Welcome to another edition of the Weekend Sermon. Thank you to all of you who read this blog. It means a lot to me.
This has been quite a week. Many of you have been praying about my employment situation. This Thursday, I lost my job. There was a union dispute, and my position was scheduled for elimination. There were other reasons why I left the job, but that was the primary reason. Thankfully, I found another job, and I am able to work as many hours as I was before. Also, I've been getting some writing jobs lately. Hopefully, that will pick up. I still want to get another job, so please keep praying that the Lord will provide in this area.
This week, let us all continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa. Pray that all will be well in this ongoing problem. Continue to pray for peace in Syria and Iraq.
We haven't done a series of messages for the Weekend Sermon in while, and I am going to remedy that situation this week. Starting this week, and continuing to the weekend before Christmas, I will be posting a series of messages focusing on some of the kings who ruled Israel and Judah. I will focus on what the Bible says about these interesting individuals, and we will examine what we can learn from their lives that will help up live lives that are pleasing to the Lord Jesus.
Today, I want to focus on what we can learn from the life of Asa. Asa was king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. If you recall, after the death of Solomon, Israel divided into two separate kingdoms. The northern ten tribes followed Jeroboam, and they were know as the Kingdom of Israel. The two southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin followed Solomon's son Rehoboam. They were know as the Kingdom of Judah.
Solomon's son Rehoboam was a terrible ruler as was Solomon's grandson Abijah. They followed after idols, and they did not worship the true and living God. It took Solomon's great grandson Asa to get things back on track.
When Asa came to power, he removed all of the idols from Judah. He ordered the people to stop following false gods and to follow the law given by God in the Torah. Asa was so zealous to follow the Lord that he even removed his mother from being queen because she set up an idol in a grove.
Asa also sought the Lord when he was faced with invasion. Asa prayed and sought the Lord's help, and the Lord delivered Asa and his people from the hands of the Ethiopians.
From the way Asa's rule began, things looked promising. However, Asa didn't stay on the right course. In the latter part of his reign, Asa was facing war with Israel. Instead of seeking the Lord, Asa made an alliance with the Syrians. Asa was confronted about this by the prophet Hanani, and Asa threw him into prison. At this time, the Bible says that Asa began to oppress his people.
In the last year's of Asa's life, he had a disease of the feet. Instead of asking the Lord to help him, Asa only consulted with his physicians.
So, what can we learn from the life of Asa. First of all, we can learn from Asa's example of following the Lord. In spite of his family, Asa didn't worship idols, he turned to the Lord and had the people do the same. No matter what your spiritual background might be, you can change and turn your life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
My Dad was not raised in a Christian home. He had no spiritual upbringing whatsoever. However, at the age of 40 my Dad gave his life to Jesus, and Jesus totally transformed my Dad's life. Asa early in his life also favored serving the Lord above all else. We see this in the action that Asa took in removing his mother from being queen. Doing right came above family connections. This is similar to what Jesus was talking about when He said that if someone wasn't willing to hate father, mother, and even their own life they were not worthy of Him. Following Jesus should be our top priority. Jesus must be our Lord, and our allegiance should belong to Him. Jesus is Lord. Our nation, family, friends nor our own desires are Lord. Following Jesus as Lord means following Him above all else. Our first loyalty belongs to Him.
Asa is also a good example of drifting away from serving the Lord. Later in his life, Asa went his own way. He stopped asking the Lord for help. We must not fall into this pattern of behavior. No matter what problem we might be facing, the best option is to take it to the Lord in prayer before doing anything else. Prayer should not be a last resort. It should be our first action.
When Asa was sick, he sought the physicians and not God. There is nothing wrong with going to the doctor. However, we should seek the Lord. Ultimately, Jesus is the only one with the power to work on our behalf.
We must be diligent in our walk with Jesus lest we follow Asa's course. We need to stay in prayer. We must not neglect our study of the Word, And, we must faithfully obey the commandments and teachings of the Lord Jesus. If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will not stray from the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life.
