This in the FIRST area of development and growth in the series — PREPARE NOW TO BE A KING!
Here's how to think "BIG"! How to have real wisdom to make the right decisions. Read and USE these vital principles.
AUTHORITIES now confess to "giant blunders" in coping with the twin threats of famine and over-population and the growing danger of a hydrogen bomb war.
And that doesn't include the immediate problems of mounting crime, violence, RACE WAR. And there is also the serious pollution of our air and water. These problems demand real solutions — not political demagoguery.
Truly, the WISDOM of a Solomon is needed.
But where — in this mixed-up world — does that kind of wisdom exist? Yet it is needed more sorely now than at any time in human history!
The solution?
The Real GOAL of Human Life
The answer is that the God "nobody knows" — the Creator, the God of your Bible, is going to intervene and send the Living Jesus Christ back to RULE this earth! He will come this time in glory and power as King of kings. The other kings assisting Him in reorganizing the entire society of this earth will be those who, in this life, have surrendered their wills to God and who OVERCOME their selfish, lustful, sinful, rebellious human nature. These "over-comers" — then born of God and composed of divine spirit — will RULE this earth with and under Jesus Christ (Rev. 2:26).
Man has always wanted to rule the earth. Now he hopes even to rule outer space!
God has given man the capacity to do just that! But man is presently limited by a body of flesh that must receive all of its nourishment from this earth and its surrounding layer of air. Our so-called "spacemen" must ALWAYS take with them some form of food that comes from the soil of this earth. They must take air and water from the earth.
They must do these things — or they will surely PERISH.
So man is hindered in his efforts to "conquer" space.
Yet, in the beginning, God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air...." (Gen. 1:26)
The Marvelous Human MIND
To a limited extent, man is made LIKE GOD. For he is made in the form and shape of God. Unlike any animal, he has a MIND not guided by blind instinct but capable of choice, of decision, of building character. Also, man ALONE has a creative capacity and the ability to think in the abstract, reason, philosophize. He can invent and bring into being infinite new varieties of physical and mechanical things. He is able to compose beautiful music, write inspiring literature and paint majestic scenes — scenes which in some instances he has "created" in his rich and seemingly endless imagination.
And so God gave man DOMINION over all creatures on earth. Yet, in spite of all his God-given possibilities, man has thoroughly botched even his responsibilities here. He needs not only a body with greater capacities. He needs the MIND of a Solomon — yet a spiritually motivated mind to cope with the agonizing problems now facing the entire human race.
The apostle Paul commanded: "Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5).
The Christian who KNOWS the purpose of life must come to have the very MIND, the viewpoint, the attitude and the wisdom of Jesus Christ. But what, you may ask, are the qualities and CHARACTERISTICS of that type of mind? And how are these to be developed?
I. Alertness and Discernment
The first quality is awareness of people, things and attitudes. That's the mark of a real leader. He is ALERT. He is fully AWAKE and thinking. He notices people who are tight and tense around the mouth, people who are "working an angle." He also notices people who are UNBALANCED, disturbed and in need of help.
Such a person will also notice physical and racial characteristics. He will be alert to and aware of the nature of the foliage, plants and animals around him if he is out in nature. Normally, he will not be the one to blunder into quicksand — or into a beehive!
I first became impressed with this characteristic when traveling overseas with Mr. Dick Armstrong — the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert W. Armstrong.
Dick and I were driving through Europe in the summer of 1954. I had just graduated from college a couple of years before, and it was my first trip overseas. I was noticing and learning many things. But often, many times in fact, when we would be sitting in the car or at a sidewalk cafe and I would be thinking over what we had seen, Dick would suddenly point out to me some unusual characteristic of the people around us, or of the architecture, or of the plant life, the trees, the flowers, etc.
I had traveled throughout the Mid-west as a boy and, later, over most of the United States with many different young men. But never had I been with a companion who was so alert to what was going on around him. He used his God-given eyes and ears to discern the characteristics of each type of people we encountered. He noticed their habits and ways. Soon he would pick up certain words and phrases from each foreign language and begin to use them.
These mental qualities and abilities made Dick a "natural" to head our Overseas Work. He did this, and soon the foundation was laid for the present great and growing Work of God in Britain and Europe.
Jesus Christ's Example
Jesus was alert to the moods and attitudes of others. You will find His example in Matthew 16:5-12. Here Jesus noticed the subtle looks of doubt and confusion in His disciples. He "perceived" the moment His disciples were unsure on a vital point.
