What Is Success?

Success means different things to different people. Ask four or five people, and you will get four or five different answers on what success is in each of their worlds.

I think I have found the very best definition of success in a little book called 'Think on These Things' by John C. Maxwell.  He says, "Success is choosing to enter the arena of action, determined to give yourself to the cause that will better humanity and last for eternity."  That is a mouthful, but it is also a mindful—so please take a moment to read it again, slowly. If you still haven't fully grasped it, read it again. I had to read it several times myself. It is a doozy!! Okay, ready to move on?   

Maxwell goes on to explain each of the seven components in his definition of success. But at the end of the chapter, he summarizes as follows:

"Success is
Knowing the truth and accepting it;
Finding a need and filling it;
Facing a challenge and meeting it;
Losing a life and finding it;
Having a plan and following it;
Developing a talent and sharing it;
Going to heaven and knowing it."

Your world is your family, your home, your workplace, your church, organizations you belong to, teams you are on, etc. We each have a great opportunity to change our world.

Like the infant church in the book of Acts, we should make every major decision in our world under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just think about the widespread influence of that handful of people...Peter, John, Paul, Philip, Stephen, Barnabas, Timothy, Silas, Lydia, Apollos. Who was behind the success of those early church planters? The Holy Spirit.

So, I would encourage you—daily, invite the Holy Spirit into your world, not as a guest, but as a resident. 

Speaking from experience, on the days I remember to do this intentionally, I can tell the difference in myself, in my home, and in my interactions with the people around me. I am different. My world is different. It is successful. And more peaceful. In my attempt to remember to call on the Holy Spirit, I placed a sign above my office door that says, "Holy Spirit, you are welcome in this place."

Friends, God wants to use each of us to make our worlds successful. This is how we can do it.

Maxwell closes this chapter with, "I wish you all the success in the world!"

And I say to you, "As do I".

Think About This:

What do you need to do to help you remember to invite the Holy Spirit to guide you throughout the day? 

If you would like a sign of your own to frame or post, visit my website by clicking the link below for a free poster to download:  Free Downloads 

The Crooked Tree

 As I sit in my office and look out the windows, I see a beautiful, cloudless blue Idaho sky. I see plants that were naked and brown when we moved in, now lush and green, reaching for the sun. Questions about what they will look like are now being answered. Through the window, I have a clear view of a blue spruce on the front lawn. I call her, she, and named her the Crooked Tree. I am certain the winds, over time, have caused her to lean just slightly. Other than that, her trunk is solid and strong, and her branches are supple, their soft gray-green coloring a gentle contrast.

  The Crooked Tree houses doves and other small birds I have yet to identify. She has purpose. A couple of weeks ago, the wind caused her long, heavy branches to dance a little too wildly, and an empty nest fell from the tree. I placed it back on a branch, hoping the birds would make use of it. She protects her occupants as best she can; however, sometimes things are beyond her control.

  

   She stands firm in the wind, still useful, still imperfectly beautiful in her own way. She knows she is crooked, but it doesn’t matter because her trunk is solid and strong, holding her up.

  

   One day recently, as I observed the tree, in tears, it suddenly dawned on me that the Crooked Tree is me. The Crooked Tree is actually you and me. We are all slightly imperfect, doing the best we can in an imperfect world, held up by the rock-solid trunk, the Lord. Still growing, still dancing, still standing firm, yet leaning into what may come next, knowing our trunk is strong and faithful and “will uphold us with His righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). 

  

   Once upon a time, God made a tree. She was imperfect, yet she knew she had a purpose and was loved. She knew she could stand firm in the wind because of that love. She knew she was imperfectly beautiful in the Creator’s eyes. She was "a treasured possession of the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 3:16-17).

  

   The Crooked Tree is you and me. Our imperfect selves are loved and treasured perfectly by our perfect God. I encourage you to lean into that so you can stand firm in the wind.

Blessings from one Crooked Tree to another!  

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

“And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:9). 

Where Did the Time Go?

   Did you ever have one of those weeks when, on Saturday, you wake up and say to yourself, “Where did the week go?” How can it be Saturday already? This was one of those weeks for me. 

   

I woke up this morning (Saturday), did all my usual things, took the dog out, made coffee, and ate my bagel while reading the Bible. Suddenly, with a double-blink, I realized I hadn’t written or posted the blog. Wait! How could that be? I double-checked, and nope, no Friday blog for this week.

   

Where did the time go? 

