What can make someone effective?

Genesis 39:3The Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.

2 Chronicles 26:5Uzziah sought God. . . . And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.

Staying close to God and trusting in him will help us live for him effectively. When we rely on God’s wisdom, like Joseph and Uzziah, then we can trust that God show that he is faithful in our lives.

John 15:1, 4-5“I [Jesus] am the true grapevine. . . . Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. . . . “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Romans 7:4You are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God.

To be effective in serving God and in life, we must stay connected to Jesus. Only through him do we have what we need to know God and do his will.

James 5:16The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Making our needs and requests known to God connects us closely with him and allows us to see how God is shaping our situation and helping us be effective in our service and ministry.

Hebrews 11:33-34By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

Having strong faith in God, knowing that he is good and trusting him completely, will help us to be effective as his servants.