TO SUCCEED IS TO

BELIEVE AND TO OBEY

WRITTEN BY :

AURELIO P. BAUTISTA

DEDICATION

TO THOSE WHO ARE LOSING

HOPE THAT THEY

MAY SEE THE LIGHT

FOREWORD

THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU WILL GLEAN FROM THIS BOOKLET IS THE PRODUCT OF MY EXPERIENCES IN MY LIFE-LONG SEARCH FOR THE PATH OF SUCCESS. I STUDIED MANY BOOKS FROM VARIOUS RELIGIONS AND USED THEM AS GUIDES IN MY DAILY LIVING. AFTER SEVERAL DECADES OF OBSERVATION AND DOING WHAT WAS TAUGHT FROM THOSE BOOKS, IT IS ONLY NOW THAT I FIND THE COURAGE TO PRESENT IT TO THE WORLD. I AM NOT A NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER AND I KNOW THAT YOU WILL FIND FAULTS IN MY PRESENTATION. PLEASE FIND A SPACE IN YOUR HEART TO OVERLOOK IT AND JUST DWELL ON THE TEACHINGS WHICH I LEARNED FROM THE BOOKS OF RELIGION.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGES CHAPTER I IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED, KNOW WHO YOU ARE 1 - 2 CHAPTER II GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ALL 3 - 4 CHAPTER III GOD HAS HIS WILL AND HE GAVE US OUR OWN WILL TOO 5 - 6 CHAPTER IV GOD WANTS ALL OF US TO SUCCEED SO HE SENT US THE PROPHETS 7 - 9 CHAPTER V GOD WANTS US TO SUCCEED SO HE SHOWS US THE PATTERNS 10 - 12 CHAPTER VI KNOW THE TWO SEATS OF KNOWLEDGE 13 CHAPTER VII SUBORDINATE YOUR WILL TO GOD’S WILL 14 CHAPTER VIII MAKE GOD YOUR BOSS 15 - 16 CHAPTER IX KNOW THE TEACHINGS OF THE HOLY BOOKS 17 - 20 CHAPTER X PREPARE TO SUCCEED 21 - 22

CHAPTER I IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED, KNOW WHO YOU ARE

SOMEONE CALLS YOU BY YOUR GIVEN NAME AND YOU RESPOND. YOUR MANY ACQUAINTANCES THINK THEY KNOW YOU BECAUSE YOU NEVER FAIL TO LOOK OR SMILE WHEN YOU HEAR THE NAME. BUT YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A BODY, AN EMOTION AND A MIND THAT ALSO DIFFERENTIATE YOU FROM OTHERS. AND SOMETIMES YOU WONDER WHO YOU REALLY ARE. A BODY? AN EMOTION? OR MIND? WHO ARE YOU AMONG THESE THREE? LUCKILY WE HAVE THE GUIDANCE OF THE PROPHETS TO HELP US IN FINDING WHO WE ARE. THE WORD PROPHET COMES FROM THE GREEK WORD “PROPHETES” WHICH MEANS “TO SPEAK FOR GOD”. SO THE PROPHET IS THE SPOKESMAN FOR GOD AND WE CAN BE ASSURED THAT HE IS SPEAKING THE TRUTH. WE WERE TOLD BY THE HOLY BOOKS THAT WE WERE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. THE PROPHETS BROUGHT THE MESSAGE AND SOMEHOW IT CAME TO US THROUGH THE HOLY BOOKS. SO WE WERE CREATED AS SPIRITS LIKE GOD BECAUSE HE IS A SPIRIT. THE SPIRIT OF THE DEITY IS KNOWN AS GOD WHILE THE SPIRIT OF MAN IS CALLED A SOUL. TO PROVE TO YOU THAT YOU ARE A SOUL AND NOT A BODY, AN EMOTION OR MIND, I SHALL PRESENT TO YOU A SIMPLE ILLUSTRATION : “ A WORKER DOES HIS WORK FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING. NEARING HIGH NOON, HE FEELS HUNGER (YOU MAY SAY HE IS A BODY FOR IT IS A BODY THAT NEEDS FOOD NOW). THEN A NEIGHBOR COMES TO HIM AND BERATES HIM. OUR WORKER FORGETS THE GROWING HUNGER AND SUDDENLY HE FEELS VERY ANGRY. ( IS HE AN EMOTION NOW?). BUT HE SEES THAT HIS NEIGHBOR IS ARMED AND HE THINKS THAT HARM MAY COME HIS WAY IF HE TALKS BACK. ( IS HE THE MIND THAT KNOWS FEAR NOW?). HIS WHOLE BODY IS SHAKING AS THE NEIGHBOR APPROACHES AND HIS BODY IS FAST LOSING STRENGTH. ( IS HE THE BODY AGAIN? WE HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE AND WE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE BODY, EMOTION AND MIND ARE ONLY DEVICES USED BY OUR TRUE SELF—THE SOUL .)” KNOWING YOUR TRUE SELF AS A SPIRIT, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT IT NEEDS SEVERAL DEVICES LIKE THE BODY, EMOTION AND MIND. COMING TO THE PHYSICAL WORLD, OUR TRUE SELF IS BORN LIKE A

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BLACKBOARD WITHOUT ANYTHING WRITTEN ON IT. AS ITS PURPOSE IS TO LEARN EACH STEP OF THE WAY IN ITS MATURING PROCESS, THE SOUL NEEDS A BODY TO EXPERIENCE PAIN AND PLEASURE; AN EMOTION TO EXPERIENCE HAPPINESS AND SADNESS; AND A MIND TO BE USED TO GRASP THE KNOWLEDGE WHILE UNDERGOING PROBATION OR TRIAL IN THIS LIFE. AFTER LEARNING AND ACHIEVING THE NEEDED MATURITY, THE SOUL WILL COME BACK TO ITS CREATOR IN ITS APPOINTED TIME. BY THEN, THE BLACKBOARD IS FILLED WITH THE EXPERIENCES THAT THE SOUL DID AND EXPERIENCED IN THIS WORLD. SUCCESS WILL COME TO THE SOUL WHEN IT IS ACCEPTED BY ITS CREATOR AND ALLOWED TO DWELL IN HIS HOME. THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETS EMPHASIZED THIS IN THE HOLY BOOKS. AS FOR THE BODY, EMOTION AND THE MIND, SUCCESS IN THIS TRANSITORY WORLD IS TO ACHIEVE SEVERAL THINGS WHILE LIVING, SUCH AS : A. PEACE OF MIND B. HAPPINESS C. HEALTH D. SUFFICIENT RESOURCES E. HONOR PEACE OF MIND IS WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE LIFE BEARABLE. HAPPINESS IS NECESSARY SO THAT EVERY MORNING IS MOST WELCOME TO US. HEALTH IS A PREREQUISITE FOR WORK AND ENJOYMENT. SUFFICIENT RESOURCES SUCH AS MONEY AND MATERIAL THINGS ARE NEEDED TO PURSUE OUR DAILY LIVING COMFORTABLY. HONOR MAKES US BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS WORTH LIVING AND KNOWING THAT WE STAND BEFORE GOD EACH DAY OF OUR LIFE, IT IS THE QUALITY THAT MAKES US PROUD.

