What Attitudes Ensure Success?

Mistakes are as much a part of life as are making wise decisions that lead to success and happiness. Of course we would rather fit into the category of those who make choices that ensure success. However, failure can be a wake-up call to make changes and head off a potential crisis.

The Prodigal Son demanded his share of the inheritance early so he could escape the responsibilities of young adulthood. It was his attitude and immaturity that left him vulnerable to failure and the resulting pain and suffering. The tendency toward self-deception doomed the success he envisioned.

As immature as his choices were, his father continued to believe in him. He saw in his son a promising future as he matured. To his credit this young man did not lose sight of the fact that he had a father who loved him and had faith to believe he would return home. God the Father is waiting for you, so ask him to help as you see and accept his purpose for you.                            

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Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well; they’ll keep you fit and attractive.  

~Proverbs 3:21-22 The Message

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What Prepares Us to Leave Home Permanently?

I love Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, a story about a young man whose choices resulted in a personal crisis. This young man wanted to be free from all the restraints he believed were keeping him from experiencing the world he imagined was waiting for him. Does this sound familiar?

Most people leave home to go to college, go to work, or get married, but this young man was leaving home with immature objectives. His immaturity blinded him to the realities that awaited him from an assortment of so-called new friends. He had no idea how easily he could be separated from his inheritance.

Wake-up calls come from many sources to help us change what leads to hardships. God does not delight when we fail or when we suffer humiliation. He provides opportunities for us to change the direction our life has taken. So trust in the Lord and do what is right and he will give you the desires of your heart that fit his purpose.        

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Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

~Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message

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What Commitments Are Required for a Promising Future?

God’s kindness and mercy permit us to make significant changes in our lifestyle to help us escape negative entrapments. Assessing the past helps us address what needs to change to create peace within ourselves and with others. What do you need to change to be more acceptable to others and the Lord Jesus Christ?

This is designed not to question your personal salvation, but character flaws that create trouble and heartache in relationships with God and others. The Prodigal Son was too self-centered and immature to realize he was headed for troubles. He imagined himself to be above reality.

Fortunately, this wayward son was able to conceptualize a new way of living that motivated him to walk away from the hog pen and the attitude that had created his downfall. So wherever you are, why not permit God to give you a clear vision for a future filled with his purpose to which you can commit for the rest of your life?  

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 I ask that your minds be opened to see his light, so that you will know the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people, and how very great is his power at work in us who believe.  

~Ephesians 1:18-19 Good News Bible

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How Difficult for You Are Reconciliations?

Looking back over the past year brings up memories of heartbreak and loss for so many who have been the victims of forces beyond their control. So permit God’s gift of grief and sadness to be instrumental in healing you. For most, however, it has been a year marked by the usual ups and downs of life.

Disappointments are difficult to avoid because it’s impossible to constantly please everyone or be pleased by them. By seeking and offering forgiveness we are obeying what Jesus instructed us to do. Extending forgiveness to others frees you to go forward with a clear conscience to make the best of each new day.

So be receptive to overtures of apologies from others, for these opportunities may pass and never return. Reconciliations please the Lord Jesus Christ. He stands ready to forgive and heal you along with restoring your soul, which give you peace from guilt and shame. This is God’s way, for which I am thankful.                            

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Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

~1 Corinthians 13:11 New International Version

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Is It Difficult to Keep Your Love for God Constant?

There are moments in life that provide an opportunity to wipe your slate clean and institute changes centered around an attitude that is  pleasing to God. The Prodigal Son had made a complete mess of his life but decided to pick himself up and make something out of the life God had given him.

He started by permitting himself to conceptualize what was feasible for him to accomplish. He then decided to change his attitude that had produced conflict and alienation. Most would agree that it’s difficult to make healthy changes to keep your thinking and behavior in line with what God will bless.

So what changes in attitude do you need to make that demonstrate you have a clean slate to stand by regardless of the external and internal pressure you encounter to renege on your commitment? Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” If you ask God to help you love him, your commitment has greater potential for success. Loving God is a choice you can make now.                         

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Jesus said, “’Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list.”

~Matthew 22:37-38 The Message

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Are You Looking for a Fresh Start?

Are you looking for new beginnings in some area of your life? When the Prodigal Son committed himself to a different lifestyle, he sensed this was his only option and that the opportunity otherwise would be lost forever. Do you need to ask, “What do I need to change so I will be blessed and accepted by God?”

A fresh start doesn’t mean forgetting regretful choices and behaviors. It does require changing your attitude and imposing self-control in places detrimental to yourself and others. The Prodigal Son changed from being a pompous brat who confessed, “I’ve made a fool of myself and failed completely, but I’ve learned my lesson.”

He learned to value life and how to be sincerely humble. This paved the way for acceptance and forgiveness to be received. It also paved the way for a new beginning and hope for a life absent of guilt and shame. If this is your heart’s desire, God will help you change and succeed.                    

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Your beginning may be small, but later years will be very great.
~Job 8:7 International Standard Version

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Does Delayed Action Set You Up for Failure?

Have you ever made a promise that was extremely difficult to keep? Most everyone will surely answer with a firm, yes. Perhaps it’s time to reassess your situation since keeping a promise back then was too problematic. However, delaying to take responsibility now will not dissolve feelings of guilt and shame.

Failing to keep a promise to yourself, others, and God often gives birth to negative consequences that can follow you for a lifetime. The most persistent emotions to surface after guilt and shame are anxiety and fear. To clear your conscience, it’s critically important to apologize and seek forgiveness.

This crucial step will include some degree of suffering but listen to Psalm 119:49-50. “O Lord, remember your promises to me your servant. They have given me hope. Even in my suffering I was comforted because your promise gave me life.” As you determine to keep your promises now, the Lord God will be your source of strength and courage to do what is right.    

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God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.

~2 Peter 1:4 Contemporary English Version

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