CHALLENGE – FAITH AND SUCCESS
This morning, I feel led to discuss a rather unique spiritual challenge, that may or may not currently impact you, but could, sometime during your life.
This spiritual challenge is simply affirmed by admitting that there are times in our life when faith LEADS to miracles and they bring successful experiences of hope and joy. But, this wonderful experience could indeed diminish, derail, or even weaken our faith in Jesus, IF WE ARE NOT CAREFUL!
Doubt me? What about the following few examples of biblical characters who experienced profound successes in their life and then failed the challenge of remaining faithful:
1. King Saul: Initially a POWERFUL AND PROMISING leader, Saul struggled with JEALOUSLY AND PRIDE as David’s fame grew. His success turned into PARANOIA, leading to decisions that ultimately caused his downfall. Saul’s story illustrates the dangers of allowing PRIDE and INSECURITY to overshadow one’s achievements.
2. King Solomon: Amazing that he who was and is KNOWN for wisdom and wealth, in facing the challenges of success, became COMPLACENT, LAZY, AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT, which all turned him away from God, as he became more successful. Solomon’s story is potent in revealing that success can sometimes lead to a disconnect from one’s faith and values.
3. Moses: What about the powerful leader Moses? His miraculous and successful journey of leading the Israelites out of Egypt is incredible! BUT AS HE FACED immense pressure and criticism from the very people he saved, the challenge of leadership and the expectations that came with it being successful, ended up derailing him from leading Israel into the Promise Land.
Lastly, let’s discuss one of the most powerful disciples in the New Testament—Peter!
Regardless of his amazing initial success in following Jesus and becoming one of the most prominent leaders of the twelve, Peter ends up struggling with fear, discouragement, denial and pain! His failure to stand firm, during Jesus’ trial, highlights spiritually that whatever success he had already achieved, to this point in his walk with Jesus, collapsed substantially in the time of his greatest temptation, which by the way, he was told would occur…do not forget that point!
QUESTION: Pastor Jerry, where is this coming from? Why are you sharing these failures with us? These are great questions!
First, in reading about the above individuals, we MUST BE CAUTIOUS AND VIGILANT, IN UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE UNFAITHFUL, IN THE CHALLENGE OF EXPERIENCING SUCCESS, ON THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN!
Secondly, as I endeavor in always being honest, my current experience, of the miracle of holding the four brain cancer tumors at bay, and the news that I am already going to live longer than originally thought possible, brings a mixture of powerful feelings of gratitude, thanksgiving, but…also the very challenge of why the Holy Spirit led me to write this statement:
THERE IS A VERY POSSIBLE FAITH CHALLENGE THAT CAN OCCUR WHEN WE EXPERIENCE A MIRACLE!
I am being honed and reminded to be careful AND to remember—WHO IT IS THAT IS ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE, AND AT WORK FOR THE SUCCESSFUL MIRACLE, AND WHO IT WAS THAT DIVINELY INSPIRED ALL THE BEHIND DETAILS, FOR THIS COASTAL BOY’S MIRACULOUS TSUNAMI OF EVENTS, LEADING HIM TO BEING LIFTED UP FROM THE DARKEST DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN!
PAUSE: Let me ask you, and I hope you are honest with yourself, to this point in life. How have you dealt with success? Has success brought you closer to Jesus, expanded your faith and embodied you to be more reliant on HIM? OR, is it possible, that success in your life may have led you to experience some of the very temptations we read about, above in Saul, Solomon, Moses, and Peter? Surely you realize, as I do, IF they failed in the challenge of maintaining a faithful foundation of deliberate reliance upon Jesus and the Holy Spirit, so can we.
So, I wonder, as I do struggle with this interesting and rather unique spiritual insight, how about you?
By chance, IF you see or hear the Holy Spirit nudging you, as HE has to me, PLEASE STOP AND ALLOW HIM TO HEAL AND LOVE ON YOU AS YOU YIELD THE TEMPTATIONS OF DEALING FAITHFULLY WITH SUCCESS IN YOUR LIFE!
I do want to share with you this one scripture from Colossians 3:23, which the Holy Spirt brought years ago in my life and I try to keep close, within my mind and upon my heart:
“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort always in it], as [something consistently done] for the Glory of our Lord and not for others.”
Colossians 3:23 AMP
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help us, by the power of Holy Spirit, to faithfully keep the truth of the words in Colossians always before us, as we achieve success or experience a miracle. Come Lord, cleanse us please and if we have moved from realizing our deep gratitude upon YOU and drifted in the areas of pride and self approval, wake us up and help us to experience your awesome forgiveness!
In closing, remember it is always about making a choice! Join with me in getting out of the boat, choosing to relinquish our own desires, pride, or self actualization, and joyful desiring to go all in as we endeavor to walk on the water with Jesus! YES, you will get very wet, but HE WILL NOT LET YOU SINK! So come on into the water with me. Most days it is a MARVELOUS PLACE TO BE!
IN HIS LOVE, Pastor Jerry
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah.
Psalms 68:19 NKJV