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CHAPTER II GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ALL

AN ARCHITECT MAKES A PLAN BEFORE STARTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BUILDING. HE MAKES SURE THAT THE BUILDING IS MADE ACCORDING TO THE PLAN. AFTER COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, THE ARCHITECT TURNS OVER THE BUILDING TO THE OWNER. THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE, LIKEWISE HAS A PLAN. GOD MADE THE PLAN AND MADE IT THE BASIS OF HIS CREATION. UNLIKE IN THE CASE OF THE ARCHITECT, GOD OWNS THE UNIVERSE, SO HE IS GOVERNING IT FROM THE DAY OF CREATION UP TO JUDGMENT DAY AND BEYOND. WE KNOW THAT GOD’S PLAN IS GOOD BASED ON THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHET AS STATED IN THE HOLY BOOKS. WHEN GOD MADE THE LIGHT, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY STATED THAT GOD SAW THAT THE LIGHT WAS GOOD. FROM SUCH FACT, WE CAN REASON OUT THAT GOD’S CREATION IS GOOD. GOD’S PLAN IS STILL WITH US AFTER CREATION. WE CAN STILL SEE IT UNFOLDING BEFORE OUR VERY EYES. IN THE FINAL DAYS, WE ARE COMING BACK TO GOD AS PART OF HIS PLAN, TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL THAT WE HAVE DONE ON EARTH. SO WE HAVE TO HEED THE CALL OF THE PROPHETS TO BE GOOD IN ORDER TO BE ACCEPTED BY GOD ON JUDGMENT DAY. PART OF THE PLAN IS TO HAVE CONTINUOUS CHANGE. A MAN IS BORN WEAK AS A BABY, GATHERS STRENGTH AS A YOUNG MAN AND BECOMES WEAK AGAIN AS AN OLD MAN APPROACHING HIS TWILIGHT YEARS. PART OF THE PLAN IS ORDER AND RANDOM DISORDER. WE SEE THE STARS IN THE SKY AND WE MARVEL AT THE ORDER THAT WE SEE THAT GIVES US PEACE OF MIND. THEN WE ALSO SEE RANDOM DISORDER AT THE INSTANCE OF FALLING LEAVES ON AN UNKEPT LAWN. WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO PUT OUR EFFORT TOWARDS CLEANING IT AND MAKING THE PLACE LOOK ORDERLY. WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR LIVING IF WE ARE TO BENEFIT FROM LIFE. PART OF THE PLAN IS GOD’S ORDERING OF THE WORLD. THE TYPHOON IS AN INSTRUMENT FOR EQUALIZING THE PRESSURE ON THE EARTH’S SURFACE. THE EARTHQUAKE IS AN INSTRUMENT FOR CREATING BALANCE ON THE EARTH’S CRUST. GLOBAL WARMING IS GOD’S MERCIFUL INTERVENTION WHICH RESULTS IN THE FAST GROWTH OF TREES TO ARREST THE EXCESSIVE LEVEL OF CARBON DIOXIDE EMITTED AS A RESULT OF MAN’S ABUSES, UNTIL HE CORRECTS HIS MISTAKE.

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GOD HAS A PLAN FOR US BUT WE MUST REMEMBER WHEN WE THINK GOD IS ARBITRARY IN HIS CHOICES ABOUT OUR IMMEDIATE SITUATIONS, THAT HIS CHOICES ARE FOR THE OVERALL GOOD AND WILL RESULT IN HARMONY. GOD HAS CONTROL OVER HIS CREATION AND MAN CAN ONLY PROPOSE HIS WILL SUBJECT TO GOD’S APPROVAL. ALSO, WE MUST NOT EXPECT THAT THE EVENT HAPPENING IN OUR LIVES WILL BRING PERSONAL BENEFITS IN THE WAYS WE CONSIDER IT. OUR INITIAL STATION IN LIFE IS BUT A TRIAL FOR US TO CHOOSE WHAT IS VIRTUOUS. WE MUST REMEMBER THAT GOD’S PLAN IS FOR ALL OF US TO SUCCEED IF WE WILL FOLLOW HIS COMMANDMENTS AND PURSUE THE NOBLE MISSION WHICH IS RELATED TO CHARITY AND JUSTICE.