In Matthew 22:18, Jesus "perceived" that the Pharisees were trying to trick Him and bring about His downfall in the way they asked a certain question. If He had not been alert and awake, His ministry might have ENDED right there!
Yes, Jesus of Nazareth noticed the arched eyebrows, the questioning eyes, or the shifty expressions and furtive smirks of those who doubted Him or tried to trap Him in some way. He quickly "perceived" attitudes as well — and was often able to forestall trouble before it got started. Always, therefore, He was one step ahead of His disciples and was able to LEAD them.
A Constant PRACTICE
Most of us are not by nature as alert and discerning as we ought to be.
Learn to observe specific things about people — such as exact height and weight, color of hair and eyes, voice qualities and accent, and any definite national or racial characteristics. This should not be done, of course, with any remote thought in mind to prejudice yourself against anyone. But this definitive information will help you to better remember people you meet and those whom you only know casually. It will definitely help you to understand and to better serve and deal with them in the future.
Become more aware of the scenery and the environment around you. Observe the style and architecture of the buildings and notice what kind of trees and flowers are nearby, and what kind of fish and birds are in the pool or park. Obviously, this practice will add immediately to your store of knowledge and to your effectiveness in dealing with people and things. If you learn to observe and properly discern all of these things, in right balance, you will in any case be far better prepared to be a literal KING Over some area or phase of society in the World Tomorrow!
II. Education and Knowledge
Nearly every future king is educated and tutored to prepare him for the wide-ranging responsibilities which await him. He is taught not only the history of his own people and their neighbors, but the social and cultural heritage of the past. He is — or at least should be — instructed a great deal about current events. For he must be familiar with recent trends in international diplomacy and warfare as well as domestic and local political issues.
For a future ruler, a thorough education is a NECESSITY. For he must KNOW whereof he acts and speaks. He must have correct information and FACTS behind his decisions and his policies — or he and his nation are headed for DISASTER.
It may surprise some to learn that most, if not all, of the great leaders of the Bible were highly educated men. The prophet Daniel was of royal blood and was among the captive princes of Babylon who were taught "the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans" (Dan. 1:4). He was, therefore, educated in the royal court of the GREATEST Empire in all the earth at that time.
Moses, the inspired Stephen tells us, "was learned in the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds" (Acts 7:22). Again, this prophet of God was educated in the GREATEST Empire of his time.
In Acts 22: 3, the apostle Paul tells us that he was "brought up," or educated "at the feet of Gamaliel" — who historians tell us was the acknowledged GREATEST teacher of Jewish rabbis of that time!
The lesson in all of this is that we should endeavor to obtain the best education possible. Especially, we should be concerned about basic subjects such as grammar, diction, mathematics, history, geography and a good knowledge of current events. Obviously, many older people may find it difficult to go back to school. But there are several fine correspondence schools which offer courses in all of the above mentioned subjects. Besides, many outstanding business and industrial leaders have the equivalent of a Ph.D. through diligent personal study of books and courses on their own.
Read widely, and keep growing mentally all your life!
Teach Your CHILDREN
A vital point here is to teach your children to read widely and to THINK. Encourage your young children and grandchildren to use the dictionary often — to become familiar with the basic meaning of thousands of key words in our language. For words provide the very tools by which we think and reason. Teach them also to become familiar with the good encyclopedias — to begin early building a real STOREHOUSE of knowledge on basic subjects.
Both you and your children are to be encouraged to read biographies and autobiographies of the great men of the past and of recent times as well. Read The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Read some of the better volumes of Sir Winston Churchill — "the man of the century." This type of reading should inspire one to a life of accomplishment and leadership.
If at all possible, have your children or grandchildren read this very article! For they should be the LEADERS in The World Tomorrow. They must, therefore, obtain the best possible education today! Teach them to STUDY the Word of God, the Laws of God and the perfect example of Jesus Christ! Teach them that all real knowledge or TRUTH" is based on — and in harmony with — this revelation of basic knowledge from the Creator.
Thousands of "educated fools" are abroad in the world today — utterly CONFUSED about who they are, where they came from, what are the Laws of life, what is the MEANING of world conditions, and WHERE WE ARE HEADED. Yet the true answer to these questions is the MOST IMPORTANT knowledge of all!
