IN VAIN? GOD FORBID !

*The question today is this : How do I know that I am successful ?*

Is it when I build houses ? buy smart cars ? get big degrees ? my bank account is heavily loaded? I travel all over the world ? I am famous? people clap for me?

If success is defined by all mentioned above, Solomon would have defined himself as being successful. 

But reading the Bible, we see Solomon the man who built houses, owned horses (the equivalent of cars today), gathered knowledge, accumulated uncountable wealth, using 33 times in his book of Ecclesiastes the word "vanity" and 5 times declaring "all is vanity".

*What is then vanity?* 

1. Whatever (relationship, marriage, ministry, business ... ) is vain when out of purpose, a waste of time, of resources, of energy, useless, fruitless. 

2. Anything built on wrong foundation, not on the Solid Rock who is Jesus, is built in vain. Why? Because when the wind will blow, and beat upon that house; it will fall. (Matthew 7:27)

3. Anything built without God , without his approval, without his blessing is built in vain. Why? Because if God is not there, there is no protection, no security, no blessing. (Psalms 127:1)

4. When after death, one misses heaven and ends up in hell, he has lived in vain (Luke 12:20)

GOD FORBID ! GOD FORBID !

*What is success about?*

Success is when :

1. The foundation is Jesus the Solid Rock 

2. God is on my side

3. One lives God's purpose on the earth and at the end spends the eternity with Jesus.

*Questions*

1. Is Jesus the foundation of what you build ?

2. Is God on your side? Does God approve what you do? Do you have his blessing on you?

3.Are you living God's purpose? After your journey on the earth, where will you spend your eternity? Do you prepare yourself for your eternity ?

*PRAY*

Father, I refuse to live in vain in the world. Deliver me from vain people, vain activities, anything vain in the Name of Jesus Christ !

Past TD