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CHAPTER III GOD HAS HIS WILL AND HE GIVES US OUR OWN WILL TOO

GOD COULD HAVE MONOPOLIZED EVERYTHING AND DID NOT ALLOW MAN TO HAVE HIS FREE WILL. BUT WITH GOD’S WILL ALONE EXISTING IN THE UNIVERSE, EVERY HUMAN BEING WOULD BE LIKE A ROBOT. AS A RESULT, THERE WOULD BE NO TRIALS NOR PROBATION, AND THE WHOLE EXERCISE WOULD BE NOTHING THAT WE RECOGNIZE IT NOW. GOD’S WILL IS FOR ALL OF US TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IS GOOD. EVERY HUMAN PLAN AND ENDEAVOR, NO MATTER HOW WICKED WILL ULTIMATELY COME TO WHAT IS GOOD. THIS IS EXPLAINED IN CHAPTER V UNDER THE HEADING OF “ PATTERN OF THE GOOD RESULT.” GOD’S PURPOSE FOR HAVING HIS WILL IS ONLY FOR THE SOLE MOTIVE OF ENCOURAGING MAN TO CHOOSE GOOD AND TO DO GOOD. AFTER ALL, WHY CHOOSE EVIL AND SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE WHEN EVERYTHING WILL TURN OUT TO BE GOOD? BUT REMEMBER, THE GOOD THING WILL COME IN GOD’S TIME. WITH GOD GRANTING US OUR WILL, IT WOULD SEEM THAT WE MAY NOT EXPERIENCE WHAT IS GOOD AS HE WILLS IT. BUT GOD IN HIS INFINITE WISDOM ENSURES THAT NO ONE CAN FRUSTRATE HIS WILL BY REDUCING ABSOLUTE FREE WILL TO A LIMITED FREE WILL. GOD HAS ORDAINED EVERY EVENT TO HAPPEN AND REDUCED OUR WILL ONLY IN TWO AREAS : TO OBEY OR TO DISOBEY. WITH UNRESTRICTED FREE WILL, MAN MIGHT HAVE ACQUIRED TOO MUCH POWER TO RAISE HAVOC TO HIMSELF AND HIS PLANET. TO LIMIT OUR FREE WILL, GOD CHOSE OUR SEX, OUR PARENTS, OUR LOCALITY OUR RACE, OUR TALENTS, OUR OVERRIDING EMOTIONS, OUR MENTAL CAPACITY, OUR BUILD, ETC. IN FACT, WE CAN GO ON AND ON, BUT WE CAN NOT FINISH ON WHAT GOD DECIDED FOR US. LIKE I SAID, OUR WILL IS LIMITED TO ONLY TWO CHOICES : TO OBEY OR DISOBEY. TO PROVE IT TO YOU, HOW CAN I WILL TO EXPERIENCE WINTER IN THE TROPICS AND HAVE MY WILL COME TRUE? HOW CAN I, IF I WERE AN ESKIMO, WILL TO HAVE A LARGE PAPAYA FARM IN THE ARCTIC AREA? GOD’S WILL ALLOWS FOR A PLAN WHERE EVERY EVENT HAPPENS AS GOD WISHES IT. WE CALL THAT EVENT DESTINY AND THIS EVENT IS A TRIAL TO OUR LIMITED FREE WILL. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU WERE A MERCHANT AND A DROUGHT HAPPENS, SO THAT YOU HAVE THE CHOICE TO RAISE YOUR PRICES OR TO MAKE IT AFFORDABLE TO THE AFFLICTED PEOPLE LIKE BEFORE, YOUR LIMITED CHOICE IS TO MAKE THE GOODS AFFORDABLE ( TO DO GOOD) BY SELLING IT AT A LOW PRICE OR TO RAISE THE PRICE TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ADVANTAGE (TO DO A BAD THING). ANY DECISION THAT YOU WILL MAKE WILL DECIDE YOUR FATE , KNOWING FULLY WELL THAT TO DO GOOD IS TO OBEY AND TO DO A BAD THING IS TO DISOBEY.

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SO NOW WE SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DESTINY AND FATE . DESTINY IS THE EVENT THAT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO GOD’S PLAN. WHILE FATE IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF OBEYING OR DISOBEYING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS. WE KNOW THAT THE PROPHET ADMONISHES US TO DO GOOD TO MERIT GOD’S GRACE. TO DO EVIL IS TO EARN THE PUNISHMENT COMMENSURATE TO THE OFFENSE.

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CHAPTER IV GOD WANTS ALL OF US TO SUCCEED SO HE SENT US THE

PROPHETS

THE HOLY BOOK OF CHRISTIANITY ADVISES “ TO SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND ALL THINGS SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU.” IT IS MORE THAN IMPLIED THAT SUCCESS IN HONEST ENDEAVOR IS ASSURED BY SUCH PRONOUNCEMENT, IF ONLY WE DO GOOD. THIS IS THE FIRST PRECONDITION FOR SUCCESS. THE HOLY BOOK OF ISLAM TELLS US — “ WHO IS MAN THAT GOD SHALL SPEAK TO HIM EXCEPT BY INSPIRATION, OR FROM BEHIND THE VEIL OR THRU THE MESSENGER TO SAY WITH HIS PERMISSION WHAT GOD WILLS? “ FROM THE ABOVE, IT IS CLEAR THAT GOD HAS COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OF US IF GOD WISHES IT. SUCH COMMUNICATION IS DESIGNED TO GUIDE US, IN ADDITION TO WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE HOLY BOOKS. THE HOLY BOOK OF ISLAM TELLS US ALSO THAT WE ARE REWARDED TEN TIMES FOR EVERY GOOD DEED THAT WE DO AS WELL AS GET EQUAL PUNISHMENT FOR EVERY EVIL THAT WE COMMIT. IT GIVES US THE GUIDANCE THAT THERE IS A VERY BIG ADVANTAGE IN DOING GOOD. IT HAS THE EFFECT OF POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT. ALL THE GREAT RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD TEACH US THE VIRTUES AND THE GREAT SINS IN OUR DAILY LIVING. WITH THE VIRTUES, WE DEVELOP OUR GOOD QUALITIES. THEY ARE : FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY, FORTITUDE, PRUDENCE, JUSTICE, AND TEMPERANCE. RIGHTFULLY, THESE ARE THE VIRTUES EMPHASIZED IN FREEMASONRY. FAITH IS THE FIRM CONVICTION OF THE TRUTH DECLARED BY THE PROPHETS WITHOUT ANY NEED FOR AN EVIDENCE. IF YOU ACCEPT THAT FAITH AND LOVE GOD ABOVE EVERYTHING, THAT ACT WILL MAKE YOU SEE EVERYTHING IN NEW LIGHT. HOPE IS THE DESIRE ACCOMPANIED BY THE EXPECTATION OF OBTAINING IMMORTALITY IN A FUTURE EVENT. SUCH HOPE COMES FROM THE FAITH IN THE MESSAGE FROM GOD AS CONVEYED BY THE PROPHETS. CHARITY CAN BEST BE DEFINED BY MENTIONING THE TASKS : A. LIBERALITY TO THE POOR B. RELIEF OF THE DISTRESSED C. BENEVOLENCE IN THE WIDEST SENSE WITHOUT EXPECTING ANY RETURN D. READINESS TO OVERLOOK FAULTS E. DISPOSITION TO PUT A GOOD CONSTRUCTION ON ANOTHER MAN’S ACTION FORTITUDE IS THAT NOBLE AND STEADY PURPOSE OF THE MIND WHEREBY WE ARE ENABLED TO UNDERGO ANY PAIN, PERIL OR DANGER WHEN PRUDENTIALLY DEEMED EXPEDIENT.