Acquire your education with a high PURPOSE in mind! Acquire it in order to glorify your Creator, and to qualify to join His Son in RULING, in TEACHING, in REBUILDING this world and enforcing PEACE in The World Tomorrow ( God's Kingdom).
III. Understanding, Vision and BIG mindedness
Mr. Armstrong has stated that he had a burning desire for "understanding" beginning at about age sixteen.
What is "understanding"?
It is different from knowledge. For knowledge connotes merely the possession of facts and information. And wisdom is the ability to draw on those facts and with understanding make a right decision in a given situation.
But understanding is the grasp not only of information and facts, but of their relationship to each other and their MEANING. It is the awareness of the basic laws and principles governing personal, national and spiritual situations that come up. It usually involves much study, thought and EXPERIENCE. It enables one to see the BIG PICTURE in a given situation.
Take the example of Sir Winston Churchill, called "the man of the century." It is widely recognized that his greatness was made possible by the unusual understanding and vision he possessed, at least in material things. He became the Prime Minister of Britain at the beginning of World War II. He felt relief to be able, at last, to straighten out a desperate situation his nation had fallen into and about which he had been warning it for many years.
For, over and over again, Churchill had warned his fellow Britons about the dangerous tyranny rising in Nazi Germany. He understood the meaning of Hitler's boasts and the Nazi torchlight rallies. He grasped the meaning of the historical background of the German peoples and their militaristic nature.
Like "a voice in the wilderness" he had warned the democratic leaders of his own and other friendly states what was bound to come. But they would not heed!
On becoming Prime Minister he was able to DEAL with the ugly situation. His people now were frightened at what he had known all along would come. But Churchill was able to see the BIG PICTURE. For he had a vast knowledge of history, and he understood the nature of the rise and fall of dictators. More, he deeply understood not only the military but the tremendous industrial power of Britain and America — and worked unceasingly to get America to help Britain before it was too late.
Churchill had gained early a deep understanding of his nation's army, its navy, its parliamentary system (he had been a member of Parliament since 1901) and of its people. Most important of all, he was able to see them in relation to each other and how they fit together as a WHOLE. This even included the Commonwealth nations which he came to know well through his wide study, travel and his.early military experiences.
His UNDERSTANDING of this whole picture was unique.
So it was that when Winston Churchill was given the crushing responsibility of directing his people in their hour of need, he was not the least upset or overwhelmed. He wrote: "I felt as if I were walking with Destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and for this trial."
How to Exercise VISION
Along with understanding comes VISION. This is the ability to foresee events or situations even before they happen. This comes, partly at least, from training the mind to think ahead to consider the END of a series of events or a particular course of action. I am grouping it here with understanding because these two qualities often go together, and complement each other.
As would be expected, therefore, Churchill also possessed a great deal of vision. In his autobiography, Mr. Bernard Baruch tells about a conversation with Churchill just after the First World War: "Pointing his walking stick toward the east, where the Red Revolution had erupted, he made a prophetic remark, 'Russia, Russia. That's where the weather is coming from.' " Even then, Mr. Baruch tells us, Churchill could sense the antagonistic spirit of the Soviet dictatorship toward free men. For he had vision.
Solomon wrote: "Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he" (Prov. 29:18).
The man who keeps God's Law will have vision because he will be given a penetrating insight into human nature — and the collective nature of people and nations. He will possess superior understanding of the principles of life, and will therefore sense, before others, the OUTCOME of various situations and problems.
Learn to be BIG Minded
In like manner, such a man will be given superior understanding and BIG mindedness. For God promises: "A good understanding have all they that no His COMMANDMENTS (Psa. 111: 10).
To gain greater understanding, read widely — especially in history — trying to learn the lessons behind the many adventures and misadventures of man down through the centuries. In any situation, try to see the BIG PICTURE. Relate the situation to similar ones in the lives of others you know or may have read about. Don't be so upset or involved in the immediate problem that you fail to relate it to your whole life and future. Think of its meaning in terms of the entire world and God's ultimate PURPOSE.
An amusing yet meaningful account of how Winston Churchill did this concerns his being run down by a New York taxicab in 1931. Confined to a bed of pain and kept from his work for some time, he could easily have become discouraged, or perhaps bitter against America and against all cab drivers, etc
.
