Man on a cliff considering what's important in life

How Do You Define Success?

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. —Psalm 37:4

Over the years I’ve grown to believe that hunting success cannot be measured by the kinds and amount of trophies that adorn a man’s wall. Because of what I do in the outdoor industry, I can testify first-hand that any person with the right amount of money and time can quickly add trophies to his big game collection.

My path crosses with this type of hunter all the time. The reality is, when trophies are his standard, he runs the risk of losing focus on the very reasons that hunting captured his heart in the first place.

In Joshua 1:1-9, God called Joshua to lead an entire nation as their pastor, military commander, and political leader. How ironic, then, that God never gave him any instruction—not even a few quick tips—on how to juggle these various offices. God told Joshua to make obedience his prime focus in life, and in doing that, God would grant him success.

God did not need Joshua’s talent. God wanted Joshua’s heart. Obedience was God’s standard of measurement for success. When obedience is your standard of measurement, then you’ll never be duped into letting someone else tell you what should define your life.

Think It Through

What are you pursuing today? More importantly, what does that pursuit say about the desires of your heart?

By Jason Cruise from the NIV Outdoorsman Bible.

55 comments

  1. T SESHU KUMAR says:

    Please pray for my mother. She suffers with paralysis. Thank you.

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    1. Kenny Okeke says:

      In reply to T SESHU KUMAR… I pray for you this morning… That God of Heaven will restore your mother in the name of Jesus Christ the son of the living God… Whatsoever medical personnel can’t handle our God is the great healer… Receive and heal in the name of Jesus Christ right now from your hair to toe.., Total wellness, Amen.. it’s settled.

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  2. Abraham says:

    “How do I define success? ” It is a very difficult question from a religious point of view. The Holy Bible define success as something contrary to what humans are thinking. We see many biblical characters who were mistaken about their definition of success. Often we see the weak, the poor and the tiny overrunning the powerful and the rich. Does God act always contrary to the common perception?

    If the Bible is true in its description of God’s character, then we must believe that God acts by seeing the heart of the participant. Not his physical or mental ability.

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  3. Ntombela says:

    I’m blessed

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  4. Douglas okinyi says:

    Very true

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  5. Agnes says:

    Please pray for a financial provision and wisdom to do my task in my work. Also please pray for my coworkers attitude.

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  6. Dina Mpofu says:

    Thank you

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  7. Deon Jaftha says:

    I would like to receive or be informed of new NIV materials. Pleased.

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  8. Kangoro Josephine says:

    Please help me to be in a relationship with the Holy spirit.

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  9. Stephen Luka says:

    May God help us to be obedience in order to be successful 🙏🙏🙏

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  10. Albet kujur says:

    Pray for my sons, Alex and Ethan.

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  11. Opolot Ismail says:

    When we are obedient to God, then He will be at the forefront of all that we do and success will be achieved.

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  12. Mba john Isaiah says:

    I am grateful. God bless you.

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  13. Sheetal Joshua Sam says:

    Please pray for me and my family.

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  14. Stella Atter says:

    Please, I need a job. Kindly pray for me to get one.

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  15. Kelechi Nnaji says:

    I join you (T SESHU KUMAR) to pray for your mother for quick recovery and full restoration in the matchless name of Jesus Christ.

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  16. Please pray for granddaughter that she change her life and come back to God. Keep watch over my great grandchildren, in Jesus name Amen.

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  17. Themba Litswele says:

    Inspiring words. Continue to share with me the profound word of God that brings life.

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  18. Ken hockert says:

    I’m new to this devotional and today’s article hit me right between the eyes. I own two businesses that I have pushed and pushed and pushed, begging God for wisdom and growth, but it seems I have hit a ceiling. I don’t always live the most disciplined personal life. Obedience IS better than sacrifice.

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  19. I am grateful for the Word. May God richly bless you abundantly 🙏🏽

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  20. Angie says:

    Delighted to see God’s word.

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  21. Isaac says:

    Praying for success. I am still waiting and I am patient.

