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
1
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.

2
 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.
3
 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.

4
 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.

5
 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.

6
 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.
7
 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.
8
 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.

9
 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
10
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
11
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.
12
 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.

13
 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.

14
 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.
15
 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.

16
 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.

17
 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.

18
 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.

19
 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.

20
 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.

21
 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

— END —

22