Life Plan Devotion #7 [Success]

Hi, Everyone.
Have a blessed day. As always, I love to hear how God is moving in your life.

Life Plan Devotion #7 [Success]

     There are two ways to define "success"--the world's way and God's way. The world's way is to define success in terms of fame, wealth, possessions, power, perfection, or popularity. God's way is to define success as bringing glory to Him in whatever we think, say, and do.
     Which definition of success beckons you? While God's way is always best, the world's definition isn't necessarily wrong. It just shouldn't be enough. True success is coming to the place in your life when nothing and no one else will satisfy your longings and desires, and then finding that satisfaction in Jesus Christ.
     A successful person is one who uses the gifts and abilities God has given him/her to make a difference. A successful person recognizes that in whatever situation/season/place he/she is in, God will have opportunities available to glorify Him and to impact others, and the successful person will take advantage of those opportunities.

Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

What this has to do with weight loss:  Most WLS people would define success as reaching and maintaining goal weight. That's true, but the truly successful WLS person is the one who also gives all the glory for reaching and maintaining goal weight to God and then uses every opportunity to lead others to the One who can help them find true success.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I am confident of this, that You who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Your return. Today, I pray that I will gain more clarity about true success, which is living for You, as You carry out Your good work. My desire is to "show up" wherever You call me, every day, and cooperate with You, pointing others to You. As I give You permission to make me successful in Your eyes, I know that good gifts will come to me that may be included in the world's definition of success. I pray that I will keep my eyes on You and use it all, including myself, for Your glory. In the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today and pursue true success.

Blessings,
Mary

Thank you Mary!  As a Christian, a nurse and a teacher, I find my definitions of success are gradually becoming more like God's and less like man's.  God is working in my life!

Of course God's working in your life! When we are a moldable lump of clay, why He's thrilled to get to gently work us over! :)
Are you really a nurse AND a teacher? At the same time? That makes me tired, just thinking about it. :)
Thanks for reading and replying. It was nice to hear from you.
Blessings,
Mary

I am a nurse who teaches high school Health Science Technology (CNAs and EMTs).  We have to be RNs to teach this area because we do clinical instruction in the nursing home and field settings, and we also have class instruction.  Most HST teachers also work part-time jobs in nursing somewhere to keep their skills up and to supplement their teaching income (you know about that..lol)  Fortunately, I do not have to work a second job right now as my DH is in his first 6 months home from Afghanistan.  I think I'll pick something up this summer if an ICU or ER job opens.

I wanted you to know, I am very thankful for you and your ministry.  Even when I just lurk, your words help keep me on track!
Laura

Hi, Laura.
You sound very busy but very happy. How wonderful, to have a good nurse teaching others.
It's so good to know that your husband is home safe and sound. I am so grateful for all our service people. I cannot imagine what they go through, and I pray for them daily. And, then, there are the families who must carry on in their absence, trying to keep everything together and not give in to worry and fear. God bless your husband and you.
Thank you for the sweet things you said. I am blessed by them and you.
Mary :)

As always another inspirational devotion. I'm doing better today and have been reading the scripture you pointed out to me. I'm trying to get back on track and realized another reason I was down is because of the weather I haven't gotten to church the last couple of weeks. My spiritual battery is low, gotta get back there as soon as this snow finally melts off. I don't drive in the snow and while the main roads are clear as a bell our driveway and access road are still buried in snow. I did get out for some shopping today, DH chaufered me to town and I did a little "shopping therapy". Got stocked up on foods to get back on track with eating and went thru my South Beach Diet book and made some menu plans. Also got a notebook to start logging my foods again. I realized I was comfort eating alot due to the pain so am trying to keep a closer watch on that. I'm a person who has to make sure I plan everything to the last detail to make sure I stay on track. When I let even one thing slip I fall totally off the wagon. So I set Jan. 2 as my official get back to business day! Time for action! Thanks for being such a blessing here on the boards, you are a super sweetie! God Bless!

Ah, now THIS is the take-charge gal I know and love! Excellent! I love how God is giving you wisdom, to see what's been happening and to help you know what to do to get back on track. It's wonderful. What a Mighty God we serve!
Whenever I can't make it to church, I make sure I catch something on television. If you have cable, that's pretty easy to do. No matter the weather, too, I make sure I get outside for at least a few minutes every day. It's important, not only for our physical health but our emotional and spiritual health, too.
If you would like to log your food, etc. on-line, I use www.nutrimirror.com. It's free and a wonderful, useful site. Check it out. :) I log everything in a DietMinder Journal, too, but I like the feedback information from the web site.
I know that Jan. 2nd is going to be a turnaround day for you. I look forward to hearing that you're feeling and doing so much better. I continue to pray for you.
Blessings,
Mary

We have satellite TV so we get more channels than I could ever watch! I do watch Daystar alot and tried to catch Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyers when they were on. We were supposed to see Joel on the 13th but again because of lousy weather the show was cancelled. I just miss that fellowship with friends and church family when I'm not able to get there. The church I go to most often is just trembling with spirit during worship time if you know what I mean. Chills down the spine and just sometimes crying because I'm so moved by the singing. Awesome beyond words!
I don't do well keeping track on line because I can't always get to a computer and if I don't write it down immediately I tend to get selective memory, ya know when you forget that cookie or the second tiny helping. So I do best with pencil and notebook, got me a pretty hot pink one so I can't lose it. I have a very good calorie count book with protein and carbs listed too and then if I can't find them I'll go on line to see what I can find. So now that I have no excuses it's time to get busy. Stopping at Walmart tomorrow to make sure I have everything I need food wise. You have a wonderful and blessed new year my wonderful friend!

Yes, I understand the "feel of the Spirit," when in church. It's most precious. We believers need fellowship with one another, and we do tend to "dry up" without it. The weather will improve, and you will get back with like-minded people once again.
It sounds like you're all set, with your notebook. I'm excited for you, as you step onto the path to a new, healthier you. 2009 is an awesome year, already!
Blessings,
Mary