Be All That You Can Be

“Be all that you can be.” 

Your right, that’s the slogan for a popular advertising campaign of the United States Army. . .but it’s so much more than that.

 Success in life is being all you can be. . .not just because the U.S. Army says it but for the God who created you. His desire is for you to be all that you can be.

 There are scriptural laws and principles that make it possible for every person born on planet earth to be a success. . .to be all they can be. But not everyone is.

 If we ignore God’s Word and His instructions then He is under no obligation to make us successful.

 I want you to turn to Genesis 24…this is an amazing account of how Eliezer, chief servant of Abraham, traveled back to his master’s homeland to find a wife for Abraham’s son, Isaac.

 He loaded ten camels with fine gifts for the fortunate woman whom he would choose as Isaac’s bride. Let’s look at five reasons why Eliezer was successful in his assignment.

 1.      Personal wealth did not detract from his honor and loyalty.  

 Genesis 15:2 in the New Living Translation says:

 But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. ³ You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”           

 2.      He prayed for success every day.

 Genesis 24:12 in the New Living Translation says:

“O Lord, God of my master, Abraham,” he prayed. “Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham.”

 3.         When you take a step of faith. . .it energizes heaven.

 Genesis 24:40 in the New Living Translation says:

“He responded, ‘The Lord, in whose presence I have lived, will send his angel with you and will make your mission successful. Yes, you must find a wife for my son from among my relatives, from my father’s family.”

 4.         Pray specifically for what you want to achieve. Genesis 24:42 says:

“So today when I came to the spring, I prayed this prayer: ‘O Lord, God of my master, Abraham, please give me success on this mission.”

 5.         Never forget who makes you successful.

 Genesis 24:56 in the New Living Translation says:

“But he said, “Don’t delay me. The Lord has made my mission successful; now send me back so I can return to my master.”

 Without question, the Bible is filled with story after story. . .principle after principle on how you can be all that God created you to be. The Bible is the greatest success manual ever written.

 I encourage you to visit our website www.debtfreearmy.org and search for two teachings I did on “The Success Secrets of Jesus.” The teachings will take you on a spiritual journey to realize just how much God wants you to be a success.

While there is not a book on a Barnes and Noble’s shelf or backlist that can compete with the success secrets and principles found in the Bible. . .I do read success books.

 There are hundreds if not thousands of new success books printed every year. So the question is how do you know which books are good and which are out in the weeds, spiritually speaking.

 I use a four-point criterion in determining whether or not to buy a new book on success and I feel led to share them with you.

 1.   Pray about every book before you make the purchase. Ask God if there is a truth in the book that He wants you to receive. This point is first and foremost.

 2.   Natural wisdom cannot conflict with spiritual wisdom.

 3.   Natural success principles cannot conflict with spiritual success principles.

 4.   Anything I read in a natural success book should complement the Word of God not add to it or detract from it.

 I feel led to explain the reasons why I read success books in addition to the Bible.

 1.   The books will reinforce the realization that I don’t have to accept my current level or standard of living and being.

 2.   Books on success fire my imagination and creativity. It’s like iron sharpening iron.

 3.   Success books create awareness in me that I could have done more with my life while stirring a commitment to change. Sometimes this is through seeing that others have paid the price for success through their dedication while I’ve been sitting on the sidelines.

 4.   Success books reinforce an inner desire to maximize my potential for the kingdom of God and all that He created me to achieve.

 5.    Real success is actually based on biblical principles. Just as a farmer may not recognize that God established the principles of seedtime and harvest, he has the ability to understand and make the most of these principles.

 If you want to maximize your potential . . .be the best that you can be. . .don’t start with books that are on the New York Times Best Seller’s list. . .instead head directly to the Word of God first.

 I also feel led to tell you that “wishing and hoping” is a song but certainly not a formula for success. Here are five principles that will help you be all that you can be.

 1.         Seek Godly wisdom in every decision you make. 

Judges 18:5 says:

“Then they said, “Ask God whether or not our journey will be successful.”

 2.         Success is the result of obedience.

1 Kings 2:3 says:

“Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.”

 3.         Always remember it is God who opens the door to every success.

 2 Chronicles 26:5 says:

“Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.”

 Psalm 90:17 says:

“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!”

 4.         Consult with successful and Godly people.

 Proverbs 15:22 says:

“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

 5.       Your success is to be duplicated in others.

 Proverbs 1:3 says:

“Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.”

 When your heart is right before God. . .that’s the best and yes, the only real way to be all your can be.

God did not create you to live a life of mediocrity. . .of just getting by. . .or barely making ends me.   You are unique in all the earth. . .created by the Master of the Universe to fulfill His plan and your divine destiny. In short, to be all that you can be for Him.