Next week, I will post the verse on Monday. I will try to post a review. The sermon will appear next weekend. May God bless you all. Amen.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
Verse For the Week
John 4:24 -- "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Thoughts On a Sunday Afternoon
I have been thinking a lot the last couple of days about some of the dogs that my Dad liked a lot. He was a big dog lover like I am. So was my Mom.
My Dad definitely loved Toby, but Toby was my friend exclusively for the most part. Those who have read this blog for awhile know how much my friend Toby meant to me.
My Dad had a dog he cared about like I cared about Toby. My Dad's dog was named Quincy. Quincy was about eight or nine years old when my Dad got him. My Dad was in his late teens, and he was working on a farm. The farmer owned Quincy at that time, but Quincy took an instant liking to my Dad. In the evenings and on the weekends, Quincy and my Dad went hunting and fishing together. During the days, Quincy helped on the farm. My Dad said that he was the best herding and ranch dog that he had ever seen.
When my Dad was read to leave the farm at the end of the season, the farmer gave Quincy to my Dad. They continued their hunting excursions. My Dad said that Quincy could track better than a Coon Hound even though Quincy was a collie/shepherd mix. Quincy would help my Dad work a herd of hundreds of sheep for the next two years.
In 1951, my Dad was drafted for the Korean War. Quincy stayed with my Dad's brother. The dog passed away shortly after my Dad left. Dad talked about Quincy a lot. They were special friends.
My Dad had one dog while I knew him that was very special to him. I had a rottweiler named Abraham, but it became quickly evident that Abraham wanted to spend time with my Dad more than he wanted to spend time with me. One of the very few times I saw my Dad cry was when Abraham passed away.
My Dad's last dog was an Akita/rottweiler mix named Evie-Anna. She was a huge dog that weighed 130 pounds. Dad liked to buy special treats for her and take her for walks. When my Dad passed away, Evie-Anna couldn't understand where her friend was. When I went out to give her her food and water, she would always look past me towards the house to see if Dad was coming. Evie lived a long life. She was over 14 years old which is a very long life for a dog as big as she was.
My Dad definitely loved Toby, but Toby was my friend exclusively for the most part. Those who have read this blog for awhile know how much my friend Toby meant to me.
My Dad had a dog he cared about like I cared about Toby. My Dad's dog was named Quincy. Quincy was about eight or nine years old when my Dad got him. My Dad was in his late teens, and he was working on a farm. The farmer owned Quincy at that time, but Quincy took an instant liking to my Dad. In the evenings and on the weekends, Quincy and my Dad went hunting and fishing together. During the days, Quincy helped on the farm. My Dad said that he was the best herding and ranch dog that he had ever seen.
When my Dad was read to leave the farm at the end of the season, the farmer gave Quincy to my Dad. They continued their hunting excursions. My Dad said that Quincy could track better than a Coon Hound even though Quincy was a collie/shepherd mix. Quincy would help my Dad work a herd of hundreds of sheep for the next two years.
In 1951, my Dad was drafted for the Korean War. Quincy stayed with my Dad's brother. The dog passed away shortly after my Dad left. Dad talked about Quincy a lot. They were special friends.
My Dad had one dog while I knew him that was very special to him. I had a rottweiler named Abraham, but it became quickly evident that Abraham wanted to spend time with my Dad more than he wanted to spend time with me. One of the very few times I saw my Dad cry was when Abraham passed away.
My Dad's last dog was an Akita/rottweiler mix named Evie-Anna. She was a huge dog that weighed 130 pounds. Dad liked to buy special treats for her and take her for walks. When my Dad passed away, Evie-Anna couldn't understand where her friend was. When I went out to give her her food and water, she would always look past me towards the house to see if Dad was coming. Evie lived a long life. She was over 14 years old which is a very long life for a dog as big as she was.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Weekend Sermon
I am happy to be with you this week for another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I pray that all of you are doing well this day.
This has been quite a week. I have things to be thankful for. I start a new job next week, and I may have another part-time job lined up. The Lord has also blessed me this week allowing me to get articles to write. It has been a stressful week as well. Times are tough at my current job. I have one week to go there. Please pray that I will make it through.