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  22. Gelana Olkeba says:

    I want to study the Bible with you.

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    1. NIV Bible says:

      Sign-up to receive articles from us each week.

  23. kisakye calith says:

    That’s so great.

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  24. Philasande says:

    Please pray for me to find a job.

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  25. Gretchen Schmidt says:

    Success cannot be measured by earthly riches but by the fullness of one’s heart.

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  26. Kevin says:

    Please pray for salvation for my son and daughter.

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  27. Hugo González Calleja says:

    Bendecida semana

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  28. Omana says:

    Please pray for me to get a job.

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  29. George says:

    I have found that I pray and God answers by giving me His desires and His answers to my prayers. This is how God gives me the desires of my heart.

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  30. Chrispine Simulimyakeembe says:

    Happy to get good words of God.

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  31. Olu says:

    Complete obedience will always be rewarded by God. It’s the only way to show Him that we are helpless without Him.

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  32. Ncamza says:

    I’m happy to receive the inspirations….blessed assurance. Amen

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  33. Robin says:

    My life’s motto: True success is only realized by a life lived in prayerful reliance upon God and a thorough knowledge of His Word.

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  34. Barbara Kortbein says:

    Please pray I understand and comply with God’s plan for me. I have a way of twisting things, only to be wrong.

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  35. Babajide Musa says:

    Amen. Thank you God.

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  36. Mirriam M says:

    Please pray for my youngest son to receive Jesus as his Lord and savior, and that he should be serious about finding a job.

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  37. Riaan Higgs says:

    Please pray for me and my family.

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  38. Amos says:

    I need prayer for salvation.

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  39. Amos says:

    I need prayer for salvation and genuine repentance.

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  40. Faith says:

    Pray for me that the Lord will answer a prayer I have been waiting on for a long time,

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  41. Godfrey says:

    To most of us success, true success will be the attainment of immortality. Citizens of a new heaven and earth.

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  42. Carol says:

    Am blessed

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  43. Opiro Thony says:

    I am blessed and am happy to hear the words of God everyday.

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  44. Sue Elzy says:

    Been reading the NIV bible 📖 and have been blessed many times over. Read it every night and if I don’t, my day isn’t complete.

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  45. LOHNAN says:

    Am happy to be here. I pray for God’s intervention over me in Jesus name, Amen.

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  46. Francis Mukhuna says:

    I am requesting prayers. My finances are not stable.

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  47. Edwin says:

    Thanks for the Word of Lord. I am happy to read and understand. I’m requesting prayer over my family, business, and job.

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  48. PETER says:

    Very inspirational

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  49. Lefu says:

    Please pray for my children to leave their wicked ways and follow GOD.

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  50. Kagiri Ally says:

    I am a born again Christian who used to be a Muslim. God has empowered me with the power of discernment. Learning to hold it firmly.

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  51. Sandeep kallangi says:

    Praise the Lord. Please pray for me and my family.

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  52. Matthew says:

    This blog post offers a refreshing perspective on defining success, especially within the context of hunting and the outdoor industry. The notion that success cannot be solely measured by the trophies adorning one’s wall resonates deeply, challenging conventional notions of achievement and fulfillment.

    The analogy drawn from Joshua’s experience serves as a powerful reminder that true success lies in obedience to God’s call, rather than external accolades or achievements. The emphasis on prioritizing obedience over talent is both thought-provoking and profound, highlighting the importance of aligning one’s pursuits with the desires of the heart.

    Reflecting on the questions posed—what are we pursuing, and what do those pursuits reveal about the desires of our hearts—encourages introspection and self-examination. It prompts us to reevaluate our priorities and motivations, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of true success rooted in obedience to God.

    Thank you, Jason Cruise, for sharing this insightful reflection. It serves as a timely reminder to reassess our definitions of success and prioritize obedience to God above all else.

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  53. Deon Jaftha says:

    I would like to have a breakthrough. I’m a trained commissioned minister for ordination. Pray with me for this breakthrough. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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