Instead, Churchill made front-page news by completely exonerating the driver. Then, he dashed off a lurid description of the episode for which he received $2500!
Churchill was BIG minded about what could have been thought of as a "tragedy" by a lesser man. For he possessed the understanding that this need not be a tragedy at all unless he made it so.
Use these examples in gaining understanding yourself!
Remember always the account of King Solomon's early reign over Israel — while he was still obedient to his God. For, because of Solomon's yielded spirit, God asked him to name what he would like and promised to grant it. Solomon's concern was not for vanity, but for his awesome responsibility as King over all Israel. So Solomon asked: "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" (I Kings 3:9)
This greatly pleased the Eternal. And so God gave Solomon a wise and UNDERSTANDING heart, and both riches and honor — for which he had not asked (verses 10-12).
In addition to reading widely — especially the lessons of history and the lives of great men — try always to see the BIG PICTURE in any given situation. Exercise version and train yourself to look to the real END or outcome of a problem or a course of action. Read and study the Bible itself to gain real understanding and acquire Gods view-point on the big questions and problems of life. Then pray earnestly to the Eternal God and ask Him for understanding — remembering in faith the example of Solomon!
IV. Wisdom and Resourcefulness
One of the most important qualities in any high official or leader of men is WISDOM. For although a President or Prime Minister cannot possibly be an expert in petroleum engineering, aircraft and missile production and nuclear physics, he must nevertheless have the wisdom to make sound decisions on all these matters and many, many more.
Solomon wrote: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get WISDOM: and with all thy getting get understanding" (Prov. 4:7).
Wisdom, of course, is the faculty of making sound decisions. Anyone with great wisdom would necessarily need to be possessed of at least a good degree of understanding and vision. He would also have to acquire knowledge of the problem at hand — and attempt to get all of the pertinent facts.
Having the facts, and possessing understanding of the past history, trends and laws governing the type of situation he faces, the man with WISDOM must correlate all of these factors and make a sound decision that will be practical and that will actually work — both now and in the future. This is true WISDOM.
All too often, political decisions, "expedient" decisions are made in order to please the general public at the moment. Undoubtedly, those making this type of judgment realize that there will be double trouble in years to come because of their shortsighted, crowd pleasing decisions. But, perhaps at least partially blinded by the pressures of the moment, they "hope" that their biased decisions will somehow work out all right!
One of the "keys" to real wisdom is the willingness to learn from one's own mistakes. One of the wisest men of this century, Mr. Bernard Baruch, wrote of how he systematically developed this practice: "After each major undertaking — and particularly when things had turned sour — I would shake loose from Wall Street and go off to some quiet place where I could review what I had done and where I had gone wrong. At such times I never sought to excuse myself but was concerned solely with guarding against a repetition of the same error."
Be willing to LEARN from your own mistakes!
Another point of wisdom is to get all of the pertinent facts concerning any problem. Many are too lazy or too vain to do this — feeling they can "play it by ear" and somehow get by. The powers of human intuition being what they are, this will work part of the time — especially when one is on familiar ground and the decision is not of major consequence and it is not a volatile or potentially dangerous issue. But when it is, then woe be to the man who rushes around making decisions without having gotten the facts and without also getting WISE COUNSEL!
For God's Word makes plain: "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the MULTITUDE of counselors there is safety" (Prov. 11:14). A great leader is usually one who surrounds himself with topnotch assistants and advisors of both ability and wisdom. He will not be seeking insipid "yes men," but men who themselves dig deeply into the facts, possess vision, and who will independently give truly wise counsel when an important decision is to be made.
Where does WISDOM come from?
Wisdom Proceeds from God
The Eternal God answers: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Prov. 9:10). Apart from the knowledge of the Creator, deep and lasting wisdom is impossible. In the knowledge of moneymaking, social status and purely material things, Jesus said: "The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light" (Luke 16:8). But in the BIG decisions that involve the OUTCOME of human lives, nations and the entire human race, only those who deeply respect and reverence the great God of Creation and understand His PURPOSE possess real wisdom.
"For the Lord giveth WISDOM: and out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6). Remember God's promise in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
So ASK God, in believing faith, for wisdom. Then STUDY the Word of God — especially the book of Proverbs — for the examples of wisdom in God's own revelation to man. Also, read and study the lives of great and successful men for some of the keys to wisdom.
