How Do You Measure A Successful Life?
HOW DO YOU MEASURE A SUCCESSFUL LIFE❓ Daily Word - April.27.2019 -Pastor Sheliah
In 1970, when my husband returned from a tour of duty in the Vietnam War, we settled in Monroe, LA, with our two little girls, Traci, 2, and Terri, 1, and our hearts set on “serving God.” We both enrolled in college, Aaron worked at a T.G.&Y. Store and became youth pastor/choir leader for a congregation in Monroe.
By June of 1971, we were pastors at Bosco Baptist Church -20-miles south of town – meeting in a little building in the middle of a cotton field – and we were eagerly “winning” our community to Christ. Starting with only 23 folks, and sold out to being a “successful pastor,” every week we saw folks coming to Christ, being healed and delivered, and that whole community was stirred to see God do the miraculous!
Yes, there was fervor to do what “pleased God,” but it could possibly have been said of us “they are zealous for God, but their zeal was not based on knowledge” (Romans.10:2).
What a journey these almost 50-years have been! And our desire now is to – with both experience and understanding – spend the rest of our lives “equipping God’s people to do His work and build up the Church – the Body of Christ!” (Ephesians.4:11).
“It is the Risen One (Jesus Christ) who gave us gifted leaders: Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the Church, the Body of Christ… Then we will no longer be immature …” (Ephesians.4:11-12).
Especially in the past 15-years, we have had the opportunity to “Empower and Activate Leaders” for the Kingdom of God, This has not come easily, but from a life-time of learning.
As we have come to understand that we are more than “natural” (physical & emotional) personalities and abilities – and discovering the depth of the Spirit and all that He has invested in lives we hope to “bring some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord” (Romans.1:11).
He has given us His D.N.A. – Divine Nature Anointing – and called us for His purpose! “God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus” (2Timothy.1:9).
It is true of all of us: If we are not careful, we will disqualify ourselves because we think too little of ourselves. We have been made to believe that one must have certain “natural” abilities to be a leader.
However, it is not what you were born with naturally! It is His “holy calling“ – not according to what you can do – but according to God’s purpose and the grace given to you in Christ that He might show to the world – His outrageous grace through your life!
Holy Spirit spoke to me early one Sunday morning, “Spiritual leaders are born in the Spirit – not in the natural!”
So, if others would consider you “ineligible” as a “natural-born” leader – you are in good company! God has chosen the foolish things to confound the wise and He makes Spiritual Giants from those that the world discards!
We can no longer measure “success” as we have before – by man’s standards! Our loving, knowing Heavenly Father has designed you to greater purpose and His pleasure for His Kingdom in this earth!watch for it - It is happening within you & all around you! Allow God to complete His Perfectly Successful Work in you! (Phil.1:6)
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” (Philippians.2:13 NLT) ~ Shelia Hart Artt
[This comes from an article posted May.20.2013 @ https://outrageousgrace.org/how-do-you-measure-a-successful-life/ ]
