 |
Practical Success & Productivity
Author: Gene Keys  | Posted: 07-05-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 9 | Rating: (51)  (?) 
 Titus 3:14 (NIV)
“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.”
Maybe at some level in your life, the Bible read like an epic fairy tale with tons of lofty concepts, stories and ideas. Too imaginative to be literal and specially understood. However, the deeper your relationship with God goes, the more practical and alive His Word becomes.
I consider myself to be an intelligent man, but too smart for my own good. I am the most analytical person you'll ever meet, that is to say, the enemy of practicality. My goals were lofty and unrealistic, but in theory, they made sense. This scared me, and with just cause! Although my love for God was present, there was no ground where my feet could be placed; thus, I floated without a motive and became unproductive.
So, what is the key to a successful and productive life? The answer: producing! The Word of God is very clear on this. The Apostle Paul indicated that there is a connection with “doing what is good” and having a successful (productive) life. That connection is both important and intriguing! The book of Titus is a letter from Paul to Titus (the leader of the church in Crete, Greece). In essence, Paul is telling the church that they must “do good” in order for them to live successful and productive lives. However, this raises some questions. How can people, who were once sinners, saved only by the grace of God, who were still struggling with sin achieve this? Since we have the same lot, what will it take for us to attain such success by doing good when we are born in and used to doing evil?
Romans 12:1-3
The passage in Romans noted above instructs us to transform from our evil ways to good ways, starting with the body as the spiritual act of worship and then changing your attitude. What is attitude?
Attitude: the willingness to express one's thoughts and emotions (feelings) on what they perceive
Perceive: understand or comprehend; to understand or interpret something in a particular way; a point of view.
Proverbs 23:7(a)
A man or woman are only the sum of their thoughts. Meaning, you are what you think! Your attitude dictates the type of person you are, either positive or negative. Most of us, even though at first we seem positive, inwardly are dealing with and are very negative people. Again, we are the sum of our thoughts. We are what we think and our attitudes dictate our actions. This is why “doing what is good” requires that we “transform by the renewing of our minds” or our attitudes.
Here are four signs of a negative attitude:
Laziness
Procrastination
Excuses
Complaining
These four attributes indicate that a person with a negative attitude may already know what the right or “good” thing is, however, they are prevented from doing what is good because of their perception. Some deeper issues may be present as well, such a rejection and fear. But these collection of scriptures are instructing us to examine ourselves, not only to see if we are aligned with the Word of God, but also to replace our negative with positives.
Here are four signs of a positive attitude:
Passion
Persistence
Drive
Commitment
These four attributes will cause you to be humble, work hard as to produce results and gain success. But the key word in this study is found in our text (Titus 3:14): Our people (Christians) must LEARN to DEVOTE themselves to doing what is good...” We must learn to commit! We must acquire the skill of commitment! We must be taught how to be persistent and consistent in doing good. Anything that we are consistent at will eventually end in success in that area.
Let's break it down:
Let's say your goal is to provide for your family. You need to put food on the table, buy clothes and pay bills. You need income. Thus, in order to get income, you find a job which gives you the means to buy the food, clothes, and pay the bills. When you get your check and upon payment at the supermarket, the Gap and the Gas company, you are successful because you set a goal and saw it through. Success takes planning and strict adherence and execution of realistic goals.
You can be successful at being a failure if you consistently set unrealistic goals, plan poorly, have a negative attitude, or fail to set goals. A man without vision can not have direction; without direction he is destined to nowhere! So many of us fail because we have no vision! We do because everyone else does! We don't commit because we have nothing to commit to! Therefore, how can we learn to devote ourselves to doing what is good? The bible urges us to commit ourselves to God “...as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable...” to Him. This means we must remain holy and acceptable. It is a life long commitment. We learn by practice, and through this practice our success becomes practical and in reach. But remember, the end result of your success begins with your attitude and perception. Replace your negatives with positives; replace laziness with passion, complaints with commitment, excuses with drive, and procrastination with persistence.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/goal-setting-articles/practical-success-productivity-405937.html
About the Author:Eugene "Gene Keys" Burke is founder and operator of GeneKeysMinistries.com and United Generation for Christ which is based in Philadelphia, PA. Eugene is an husband and father of 2 sons, a minister, a accompished keyboardist, songwriter and author. Eugene's mission is to promote healthy lifestyles and healthly living based on biblical principles.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Communication Accountability Formula!
By: Jeff Magee | 14/11/2007 | Team Building
Investing valuable time with another person to grow and develop them can be quickly sabotaged if the parties cannot connect communicatively.
Studies reveal that one of the leading contributors to organizational dis-functionality rests at the door of ineffective communication among individuals.
Train for a Business Like you would Train for a Sport
By: Liane Bate | 20/06/2006 | Motivational
I've noticed that experiencing success in business requires much the same attitude, determination, persistence, motivation, mentoring, goal setting, dream seeking, and basically the same process as training for a sport.
The Power of Servanthood - Part 2
By: David Seragih | 01/04/2008 | Spirituality
Servanthood is the Key to Promotion. Joseph is a great example of servanthood. He was a slave in Egypt and then he became the head of Portiphar’s household. Daniel is a good example of a servant who served in a non-believer’s environment. He was serving a king who put his people into exile.
Motivating the Individual Within!
By: Jeff Magee | 01/10/2007 | Leadership
One of the traps which management has evolved into over past decades is to believe that all people are motivated in the same manner.