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PRUDENCE TEACHES US TO REGULATE OUR LIVES AND ACTIONS AGREEABLY TO THE DICTATES OF REASON. IT IS THE FACULTY BY WHICH WE WISELY JUDGE AND DETERMINE ALL THINGS RELATIVE TO OUR PRESENT AND FUTURE HAPPINESS. JUSTICE IS THE STANDARD OR BOUNDARY OF RIGHT WHICH ENABLES US TO RENDER UNTO EVERY MAN HIS DUE, WITHOUT DISTINCTION. TEMPERANCE IS THAT DUE RESTRAINT UPON THE AFFECTIONS AND PASSIONS WHICH RENDERS THE BODY TAME AND GOVERNABLE AND FREES THE MIND FROM THE ALLUREMENTS OF VICE. WITH THE SINS THAT WE COMMIT, THE MOST DAMAGING ARE THOSE WILLFUL WRONGS THAT RESULT IN BAD CONSEQUENCES. SUCH SINS ARE ANGER, LUST, GLUTTONY, COVETOUSNESS, PRIDE, ENVY, AND SLOTH. ALTHOUGH ANGER IN ITS MILDEST FORM MAY BE HEALTHY FOR IT MAKES A PERSON REACT TO REPEATED ABUSES, ANGER WHICH BECOMES HABITUAL AND BROUGHT TO A HIGHER LEVEL MAY BE TERMED HATRED. THIS KIND OF NEGATIVE QUALITY IS LIKE ACID WHICH CORRODES THE HUMAN VESSEL THAT CONTAINS IT AS WELL AS THE PERSON RECEIVING THE VILIFICATION. THE ANTIDOTE TO ANGER IS SELF-RESTRAINT. LUST IS THE OBSESSIVE ATTRACTION TO THE OPPOSITE SEX RESULTING IN THE VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OF MORALITY. IT IS A GRIEVOUS SIN. TO CORRECT IT IS TO PRACTICE PROPRIETY IN SEXUAL AFFAIRS. GLUTTONY IS THE FORM OF EATING WITHOUT CONCERN FOR OTHERS RESULTING IN UNEQUAL SHARING. THIS DEPRIVES OTHERS OF THEIR DUE SHARE. MODERATION IN EATING IS ADVISED IN HINDU RELIGION SO THAT A THIRD OF THE STOMACH IS FOR FOOD, A THIRD IS FOR WATER AND A THIRD FOR AIR IN ORDER THAT THE REGION OF THE HEART MAY NOT BE ENCROACHED ADVERSELY. COVETOUSNESS IS THE ATTACHMENT AND OBSESSIVE DESIRE TO POSSESS MATERIAL THINGS. IF DONE TO THE EXTREME DEGREE, THE POOR IS DEPRIVED OF THE RESOURCES THAT WILL MAKE THEM LIVE COMFORTABLY. THE SOLUTION TO THIS IS TO DEVELOP THE HABIT OF SHARING AND SELFLESSNESS. PRIDE IS THE NEGATIVE QUALITY THAT LEADS MAN TO ARROGANCE AND BOASTING. ALL THE HOLY BOOKS AND THE TEACHINGS OF THE GREAT TEACHERS OF MORALITY CONDEMN THIS. HUMILITY IS THE CURE FOR PRIDE. ENVY IS THE FEELING OF INFERIORITY THAT LEADS A PERSON TO CRITICIZE BEHIND THE BACK OF OTHERS, TO HINDER THE LAWFUL ENDEAVOR OF ANOTHER, TO SPREAD MALICIOUS RUMORS AND TO CAST ASPERSION ON ANOTHER’S CHARACTER. THIS IS THE NEGATIVE QUALITY OF WEAK PERSONS AND THE CURE FOR THIS IS DEVELOPING A HEALTHY RESPECT FOR OTHERS. SLOTH IS PLAIN LAZINESS, LACK OF WILL TO ENGAGE IN LAWFUL ENDEAVOR AND REFUSAL TO EARN THE COST OF DAILY LIVING. IF THE LAZY MAN DEPENDS ON ANOTHER FOR SUSTENANCE, HE BECOMES A PARASITE. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE TO SLOTH IS INDUSTRY.

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A PERSON’S FATE WILL DEPEND ON WHETHER HE CHOOSES THE SEVEN CARDINAL VIRTUES OR THE SEVEN CARDINAL SINS. CHOOSING THE VIRTUES WILL EARN A MAN TEN TIMES THE EFFORT THAT HE EXERTS WHILE CHOOSING THE DEADLY SINS WILL LEAD TO A PUNISHMENT EQUAL FOR EQUAL.

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CHAPTER V GOD WANTS US TO SUCCEED SO HE SHOWS US THE PATERNS

GOD HAS BEEN SHOWING US THE PATTERNS IN HIS CREATION SO WE CAN ADAPT TO THEM AND SURMOUNT THE OBSTACLES OF LIVING. SOME OF THOSE PATTERNS ARE: 1. PATTERN OF CHANGE 2. PATTERN OF REWARD AND PUNISHMENT 3. PATTERN OF DIFFICULTY AND EASE 4. PATTERN OF THE GOOD RESULT 5. PATTERN OF TEST 6. PATTERN OF HIDDEN MESSAGE 7. PATTERN OF REPETITION

PATTERN OF CHANGE EVERYTHING IS IN CONTINUOUS FLUX. NOTHING STOPS TO REST. THE WHOLE UNIVERSE IS EXPANDING AND EVERYTHING IN IT IS IN CONSTANT MOTION. THE SEASON CHANGES, THE SUN RISES AND SETS, THE MOON WAXES AND WANES, WE GROW FROM WEAKNESS TO STRENGTH AND TO WEAKNESS AGAIN. ALL OF THESE MEANS WE HAVE TO PLAN OUR ACTIVITIES. SOME BUSINESSES GROW AND LEAD TOWARDS OBSOLESCENCE. THE ONLY LOGICAL APPROACH FOR US IN THIS PATTERN IS TO LEARN IT AND ADAPT OURSELVES TO THE CHANGE BY GRASPING OPPORTUNITY AND LETTING GO AT THE RIGHT TIME.

PATTERN OF REWARD AND PUNISHMENT EVERY GOOD IS REWARDED AND EVERY EVIL IS SERVED ITS OWN PUNISHMENT. NO ONE CAN ESCAPE IT FOR GOD RULES AND IMPLEMENTS THIS PATTERN. KNOWING THIS, WE MUST ALWAYS CULTIVATE VIRTUES AND AVOID DOING SINFUL THINGS.

PATTERN OF DIFFICULTY AND EASE EVERY NOBLE ENDEAVOR MEETS A SHARE OF DIFFICULTY DURING THE EARLY PART OF ITS OPERATION. THIS IS PART OF THE LEARNING PROCESS AND WHEN THE PERSON HAS EARNED THE MERITS, THE ENDEAVOR SEEMS TO BECOME EASY SO THAT EVERY TASK BECOMES LIGHT AND FREE FROM TROUBLE. THOSE WHO START THE ENDEAVOR MINDLESS OF THE LEARNING PROCESS START BY MERELY ENJOYING. IN THE END, DIFFICULTY SETS IN AND WHEN NOT CORRECTED, IT LEADS TO FAILURE.

