HOW TO FAIL IN LIFE
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If you want to fail in life, then do not plan ahead. Do not think of the future. Do not make any sacrifices. “If it feels good, do it.” Live on the edge, push your limits. It is your body, you have a right to choose to do with it whatever you wish. Be selfish. Strive to be popular. Give in to pagan peer pressure. Immerse yourself in the world’s music, fashions, fads, films and friends. Spend lots of time paging through worldly magazines.
Spend! Spend! Spend! Hire - purchase anything you want. Live in debt. Max out your credit cards. Gamble. Take a chance. Always buy lotto tickets and visit the casino whenever you can. Experiment and indulge in every vice – cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. Do not worry about your health. Do not think about tomorrow. Do not think about others. Let your personal theme song be: “I Did It My Way!”
If you want to be an ultimate failure in life, it is very important that you never volunteer and never commit yourself. “Look after number one.” Be self-centered. Do not take personal responsibility for anything. Blame others. Be bitter. Harbour grudges. Demand your rights. Always stand up for yourself. Insist on everything done your way.
Remember to always be pessimistic. Be negative. Be critical of others. Believe the worst in others. Participate in gossip. Listen to gossip and pass it on to others. Forward any slanderous e-mail onto as many other people on your E-list/ WhatsApp as possible.
Why pray when you can worry? Do not read the Bible, nor think about God, nor consider any issues in the light of eternity and the Day of Judgment. That’s such a long way ahead. Live for the moment. Do not worry about the past. Do not think about the future. Just live for now. Your personal feelings and desires now. After all, you are a good person!
HOW to SUCCEED
“Trust in the Lord and do good; …Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desire of your heart. Commit your life to the Lord, trust also in Him…” Psalm 37:3-5
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
“What does the Lord your God ask of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 10:12
“Therefore, rid yourself of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.” 1 Peter 2:1
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour’s life. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:15-16
“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity - because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9
In the light of eternity, those who want to succeed should fear God alone. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We would delight ourselves in the Lord, seek first His Kingdom, placing God’s Word above all things.
The successful Christian studies his Bible every day. Prayer is an integral part of his daily life. “Trust and obey for there is no other way.”
A successful Christian honours his elders, humbles himself before the Lord, takes personal responsibility, forgives freely and repents promptly.
Always ask, what does the Bible say? Do to others what you want them to do to you. Be unselfish. Be generous. Be a good listener. Exercise patience and servanthood. Be a reader. Study to show yourself approved unto God. A reading Christian is a growing Christian. Readers make leaders.
Be disciplined. Value your time. Avoid time wasting activities. Redeem the time. Exercise efficient time management. Time is the most valuable, non-renewable resource. Develop a high standard of work ethic.
Find a Godly mentor. Make use of the means of Grace. Learn what it means to engage in spiritual warfare. Select your friendships carefully, remembering that bad company ruins good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). Be very careful what education you invest in. Be very selective about the kind of entertainment you expose your heart and mind to. Be cautious in your finances. Never live in debt. Do not outspend your income. Tithe. Be generous. Save.
Do a thorough job of repentance and restitution.
Know the Ten Commandments and consistently try to apply them in your daily life. Be kind to animals. “A good man is kind to his animals, but the wicked are cruel to theirs.” Proverbs 12:10. Be disciplined. Make use of both physical and spiritual exercises (1 Timothy 4:8-16).
Count your blessings. Prayer – just do it!
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2