PREAMBLE

Trusting in Jesus is invaluable, as He is the anchor of our stability. Fixing our gaze on Him keeps us steady, just as Peter began to sink the moment he looked away.

All humans share three core desires:

Growth – The innate drive to become better versions of ourselves.

Significance – A deep longing to feel valued and purposeful.

Impact – The desire to live a life that matters, leaving a meaningful legacy. To live a life that makes no difference is a tragedy.

True improvement in life and destiny begins with brutal honesty. Self-reflection and truthfulness with oneself are non-negotiable on the path to growth and fulfillment.

ANCHOR SCRIPTURES: Matthew 7:13 - 14, Job 28:7 – 8, Ecclesiastes 10:15, Jeremiah 6:16

INTRODUCTION

Success, Victory and Greatness are our Heritage in Christ

Success, victory, and greatness are inherent in our heritage as believers in Christ. These blessings are part of the covenant benefits of redemption, as evidenced in Genesis 12:2–3 and Galatians 3:29. Through Christ, every believer becomes a beneficiary of the covenant God established with Abraham, affirming promises of greatness and increase (Psalm 71:21).

However, in an effort to keep believers consecrated and rooted in holiness—guarding against materialism and worldly desires—many spiritual leaders unintentionally downplay an essential truth: the human spirit finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ, but also draws consolation and validation from the tangible manifestations of God's blessings in other areas of life.

This imbalance often results in believers excelling in spiritual disciplines while struggling in other vital areas such as finances, relationships, or societal influence. Consequently, the church can appear irrelevant to broader civilization, and many Christians wrestle with reconciling their passion for God with a lack of progress in their earthly endeavors.

It is vital to communicate the whole counsel of God. While loving Jesus and living consecrated lives are central to our faith, we must also embrace the truth that success, victory, and greatness are part of God's plan for us. Neglecting this dimension limits our ability to reflect God's glory fully, as there is a unique aspect of His glory revealed through a life of excellence and impact.

As believers, we must understand that achieving success in life is not at odds with spiritual devotion—it is an expression of God's covenant and a testimony to His transformative power in all aspects of life.

God is Glorified through Our Success

God is glorified when we live successful, fruitful lives. Isaiah 61:3 reminds us that every believer is a planting of the Lord, designed to grow, bear fruit, and reflect His glory. God, as the ultimate Sower, expects His seeds—His people—to flourish and produce results that honor Him. John 15:8 emphasizes that our fruitfulness brings glory to God, demonstrating our discipleship.

However, not all success is valuable in God’s eyes. Any result or achievement that does not glorify Him is ultimately meaningless from a kingdom perspective. Our pursuit of victory, success, and greatness is only valid when it aligns with God's purposes and brings Him glory.

What Does It Mean to Glorify God?

To glorify God means revealing Jesus through the outcomes of our lives. God is glorified:

i. When people are drawn to Jesus by the example of our lives.

ii. When we use our minds and talents to better the lives of others.

iii. When we serve the poor, support the needy, and extend His love in practical ways.

Success that glorifies God is not just about personal achievements; it’s about living in a way that reflects His nature, draws others to Him, and fulfills His purposes on earth. Let our lives be fruitful, productive, and impactful, showcasing His glory in everything we do.

A Roadmap to Success

Success is a multifaceted concept that extends beyond material achievements. There are six critical indices to evaluate true success. Evaluating these indices requires honest self-assessment. The journey involves reflecting on the principles you follow and identifying those you may have overlooked. By addressing gaps and staying committed to these pillars, you can build a balanced, impactful, and enduring success story.

Six Key Indices to Measure Success

1. Spiritual Health

The state of your relationship with God and the growth of your spiritual life. A thriving spiritual life is foundational for long-term success. The following are key indicators of the true state of our spiritual life.

- Hunger and Passion for God

True spirituality is marked by a deep hunger for God, a passion for the things of God, and a commitment to His house. This desire fuels our pursuit of Him.

- Consistency in Prayer

A vibrant spiritual life includes a consistent and disciplined prayer life. Acts 6:4 emphasizes the importance of prayer in all its forms: intercession, supplication, thanksgiving, and more.

- Passion for the Word of God

Beyond mere Bible reading, spirituality involves a passion for acquiring spiritual knowledge that translates into spiritual intelligence and understanding. Colossians 1:9 speaks of being filled with knowledge of God's will, while Ephesians 1:17 highlights the importance of revelation that comes through divine enlightenment.

- Passion for Corporate Fellowship

A love for gathering with other believers is essential for spiritual growth and encouragement. Fellowship builds community and strengthens faith.

- Kingdom Service

Actively serving in God’s house and contributing to His kingdom work reflects a heart devoted to God and His purposes.

These principles collectively nurture a vibrant and fulfilling spiritual journey. By cultivating hunger for God, consistency in prayer, a love for His Word, fellowship, and service, believers build a strong foundation for spiritual growth and maturity.