PATTERN OF THE GOOD RESULT WE FEEL A SOFT BREEZE TURNING INTO A STRONGER WIND WITH THE APPLICATION OF THE HEAT FROM THE SUN. WE SEE ALSO THE CALM

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WATERS OF THE SEA DEVELOPING INTO HUGE WAVES AS THE STRONG WIND AFFECTS THE WATER. BUT WE ALSO KNOW THIS IS A PATTERN OF SHORT TRANSITION AND THE SOFT BREEZE AND CALM WATER WILL COME BACK. YES, NO MATTER WHAT IS DONE TO DISTURB THE PEACE AND CONVERT IT TO CHAOS, THE GOOD RESULT WILL ALWAYS FOLLOW LIKE THE TURBID WATER TURNING CLEAR AGAIN. THIS IS TO SHOW US THAT NO MATTER WHAT EVIL THING A MAN INITIATES, GOD WILL ALWAYS RIGHT THE SITUATION AND MAN WILL EXPERIENCE WHAT IS GOOD. THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD AND NO ONE CAN THWART IT FOR GOD WANTS MAN TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IS GOOD TO ENCOURAGE HIM TO DO GOOD. WE SEE A GOOD START BECOMING BETTER AND BETTER AS WELL AS BECOMING EASIER AND EASIER. WE SEE GOOD FIGHTING EVIL AND MANY TIMES WE SEE THAT EVIL SEEMS TO WIN. SUCH IS GOD’S PATIENCE THAT HE WAITS FOR REBELLIOUS MAN TO MEND HIS WAYS. BUT WHEN THE APPOINTED TIME HAS COME, EVIL CAUSES ITS OWN DESTRUCTION EVEN WITHOUT GOOD PEOPLE FIGHTING IT. WITH A GRIEVOUS EVIL LORDING IT OVER A POPULATION, GOD CHOOSES THE WEAK AND SEEMINGLY INCONSEQUENTIAL TO LEAD THE STRUGGLE AND HEROES ARE CREATED IN THIS WAY. WE SEE EVIL FIGHTING EVIL AND WE ARE NOT SURPRISED THAT GOOD THINGS COME OUT OF IT AFTER THE LONG FIGHT. MANY COUNTRIES IN ASIA WERE COLONIZED BY THE WEST. PART OF ASIA WAS ALSO COLONIZED BY ANOTHER ORIENTAL POWER. THESE WERE BOTH EVIL POWERS SEEKING TO AGGRANDIZE THEMSELVES AT THE EXPENSE OF THE WEAK COUNTRIES. AFTER WORLD WAR II, THESE ASIAN COLONIES BECAME FREE. THE COLONIZING COUNTRIES LEARNED THEIR LESSONS AND DROPPED THEIR COLONIES LIKE HOT POTATO.

PATTERN OF TEST PART OF OUR MATURING PROCESS IS LEARNING THE LESSONS OF LIFE. EVERY PROBLEMS REVEALS A MEANING IN OUR EXISTENCE AND TELLS US OF ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE PURPOSE IN OUR INDIVIDUAL CREATION. EVERYTHING HAS A MISSION OR PURPOSE, TO TELL YOU A FEW — THE FLY WHICH SEEMS DESTRUCTIVE TO MAN HAS FOR ITS MISSION THE FASTER DETERIORATION OF A DEAD ANIMAL IN THE FOREST TO EFFECT FASTER HEALING IN NATURE WHILE THE MOSQUITO HAS FOR ITS MISSION TO STOP THE UNWARRANTED APPROACH OF DESTRUCTIVE MAN INTO SWAMPS AND FORESTS. WE, AS INDIVIDUALS HAVE OUR MISSION TOO AND WE MUST TRY TO DISCOVER IT. BE MINDFUL OF YOUR DAILY ACTIVITY. DON’T YOU NOTICE EACH OF US HAS A DAILY QUIZ? IF WE PASS, TOMORROW WILL GIVE US ANOTHER QUIZ. IF WE FAIL, TOMORROW WILL GIVE US A TEST. IF WE PASS THE TEST, WE ARE BACK TO THE QUIZ. IF WE FAIL THE TEST, WE ARE GIVEN THE EXAM. SO YOU SEE, THE FAILURE INCREASES THE GRAVITY OF THE DIFFICULTY WHILE

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PASSING IT WILL LIGHTEN THE LOAD.

PATTERN OF HIDDEN MESSAGE MANY TIMES PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT THEY WERE BLESSED BY GOD BY GIVING THEM PLENTY OF MONEY. THEY BECAME OVERJOYED AND USED THE MONEY TO INDULGE IN LUXURIES AND VICES. SOON TROUBLES CAME ONE BY ONE AND SOMETIMES THEIR LIVES ENDED UP IN POVERTY AS BEFORE. THAT WAS THEN THEY REALIZED THAT THE MONEY ACQUIRED WAS ONLY A TRIAL PRESENTED TO THEM TO TEST THEIR COMMITMENT TO VIRTUES. WE ALSO HEARD MANY STORIES OF SACRIFICES OFFERED BY PEOPLE WHO EXERTED EFFORTS DURING THEIR EARLY YEARS. LATER THEY REALIZED THAT IT WAS ALSO A TRIAL FOR COMMITMENT TO VIRTUES. WHEN THEY ACHIEVED SUCCESS, THEY LEARNED THE HIDDEN MEANING OF ALL THE PROBLEMS AND OBSTACLES THAT THEY MET ON THE WAY. TRULY, WE MAY DISLIKE A THING THAT WILL LATER PROVE TO BE OF BENEFIT TO US. ALSO WE MAY LOVE SOMETHING THAT WILL INJURE US. AL-WAYS LOOK FOR THE HIDDEN MEANING WHEN SITUATIONS THAT WE DO NOT INITIATE HAPPEN IN OUR LIVES. SITUATIONS, MOSTLY, ARE OCCASIONS OF TRIAL SO THAT WE MAY LEARN THE VIRTUES IN OUR MATURING PROCESS.