In your prayer time this week, please keep praying for an end to the Ebola outbreak. Also, continue to pray for peace in troubled areas of the world including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ukraine, Iraq and Syria. One day, the Prince of Peace will return, and all will be made new.
Over the past few weeks, I've experienced what have been some of the hardest times I've had to deal with since my parents passed away. Much of this had to do with people who I thought were my friends turning against me. They weren't what I thought they were. I have to say that this really hurts, and it is very hard to deal with.
This got me thinking recently about people in the Bible who had people that they trusted turn against them. How did they feel? What did they learn from their experience? Let's spend a little time today looking at some of these instances in the Bible.
First of all, let me say that I believe that everyone of us has at some time in our lives had the experience of having someone we thought that we could trust let us down, betray us or turn on us. It isn't pleasant, as I am sure you know.
The first person that comes to mind in this regard is Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. His own family members turned against him and did something really terrible to him. Joseph was a survivor. He made the best of a bad situation, and he rose by God's grace to the second highest position in the land of Egypt.
Eventually, Joseph had the chance to get his revenge against his brothers. However, Joseph forgave his brothers for the terrible thing they had done to him. I'm not sure I could have done that if I was in Joseph's situation.
The Bible says that, "Man meant it for evil, but God meant it for good" in reference to Joseph. Even when something hurtful happens to us, Jesus can bring something out of it for our spiritual benefit. We just might not see it right away.
Samson was another man who was betrayed in the Bible. He got himself in his own mess however. Samson is a good example of not associating with the wrong people. If Samson would have done what God told him to do, he would have been a lot better off.
Hosea did do what God told him to do, and Hosea was betrayed by his wife Gomer. She left her husband, and took up with other men. This was a metaphor for the way the people of Israel had treated God. Just as a wife leaves her husband for another lover, so too had the people of Israel left the true and living God for the worship of false gods. God was deeply hurt by the actions of His people.
Hosea went and found Gomer and brought her back home. In the same way, God came in search of sinners to bring the lost sheep back into the fold.
David experienced terrible betrayal in his life. He had a betrayal that in many ways seems to me to be the worst of all. David's own son tried to overthrow him in a rebellion. David actually had to flee. Eventually, David's forces prevailed over Absalom, and Absalom was killed against the king's wishes. Even though Absalom had done a terrible thing to him, David was deeply distressed at his son's death. David said, "Absalom my son, would that I had died instead of thee."
In Psalm 55, David gives poetic expression to a time he experienced betrayal. I love David's words in verse 6 were he says, "Oh that I had wings like a dove for then would I fly away and be at rest." How often in the past few weeks I have felt like that. I would love to just escape from all of the hurtfulness in this world and be with Jesus.
Now, for our greatest example in all things. Jesus faced the ultimate in betrayal. Jesus never did anything wrong, yet people hated Him. In the end, one of His own close followers would turn Him in to the authorities so that He would be killed.
Probably even more hurtful to Jesus were the actions of Peter. Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus. Peter later felt so bad about this that he wept bitterly.
How did Jesus act when He was betrayed or when people turned against Him. Jesus forgave them. Jesus even forgave the people that nailed Him to the cross. I know that as a follower of Jesus Christ I am supposed to be a person who forgives. I am trying to do that right now. It's hard. I am far from perfect.
I often think of the ways that I've disappointed Jesus in my life. It's happened many times. Every time, He has forgiven me. Jesus loves us even when we turn our backs on Him. Just think about this. The Christian religion has been around for over 2,000 years. However, over 70 percent of the people in the world reject the message of Jesus. Jesus loves them anyway. It's hard to be a person of love like Jesus. It should be my goal. I will strive to do better with the help of the Holy Spirit.
What lessons can we learn when we have faced betrayal by those we thought were our friends. First of all, try to find the good that can come out of it. Joseph is the example here. Jesus is too, of course. What seems so hurtful now may be the catalyst for something great the Lord wants to do in our lives. Trusting in the goodness of Jesus is important in these times. Joseph rose from slavery to be the second highest official in Egypt. Jesus faced Calvary, but Easter Sunday was the ultimate victory.
