GATEWAY TO SUCCESS

GATEWAY TO SUCCESS

Joshua 1:8

Success means the achievement of something planned or attempted. The Bible talks about
God‟s desire for His children to be successful. Infact, when God called Joshua to work for Him
by leading the children of Israel to the Promised Land, God told him what to do to be successful
in the work. God even assured Him that he would have “good success” if he did as he was
instructed.
As our topic shows, success seems to be a pathway leading to entrance that has a gate. To get
it, you must find the gate and enter through it. That shows that to be successful in life, you
have a part to play.
Everybody wants to be successful. Our parents want to succeed in their work and in family life.
Students want to pass their exams very well, leaders of countries, states communities and
companies want to be successful in their respective leadership roles. Pastors and children of
God want to be successful in the work of soul-winning.
God has promised to make us successful. But there are certain things you need to do to achieve
success. You need to also know the greatest height of success that a boy or girl should attain.
Our topic is divided into three sub headings.
1. GOD’S PROMISES OF SUCCESS FOR HIS CHILDREN: Joshua 1:8.
As you read through the Bible, you will find many passages where God has promised to make
His children successful. He fulfilled all His promises. His promises are still the same today.
Examples are:- (i) Joshua 1:8 – God promised Joshua good success. Joshua did all that God
told him to do. He conquered many nations and helped Israel to inherit the promised land (ii)
Daniel 1:8, 17-20: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were ten times better and more
successful than all the wise men in Babylon (iii) 3 John 2: God wants us to prosper and be in
good health even as our souls prosper.
You will observe that the Bible promises of success are the best. These promises are for God‟s
children. Joshua, Daniel and godly people in the Bible, were true children of God, and God
blessed them as He had promised. If you need this kind of good and complete success, you
need to come to Jesus. Turn away from your sins and commit yourself to obeying God‟s word in
every area of your life.
2. GATEWAY TO SUCCESS: Proverbs 28:13; 6:6-11; Psalm 1:1-3.
Sometime ago, Dola went to a large shopping mall with his mother. They saw through the glass
of the show room many good things they wanted to buy, but they did not know how to get into
the large supermarket. Somebody then directed them. They saw the beautiful gate-way leading
into the supermarket. Some steps led to the gate and the gate leads into the supermarket. They
took the steps up to the gate and went in to the supermarket and bought a lot of beautiful
things.
Like the supermarket‟s gate-way, there are steps leading to the gateway to good and complete
success. They are:-
a) Salvation from sin Proverbs 28:13.
b) Paying attention to the word of God, thinking on it and doing what it says. Joshua 1:8.
c) Complete trust in the Lord. Proverbs 3:5, 6; Psalm 37:5.
d) Planning and early preparation for success e.g. attending classes regularly and doing
school assignments Proverbs 6:6-11.
e) Hard work and diligence. Proverbs 13:4; 10:4.
f) Following instructions in examinations.
Jesus Christ is the very gateway to success for everyone. It is only through Him that we can
achieve success (John 15:5; 10:9; Psalm 127:1). Why not make Him your Lord and Saviour
today?
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3. THE GREATEST SUCCESS A CHILD CAN HAVE: Proverbs 14:34.
Bolu was the best boy in his class. One day, he stole money and other items from one of
his class mates. He was disgraced and punished by the school. They removed him from
being a class captain, though he was still doing well in his academics.
Academic success, wealth and fame are not the real or complete success. If you are
successful in all things but still doing bad things; you are still a failure. You are like the
rich fool who gained the whole world and lost his own soul – (Mark 8:36; Romans 6:14).
A truly successful child is one who has received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.
He lives a clean and spirit controlled life even as he prospers in his education and other
things and is healthy. He has everlasting life and he would not perish in hell fire (John
3:16).
However, the greatest success is when Jesus will reward His faithful friends in Heaven.
You have to be there (Matthew 25:21).
Repent of your sins now and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Let us pray.