PATTERN OF REPETITION EVENTS AND SITUATIONS HAPPEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF TESTING MAN. IF A MAN LEARNS THE LESSON, THE HAPPENING OF SITUATIONS SENT TO TEST HIM STOPS. IF THE LESSON IS NOT LEARNED, THE SITUATION KEEPS COMING BACK., EACH TIME GETTING MORE DIFFICULT THAN BEFORE UNTIL MAN LEARNS THE LESSONS. TO GIVE YOU A CONCRETE EXAMPLE, CONSIDER AN ALCOHOLIC WHO KEEPS ON REPEATING THE MISTAKE OF OVER INDULGING IN ALCOHOLIC DRINKS. HIS PROBLEM GETS DEEPER AND DEEPER. THE GRAV-ITY OF THE SUFFERING GETS HEAVIER TO MAKE HIM REALIZE THE MISTAKE. WHEN FINALLY, HE REALIZES THE WRONG THAT HE IS DOING AND MAKES THE NECESSARY CORRECTION, THE INCIDENTS THAT ARE SENT TO TEACH HIM SUDDENLY STOP COMING. MAN AS A GROUP KEEPS ON REPEATING THE MISPLACED NATIONAL-ISM AND ACTS OF MARTIAL ALLIANCES. THESE TWO ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF WAR. WAR WILL NEVER STOP COMING FOR AS LONG AS MAN DOES NOT LEARN HIS LESSON. ALSO RELATED TO THIS IS THE CONCEPT OF TERRORISM. GOVERN-MENTS WHICH ARE IN CONTROL BRAND THEIR ENEMIES AS TERRORISTS AND THOSE FROM THE OTHER SIDE CALL THE GOVERNMENT BY THE SAME BRAND. FOR AS LONG AS CITIZENS USE COUNTER TERROR TO WEAKEN THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT, CHAOS WILL SURFACE FROM TIME TO TIME. ALL THE AFOREMENTIONED PATTERNS ARE GUIDES THAT WE SHOULD NOT FORGET IF WE ARE TO ACHIEVE A HAPPY AND FRUITFUL SOJOURN IN THIS WORLD.

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CHAPTER VI KNOW THE TWO SEATS OF KNOWLEDGE

THERE ARE TWO SEATS OF KNOWLEDGE. ONE IS IN THE HEART AND THE OTHER IS IN THE MIND. THE TWO SEATS HELP EACH OTHER IN LEARNING THE DAILY LESSONS OF LIFE BUT EACH HAS A SPECIALIZATION. THE HEART ESPECIALIZES IN LEARNING THE VIRTUES AND AVOIDING VICES. THE CULTIVATION OF VIRTUES IS A PROCESS WHICH WE SHALL CALL, FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOKLET, AS BEING, FOR IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE INWARD KNOWLEDGE THAT MAKES US CLOSER TO GOD. THE MIND ESPECIALIZES IN KNOWING THE DATA RELATED TO OUR EXTERNAL WORLD OF AMBITIONS WHICH WE SHALL CALL, FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOKLET AS BECOMING . THUS, IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A DOCTOR, YOU WILL STUDY MEDICINE AND LIKEWISE IF YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER, YOU WILL STUDY EDUCATION. TO KNOW AND ACQUIRE YOUR BEING DOES NOT ENTAIL MONETARY EXPENSES. THIS IS ONLY AN EXERTION TOWARDS BEING GOOD. ON THE OTHER HAND, BECOMING IS A LONG PROCESS THAT ENTAILS LONG YEARS OF STUDY, AND PLENTY OF MONEY TO PAY FOR YOUR SCHOOL EXPENSES. BEING IS IMPORTANT TO THE SOUL IN ITS JOURNEY TOWARDS JUDG-MENT DAY. BEING IS ALSO NECESSARY TO OPEN THE WAY TOWARDS RECEIV-ING THE GRACE OF GOD TO BE ENJOYED IN OUR DAILY LIVING. TO ACHIEVE OUR BEING IS TO ACHIEVE MATURITY WHICH IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR JOURNEY ON EARTH. BECOMING IS IMPORTANT TO THE BODY IN ACQUIRING THE WORDLY INTERESTS AND IT MUST BE CONSTANTLY WEIGHED AND WATCHED TO MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT VEER AWAY FROM BEING . THE KNOWLEDGE LEARNED IN BECOMING HAS NO USE IN THE SPIRITUAL WORLD.

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CHAPTER VII SUBORDINATING YOUR WILL TO GOD’S WILL

IT CAN NOT BE OVER EMPHASIZED THAT GOD HAS ONLY ONE WILL. GOD WILLS US TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IS GOOD FOR EVEN IN EVIL SCHEMES, SOMETHING GOOD WILL COME OUT. THIS IS TO ENCOURAGE US TO CHOOSE TO DO GOOD. NOBODY CAN THWART GOD’S WILL AND THE PATTERN OF GOOD RESULT WILL REMIND US THAT GOD IS REIGNING OVER US AND THAT THE GOOD THINGS WILL ALWAYS COME OUT OF EVERY CREATURE’S WISH, WHETHER IT BE GOOD OR EVIL. IT IS CLEAR FROM THIS PRONOUNCEMENT THAT GOD’S WILL IS NOT THE SAME AS GOD’S PLAN. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH OF HIS CREATURES AND THAT IS CONSIDERED BEYOND OUR NORMAL AWARENESS. WE SHALL DISCUSS GOD’S PLAN IN ANOTHER CHAPTER. I ALREADY SAID IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER THAT MAN WAS GIVEN LIMITED FREE WILL. EVERYTHING WAS ALREADY DECIDED BY GOD FOR A MAN SO THAT MAN HAS ONLY TWO OPTIONS — TO OBEY OR TO DISOBEY. A MAN WHO OBEYS SHOULD NOT HAVE THE INSECURITY OF THE FUTURE AS ONE OF HIS CONCERNS FOR GOD WOULD TAKE CARE OF HIM. WHEN A MAN OBEYS GOD’S COMMANDMENTS, THAT IS THE ONE AND ONLY WAY OF SUBORDINATING MAN’S WILL TO GOD’S WILL. ALL THE SITUATIONS HAPPEN BECAUSE GOD ALLOWS THEM TO HAPPEN. YOU AND I ARE PLACED IN THOSE SITUATIONS AS PART OF THE QUIZ. SHOULD WE OBEY, THE NEXT SITUATION WILL BE A QUIZ AGAIN UNTIL WE THOROUGHLY ACCLIMATIZE OURSELVES TO DOING GOOD. WE WILL GET OUR BLESSINGS, OF COURSE, FOR THIS OBEDIENCE. DISOBEDIENCE, ON THE OTHER HAND, WILL MAKE THE SITUATION HARDER TO DEAL WITH. PUNISHMENT MAY NOT COME OUTRIGHT BUT THE DISOBEDIENT MAN WILL BE TROUBLED BY HIS CONSCIENCE WHICH IS A PERSONAL GUIDE IMPLANTED IN EACH OF US BY GOD WHEN WE WERE CREATED.

