BBD 11.05.13 Models of Success (Classic)

#1 · November 5, 2013, 5:18 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on November 5, 2013, 5:18 pm
Posted by: theburningbushdevotional <theburningbushdevotional@...>

Visit the
Burning Bush websites:

www.theburningbush.net

www.theburningbush.org

The
Burning Bush websites have received visits from more than 170 countries. Celebrating
15 years online since January 31, 1998. Since June 8, 1998 the Burning Bush
Devotional has been spreading the truth of God's Word to more than 14,000
subscribers across the world.

You can
leave comments/feedback about the devotionals at www.theburningbush.net.

There is
a translation tool on theburningbush.net website in the top left hand corner of
all of the pages.

The Burning Bush Devotional

14,000 Subscribers
to the Email Devotional

Classic from 2005

11.05.13

Models of Success

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I
am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.
Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry,
both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me. - Philippians 4:11-13.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into
this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and
clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall
into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which
drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. - 1 Timothy 6:6-10.

This week’s Time Magazine cover story (November 2005) is about climbing
the ladder of success or staircase of success because it looks like a staircase
of buildings on the cover. Some people have a driving ambition to succeed, and
they choose this secular model of success. The secular model of success would
include CEOs of the largest companies as being the pinnacle of success.
Everyone from the lowest employee up is somewhere on the staircase, and they
are all climbing. Some are taking one-step at a time, and others are taking two
or three at a time. Some have the drive and ambition to make it all the way to
the top. Others fall out of the race to the top for various reasons including
health problems, marriage problems, dysfunctional family problems, substance
abuse problems, and many other problems.

There is, however, another model of success. That model
of success is the model of contentment. Those who take this alternative road to
success have opted out of the staircase climbing. They have decided to be
content with life. They may still reach the pinnacle of what the world would
call success; however, if they do it will not be because they have crawled over
someone else’s back on their way, or because they have sacrificed their family,
or their health on their way to the top (Such as: Joseph, Daniel, Gideon,
David, etc.).

Why are we as Christians not more content with our lives?
There are three very good reasons: The world, the flesh, and the devil. This
flesh craves for all the world has to offer and the devil delights in tempting
us with what is available in the world. We are bombarded in the media on a
continual basis with all the various products and new improved products that
are available if you just have the money to buy them. There will always another
vehicle that is better and flashier than the one you have. There will always be
another house that is bigger and grander than the one you have. There will always
be another job that is more important and powerful than the one you have. There
will always be someone who has more money and possessions than you do. There
will always be someone who has more education and experience and receives more
recognition than you do.

What does the Bible tell us to do about it? The apostle
Paul advises Timothy and us to, “…flee these
things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life… (1 Timothy 6:11).” Those are still good words of advice. Opt out of the
world’s model of success and take advantage of God’s model instead. Because God
will provide you with all that you need to be a success in His eyes.

Copyright © 2005-2013. Ed Wrather.
The Burning Bush website has been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8,
1998 the email version of the Burning Bush Devotional was first sent. Ed
Wrather began writing devotionals in the early 1990s. The distribution of these
first devotionals was primarily through the Burning Bush Newsletter sent to
prison facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

Ed Wrather has retired from
pastoring full-time and has more time to pursue other ministry opportunities.
No matter what the size your church, Ed will come on a love offering basis for
a revival or to share his testimony in the continental United States. You can
make contact at edwrather@yahoo.com or theburningbushdevotional@gmail.com
View LinkedIn profile with endorsements at
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=92988105

Prayer Requests: Please pray for
Scott who is having severe headaches caused by a cyst on his brain. Many prayer needs are
posted at the Burning Bush website on the Prayer Request page. You can also
post your prayer requests there (Of course, I am always in need of prayer -
please pray for me.).

Please join the Burning Bush Prayer Group.
The group began in 1998 and is made up of over 300 prayer warriors. Send prayer requests and receive prayer
requests. To join send an email to: bbpg-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If you enjoy the devotional please recommend it to your friends. They may
subscribe by sending a blank email to burningbushdevo-join@welovegod.org

There is a complete devotional
archive at the old Burning Bush website. Here is the URL: http://www.theburningbush.org/33.html.

You can unsubscribe to the burningbushdevo
devotional group by sending a blank email to
burningbushdevo-leave@welovegod.org and then respond to the confirmation email.

You may
subscribe to the html text group (Because of time constraints the devotional is
only being sent now in html format) by sending a blank email to
burningbushhtml-join@welovegod.org and you may unsubscribe by sending a blank
email to burningbushhtml-leave@welovegod.org and then respond to the
confirmation email. If the link does not work, copy and paste the link.

