word on success. When you fully depend upon the Lord, and He gives you direction, there will be a FORCEFUL DYNAMIC. Let's review the last phrase of Proverbs 3:6 one final time: "direct thy paths." This literally means that God will bulldoze a path in front of you. Not only does God show the way, but He also clears the way.
Henry Moorehouse, a stirring evangelist years ago, had a little girl who was crippled. When at home, she would lay her crutches aside and scoot around on the floor. One day after returning from a long trip, Moorehouse stepped inside his house and found his little girl sitting near the door.
She noticed her father was carrying a big present and said, "Daddy, let me carry it to Momma." He tried to convince her she couldn't carry the present and take it to her mother, but she wouldn't relent. Finally he said, "Alright, here take it." She held it in her arms and said, "Now Daddy pick me up and take me to Momma."
Has God done that for you? He has carried me many times when He has given me a message, then picked me up and carried me through it. When you fully depend upon the Lord, He will direct your life, and He will be the driving force behind your success.
To hear this entire message, including more content than we can share here, the message will be heard on radio nationwide in two parts on Thursday and Friday, June 28 and 29. You can hear it on our website, www.lwf.org on those dates and afterward, and at www.oneplace.com.
If you’d like a CD copy for your own study and review or to share with a loved one or friend, call us at 1-800-LOVE-GOD and request Message # 1903, “How to be Successful.”