For God says: "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise" (Prov. 13:20). Everyone cannot be the personal friend and confidant of men like Sir Winston Churchill, but everyone can read the examples of wisdom from their lives and in this way "walk with" and learn from these great men.
Seek to learn not only wisdom, but RESOURCEFULNESS — the capacity to solve emergencies, to come up with wise alternatives when trouble has upset a going plan or operation. Along with wisdom, seek to exercise resourcefulness in your daily lives. For it will grow with habitual use.
Do all of this to grow in wisdom and resourcefulness.
Then, when a particular problem arises, always be sure to get all of the pertinent facts involving a decision. Next, be sure that you get wise counsel — not just from those who necessarily reflect your own opinions — but from a number of others who understand the subject you are concerned with and will independently give you well-considered advice.
Not only to be a KING someday, but in our day-to-day lives all of us need more wisdom and resourcefulness to be truly happy and successful. Start now to build these vital qualities into your life!
V. Faith, Hope and Courage
A positive frame of mind — coupled with faith and courage — is what often "separates the men from the boys" in times of trial and test. A truly great leader MUST possess these qualities.
Yet, we live in an age of compromise and expediency. We live in an age when men whine and moan around about the dangers in the world — and are afraid to Act resolutely when a crisis comes. More, we live in an age when men are "not sure" of God's existence, "not sure" whether they should be completely loyal to their country, not sure, in fact, of ANYTHING. As stated earlier, too many "educated" FOOLS are creeping and whimpering about the countryside!
In this sickening situation a person has no basis for faith or courage! Thank God, then, that this kind of society is soon coming to an END.
For the kind of real MAN God intends to use in governing this world is typified by King David of Israel. Remember that even before he became king, David exemplified faith and courage to a high degree.
When David, as a very young man, was challenged about his ability to fight the giant Goliath, notice his answer: "Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God" (I Sam. 17:36). David had learned to have confidence and courage. But he also had FAITH in the LIVING God and His willingness to intervene in behalf of those who served and obeyed Him.
As young David strode out across that valley toward a cursing, raging, experienced GIANT of a warrior, he had to have raw guts to do his part. And he had to KNOW that the Creator God of his fathers would intervene and help! Men who are always fearful and worried are not fit to be leaders and KINGS. For they will be utterly unable to inspire others or command their respect.
They will be afraid to make the hard decisions, afraid to take swift ACTION when it is necessary. In addition, their effectiveness is doubly impaired, for their fears and worries will bring on ulcers, high blood pressure and perhaps even a heart attack or mental breakdown!
Note what God's Word says: "But the FEARFUL, and UNBELIEVING... shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8).
So think positive thoughts! Set yourself to develop an attitude of courage and confidence! Set out to PROVE the existence of the true and Living God!
Learn WHY you are here, WHERE you are going and WHAT LIFE is really all about. Don't be an intellectual or spiritual coward! Have a reason for something worth living for and, if need be, worth dying for!
Heed God's instruction: "The fear of man brings a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe" (Prov. 29:25). Quit worrying so much about what people think or say! Seek and OBEY the Creator God. In all things, prove what is true and right. Then, with God's help, think and act courageously and let the world know that you STAND for something!
VI. Mental Discipline and Persistence
There are many intelligent and capable people who seem to make a success — for a little while. Then, inexplicably, they suddenly give up and quit when only a minor trial confronts them. Or, they suddenly let their feelings and passions dominate them and begin to throw away their short-lived "success" in the pursuit of drunkenness, dope, sexual conquest or some other human weakness.
They have not learned to DISCIPLINE THEMSELVES!
In our society, dominated by the "permissive psychology" in its child-rearing methods and educational processes, this lack of self discipline has become a GIGANTIC problem. With youngsters under eighteen years of age accounting for a major segment of many types of crimes, with drunkenness, dope addiction and the incidence of venereal disease becoming great physical and mental "cripplers" in our Western world, we need to learn the vital importance of SELF-DISCIPLINE.
The Word of God says: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that RULETH his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Prov. 16:32). Every lastingly successful person is one who has learned to guide, direct and MASTER his thoughts and emotions. He has learned to say "No!" to himself on many, many occasions.
Referring to the national need for self-discipline, Bernard Baruch — "the counselor of Presidents" — wrote: "The greatest blessing of our democracy is freedom. But in the last analysis, our only freedom is the freedom to DISCIPLINE OURSELVES".
