Fame & Recognition Trap

I know I am successful because ___________________.

How will you answer this question? As a Christian the honest answer to this question can shake you up. In America we live in a culture of compare and measure how I am doing in reference to others in my world. But Theresa Johnson points out in her writings that this mindset is the enemy's setup for us to miss God. She uses Paul's writings in Second Corinthians to point us to God's best.

"2 Corinthians 10:11-13
11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present. Who we are is measured by the person God sees when the limelight is gone and the bank account is empty. It's who we are at home with our families when the camera's are NOT on and no one else is around to see us but God. Who we are is in our hearts.

12We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

It is a terrible thing to compare ourselves with others. It IS A SIN and I hate this stronghold. So many BORN AGAIN believers/scribes sit around comparing how they write with how others write. They use someone else's thing as a benchmark on how well they are doing it. We've go to stop this. Comparison breeds division, jealousy, envy, strife, competition, and CONDEMNATION....We are unique in God.

What God has for LALA down the street is for LALA. It's not for me. I should not covet what God has given her. This is dangerous. It causes distractions and can cause our EGO to set a course on a path that DOES NOT BELONG to us. This is serious ...and we see it every day.

13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. Look at this. The scripture says that we will not step outside the boundaries God has set for us. It says that we will "confine or restrain" our boasting to the "boundaries" God has assigned to us. You see, if we can just follow the path that the LORD HAS SET for our individual lives ... the "FIELD WILL REACH US" ... we do not have to try to REACH THE FIELD!

Too many people are STRIVING and trying GET SOMETHING FROM GOD! I pray that you are not one of them. Don't miss this. You ALREADY HAVE what God desires to give you. Just stay on course. Stay focused and let the FIELD REACH YOU.Notice that the scripture says the field will "reach you."

I pray today that you FREE yourself from the boundaries and burdens and weights that YOU have afflicted yourself with -- and that you embrace the type of success that "our Father" set before us from the foundations.

Success is NOT based on completing or accomplishing tasks that WE have set for ourselves or on obtaining a level of fame, prosperity or recognition. Success is based on completing and accomplishing those tasks given to us by GOD, and by obtaining the kind of prosperity spoken of in

3 John 1:2.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

True success is knowing that you have PLEASED GOD.

It is knowing that you have done all that HE HAS commanded of you and now, you can obtain that PEACE that only the Lord can give. This peace says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."The purpose for material wealth is to fulfill our ministry functions and to be a blessing to others. Yet, God also wants us to have the kind of success that heals our emotions, promotes healing in our physical bodies and brings us into a place of confidence and security in him.

Without the complete picture of "success" that God paints – which is inward – we are not successful."

I know Theresa hit some of your buttons today. Please add your comments and help me understand when I am truly successful, doing my best as God leads and knowing God is pleased. No one to the right or left has my call. I need to be free to celebrate each victory with others with no regrets for me. I'm so happy God calls me to process (still under construction) and He is patient! 'Cause I'm not done yet!

Check out the earlier post on this wonderful Christian Writer/Publisher/Instructor/Pastor/Evangelist Get Over Yourself .