2. Degree of Transformation

This refers to your mental transformation and the extent to which the Word of God has shaped your beliefs, values, and perspectives. Success includes adopting a mindset that aligns with God's Word, transcending cultural and societal norms.

True transformation begins with an awareness of your mental state and its contribution to your success or failure. Your mindset determines the outcomes you achieve, as every level of results requires a corresponding mental framework. A transformative mindset envisions a glorious destiny, refuses to dwell on failure or weakness, and embraces possibilities for growth and success.

Steps to Transformation

i. Awareness and Self-Assessment

Recognize and evaluate your current mental and emotional state. Understanding where you are is the first step toward where you need to be.

ii. Pursue Strategic Knowledge

Intentional learning, often accelerated through mentorship, fuels transformation. Seek wisdom and knowledge that align with your goals and provide practical insights for growth.

iii. Meditation

Transformation requires meditating on what you learn. This involves hearing and re-hearing—first to gain knowledge and then to build conviction. Repetition is key, as it embeds truth into your subconscious mind. Philippians 2:5 encourages believers to adopt the mindset of Christ, a process made possible through consistent reflection.

The purpose of transformation is not just to acquire knowledge but to internalize it, allowing it to shape your beliefs, actions, and ultimately, your outcomes. A transformed mind is the foundation for sustained success and fulfillment.

3. Health and Physical Well-being

Maintaining good health and physical well-being is essential for living a productive and fulfilling life. Neglecting this area can have dire consequences, as highlighted in the following principles:

- Avoid Gluttony

Overeating and poor dietary habits can lead to various health issues, ultimately compromising your well-being. Moderation and mindful eating are key to sustaining a healthy body.

- Proper Nutrition is Vital

Without proper nourishment, the body weakens and deteriorates. Genesis 42:1–2 underscores the necessity of food for survival. A balanced diet provides the energy and nutrients needed to thrive.

- Stay Active

Prolonged inactivity can impair your organs and overall health. Regular exercise and an active lifestyle combat the effects of laziness, promoting strength, flexibility, and vitality.

Your body is a temple and a gift from God. Caring for it through healthy eating, exercise, and disciplined habits is a vital aspect of stewardship, enabling you to fulfill your purpose with energy and longevity.

4. Purpose and Assignment

Fulfilling your purpose begins with understanding and embracing the process of discovery, refinement, and deployment. Here’s the framework:

- Discovery

The first step is identifying your God-given potentials. These innate abilities and passions often serve as pointers to your purpose. Discovery can also be guided by prophetic revelations or insights gained through acts of service.

- Refinement

Recognizing your potential is not enough; you must work to refine it. This involves deliberate effort, practice, and learning to transform raw talent into excellence.

- Deployment

True fulfillment comes when you use your refined gifts to serve others with excellence. Your impact is measured by the extent to which you deploy your abilities for the benefit of others and the glory of God.

Living out your purpose is not just about personal success; it is about making a meaningful contribution to the world through your unique assignment.

5. Financial Well-being

True prosperity is rooted in two foundational principles: value and favor. These pillars, when combined with divine grace, lead to sustainable financial success.

- Value

Your prosperity is tied to how valuable you are. Value is the ability to turn your gifts, skills, and abilities into products or services that meet specific needs. In practical terms, this includes:

i. Identifying your unique talents.

ii. Refining and packaging them with excellence.

iii. Delivering them to a well-defined consumer base.

What the world calls "business," the kingdom calls "value." It is the act of serving solutions that are both needed and useful, benefiting others while building financial stability.

- Favor

Favor is wealth gained through relationships. Profitable relationships can provide:

i. Inheritance or financial resources.

ii. Opportunities for growth and expansion.

iii. Access to capital or mentorship to start or scale a business.

Building and nurturing relationships is essential, as they often open doors that effort alone cannot.

- Grace and Anointing for Prosperity

Beyond value and favor, there is a supernatural dimension to wealth. Divine grace and anointing can accelerate financial breakthroughs and establish enduring success.

6. Relationship

The relationships you cultivate and maintain are invaluable. Strong relationships often hold more worth than monetary assets and are vital for support, growth, and fulfillment.

Building meaningful relationships requires intentionality and a heart for others. Relationships are one of the most valuable assets in life, and investing in them strategically can shape destinies—both yours and others'. Key principles for relationships: Invest in people’s destiny, avoid bias or superficial selectivity.

Conclusion

Success is not a one-dimensional pursuit but a holistic journey that encompasses various facets of life. As we've explored, there are six critical indices—spiritual health, transformation, health and physical well-being, purpose and assignment, finances, and relationships—that serve as the foundation for true success.

Achieving success requires more than just external accomplishments; it demands a deep, honest evaluation of where you stand in each of these areas. By reflecting on the principles you follow and identifying potential gaps, you can begin to make intentional changes that align with your values and goals.

The road to success is ongoing and requires commitment, discipline, and a willingness to grow. As you work on refining these key areas, you will build a life that is not only successful but also balanced, impactful, and enduring—one that brings glory to God and fulfills your purpose in the world.