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CHAPTER VIII MAKE GOD YOUR BOSS

TO SUCCEED YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PERSONAL PLAN WHICH WILL HELP YOU KNOW GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU IN THIS WORLD. IT IS LIKE UNCOVERING A LIGHT COVERED BY A HUNDRED VEILS. THE LIGHT IS VISIBLE TO YOU BUT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE VEILS ONE AT A TIME IN ORDER TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE ESSENCE OF GOD’S PLAN. I DEVISE HERE AN ACRONYM WHICH WILL HELP YOU. THEY ARE : B - BATTLECRY O - ORGANIZATION S - SYSTEM S - SUPPLY BATTLECRY IS YOUR MOTTO, AMBITION, OR ANY WORD YOU CAN RALLY BEHIND IN THE PURSUANCE OF YOUR GOAL WHICH YOU BELIEVE IS PART OF GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU. ORGANIZATION IS THE TEAM THAT WILL HELP YOU IN PURSUING WHAT YOU PERCEIVE IS GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU. IF YOU ARE ALONE, JUST ORGANIZE YOUR ACTIVITIES, TIME AND EFFORT. SYSTEM HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE METHODS YOU WILL USE TO PURSUE YOUR GOAL. SUPPLY HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR MONEY HOWEVER LITTLE, YOUR TIME, AND YOUR EFFORT THAT WILL BE UTILIZED IN THIS ENDEAVOR.

THE ACRONYM GOD IS FOR : G - GUESS O - OBSERVE D - DEAL GUESS WHAT IS GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU. IT IS NOT TOO DIFFICULT TO START THIS EXERCISE. YOU MAY BEGIN BY KNOWING YOUR SEX, RACE, TALENT, STATION IN LIFE, INCLINATIONS, ETC. ALL OF THESE WERE DECIDED BY GOD BEFORE YOU WERE BORN. THESE HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU. OBSERVE THE EVENTS, PEOPLE, AND PROBLEMS AROUND YOU. THESE HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR EDUCATION AS YOU JOURNEY TOWARDS GOD IN JUDGMENT DAY. TO EDUCATE YOU IS ALSO PART OF GOD’S PLAN. DEAL WITH EVERY SITUATION BY CULTIVATING THE VIRTUES, THUS DEVELOPING YOUR BEING .

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IF ANYTHING DOES NOT COME AS YOU EXPECT, START ALL OVER AGAIN BY GUESSING, OBSERVING AND DEALING. THIS TAKES TIME BUT AS LONG AS YOU ARE DOING WHAT IS GOOD, YOU KNOW YOU ARE BEING WATCHED BY GOD IN YOUR SEARCH FOR HIS PLAN AND YOU WILL BE HELPED IN YOUR EFFORT. HIS PLAN WILL COME TO YOU IN DUE TIME AND ONCE YOU KNOW IT, NOBODY CAN STOP YOU FROM REALIZING IT. TO KNOW GOD’S PLAN IS TO EXPERIENCE DIMINISHING RESISTANCE TO YOUR ACHIEVING WHAT YOU PLAN TO HAVE AS YOU MOVE TOWARDS A NOBLE MISSION OF YOUR CHOICE. THIS MOVE IS FACILITATED BY SUBORDINATING OUR WILL TO GOD’S WILL—BY MAKING GOD OUR BOSS.

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CHAPTER IX KNOW THE TEACHINGS OF THE HOLY BOOKS

THE MESSAGES SENT TO US BY GOD THRU THE PROPHETS CAME TO OUR TIME BY WAY OF THE HOLY BOOKS OF ESTABLISHED RELIGIONS. THE TEACHINGS OF THE TEACHERS OF MORALITY WERE ALSO WRITTEN AND WIDELY DISTRIBUTED TO PEOPLE OF MANY NATIONS. THESE BECOME OUR GUIDES IN OUR DAILY LIVES WHILE WE SEARCH FOR HEALTH, HAPPINESS, HONOR, PEACE AND SUFFICIENT RESOURCES FOR OUR UPBRINGING.

PEACE

HERE ARE A FEW VERSES FROM THE HOLY BOOKS WHICH WILL GUIDE US IN OUR SEARCH FOR PEACE IN THIS LIFE AND THE AFTER LIFE. 1. AGREE WITH GOD AND BE AT PEACE; THEREBY GOOD WILL COME TO YOU. (BIBLE) JOB 22 : 21 2. AND HE SAID TO HIS COMPANION, “ HAVE NO FEAR FOR GOD IS WITH US” ; THEN GOD SENT DOWN HIS PEACE UPON HIM. QUR’AN : PORTION OF 9 : 40 FROM THESE TWO VERSES, WE CONCLUDE THAT IF WE AGREE WITH GOD’S COMMANDMENTS AND WE FEEL THAT GOD IS WITH US, THEN WE’LL FIND PEACE WITHIN.

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HAPPINESS

HERE ARE A FEW VERSES FROM THE HOLY BOOKS WHICH WILL GUIDE US IN OUR SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS IN THIS LIFE AND THE AFTER LIFE. 1. FOR WITHOUT DOUBT, IN THE REMEMBRANCE OF GOD DO HEARTS FIND SATISFACTION QUR’AN 13 : 28 2. BEHOLD, HAPPY IS THE MAN WHOM GOD APPROVES; THEREFORE DESPISE NOT THE CHASTENING OF THE ALMIGHTY (BIBLE) JOB 5 : 17 FROM THESE TWO VERSES, WE CONCLUDE THAT IN OUR CONSTANT REMEMBRANCE OF GOD AND EVEN WHEN HE CHASTISES US FOR OUR WRONGDOINGS, THE ONLY PURPOSE IS TO GIVE US THE HAPPINESS THAT WE NEED.

HEALTH

HERE IS A FEW VERSE TO GUIDE YOU IN YOUR SEARCH FOR HEALTH. 1. MAKE NOT UNLAWFUL THE GOOD THINGS WHICH GOD HAS MADE LAWFUL FOR YOU, BUT COMMIT NO EXCESSES, FOR GOD LOVES NOT THOSE GIVEN TO EXCESS. QUR’AN 5 : 87 FROM THIS VERSE, WE CONCLUDE THAT WE SHOULD BE MINDFUL OF THOSE FOOD WHICH WE TAKE IN. WE MUST TAKE ONLY THOSE WHICH ARE HEALTHFUL, AVOID THOSE WHICH ARE HARMFUL AND IN NO WAY COMMIT EXCESSES IN OUR EATING HABITS.

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SUFFICIENT RESOURCES

HERE ARE A FEW VERSES THAT WILL GUIDE YOU TOWARDS ATTAINING SUFFICIENT RESOURCES. 1. HE WHO GIVES HEED TO THE WORD WILL PROSPER; AND HAPPY IS HE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD . (BIBLE) PROVERBS 16 : 20 2. SO FEAR GOD AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, LISTEN AND OBEY AND SPEND IN CHARITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF YOUR OWN SOULS. AND THOSE SAVED FROM THE COVETOUSNESS OF THEIR OWN SOULS— THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ACHIEVE PROSPERITY. QUR’AN 64 : 16 3. MAN CAN HAVE NOTHING BUT WHAT HE STRIVES FOR. QUR’AN 53 : 39 4. O YOU WHO BELIEVE, DO YOUR DUTY TO GOD, SEEK THE MEANS OF APPROACH UNTO HIM, STRIVE WITH MIGHT AND MAIN IN HIS CAUSE, THAT YOU MAY PROSPER. QUR’AN 5 : 35 FROM THE ABOVE VERSE, WE CONCLUDE THAT DOING VIRTUOUS DEEDS IS A BIG HELP IN OUR STRIVING TO ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN OUR LIVES.

