| I am not sure
right now how far this series of studies may take
us. But, I feel a very definite compelling to
take this particular course. And, I will start by
saying: Success is NOT just an ultimate
destination out there in the future somewhere.
True Success is in the "journey", as
well. Without a successful journey, there will
not be an ultimate successful destination. And,
those who fail to understand this, more often
than not live an out of control "roller
coaster" life style, caught up in a vicious
cycle of upsets and frustrations, while chasing
the all illusive carrot, dangling on the end of a
stick just out of their reach ... or marooned or
shipwrecked on some deserted island somewhere.
Sooo, first off, you must have a plan ... or a
road map. Then, you must chart your course and
stay with it ... or plan your work and work your
plan ... ALL THE WAY. And, don’t ever, ever,
ever quit! By the way, here’s a little clue
for any who think they have already arrived ...
you ain’t.
This study is being presented with the hope
that it will be of some help to someone along
life’s way. And, I believe it will, AND that
I can offer some assistance from the knowledge
and experience learned through some very valuable
lessons, many of which I paid very, very dearly
for ... in more ways than one. **IF** you are
happy right where you are, and feel there is no
room for improvement, then, God bless you little
heart. You can just tune me out, and go on your
merry way. But, by all means, don’t let me
bore you with the fact that there is such a thing
as being "happier".
Hopefully, this will be of some help to
everyone this reaches where ever they are in
their personal journey. By the way, I have NOT
attained the level of Personal Success that I
have been striving for since I started out on my
journey in 1985. However, I have come a long,
long ways from where I started at mile marker 7.
Before that, my life was in an out of control,
deadly, rapid, downward spiral. And, I found out
that cold December night in 1985 that I
didn’t have months or years to prepare for
the journey I was about to embark on, even though
I had been studying success principles for
several months. That said, up until mile marker 7
my motives were purely selfish and materialistic.
But, because I was a hard headed backslider, who
knew a few things about the Bible, I immediately
recognized the Biblical principles in the
man’s training which I was studying. This
presented a real dilemma because I wouldn’t
listen to a preacher, my wife, my mother or
anyone else for that matter ... until this man
who was teaching how he went from an Alabama farm
boy to making his first million at age 30, came
along. He and I became personal friends and
associates, and still are to this day, as far as
I’m concerned. His training had a big
influence in me reaching the crossroads of life,
and making the right decision as I returned to
God at mile marker 7 as a prodigal son. I have
thanked this man for what he did for me. And, I
acknowledge him here by saying, "Thank You,
Mr. James E. Tolleson." Ever since that
night at mile marker 7 on Dec. 10, 1985 I have
remained true to the call God placed upon my
heart after I promised Him that I would go, do,
say and be whatever AND where ever He led **IF**
He would only deliver me from the spiritual
bondage I was in at that time. And, I meant every
word of that solemn vow at mile marker 7, and
still do to this day. Long story short: God did
and I have! That, to me, has been worth many
times over that of being a cash millionaire. And,
I say that with sincerity. There are some things
you just cannot put a price tag on. And, being
set free from spiritual bondage is one of those
things.
Now, I’ve said all of that to say this:
Even though I have been out there doing the non-denominational
work God called me to do, in promoting and
defending the Apostles One God Monotheistic
Doctrine, it came to me recently that having
knowledge and not sharing it all is like having a
talent wrapped up in a napkin. And, even though I
haven’t attained the level of Personal
Success that I am striving for, I feel I need to
share what I have learned with the hope it will
help someone else. So, this should be as good for
me as it will for somebody out there ... and I
hope you are that someone. With that said, here
we go ....
Philippians 5:1-21 Finally, my brethren,
rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to
you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it
is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers,
beware of the concision. For we are the
circumcision, which worship God in the spirit,
and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no
confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have
confidence in the flesh. If any other man
thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in
the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of
the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an
Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a
Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church;
touching the righteousness which is in the law,
blameless. But what things were gain to me, those
I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I
count all things but loss for the excellency of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and do
count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And
be found in him, not having mine own
righteousness, which is of the law, but that
which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith: That I
may know him, and the power of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death; If by any means I
might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were
already perfect: but I follow after, if that I
may apprehend that for which also I am
apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count
not myself to have apprehended: but this one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are
behind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before, I press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus
minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise
minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained,
let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the
same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me,
and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an
ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you
often, and now tell you even weeping, that they
are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end
is destruction, whose God is their belly, and
whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly
things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from
whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord
Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body,
that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious
body, according to the working whereby he is able
even to subdue all things unto himself.