Another thing to learn is to be a person who is steadfast. We should not be the kind of people who hurt others and turn away from them. We must follow the example of Jesus in all things.
Don't let the hurt of betrayal get you down. I'm probably not the right person to be saying this right now. But I am trying. Trust in the Lord Jesus. Also, realize that not everyone in the world will let you down. I knew that I could always count on my Dad. No matter what mess I got myself into, my Dad would always help me out. He was always on my side.
When we face hurt and betrayal at the hands of those we thought were our friends, we need to look to Jesus. Jesus will never let you down. He will never turn His back on us. The Bible says that Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Your Mother, Father, brothers, sisters, husband, wife, children and friends may turn on you, but Jesus never will. Trust in Him. Serve Him. Love Him.
There are three verses about this theme that I would like to leave you with today. Psalm 27:10, "When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." Isaiah 49:15, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee." Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Next week, I will be very busy. I will post when I can, but the sermon will be on Friday or Saturday. May God bless you. Amen.
This has been quite a week. I have things to be thankful for. I start a new job next week, and I may have another part-time job lined up. The Lord has also blessed me this week allowing me to get articles to write. It has been a stressful week as well. Times are tough at my current job. I have one week to go there. Please pray that I will make it through.
In your prayer time this week, please keep praying for an end to the Ebola outbreak. Also, continue to pray for peace in troubled areas of the world including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ukraine, Iraq and Syria. One day, the Prince of Peace will return, and all will be made new.
Over the past few weeks, I've experienced what have been some of the hardest times I've had to deal with since my parents passed away. Much of this had to do with people who I thought were my friends turning against me. They weren't what I thought they were. I have to say that this really hurts, and it is very hard to deal with.
This got me thinking recently about people in the Bible who had people that they trusted turn against them. How did they feel? What did they learn from their experience? Let's spend a little time today looking at some of these instances in the Bible.
First of all, let me say that I believe that everyone of us has at some time in our lives had the experience of having someone we thought that we could trust let us down, betray us or turn on us. It isn't pleasant, as I am sure you know.
The first person that comes to mind in this regard is Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. His own family members turned against him and did something really terrible to him. Joseph was a survivor. He made the best of a bad situation, and he rose by God's grace to the second highest position in the land of Egypt.
Eventually, Joseph had the chance to get his revenge against his brothers. However, Joseph forgave his brothers for the terrible thing they had done to him. I'm not sure I could have done that if I was in Joseph's situation.
The Bible says that, "Man meant it for evil, but God meant it for good" in reference to Joseph. Even when something hurtful happens to us, Jesus can bring something out of it for our spiritual benefit. We just might not see it right away.
Samson was another man who was betrayed in the Bible. He got himself in his own mess however. Samson is a good example of not associating with the wrong people. If Samson would have done what God told him to do, he would have been a lot better off.
Hosea did do what God told him to do, and Hosea was betrayed by his wife Gomer. She left her husband, and took up with other men. This was a metaphor for the way the people of Israel had treated God. Just as a wife leaves her husband for another lover, so too had the people of Israel left the true and living God for the worship of false gods. God was deeply hurt by the actions of His people.
Hosea went and found Gomer and brought her back home. In the same way, God came in search of sinners to bring the lost sheep back into the fold.
David experienced terrible betrayal in his life. He had a betrayal that in many ways seems to me to be the worst of all. David's own son tried to overthrow him in a rebellion. David actually had to flee. Eventually, David's forces prevailed over Absalom, and Absalom was killed against the king's wishes. Even though Absalom had done a terrible thing to him, David was deeply distressed at his son's death. David said, "Absalom my son, would that I had died instead of thee."
In Psalm 55, David gives poetic expression to a time he experienced betrayal. I love David's words in verse 6 were he says, "Oh that I had wings like a dove for then would I fly away and be at rest." How often in the past few weeks I have felt like that. I would love to just escape from all of the hurtfulness in this world and be with Jesus.
