• Did you make new year resolutions for 2017? Can you remember any?
• Do you have resolutions for 2018?
• What are your goals or aspirations for the new year?
• How will you accomplish them?

We all have a desire to be successful. We love to be associated with successful people too.
As the new year begins, so many people desire success but how will you be successful in 2018 and in the future?

• What is success?
• What will it take for you to succeed in life?
• What do successful people do?

What is God’s formula for success according to the following Scriptures?
1. Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
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2. Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established ________________________________________________________________
3. Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. ______________________________________________________________

It is possible for you to work so hard towards success while undoing or curtailing your efforts simply because you are doing it your way and not God’s way.
Success does not come to lazy people. This is a godly principle according to God’s Word.

Here are 3 practical steps that will help you succeed in 2018 and beyond:

A. Delight in God and seek His guidance.
There is no greater failure in life than the success that leaves God out.
Psalm 37:4-5 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 127:1-2 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

B. Set your goals and work hard to achieve those goals.

Success calls for hard work. Unfortunately, many of God’s children are lazy and full of excuses. They settle for what is easiest, mediocre, and what does not demand sweating and deep thinking.
Proverbs 6:10-11, 24:33 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

C. Beware, your mind and tongue can deny you success. You become what you think and say.

Proverbs 18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it
shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 23:7b For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…

• God has provisions for you to succeed spiritually, physically and financially.
• Your failure or success will be greatly determined by your relationship with God, your choices, your diligence, and the state of your mind.
Don't fail when God has made provisions for your to succeed.
Wishing you success in 2018 and beyond.