   

   So, I looked back at my week: I had a couple of extra meetings, a doctor’s appointment (not a usual occurrence), a new volunteer opportunity, and I made some valuable connections. Hmm? I guess those extra hours add up. I also noticed I hadn't written “Blog” in my planner, as I usually do. 

   

   I know the Bible contains many verses that emphasize the importance of our time. Time is a gift from God with a divine purpose, and we are responsible for using it wisely.

 

   Full transparency—I knew about almost everything I had to do this week. If I am honest with myself, I blew it by not managing my time well.

   I'm guessing I’m not alone. We miss things, but that doesn’t change the fact that we are responsible for the time and work God gives us. It is up to us to manage how and when we do it.

Here’s my takeaway from this week:

Psalm 90:12 (ESV) says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

   

   This verse encourages me to prepare and plan for each day, showing that I value the time God has given me. It reminds me to consider how I should use my time in accordance with God’s will for me. 

   

I hope it encourages you, too!

Prayer for today:

Lord God, I blew it. Thank You for being forgiving and good. I humbly ask You to teach me to prepare and plan intentionally for each day You give me to use for Your glory. Please give me wisdom as I consider how I should use my time according to Your will for me. Help me use my time wisely, I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Sweet Friendship - A Good Gift

 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." (John 13:35,NIV)

   Billy Graham said, “The human soul is a lonely thing. It must have the assurance of companionship. Left entirely to itself, it cannot enjoy anything.”

   

   As God was creating all things, He said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” (Genesis 2:18). To address this, God created Eve. This marked the very beginning of human companionship.

  

    Ephesians 4:25 reminds us that "we are all members of one body." God’s people are one body. We are not meant to function alone or to be unconcerned for one another. We were made for community. This is where friendship comes in: the camaraderie that lightens the heart and eases burdens because they are shared. 

   

   As God’s children, we are promised "good gifts" (James 1:17). One of those gifts is friendship. While we are here on earth, we are guaranteed the richest and truest friendships. Only in true Christ-centered friendship does genuine trust exist. Only in true Christ-centered friendship do we find genuine safety. Only in true Christ-centered friendship do we find genuine peace. Christ is the only true cohesive power in the world. He alone can bind our human hearts together in genuine love and trust.

                                

“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” (Proverbs 27:9)

   

   The friendship of Jonathan and David is a perfect example. Scripture says their hearts were knit together in friendship. (1 Samuel 18:1) Jonathan was a gift to David. He supported, encouraged, and helped David become the leader and king he was. True friends can do that for each other.

   

   As Melanie Shankle writes, “The aim of friendship is to sow into each other words of eternal life and blessing. We remind each other of God’s wisdom and provision, refresh each other’s spirits, and strengthen each other’s faith.”

   

   Just as Jonathan was to David, God has given you people around you who are a gift. He has placed people in your life at this time for a reason. I love this quote from Corrie Ten Boom: “Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives, is the perfect preparation for a future only He can see.” 

   

   Your future is in His hands. He is faithful and can be trusted to give you exactly what you need when you need it. He is also faithful to give you exactly WHO you need when you need them. God has given you a "good gift" in the people around you. Lean into Him and into each other, and sow blessings into each other’s lives through your sweet friendship.

   

   Be sure to thank God for your friends, the people He has given you to walk through life with. The people who will tell you the truth, even when it hurts. The people who will listen without judging. The people you love, who will love you back no matter what. The people time and distance cannot keep apart. The people who will make you a stronger and better person. They are a good gift! 

Think About This:

1. Who has God placed in your life as a good gift?

2. How have they enriched your life?

3. Offer a quick prayer for them right now or text them a heart symbol and say thanks.

                                 Our very best friend is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. 

                                 To learn more about your Good Shepherd, CLICK HERE

                      Psalm 23 Devotional and Study Guide for Individuals and Groups

                                                                By Roxanne Drury

                                      Consider doing the study with a friend or two! 

               

Transformation of the Heart

    In Romans chapter 2, Paul addresses the Jews in Rome. He says in Romans 2:17, "Now you, if you call yourself a Jew;...". He goes on to call out those who were not practicing what they preached.

    In Romans 2:17-27, he gives it to them with complete honesty. In the straightforward manner that characterized him, he sums it up in Romans 2:28-29.

“A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.”

   

   The people Paul addressed claimed superiority because of their heritage, position, and physical circumcision. They knew the law and were trained in it. They enforced and preached it, but, as Paul points out, they were not necessarily keepers of the law. In other words, they felt privileged by their head knowledge, but that knowledge had not transformed their hearts. They had all the outward signs and symbols, but not the inward signs of a right relationship with God.