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HONOR

HERE IS A VERSE WHICH WE MAY USE AS GUIDE IN OUR SEARCH FOR HONOR IN OUR LIVES. 1. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS INSTRUCTION IN WISDOM, AND HUMILITY GOES BEFORE HONOR. (BIBLE) PROVERBS 15 : 33 FROM THE ABOVE VERSE, WE CONCLUDE THAT OUR FEAR TO DISPLEASE THE LORD CAN BEST BE REMEDIED BY PURSUING VIRTUE AND AVOIDING VICES. ADDED TO THIS, HUMILITY IS THE BEST APPROACH IF WE ARE TO BE KNOWN BY OTHERS AS MEN OF HONOR. THERE ARE TWO WORLDS PRESENTED TO US IN THIS LIFE AND WE MUST CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE IF WE ARE TO SUCCEED IN THIS LIFE AND THE HERE-AFTER. THEY ARE THE WORLD OF THE PERVERTED AND THE WORLD OF THE RIGHTEOUS. THE WORLD OF THE PERVERTED IS THE LIFE OF EXCESSES IN PLAY AND AMUSEMENT, MUTUAL BOASTING AND RIVALRY IN TERMS OF WEALTH, RICHES AND CHILDREN. THOSE WHO OVERINDULGE IN THESE THINGS DO NOT FIND SATISFACTION IN THIS LIFE. THE WORLD OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS THE LIFE OF VIRTUES. THOSE WHO PICK THIS WAY OF LIFE ARE THE ONES WHO SUCCEED IN THIS LIFE AND THE HEREAFTER. THEY FIND PEACE, HEALTH, HAPPINESS, SUFFICIENT RESOURCES AND HONOR.

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CHAPTER X PREPARE TO SUCCEED

I SHALL PRESENT TO YOU THE STEP BY STEP METHOD IN PREPARING FOR SUCCESS IN ORDER TO POSSESS PEACE OF MIND, HEALTH, HAPPINESS, SUFFICIENT RESOURCES AND HONOR : STEP I - PRACTICE VIRTUES AND AVOID VICES. IN OTHER WORDS, TAKE CARE OF YOUR BEING. THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF THE TEACHINGS OF FREEMASONRY. CHRISTIANITY TEACHES THAT ONE MUST SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND EVERYTHING WILL BE ADDED UNTO A PERSON. STEP II - SEEK YOUR BECOMING BY KNOWING GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU.

PROCEDURES IN STEP II 1. KNOW YOUR TALENTS - KNOWING YOUR TALENTS IS A HINT IN ORDER TO KNOW GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU. 2. OBSERVE THE EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES HAPPENING AROUND YOU. 3. PICK YOUR NOBLE MISSION IN LIFE WHICH IS THE REASON FOR YOUR CREATION AND PRAY FOR GUIDANCE IN PURSUING THAT MISSION. YOUR MISSION IS AN EXPRESSION OF YOUR WILL TO OBEY GOD. 4. NOTICE THE COINCIDENCES LIKE MEETING PEOPLE WHO MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU IN YOUR MISSION AND BEING IN SITUATIONS WHERE YOUR MISSION MAY BE USEFUL. 5. START A MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD OR ENGAGE IN A JOB THAT WILL PROVIDE AN INCOME USEFUL IN YOUR MISSION. HELP OTHERS USING A PROTION OF THE INCOME. 6. WHEN YOU MEET WITH DIFFICULTY, STRIVE AND PRAY FOR STRENGTH AND GUIDANCE. BE NOT AFRAID TO CHANGE THE MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD UNTIL YOU FIND THE MOST SUITABLE FOR YOU BUT REMAIN IN FOCUS WITH YOUR MISSION IN LIFE.

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7. REMEMBER LIFE IS A MATURING PROCESS AND A SEARCH FOR ENLIGHTENMENT, SO KEEP ON STRIVING TO DO GOOD, ALWAYS SUBORDINATING YOUR OWN WILL TO THE WILL OF GOD. 8. WAIT FOR THE TIME WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMS TO FIT IN THE RIGHT PLACES WITH EVEN THE LEAST EFFORT FROM YOU. WATCH SUCCESS COMING EASIER AND EASIER. PRAY TO THANK GOD AND CONTINUE HELPING OTHERS USING A PORTION OF YOUR INCOME. THIS EASE IN ACHIEVEMENT WILL TELL YOU THAT YOU ALREADY FOUND GOD’S PLAN. THE HOLY BOOKS OF GREAT RELIGIONS TELL US THE PURPOSE OF MAN’S CREATION. THE QUR’AN SAYS THAT GOD CREATED MAN ONLY TO SERVE HIM BY DOING RIGHTEOUS DEEDS. THE JEWISH HOLY BOOK EMPHASIZES THAT GOD HAS NO NEED AND THAT MAN CAN ONLY SERVE GOD BY SERVING THE CAUSES OF GOD WHICH ARE CHARITY AND JUSTICE TOWARDS ALL HIS CREATION. THE HOLY BIBLE TELL US THAT GOD GAVE MAN DOMINION OVER HIS CREATION ENTITLING MAN TO RULE BUT WITH JUSTICE AND CHARITY FOR ALL. IT MUST BE CLEAR TO US THAT WE ARE ONLY OVERSEERS AND NOT MASTERS OF THE THINGS GIVEN TO OUR CARE. THUS FAR, WHAT I HAVE BEEN HINTING FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF THIS BOOKLET UP TO THIS POINT IS THAT IF WE BELIEVE AND OBEY GOD, WE SHALL BE BLESSED WITH SUCCESS AND WE SHALL ATTAIN THE HIGH PURPOSE FOR WHICH WE ARE CREATED. BE READY NOW TO ACCEPT THE RULE : “ IF YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR BEING , GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR BECOMING.” TO CAP THIS PRESENTATION, LET ME QUOTE FROM ONE HOLY BOOK TO PROVE TO YOU THAT VIRTUES GIVE US A REWARDING LIFE —— IS THERE ANY REWARD FOR GOOD OTHER THAN GOOD ? QUR’AN 55 : 60

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