“but to those who are selfishly ambitious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.” Romans 2:8

This world teaches us to clamor for success that we can accomplish through selfish ambition and empty conceit. Just look at Washington and our political situation! The result is stored up wrath and indignation. That definitely is not success! But satan is the great deceiver and the father of lies. We are led to believe stepping on others to climb up the ladder of success is all going to be worth it when we reach the top. Many times we are seeking our own glory more than even the financial success that is to bring this great achievement about. By the time many have hit the top ring of the ladder, they have destroyed a family in the process, but even more importantly, we have lost our true Savior. We have chosen the god of this world for the one true God.

The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:3-4:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important then yourselves, do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others.”

I will be the first to confess the only way we will make these choices is by choosing to love God above all else which will motivate us to please Him with our obedience over pleasing ourselves. He must be not just our Savior, but Lord of all.

I may not be viewed as a success in this world, but that has come to matter little to me. My eyes are focused on my future in eternity. I long for the moment I see Him face to face; then I will be home where I belong. I proclaim with Paul In Philippians 3:8:

“I count all things as loss for the surpassing value of gaining Christ, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish, so that I may gain Christ.”

I ask you, what price is too great for the surpassing value of gaining Christ Jesus? If we have everything and not Christ we have nothing. If we have nothing but have Christ we have everything that truly matters. Let us ponder what we are defining as success by the way we are living daily.
In His love.

Teresa Roberts

Masterpiece Fitness

276-237-6680

Experiencing magical moments in His creation on Gully Creek Trail, off the Blue Ridge Parkway, at Cumberland Knob this week with one of my clients was a great moment of success!