Now, for our greatest example in all things. Jesus faced the ultimate in betrayal. Jesus never did anything wrong, yet people hated Him. In the end, one of His own close followers would turn Him in to the authorities so that He would be killed.
Probably even more hurtful to Jesus were the actions of Peter. Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus. Peter later felt so bad about this that he wept bitterly.
How did Jesus act when He was betrayed or when people turned against Him. Jesus forgave them. Jesus even forgave the people that nailed Him to the cross. I know that as a follower of Jesus Christ I am supposed to be a person who forgives. I am trying to do that right now. It's hard. I am far from perfect.
I often think of the ways that I've disappointed Jesus in my life. It's happened many times. Every time, He has forgiven me. Jesus loves us even when we turn our backs on Him. Just think about this. The Christian religion has been around for over 2,000 years. However, over 70 percent of the people in the world reject the message of Jesus. Jesus loves them anyway. It's hard to be a person of love like Jesus. It should be my goal. I will strive to do better with the help of the Holy Spirit.
What lessons can we learn when we have faced betrayal by those we thought were our friends. First of all, try to find the good that can come out of it. Joseph is the example here. Jesus is too, of course. What seems so hurtful now may be the catalyst for something great the Lord wants to do in our lives. Trusting in the goodness of Jesus is important in these times. Joseph rose from slavery to be the second highest official in Egypt. Jesus faced Calvary, but Easter Sunday was the ultimate victory.
Another thing to learn is to be a person who is steadfast. We should not be the kind of people who hurt others and turn away from them. We must follow the example of Jesus in all things.
Don't let the hurt of betrayal get you down. I'm probably not the right person to be saying this right now. But I am trying. Trust in the Lord Jesus. Also, realize that not everyone in the world will let you down. I knew that I could always count on my Dad. No matter what mess I got myself into, my Dad would always help me out. He was always on my side.
When we face hurt and betrayal at the hands of those we thought were our friends, we need to look to Jesus. Jesus will never let you down. He will never turn His back on us. The Bible says that Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Your Mother, Father, brothers, sisters, husband, wife, children and friends may turn on you, but Jesus never will. Trust in Him. Serve Him. Love Him.
There are three verses about this theme that I would like to leave you with today. Psalm 27:10, "When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." Isaiah 49:15, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee." Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Next week, I will be very busy. I will post when I can, but the sermon will be on Friday or Saturday. May God bless you. Amen.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Book Review
As most of you who read this blog know, I like animal books. I especially like books about dogs. The book I am reviewing today is called, "A Dog's History of the World' written by Laura Hobgood-Oster. I reviewed another one of her books here on the blog in the past. Ms. Hobgood-Oster is a professor of religion at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.
This was an interesting book. The author details the way that humans and dogs developed together. According to the author, it is possible that dog's have been companions with humans for over 25,000 years. The chapter on dogs and religion is especially good.
I would recommend this book for those who want to know more about how the human and dog relationship developed. Most dog lovers will enjoy this book.
This was an interesting book. The author details the way that humans and dogs developed together. According to the author, it is possible that dog's have been companions with humans for over 25,000 years. The chapter on dogs and religion is especially good.
I would recommend this book for those who want to know more about how the human and dog relationship developed. Most dog lovers will enjoy this book.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Verse For the Week
Philippians 2:5-11 -- "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Thoughts On A Sunday Afternoon
It's a windy Sunday afternoon where I live. It is a nice day. This morning, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about what the world considers success and what the Lord considers success. In the eyes of this world, a successful person is someone who makes a lot of money, has a good career or is famous. In general, the world does not take into account what the Lord considers success.
In this world's thinking, many of the great characters of Scripture would be considered unsuccessful. Most of the Old Testament prophets had little money. They were despised and rejected by this world. God's Word says that this world was not worthy of them.
Take into consideration Lazarus who I wrote about last week. He was homeless and sick. He ended up in life being licked by street dogs. However, he went to Heaven, and he is being rewarded eternally for his faithfulness to the Lord. He was considered a success in the eyes of Jesus.
