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Success Lies—You Can Do It

May 15, 2006

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Dear Friends

One of the common themes in the Success Industry is the power of a positive attitude. For those of us who struggle with negative thoughts and defeatist attitudes, this is like a sip of cool, spring water on a hot day. Their familiar refrain is “you can do it.” The truth is, however, that you can’t do it; at least not alone. The Success Industry often teaches “I can do all things” while the Bible adds the all-important phrase “through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil 4:13) This is not an insignificant addition.

On a battlefield long ago, two confident warriors faced each other. One was a battle-seasoned veteran with the best equipment, best training and an unmatched reputation. He had a “can do” attitude. Standing nine feet tall, he was without dispute the greatest warrior of his day and he knew it. Facing this fearsome killing machine was a young, untested shepherd boy. He had no experience on the battlefield. He was facing sword and spear with little rocks. Despite these seemingly long odds, he was brimming with confidence. The difference was that his confidence was in his “secret weapon”—the God of Israel. This shepherd boy would not defeat the Philistine giant with self-confidence, but confidence in the great Creator of heaven and earth. Therein lies the difference in what the Success Industry is selling and what God is offering for free. Goliath had every reason to expect success. He had training. He had experience. He had the right equipment. He had a legion of supporters. But, he didn’t have God and that was all that David needed.

No group of individuals on earth should have a more positive, “can-do” attitude than believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus told his disciples “If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.” (Matt. 21:21) The key difference between what disciples of Christ believe and what is taught by the Success Industry is where you faith lies. The Success Industry wants you to have self-confidence in your own abilities. The Bible wants you to have faith in God’s abilities. Jesus began his comments about a faith that can move mountains by saying “Have faith IN GOD.” Where our faith lies is very, very specific. Take at look at Hebrews 11 which we call the Faith Chapter. Look at all the action words. By faith they performed amazing things. Abel offered. Abraham went out. Isaac blessed. Moses refused.

In fact, Moses is the perfect example of the difference. As Stephen tells us in Acts 7, Moses was at one time in his life ready to be the deliverer. He was at his height of powers. He was self confident. “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds . . . for he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them.” (Acts 7:22,25) Yet, God waits another forty years for a humbler, more faithful man. We all know the story of humble, reluctant shepherd that appeared before God at the burning bush to start his role of deliverer. This was a man that God could do amazing things through; not the confident, well-trained, Egyptian prince.

There is no doubt that we should be bold, positive people. But, we are not self confident. We are God confident. Therein lies the difference.

Have a great week!

P.S. Many requests have been made to print the TFTW in book form. Since this has been a community effort, I would like to make this book a community effort as well. If there is any particular TFTW that has touched you or that you would like to write a preface for, please contact Kyle Tucker. We will include some of these comments in the book, Lord willing.

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