I felt led to author a book because of what God has done in my life. The book was written in 2009 and the publisher we were working with suggested I write a Christen blog to help with the sales of the book. Since  that time, I have written two blogs per week. Once I became a Christian, I tried as much as possible to read the Bible. A particular Scripture got my attention and I applied it ever since. I believe every Christian that uses the following verses and complies with them can improve.

Colossians 3:22 – 24 – “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

This Scripture does not just apply to slaves but to all employees. At the end of my freshman year in college I worked for Birds Eye Frozen Foods. My first job was the hardest job in the plant. When everyone was taking a break, I was sweeping up and getting ready to begin again. My motivation was that I wanted them to know, as a Christian, I was a good, dependable worker and as Scripture advised, I was to work for the Lord. At the end of one month, I was given the easiest job and a much more responsible job. Was that a result of my hard work or did the Lord have something to do with it? My second summer I was promoted to the assistant foreman over 250 employees. I had never worked any harder and made recommendations that improved production. At the end of my junior year, that summer they asked me to be the night foreman in charge of production. During that summer a Christian high school asked me to be their athletic director and head coach. My senior year, my class schedule worked so every afternoon I could take that job. I was able to coach and in the summer work for Birds Eye. After graduation I became a full-time teacher and coach and in the summer do my summer job. How much of this was the result of my following Scripture and working hard for the Lord or the Lord making it happen?

Montgomery Ward in Longview, WA had an opening for a management trainee. Since I had been living in Longview prior to going to school, I interviewed and got the job. I used the same work principles that Colossians 3:22 – 24 suggest. I was promoted to eight different stores and the last four stores as a store manager. My last assignment was 13 years in Las Vegas, which was one of the largest and most profitable in the nine western states. Was success a result of working hard for the Lord or did God just make it happen?

I wanted to share my experience with other Christians particularly those just starting out. I believe these principles will work for any Christian that applies them. I also believe part of success comes from reading the Bible daily and praying at a particular time every day. It also helps to pray for God’s direction and guidance in making many decisions. If you find something you like doing you will develop a passion to do it as well as you possibly can. After 29 years with Wards, I felt led to become a financial advisor and work for myself. It took three years before I made enough to pay my monthly bills. Fifteen years ago my son began working with me. Ten years ago my daughter started. The three of us were able to witness God building our business. Are we enjoying life like Christ intended? As Christians shouldn’t we be living an extra-ordinary life style?

God created an ugly old worm, called a caterpillar that crawls along the ground with all kinds of obstacles blocking its way. After a time, this worm is instantaneously transformed into an insect called a butterfly, which is one of the most graceful and beautiful of all insects. What kind of life are we living, like the caterpillar or the butterfly? As a result of sin and our self-centered nature, we were born ‘caterpillar-like’. But Christ came to offer us a ‘butterfly-like’ life. If God can transform a caterpillar into a butterfly, can’t He transform a sinner into one of His children? The Bible says God will bring our life into a new dimension. (“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” II Corinthians 5:17). As a caterpillar, I face death. As a butterfly, the Spirit has set me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) Each of us is made differently. Some were created with certain abilities, some handicapped and most of us average. God didn’t say let’s create another human today and watch them fail. He had the knowledge and ability to put the universe together; and He knew everyone of us prior to our birth. Then can’t He give each one of us a plan and purpose for our lives with the abilities to be successful in whatever we do? However, Satan is not pleased when Christians do things out of the ordinary. Have you been told you will not amount to much? That doesn’t come from God. I found the American dream was available to those who realized that it won’t be given to them; it had to be earned. I had to prepare. I received a degree in business management. I read many books on the power of positive thinking. I studied management principles and went to numerous seminars to improve my skills. The one book that has helped me the most is studying the Bible. One thing I learned was preparation. It also was one key to success. I also learned the importance of trusting in God’s promises. I became aware that the Holy Spirit was given to us that we might have comfort, guidance and to help us with our purpose in life. The Bible taught me to become free from the ways of society and our worldly, self-centered nature and become more Christ-centered and Christ minded. How many people are willing to work hard and prepare for success? It seems there are many that want to dumb-down Americans, give them entitlements and convince them the government will meet their needs. You may not need an education but you must become knowledgeable with a good attitude. As God is watching and the Holy Spirit guiding, why not begin believing and practicing what it takes to be a success in whatever task you have chosen? Work hard, set obtainable goals and adequately prepare. Then see where the Holy Spirit leads you. Never allow the devil or others to discourage you as they are likely to do. God’s promise that we can become successful and prosperous by complying with His teachings is available to all believers.