In actuality, surveys reveal that what may be a motivator to one individual may in fact be a de-motivator to another.
Motivating Oneself for Sustained Peak Performance!
By: Jeff Magee | 12/10/2007 | Motivational
Unlocking the door to one's passion points has a dramatic effect of becoming a never-ending waterfall, from which one gains a flow of energy.
It is from this flow of energy, which serves as the core source of ones’ energy creators, that one will be able to sustain constant motivation.
As a leader, it is you who serves as that well, from which the team comes for nurture and substance!
Put the Power of Goal Setting to Work for You!
By: Paul J. Meyer | 28/07/2008 | Goal Setting
Goal setting is the key to all fulfillment and achievement. Don’t wait another minute to put the power of goal setting to work for you! If you’re not making the progress you want or if your life doesn’t seem to be fitting together, it is probably because your goals are not clearly defined. If I listed everything that has gone into the achievement of my own personal success, probably 75% of that would involve goal setting.
Centering yourself and Staying Grounded: Finding your Inner Mettle for Sustained Passion!
By: Jeff Magee | 01/11/2007 | Leadership
All leaders operate, more often than not, from three key answers. It is the sum whole of all three answers, that affords a leader their direction, and that allows them to stay grounded. This is what gives them a sense of centeredness and never-ending passion, both of which others gravitate towards for even greater leadership!
The Only Way to Start your Day: Morning Prayer
By: global beauty | 08/10/2007 | Motivational
How to Have a Prosperous and Productive Day.
In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, commotion and combustion in our lives-we need more peace and calm to function daily. Our qualities of lives are being stained by the stresses of the world by TV, work, family, and interaction with people. The “little purple pill or blue pill,” can not permanently bring peace, joy and happiness in our lives during these times. Medications provide a temporary illusion of peace to the mind and body.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
If i lie will i stay
By: marianny | 28-07-2008
i really wanna be a christian but my family is but i dont really understand umm if u sin like tell a lie and god comes for hes people are you staying becuase you dindnt say sorry before he came.
hope you understand what i am tryin to ask
How do I pronounce these Biblical Places.
By: Barbie | 27-07-2008
how do to pronounce midol?
Where in the bible does Christ say to spread his ...
By: monica | 23-07-2008
where in the bible does Christ say to spread his word
Bible study
By: denice | 23-07-2008
why did god punish the biblical leaders for numbering the people
Selling the Bible Page.
By: mybudjjohn | 22-07-2008
I work for a newspaper and we have a weekly "Bible Page"---it is a "Sig ad." Does anyone have a decent script for selling the "Bible Page" via phone??
Thanks,.
Is there a Christain Outreach Bible Institute in ...
By: Rhuddene Jamison | 22-07-2008
Is there a Christain Outreach Bible Institute in North Carolina, and if so how stong is it's accreditation
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Goal Setting Articles
Online Master Degree - Continue Your Education for a Brighter Future
By: Jullie Harvard | 20/08/2008
Although education background is only one of many contributing factors to a success career, if you are holding a graduate degree, you are always at a better position to grab most of opportunities that you meet along your career path. With the available of online education, it's easier than before if you want to pursue a master degree without giving up your paycheck.
Facing Reality – Handling Disappointments
By: Liz Cassidy | 17/08/2008
Like many of you I have been relishing the feats and records at the Beijing Olympics this last week. The results have been a Goal Setting 101 course on focus, action; repetition, and celebration.
How to Stop Procrastinating and Get Things Done
By: Katlyn | 17/08/2008
Are you procrastinating - AGAIN? Has procrastinating become a habit so bad you become paralyzed in doing what you need to do? Learn how to change bad habits into positive habits.
Goal Setting Tips For Beginners
By: Koz Huseyin | 14/08/2008
Are you new to goal setting? Are you in need of some tips, so you can get started with the exciting process of setting and achieving goals? In this article, you are about to discover some goal setting tips that can help you take your goal setting to the next level.
Why Goal Setting Works For Goal Setters
By: Koz Huseyin | 14/08/2008
If you have never set goals before, then you may be apt to wonder what all the fuss is about! For goal setter however, goal setting seems to bring a new lease of life. Suddenly life has a direction. In this article, we will look at why goal setting works.
Is Success An End Goal?
By: Koz Huseyin | 13/08/2008
In a rat race? Are you here and your goal somewhere over there? For so many people the goal is always tomorrow, the retirement, and all the things of value are left till a future date. Is this really how the true successful work?
Why Get Specific With Goal Setting?
By: Koz Huseyin | 13/08/2008
What is being specific with goal setting and why is it important? Success is determined by doing things in the right way. When we do those things in the wrong way, we don't achieve. Here is something for you to try out.
Knocking Down the School of Hard Knocks
By: Mary Jo Shaffer | 12/08/2008
When it comes to hard knocks, school's out when you let the light—imagination, insight and intuition—in.
More from Gene Keys
The Call to Endurance
By: Gene Keys | 19/06/2008 | Motivational
Life often can throw you some serious curves! Ever felt like an obsticle was too great to overcome? We were created with the tools to endure. The power lies within us to succeed against any and all odds...
The Power Within You
By: Gene Keys | 07/05/2008 | Advice
At your wit's end? Don't know where to turn? I point my finger to the power that is within to succeed. There is a trustworthy saying, "Greater is the power within you, than that in the world". Seek out that power; examine yourself. change your attitude and succeed...
|
|
Self Improvement 