Don’t ever get too big for your breeches
(figuratively speaking), and think that you have
already arrived. God has your number. And, He
knows how to bring you to your knees, and get
your undivided attention. The journey we’re
on requires careful attention, patient endurement,
a long term commitment AND a made up mind. Only
those who are properly suited up, according to
Ephesians Chapter 6, who are strong in the Lord
and the Power of His Might, are going to
ultimately succeed. And, it is for this reason
that the slothful, the rash, the hot heads,
trouble makers, wimps, cry babies and the thumb
suckers will ALWAYS fail.
Ephesians 6:1-20 Children, obey your parents
in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father
and mother; (which is the first commandment with
promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou
mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers,
provoke not your children to wrath: but bring
them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Servants, be obedient to them that are your
masters according to the flesh, with fear and
trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto
Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but
as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God
from the heart; With good will doing service, as
to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that
whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same
shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond
or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto
them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your
Master also is in heaven; neither is there
respect of persons with him. Finally, my brethren,
be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye
may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about with truth, and
having on the breastplate of righteousness; And
your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel
of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God: Praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be
given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly,
to make known the mystery of the gospel, For
which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I
may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Although, He ministered to and reached out to
everyone He came in contact with, our Lord and
Savior didn’t win them all. However, He did
win every battle ... even when it may have looked
like He didn’t. So, don’t ever show up
at a gun fight, armed with just your pocket knife.
And, that’s what happens when people
aren’t full of the Holy Ghost, rooted and
grounded in the Word of God, nor in it for the
long haul. They get in a scrap and the devil
slaps ‘em down, dares ‘em to get back
up again ... but they don’t. God knows
I’ve tasted the canvass more times than I
like to think about. And, a few times it has
taken me a little while to get back up again, but
by the help and grace of God, since milemaker 7,
I’ve always got back up to fight again. A
dear friend and brother in the lord shared
something with me not too terribly long ago which
I hope I never forget: There are only two
positions a child of God should ever be in, and
that is "up" or "getting up".
Any how, we’re talking about "the
journey" in this study. And, I don’t
know where you are in your journey. But, one
thing is certain: Without a successful journey,
there will NOT be a successful destination. So,
I’d like to mention a man who started out on
a journey, stayed with it even though he faced
many dangers, heartaches and hardships along the
way, and ultimately reached a successful end.
Although there are many we could talk about,
I’d like to mention Abram, who became known
as Abraham. Have you ever wondered what Abraham
must have thought when he took the very first
step of his journey? He didn’t have a clue
where he was going or what all he was going to
face. He just knew God called him to go, and he
went. Have you ever thought back about your own
first step in your journey, living for God ...
and how far you have come from where you started,
and how much you have endured or faced? Is there
anything worth turning back for? Absolutely not!
By the way, it’s probably a good thing we
don’t see too far down the road ... except
that we know we’re gonna win **IF** we
don’t just lay down and quit.
Abraham, the son of Terah, a ninth generation
descendant of Shem, Noah’s son, was from
that part of the world around the ancient tower
of Babel ... or ancient Babylon ... in the area
of modern day Iraq. And, this was before
Moses’ day. Although, I don’t believe
there is any evidence to suggest Abraham was an
idolator, there was plenty of idolatry in that
part of the world. Abraham’s life and
journey can be found in the latter part of
Genesis Chapter 11 through the first part of
Genesis Chapter 25. However, the New Testament
has a whole lot to say about Abraham, too.
Including, many references by our Lord,
Stephen’s final words in Acts Chapters 6 and
7 and the Faith Chapter ... Hebrews Chapter 11.
It will inspire us if we read something like that
every now and then. But, the point I want to make
is that Abraham set out on a journey which he
dedicated the entire rest of his life to ... and
so should we. And, as the song our pastor
mentions from time to time ... "To get to
where you’re going, you have to leave where
you are." No truer words have ever been
spoken.
There have been too many faithful ones to go
before us for us to get sloppy, now. And, one
thing we should never forget is that we ... and
this precious faith I hope we all hold so dear
... is built upon the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief corner stone. And, we should embrace it,
love it, promote it AND defend it until we
breathe our last breath. But, how can one embrace,
love, promote and defend something they
aren’t familiar with it? There is no way a
person can speak convincingly, or with any amount
of real conviction and passion, unless they
embrace it, love it, believe it, promote it and
defend it. In closing, I feel like saying
something I been saying for a long time, now ...
**IF** money and power are removed from the
equation, it is real easy to tell who the true
men of God and the hirelings are, and who the
patriots and the politicians are, because there
is a very distinct difference. This is our hour.
And, we need to stand up for the Truth in its
entirety, the Apostles One God Monotheistic
Doctrine. God bless you!
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