Reevaluate your Idea of Success

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “. . . and after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He replied, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.’ ”
(1 Kings 19:13-14)
      Passage: Mark 10:42-25

       Elijah had just experienced an incredible miracle of God’s power in consuming the sacrifice on the rebuilt altar on Mt. Carmel. The victory was overwhelming. But then he heard that Jezebel was determined to kill him and he realized that the victory was not complete. Though he had stood up boldly in confronting King Ahab and in delivering God’s judgement upon the prophets of Baal, he reacted with fear to the threat from Jezebel and felt like a failure. He had the wrong idea of success.
       Success in God’s eyes is not determined by your position, possessions or performance. It is determined by your faithfulness. Jesus addressed his disciples after James and John requested to be seated in the highest positions in the Kingdom and told them that greatest in God’s Kingdom isn’t determined by the service one receives. It is determined by the service one gives. You are never a failure when you serve others for Christ.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)