Leading The Way - Devotional for March 17

March 17, 2026 

God’s Success Formula 

By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.

Our society tells us that the key to success is to acquire as much as we can—money, possessions, assets, friends, promotions. But this is the opposite of God’s formula for success: giving our all.

When we fully comprehend the price of our salvation, we want to give back to God out of gratitude and thanksgiving. When we fully realize the mercies of God, we want to worship Him with our every breath. God’s love and sacrifice for us should motivate us to love and to sacrifice ourselves in return. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Paul relied upon two mind-boggling facts to lift him up in tough times and fuel him for God’s Great Commission. First, Jesus, the perfect Son of God, left heaven to die on a cross for the forgiveness of his sin. Second, God called him to be an ambassador to announce the cure to the disease of sin. These Truths are for us as well, and they will fuel us for great works for the glory of God. 

In the book of Romans, Paul urges us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. When we dedicate our whole being to God, we give Him all we have—our heart, our mind, our time, our resources, and our personal comfort—even when it costs us everything. He is worthy of such honor.  

Prayer: God, You have done so much for me. I want to give You all of me as a living sacrifice. Help me to keep these Truths about Your love for me and Your call on my life at the forefront of my mind so that I honor You rightly. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon The Secrets of Positive Living, Mastering the Art of Peacemaking: LISTEN NOW 

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Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.