   

   How often do we find ourselves in the same spiritual condition? We attend church and Bible study, read our Bible now and then, wear a cross necklace, or post Scripture on the living room wall. Yet we criticize and judge our neighbor. We choose wrong or selfish living. We feel jealousy, greed, and unforgiveness, all while believing our actions or attitudes are justified.

   

   When we do these things, we are no better than the people Paul was speaking to. Worse still, as he says in Romans 2:24, “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” The hypocrisy of living two lifestyles can leave unbelievers confused about God or even lead them to reject Him.

   

   We must consider it a privilege to be a Christ-follower. But with privilege comes responsibility. God’s gifts should produce lives that reflect His character and hearts that are continually being transformed by Him. They should bring us to our knees in grateful praise—a transformation of the heart.

   

   In a recent group reflection exercise, we were asked to write down the privileges we have received from God through our relationship with Jesus. As each of us shared our thoughts aloud, the room grew quieter until, by the end, only a palpable, solemn stillness remained. No one said a word.

   

As I listened and shared my own thoughts, my heart grew fuller and fuller with humble gratitude.

· I am a child of God.

· I have the right to go to God in prayer.

· I have His love and acceptance, always.

· I am saved and forgiven.

And yes, you can be sure I cried.

   

   I am encouraging you to do this same exercise. Take your time and reflect on the immensity of God’s goodness and undeserved grace.

   

Find a quiet spot, away from distractions, and answer the questions below. Slowly and thoughtfully, write down everything that comes to mind.

· What privileges have you personally received as a result of accepting Christ?

· How has compiling this list changed your attitude toward these privileges?

   

As you reflect on your answers, ask yourself one more question:

· What is God revealing to me about the condition of my heart?

   

   May this exercise move us beyond simply knowing about God to knowing Him in such a way that our deepest desire is to live to please Him, with grateful hearts transformed by His goodness and grace. 

 

                Learn more about Grateful Praise in Roxanne's book:
               Psalm 100: Grateful Praise Devotional and Study Guide for Individuals and Groups

              Click the link:  https://www.amazon.com/Psalm-100-Grateful-Praise-Individuals-ebook/dp/B0DZFDJGN2/ 

I Surrender All

 In 1975, we lived in a town called Oak Forest in Illinois. One Sunday morning, my sons and  I walked down the block to the little Baptist Church. 

I heard a message from the Bible about Jesus. This was a brand new experience for me, having been raised in a very different religious environment.

At the end of the service, the organist played a song I had never heard, with a message I had never heard. The song was called I Surrender All. All around me, people sang out loud and strong, and I knew this song had tremendous meaning for all those people. Little did I know God was working on my heart that morning, preparing me for a message that was to be delivered later that week.

The song I Surrender All was written by an American art teacher and musician named Judson W. Van De Venter in 1896. Winfield S. Weeden, his associate, set the words to music.

Van De Venter had been struggling for five years to determine if he should continue developing his art career or if God was calling him to full-time work as an evangelist. As only God can, He caused a change of heart in Van De Venter, and he surrendered all to God. He left his art career and became an evangelist.

This defining moment inspired the writing of the song I Surrender All. Author and publisher of more than sixty hymns, this song is his most famous.

The following Thursday, there was a knock on our door. Bob and Betty Wallace from the Baptist Church had come to visit me. They introduced me to the Jesus everyone had been singing about - the blessed Savior. And I surrendered all to Him that day. It has been over 50 years, and my surrender on that day still brings me to tears. God's goodness and grace overwhelm me.

Three weeks later, as my five-year-old son and I stood together at the back of the church, at the end of the service, Peggy, the organist, whom I now knew, began to play I Surrender All again.

I glanced down to see my son step out into the aisle. His small body, filled with determination, walked straight to the front of the church to surrender all.

I might catch some heat for saying this, but there is nothing quite like a few of the old hymns combined with the Holy Spirit to stir someone's heart.

I would like to invite you to have your heart stirred today. Sit back, relax, and take a few moments to listen to I Surrender All. Click below or Copy and paste the link into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j04Bx9pKwpU 

Each day we receive is a gift from God. I invite you to surrender all today, and every day, to the blessed Savior.

Gloryland Books

Roxanne's Website: https://roxannedrury.com/

Roxanne's Books : https://www.amazon.com/stores/Roxanne-Drury/author/B07R97B757