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The Four F's of Success

August Pic 4//Lynette Hagin

When you read the title of this article, you may think that an F doesn't sound successful. Normally you get an F when you fail a subject in school. But if you want to succeed in your Christian walk, the four F's I'm about to share with you are going to be a tremendous benefit.

Stay Focused

One of the most important things we must do if we want to be successful in life is to stay focused. In this day and age, sometimes it's difficult to do that because we have so many choices.

For example, when we go to the grocery store in the United States to buy cereal, we're faced with an abundance of choices. If we travel overseas, in some countries we might find only a few brands of cereal. Or we might find one brand of deodorant instead of the variety we have in the U.S. When we have an abundance of choices, it can be easy to get confused in making a selection.

We will have many opportunities in life to get sidetracked from doing what God has called us to do. If we're not careful to stay focused, we will become "hindsighted." That's what happened to the children of Israel in the wilderness. Moses led them out of Egypt toward the Promised Land, but their focus was all wrong. They kept looking back. Every time something went wrong or they became frightened, they cried out to Moses, "Why didn't you leave us back there in Egypt?"

When troubles befall us, it's so easy to start looking back. But refuse to look back. Instead, focus on what's ahead. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:13–14, "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Paul was saying, "Press on! Press on!"

So what is our focus supposed to be? Let's focus on how we can win the lost to the Lord. Jesus said in Mark 16:15, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." His Great Commission should be our most important focus in life.

Stay Fixed

God has provided tremendous victory for us through His Word. But if we want to experience that victory, we must keep our hearts fixed on the Lord. It's important for us to be fixed on Jesus not only as our Savior, but also as our Healer, our Provider, and our Rock.

Psalm 112:6–7 says, "Surely he [the upright] shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord."

When we hear some kind of bad report, we need to plant our foot firmly on the Rock and say, "Devil, my foot is on the Rock and my mind is made up. I put you on notice—I am going to make it!"

Whenever sickness, temptation, financial trouble, or any other kind of attack comes against us, we can boldly declare, "My heart is fixed on the Word. And the Word says that God will be with me in trouble, and that He will deliver me (Ps. 91:14–15). He always causes me to triumph in Christ (2 Cor. 2:14)!"

We need to make sure that our anchor is secure on God's Word. Then when the waves of tribulation come, we can stay steady.

Be Faithful

Did you know that you are planting seeds today that will produce a harvest in your life tomorrow? But what kind of seeds are you planting? Are they seeds of faithfulness?

Luke 16:10 says, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." Verse 12 goes on to say, "If ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?" In other words, we must be faithful in helping others fulfill their vision before God will help us fulfill our vision.

Faithfulness is one of the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22. And God wants us to be faithful in every area of our lives. Be willing to do the menial tasks, and be faithful to do them with excellence. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might and to the best of your ability, and God will be faithful to promote you in His season!

You can develop your faithfulness—along with the other fruit of the Spirit—as you choose to give your whole heart in serving and obeying the Lord.

Be Fruitful

If you stay focused, fixed, and faithful, then you're going to be fruitful. You're going to fulfill the four F's of success. You may not see the fruit immediately. But eventually, in the right season, you will produce fruit.

Psalm 1:1–3 says, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly . . . but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, THAT BRINGS FORTH ITS FRUIT IN ITS SEASON, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper" (NKJV).

When harvest time comes, we'll bear much fruit. Why? Because we've been rooted and grounded in the Word. We've been watered and fed. And we've been pruned and sprayed.

Then, when the enemy throws us a curve, we'll stand strong like the tree that's planted by the rivers of water. And when the winds of life try to blow all of our fruit to the ground, we can boldly declare, "Satan, you cannot destroy my fruit! I've stayed focused. I've stayed fixed on the Lord. I've stayed faithful. And now I'm going to be fruitful. Nothing can hinder me from bearing fruit for the Lord!"


FAITH IN ACTION

Make these confessions daily to help you fulfill the four F's of success.

Focused—I will keep my eyes focused on Jesus and how I can win the lost to the Lord.

Fixed—I will not allow myself to be moved by trials. I am standing on the Rock and His Word.

Faithful—By God's grace, I will be faithful in every area of my life.

Fruitful—Because I'm staying focused, fixed, and faithful, I will bear much fruit for the Lord.