Let's look at the example of Jesus Himself. Jesus certainly wasn't wealthy. When the religious leaders asked Him about paying taxes to Caesar, Jesus had to ask for a coin. He didn't have one of His own. Something similar happened when Jesus and Peter had to pay the temple tax. In order to get the tax money, Peter went fishing and the fish he pulled out of the lake had a coin in its mouth that was just enough to pay the tax for Peter and Jesus.
Jesus didn't have a big house. Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Jesus was rejected by most in this world, and He was crucified. The people said, "Crucify him. We will not have this man to rule over us."
However, that wasn't the end of the story. The Father raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus was the ultimate success. He sealed our redemption. He is the Risen King of King and Lord of Lords. One day, He will rule and reign in righteousness upon this earth, and His kingdom will have no end.
Jesus said while He was ministering on earth, "That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God,"(Luke 16:15). What God considers success and what people consider success are often very different things.
In my life, I haven't been what many would consider to be highly successful. I had some money, but I lost most of it during the great recession. I am a writer, and I love writing, but I am far from famous. I just have a regular old job. Things like this used to bother me, but lately, I haven't been as worried about all of this. What I try to concern myself with is whether or not my life is pleasing to God. Am I building up treasure in Heaven where moth and rust don't corrupt and where thieves do not break in and steal. My prayer is that I am considered a success in the eyes of Jesus. That is what really matters.
I think being a success in the eyes of Jesus means that you are someone who strives to obey Jesus' commandments and teachings no matter the consequences. Being a success in the eyes of Jesus means following Jesus wherever He might lead.
One preacher I heard a few days ago said it very well. He said that some people get an A on earth but they have an F in Heaven. It's better to have an F on earth and an A in Heaven. Pleasing the Lord Jesus is what life is really all about. May God bless you.
In this world's thinking, many of the great characters of Scripture would be considered unsuccessful. Most of the Old Testament prophets had little money. They were despised and rejected by this world. God's Word says that this world was not worthy of them.
Take into consideration Lazarus who I wrote about last week. He was homeless and sick. He ended up in life being licked by street dogs. However, he went to Heaven, and he is being rewarded eternally for his faithfulness to the Lord. He was considered a success in the eyes of Jesus.
Let's look at the example of Jesus Himself. Jesus certainly wasn't wealthy. When the religious leaders asked Him about paying taxes to Caesar, Jesus had to ask for a coin. He didn't have one of His own. Something similar happened when Jesus and Peter had to pay the temple tax. In order to get the tax money, Peter went fishing and the fish he pulled out of the lake had a coin in its mouth that was just enough to pay the tax for Peter and Jesus.
Jesus didn't have a big house. Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Jesus was rejected by most in this world, and He was crucified. The people said, "Crucify him. We will not have this man to rule over us."
However, that wasn't the end of the story. The Father raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus was the ultimate success. He sealed our redemption. He is the Risen King of King and Lord of Lords. One day, He will rule and reign in righteousness upon this earth, and His kingdom will have no end.
Jesus said while He was ministering on earth, "That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God,"(Luke 16:15). What God considers success and what people consider success are often very different things.
In my life, I haven't been what many would consider to be highly successful. I had some money, but I lost most of it during the great recession. I am a writer, and I love writing, but I am far from famous. I just have a regular old job. Things like this used to bother me, but lately, I haven't been as worried about all of this. What I try to concern myself with is whether or not my life is pleasing to God. Am I building up treasure in Heaven where moth and rust don't corrupt and where thieves do not break in and steal. My prayer is that I am considered a success in the eyes of Jesus. That is what really matters.
I think being a success in the eyes of Jesus means that you are someone who strives to obey Jesus' commandments and teachings no matter the consequences. Being a success in the eyes of Jesus means following Jesus wherever He might lead.
One preacher I heard a few days ago said it very well. He said that some people get an A on earth but they have an F in Heaven. It's better to have an F on earth and an A in Heaven. Pleasing the Lord Jesus is what life is really all about. May God bless you.
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