Text: Nehemiah 4:13-20

There is a common desire within every person to succeed in life. We often measure our worth on the basis of how successful we are; how we measure that success is often based on a worldly standard rather than a godly standard. Success by the world's standard often means luxury, wealth, possessions, achievements and fame. God's formula for success is completely different from the worlds. His formula works for every person in every situation, whether at school, in our businesses, our family, or in our church. The pathway to God's success cannot be travelled by anyone who does not practice God's formula for success.

For the last three Sundays, our sermons focused on a very successful individual- Nehemiah. Years earlier, King Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Judah and taken most of the Jews into exile in Babylon. In 583 BC, God stirred the heart of the King of Persia-Cyrus, who conquered Babylon, to allow the Jews to return to their homeland so as to rebuild it. As we had shared earlier, Zerubbabel led the first group of Jews, 60 years later, Ezra led the second group and then finally Nehemiah led the third group. As you read through the entire book, you will notice that God gave Nehemiah successhe was able to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in a record 52 days! '' so on October 2 the wall was finished-just fifty-two days after we had begun.'' (Nehemiah 6:15). Nehemiah did not only repair the wall, but most importantly, God granted him success in bringing a spiritual awakening among the people of Judah.

Are there lessons for us today both as a church and as individuals as we look to God toenlarge us? Nehemiah purposed, planned, he exploited all the potentials around him, he was patient, he persisted in his endeavors, he had known how to organize people and he embarked on prayers for his success. We too can succeed if we work around the seven “P” words of success as summarized in Nehemiah's story to us.

1. Above all, prayer must be given priority before, during and after any venture; prayer and good planning go hand in hand

2. Any time we allow God to direct us; there is guarantee that we will succeed. God can help us to accomplish 'impossible tasks'

Do you want to succeed? 'Do what the Lord your God commands and follow his teachings. Obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Then you will be a

success, no matter what you do or where you go.' (1 Kings 2:3)