--

To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: burningbushdevo-leave@welovegod.org

Posted by: theburningbushdevotional <theburningbushdevotional@...>

Visit the
Burning Bush websites:

http://www.theburningbush.net

http://www.theburningbush.org

The
Burning Bush websites have received visits from more than 170 countries. Celebrating
15 years online since January 31, 1998. Since June 8, 1998 the Burning Bush
Devotional has been spreading the truth of God's Word to more than 14,000
subscribers across the world.

You can
leave comments/feedback about the devotionals at http://www.theburningbush.net.

There is
a translation tool on theburningbush.net website in the top left hand corner of
all of the pages.

The Burning Bush Devotional

14,000 Subscribers
to the Email Devotional

Classic from 2005

11.05.13

Models of Success

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I
am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.
Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry,
both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me. - Philippians 4:11-13.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into
this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and
clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall
into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which
drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. - 1 Timothy 6:6-10.

This week’s Time Magazine cover story (November 2005) is about climbing
the ladder of success or staircase of success because it looks like a staircase
of buildings on the cover. Some people have a driving ambition to succeed, and
they choose this secular model of success. The secular model of success would
include CEOs of the largest companies as being the pinnacle of success.
Everyone from the lowest employee up is somewhere on the staircase, and they
are all climbing. Some are taking one-step at a time, and others are taking two
or three at a time. Some have the drive and ambition to make it all the way to
the top. Others fall out of the race to the top for various reasons including
health problems, marriage problems, dysfunctional family problems, substance
abuse problems, and many other problems.

There is, however, another model of success. That model
of success is the model of contentment. Those who take this alternative road to
success have opted out of the staircase climbing. They have decided to be
content with life. They may still reach the pinnacle of what the world would
call success; however, if they do it will not be because they have crawled over
someone else’s back on their way, or because they have sacrificed their family,
or their health on their way to the top (Such as: Joseph, Daniel, Gideon,
David, etc.).

Why are we as Christians not more content with our lives?
There are three very good reasons: The world, the flesh, and the devil. This
flesh craves for all the world has to offer and the devil delights in tempting
us with what is available in the world. We are bombarded in the media on a
continual basis with all the various products and new improved products that
are available if you just have the money to buy them. There will always another
vehicle that is better and flashier than the one you have. There will always be
another house that is bigger and grander than the one you have. There will always
be another job that is more important and powerful than the one you have. There
will always be someone who has more money and possessions than you do. There
will always be someone who has more education and experience and receives more
recognition than you do.

What does the Bible tell us to do about it? The apostle
Paul advises Timothy and us to, “…flee these
things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life… (1 Timothy 6:11).” Those are still good words of advice. Opt out of the
world’s model of success and take advantage of God’s model instead. Because God
will provide you with all that you need to be a success in His eyes.

Copyright © 2005-2013. Ed Wrather.
The Burning Bush website has been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8,
1998 the email version of the Burning Bush Devotional was first sent. Ed
Wrather began writing devotionals in the early 1990s. The distribution of these
first devotionals was primarily through the Burning Bush Newsletter sent to
prison facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

Ed Wrather has retired from
pastoring full-time and has more time to pursue other ministry opportunities.
No matter what the size your church, Ed will come on a love offering basis for
a revival or to share his testimony in the continental United States. You can
make contact at edwrather@yahoo.com or theburningbushdevotional@gmail.com
View LinkedIn profile with endorsements at
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=92988105

Prayer Requests: Please pray for
Scott who is having severe headaches caused by a cyst on his brain. Many prayer needs are
posted at the Burning Bush website on the Prayer Request page. You can also
post your prayer requests there (Of course, I am always in need of prayer -
please pray for me.).

Please join the Burning Bush Prayer Group.
The group began in 1998 and is made up of over 300 prayer warriors. Send prayer requests and receive prayer
requests. To join send an email to: bbpg-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If you enjoy the devotional please recommend it to your friends. They may
subscribe by sending a blank email to burningbushdevo-join@welovegod.org

There is a complete devotional
archive at the old Burning Bush website. Here is the URL: http://www.theburningbush.org/33.html.

You can unsubscribe to the burningbushdevo
devotional group by sending a blank email to
burningbushdevo-leave@welovegod.org and then respond to the confirmation email.

You may
subscribe to the html text group (Because of time constraints the devotional is
only being sent now in html format) by sending a blank email to
burningbushhtml-join@welovegod.org and you may unsubscribe by sending a blank
email to burningbushhtml-leave@welovegod.org and then respond to the
confirmation email. If the link does not work, copy and paste the link.

To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: burningbushdevo-leave@welovegod.org