Seven Steps to Success
The world is filled with lifters and leaners, whiners and winners, givers and takers! Unfortunately, so is the church! The Book of Joshua describes how Joshua led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land after Moses died. Israel could be considered “whiners” or “leaners” while Joshua and Caleb could be considered “lifters” or “winners.” The difference is that Israel focused on their circumstances, while the latter focused on God’s Word to them.
“The Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant saying : “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go.” Joshua 1”1-2
The key words in these verses are, “arise, go.” They were commands to Joshua, not suggestions. He followed God’s orders quickly too. Instead of “sitting and staying” he moved the entire nation of Israel across the Jordan River in three days. “ Within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.” V11 Why was Joshua so successful? A careful study of his life reveals seven steps to his success. These steps can be applied to our life so that we can be successful Christians.
The first step for success is to realize that our greatness is not in ourselves or what we accomplish but in God and His grace. Joshua trusted God and Him alone.
The second step is to believe that all of God’s promises made to others become ours by faith. God didn’t make promises to just the biblical men and women of years gone by! What we read in the bible is also ours too. Joshua was a “hungry for God” man of faith, who trusted in the Word of God, and is a good role model for us.
The third step to success in God’s economy is to get a vision of what should be done for God and begin doing something to bring it about. Every person in the Body of Christ can be used for Kingdom purposes. Most of the time we wait for the other person to do it! Not Joshua! He knew what God wanted and went after it. We must do the same!
The fourth step to success is to move forward knowing that God is with us. Joshua didn’t wait for the circumstances to become favorable! Instead in faith he moved forward in what God commanded. Verses 6-7 “Be strong and of good courage. Only be strong and very courageous. Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed.” We need to believe that God is with us in all circumstances.
The fifth step is to be bold in Christ. Jesus said in Mark 5:36, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” This applies to Joshua and to us as well. If we are to be
successful in whatever God assigns us, we must not be fearful but filled with faith, the opposite of fear.
The sixth step is to not let the Book of the Law, the Word of God, depart from our mouth. Only by reading and studying God’s Word will we be able to know it and what it says to us. Psalms 119:105 (NKJV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
The seventh step is to go in and possess the land or promise that God made. If God says it, it will happen and we need move in what He promised.
As a Christian, a businessman, a pastor, and now a missionary, these seven steps have been helpful. The most important in my life have been to “go” and “possess” what God has promised, and knowing the Word of God so that I can depend on His promises to me and my ministry and family.
Listing of past Food for Thoughts
