Rags To Riches!

A man quite well off once remarked to another, "I believe strongly in hard work. I have two hundred thousand dollars and I owe it all to hard work and the hundred and ninety-eight thousand my rich uncle left me."

Don't you just love "Rags to Riches" stories; how people have been able to rise above their poverty to become well established in society? We love the stories of people, who refused to allow circumstances to hold them back or obstacles to stand in their way, and against the odds rose to achieve great success to their benefit and the benefit of others. The world generally applauds such accomplishments. However, God desires to bring about this type of success in our lives; not necessarily in physical wealth (some of us may not be able to handle that), but definitely in spiritual wealth.

Isaiah wrote. . .
"(5) You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? (6) We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like A POLLUTED GARMENT. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (7) There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities." ( Isaiah 64:5-7 ESV)

The New King James Version reads, "FILTHY RAGS." Outside of a relationship to God, even right acts can be viewed as a "POLLUTED GARMENT" or "FILTHY RAGS". We need to come to God to receive the benefits of Christ's blood in dealing with our sins so that we can be right with Him and thus our acts acceptable to Him.

Paul pointed out. . .
"(7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the RICHES OF HIS GRACE, (8) that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." ( Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV)

There it is! From filthy RAGS to RICHES because of the grace of God! He has provided the means to lift our lives out of the mud and the mire and place us in the realm of the inheritance of the riches of His glorious blessings. As we have moved from living for self to living for God there is a RAGS to RICHES story attached to our lives. And the heavenly host applauds.

Have a great day BEING A SUCCESS STORY BECAUSE OF CHRIST IN YOUR LIFE!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 04/22/1999 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

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