God's Word and Lecture

Lecture 1

Sunday Lecture

Title: Maintaining Success

Subtitle: How Can Success Be Maintained?

Success is not just about reaching the top. It's about staying there with integrity, humility, and purpose. Many people may reach a certain level of success but fail to sustain it because they forget the very foundation on which it was built. 

Here are four biblical principles that can help us maintain success in a godly way:

1. By Remaining in God's Power

"It is only God's favor that enables us to achieve such things."

Success, in its truest form, is not the result of human strength alone but of God's divine favor. We must be aware and dependent on God's power, not just in times of need, but in seasons of victory. It's easy to become self-reliant when things are going well, but spiritual awareness (palaso-aware) helps us stay grounded, discerning, and connected to God's leading.

John 15:5 (NIV)
"Apart from Me, you can do nothing."

This verse reminds us that if we detach ourselves from God, we risk losing the very source of our success. Staying in His presence and relying on His power is key to lasting fruitfulness.

2. By Pleasing God

"Mahalagang nalulugod si Lord sa ating mga tagumpay."

True success is not just about external accomplishments; it's about living a life that pleases God. When our success becomes a reflection of our obedience and faithfulness, it has eternal value.

Ecclesiastes 2:26
"Ang karunungan, kaalaman, at kaligayahan ay ipinagkakaloob ng Diyos sa lahat ng kinalulugdan niya. Ang makasalanan ay pinagtatrabaho niya at pinag-iimpok upang ibigay lamang ito sa gusto niyang pagbigyan. Ito man ay walang kabuluhan, tulad lang ng paghahabol sa hangin."

This verse shows us that God blesses those who please Him, not just with material success but with wisdom, knowledge, and joy. On the other hand, those who live in disobedience may work hard, but their efforts end up serving God's purposes in ways they never intended.

Success that pleases God is one that honors His will and reflects His character.

3. By Honoring God

"Dapat na ang Diyos ang napapapurihan at naluluwalhati sa tagumpay na ating tinatamasa."

When we achieve success, the natural temptation is to take the credit ourselves. But we must remember that every good thing we have comes from God. Honoring Him means we give Him the glory, we serve Him through our success, and we never steal the spotlight from Him.

"Pinaglilingkuran natin Siya at hindi natin inaagaw sa Kanya ang credit."

Success is a platform to magnify God's name. Unfortunately, many people, once they become wealthy or successful, begin to act foolishly, thinking it was all by their own doing.

Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)
"But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth..."

To maintain success, we must continually redirect praise, honor, and recognition back to God.

4. By Hard Work

"Kapag ang isang tao ay nagsisikap at nagsisipag, nagkakaroon siya ng ganansya sa buhay."

Success may begin with favor, but it is sustained by faithfulness and diligence. God blesses hard work. He calls us to be excellent stewards of the opportunities He gives us.

Proverbs 14:23
"Sa bawat pagtaguyod may kapakinabangan, ngunit ang salita ng mga labi ay humahantong sa kahirapan."
(Hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.)

Success fades when laziness and complacency set in. To maintain it, we must stay disciplined, focused, and committedto growth.

We should also work not for men, but for God.

Colossians 3:23
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

Conclusion:

1 Chronicles 29:13-14
"Pinasasalamatan namin kayo O Diyos at pinupuri ang inyong maluwalhating pangalan. Ngunit sino ako at ang bayang ito? Buong puso kaming nagkakaloob sapagkat ang lahat ng ito ay galing sa inyo at binabalik lamang namin."

Even in our greatest achievements, we must maintain a heart of gratitude and humility. All that we have and all that we can give come from God. Our role is to return it to Him. In worship, in service, and in how we handle success.

To maintain success, we must:

Stay connected to God's powerLive a life that pleases HimHonor and glorify Him through our achievementsRemain hardworking and faithful in all we do

Let us not chase after fleeting success, but pursue a life that honors God and leads to lasting fruitfulness.