You win – Just like airplanes are designed to fly, God created you to succeed. Most of us have experienced enough failure in life or our upbringing that our computers are programmed to doubt that we can succeed. However, you can overwrite the negative software if you want to. Here’s how. The first step is giving yourself permission to explore the desires of your heart. That’s where God put your destiny. It’s not in the Bible. It’s not in a self-help book. It’s not in the mind of a counselor. It’s in your heart.
This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. Heb 8:10
“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Heb 10:16 NIV
“This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jer 31:33 NIV
God is inviting you to tell Him how you would like to be involved in the Kingdom. I know, you thought He gave the orders. Well, He’s inviting you to be a friend who talks to Him instead of a servant who just takes orders and doesn’t consider what is in his heart. (Jn 15:15).
What’s it like – Tapping the desires of your own heart that lead to your destiny is exciting. Let me share a couple of the characteristics so that you’ll recognize it when you see it. God is doing two basic things: He’s blessing people and He’s building his Kingdom. All those commandments are distilled down to two: love God and love your brother. So our desires, which define our destiny, are connected to those two basic areas. If you want to be successful in life, you have to make others successful in their destiny and then help God build the Kingdom.
1. Make others successful. I like to ask people two questions: “What’s your dream,” and “How can I help you take the next step?” Blessing flows into my life when I do that. Jesus laid down His life for the sheep; so should we.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 NIV
2. Build the Kingdom. Jesus simply did what he saw his Father doing. Jn 15:19-20. Blessing flows into my life when I put the Kingdom first.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt 6:33 NIV
Is God concerned about your success? Yes, He is. That’s how He builds the Kingdom and blesses people. Is it all about me? No, but the Kingdom includes me and my success. Get the picture? You’re not just an ant that is lost in insignificance. You’re not just a servant blindly following orders. Jesus is the King of Kings and you’re one of the kings. He’s the Lord of lords and you’re one of the lords. You have a piece of the Kingdom that has your name on it and you’re called to reign over it. Servants can’t do that. You can! Your role in the Kingdom is to display some glory… be good at what you do. Stand out! Bless people and build the Kingdom.
How you think – Most of us paint a negative picture of our future that is motivated by fear and the bad programming of our past. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy for continuing failure. We become what we think. Here’s the principle: “Ideas create things.” Remember this verse?
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matt 5:27-29 NIV
Jesus drew the line at thinking, because he knew that an idea would eventually create an event. The same is true for you and me. We have to “set our minds” on the desires of our hearts. Whatever that desire is, our job is to “see it, say it, then do it.” Your personal success and involvement in God’s Kingdom begins when you start activating the desires of your heart. One little word of “wisdom” – don’t get so spiritual that you forget about the financial side of your heart’s desires. Dreams always cost money, so part of your dream is creating wealth and turning money into ministry in concert with the desire of your heart. Now listen to the way Jesus spoke about the desires of “your heart.”
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14 NIV
…ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:7-8 NIV
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 15:16 NIV
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24 NIV