Apply this to yourself!
Build Right Mental Habits
Develop the HABIT Of ruling over your thoughts and emotions. Discipline yourself to get up on time in the morning, to get to work on time, to work hard and grow on the job. Direct your thoughts into constructive channels — NOT permitting yourself to dwell on hurt feeling or lusts. Purposefully guard your mind so that these negative and destructive thoughts do not even find a place of lodgment. Also, avoid idle and purposeless "daydreams" which usually engender lusts, vanities, foolishness and are a childish form of escape from REALITY.
Train yourself to avoid discouragement and to FINISH whatever worthwhile project you have begun. God says: "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (Prov. 24:10). Don't be a "quitter." Train and discipline your mind and body to keep on to the end.
So discipline your mind and your moods. Guard the door of your mind against negative, vain or lustful thoughts. Don't allow yourself to sit around moping, to feel sorry for yourself, or to give up and quit anything worthwhile. Rather, direct your mind and emotions into positive channels — into productivity and ACCOMPLISHMENT. Have an attitude of outgoing concern for others, of giving and serving and KEEPING ON to the end. Then you will be truly happy and, at least in some degree, a LEADER both now and in your ultimate future!
VII. Loyalty and Service
One of the most important qualities any nation, group or organization looks for in its leaders is absolute LOYALTY. For if a man cannot be completely relied upon — then ALL of his other good qualities are negated.
To the very end of His physical life, Jesus Christ was totally loyal to God the Father — even unto DEATH. He never argued or questioned His Father's will. He said: "Not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42).
The main thing that caused God to promise Abraham and his heirs the ultimate possession of this entire earth was his complete faithfulness and LOYALTY to God. When Abraham had demonstrated his willingness even to sacrifice his own son — his only legitimate son, the very son through whom the tremendous birthright promise would have to come — God blessed him. God said: "By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for BECAUSE THOU HAST DONE THIS THING, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will BLESS THEE, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies" (Gen. 22:16-17).
God gave this tremendous blessing BECAUSE Abraham was faithful and LOYAL to the utmost!
So develop this sense of absolute loyalty to God, to your nation, to your employer, to your husband or wife, your children and family. Then, along with it, develop an attitude of SERVICE.
At the beginning of this article, I quoted the scripture: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philip. 2:5). Christ exemplified the spirit of service. He GAVE His life for us. He was constantly giving help, encouragement, blessings, healings, and real LOVE to others throughout His physical life.
Notice verses 6-9 of the above Scriptural passage. Although Jesus was equal with God, and had been very God, He "emptied Himself" as the original Greek should be translated, "and took upon him the form of a SERVANT, and was made in the likeness of men." Even though Jesus had shared the GLORY OF God, even though it was His voice that had said: "Let there be light," when God reformed the earth at the time of Adam, Jesus was more than willing to give that up in order to SERVE the lowly human beings He himself had helped to create (Eph. 3:9).
What about you?
Are you not only loyal to God, to your family and others — but do you have an outgoing concern for them? Do you have the spirit of giving, of sharing, of SERVING?
Jesus said: "It is more blessed to GIVE than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
Learn to GIVE of yourself to others — in service, in warmth and encouragement and in your TOTAL PERSONALITY. In this way, you will find that what Jesus Christ said is not just an idea, but a living law that WORKS. For it is more blessed to give than to receive!
Getting the mind OFF of one's self, and onto serving others — and most of all serving the Eternal God — that is THE WAY to lasting joy, peace of mind and true success.
With the daily practice of alertness and discernment, with the acquiring of right education and knowledge, the cultivation of understanding, vision and BIG mindedness, the exercise and development of wisdom and resourcefulness, faith and courage, mental discipline and persistence, you will be well on your way to building the mind of a great leader — a KING. With the additional qualities of total LOYALTY, and the spirit of GIVING and unselfish SERVICE to God and fellowman, your horizons 'will be even broader!
You will be building a mind LIKE God, your Creator. You will be building an instrument of SERVICE — both now and forever. You will be exercising seven basic "keys" to building and mastering what is undoubtedly the greatest physical thing God has created, the human mind. In all this, you will be GLORIFYING your Creator. And you will have a sense of deep fulfillment.
Now it's up to you! Do your part, and be sure to read next month's vital article in this series.
These are the links for the whole eight article series, PREPARE NOW TO BE A KING! —
