Ingredients

A COLLECTION OF MOTIVATIONAL INGREDIENTS TO FACILITATE YOUR EVERY SUCCESS IN THIS JOURNEY CALLED LIFE TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS REQUIRED "There Is Nothing You Can Not Do, Only Things You Have Not Done Yet." Mark Robinson   INGREDIENTS Accountability Adaptability Attitude Awareness Belief Character Commitment Compassion Competent Confidence Courage Dedication Jesus Christ Dependability Desire Determination Diligence Discipline Effort Encouragement Endurance Ethics Flexibility Focus Gratitude Honesty Hope Fruits of the Spirit Faithfulness Kindness Gentleness Goodness Joy   Forward As I look back over my life, I can see the development, and lack of the characteristics I have outlined in this book during various stages of my life; Even to the present. I have learned that these characteristics are essential ingredients necessary to obtain success in all facets of my life; (spiritual, personal, relationships, family, financial, business). When I was a child, the development of these characteristics began to unfold. I was unaware at that time of the plan that would mold and shape me, as I journeyed through life's challenges, into the man God created me to be. As I look back over my life, I can see when the development of certain characteristics enabled me to mature to the next level of development. I can also see when the lack of certain characteristics inhibited me from growing beyond my present circumstances. I have determined that the effectiveness of some ingredients depended on the existence of some of the other ingredients. Many of these ingredients have similarities in acquisition and application. It is my belief that the inter-connectedness of many of these ingredients will be revealed to you, and you will understand the importance of acquiring all the ingredients for your journey towards success in life. On your journey, you WILL encounter adversity. These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (KJV) “If you are not going anywhere, nothing can get in your way.” Now that all these INGREDIENTS have been gathered, some still need to be added, and completed by the Holy Ghost, I can begin to fulfill my purpose for which God has created me for. I am not perfect. Every now and then, I have to stir up my ingredients. The pot continues to simmer. I am not done yet. There are ingredients that still can be added. Life is a journey, with a destination. “Success is a result of planning. Success just does not happen. Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation. Success is a process. Success is not a destination, it is a journey. Success is not a failure but learning from failure.” I was inspired by the Spirit of God to write this book to help you achieve the success you desire in life. The quotes, messages, and scriptures in this book are designed to empower you, equip you, and to motivate you as you journey along the highways and bi-ways, the mountains and the valleys towards spiritual development and personal success in your life. May God Bless you and keep you. Accountability: Makes you liable to being called to account for you actions; answerable. Everything that we do along this journey called life to achieve success is governed by some kind of rule of engagement, guidelines, or laws. They dictate our behavior on the journey. There are governing entities that we must answer to. Accepting accountability helps us to keep on our toes. When we know that we always have to answer to someone, we are more inclined to do things the right way the first time. There is no higher entity than the Father. God created the heavens and the earth, and the laws that we are all held accountable to. When our actions are not in agreement with those who have authority over us, or who place enough trust in us to give us some authority, we lose our position. God wants us to be accountable so we do not lose our position in His Kingdom. We have to be accountable to ourselves as well as others. We cannot escape accountability. We know what the person in the mirror is capable of. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Romans 3:19 (NIV) Jesus told his disciples: "There is a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him,'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer." Luke 16:1-2 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV) “When we accept accountability we accept responsibility for our behaviors that make us fall short of our capability.” “Accountability helps you harness your weakness, so you can fulfill your capacity." Adaptability: Capable of adapting or of being adapted. Ability to make suitable to a specific use or situation. Ability to accommodate, adjust, conform, or fit. Adaptability is a requirement if we are to overcome challenges and obstacles that we must face whenever we are confronted with unfamiliar surroundings. As you can see from the scriptures above, it is just as important to know when and where to adapt as it is to have the ability. When we find ourselves confronted by circumstances that are unfavorable towards the realization of our vision, we don't adapt to that environment, we become diligent in our pursuit of our destiny. As we pursue our purpose in life revealed through our vision, it should be expected of ourselves to be at least above those who have no vision or whose vision is misguided. "Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have been more unruly than the nations around you and have not followed my decrees or kept my laws. You have not even conformed to the standards of the nations around you. Ezekiel 5:7 (NIV) And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you. Ezekiel 11:12 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 "Your ability to adapt to your environment and overcome your circumstances will determine your accessibility to the next level of your journey." Attitude: A state of mind or a feeling; disposition. There are many points of view in which the bible approaches attitude. There is a great deal of emphasis and significance placed on attitude, and for a good reason. I have found both the old and new me within the above scriptures. I have lived through the consequences of the wrong attitude, and now reap the benefits of the right attitude. The right attitude is so important to your success on your journey through life. Your attitude is an expression of your emotions of the heart. The things that are in our heart are the things that we feel the strongest toward. The things we dwell on the most in our minds becomes embedded in our heart. Our emotions influence our actions. Our actions determine our outcomes and the level of success we ultimately achieve. Therefore making attitude very important to our success in life.