'Do all in the name of the Lord'

Keys to a successful life. A pathway to a better you. Your happiness is right around the corner. Win friends and ... and the list goes on and on and on.

We have seen many popular books, best sellers, over the decades and even centuries. But, what if you were able to take this one thought and be able to apply it to any and every area of your life and be victorious, be a winner, be successful, have a source of power, a strength in overcoming.

You might say people would line up around the block just to find out what that is. How can I be an overcomer? How can I get beyond this plaguing thing in my life? This one particular bondage or this annoying habit?

I spent two and a half precious hours with a foreign missionary pastor recently. We discussed what makes the difference between programs and productivity. It came down to why we do what we do, when we do what we do.

You see if we are trying to be an overcomer and we are the benefactor it is still self motivated and self focused. But when we do things for a greater purpose than ourselves, the strength and the power of the throne of heaven will be the focus, in us, to us, and through us.

Paul, in two different letters, spoke about doing things. He said, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense, neither to Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men and all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1.

Colossians 3:17, 23, Paul writes, "and whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. ... and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: For ye serve the Lord Christ."

So there you have it. Keys to victory, success, and overcoming. When we do what we do for the one to whom we owe all things, our focus changes and the resource of His help becomes endless. It's all about focus.

• Pat Propster is pastor of Calvary Chapel Carson City and is a member of the Carson City Ministerial Fellowship.