Chapter 1: Intro

You may be asking yourself "What does Jomo Cousins know about success"? The answer is quite simple. I believe (1) there are certain tools that when used correctly will lead you to success. (2) I know that God wants you to be successful, and finally (3) I want to show you that success leaves clues.

Many people are looking for success in the form of a magic pill or potion. I'm not claiming to be "the know it all" for everything, rather I am a man looking to help define the "A, B, C's of Success". To accomplish this, my first thought was to define words associated with success. For without definition we have no purpose. I believe the definition of the word based on English terminology is important, but we must also look at how the Bible defines success in relation to the word. For the Bible is inspired by God and is a book of wisdom from on high. I have also included several relevant stories that I believe will demonstrate the importance of the word in the journey towards success. As always, I will give you real life applications of the word; break it down and put it all back together. Each chapter will conclude with famous quotes that will wrap up the thoughts presented and help you to see how the word will lead you to success.

With that being said, let the journey toward success begin.

Ability

Definition:

1. the quality or state of being able
2. competence in doing, skill
3. natural aptitude or acquired proficiency

1 Peter 4:10 (AMP)As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].

The scripture lets us know that the gift is already ours. In this sense, our gift is our ability to do things with excellence and ease. Because our ability comes so naturally, often times we belittle the impact. It is common to us; therefore, we are unable to recognize the true greatness in our gift.

All throughout my adult life it always seemed that I would end up in front of an audience. People acknowledged my ability to communicate. But I would say, "I am just running my mouth," which I was, because I did not understand this was my gift.

What was easy to me was not easy to most. This was a key realization. I had to get to a point where I was able to acknowledge my ability; and in my ability, I would be able to define my future. Listen, family. Your ability will define your future.

In today's society we have so much technology available in the palm of our hands. Whether you have an Apple or an Android, you most likely have the capability to use apps on your phone. In most cases, the phones are pre-loaded with some of the most popular apps.

During one visit to my father's house, my step-brother John came by while I was there. John and I were the closest in age of all the brothers and sisters in this "Brady Bunch". John had finally fulfilled his childhood dream and become a pilot. During this particular visit, John pulled out his iPad and was showing me all of the airports and landing patterns that he had traveled. I was amazed as I looked at his iPad; it was full of apps. He had at least four screens of applications. He had a 16 GB iPad that was full of information and I had a 64 GB that was barely used. His iPad was so full that he even had an app for extra storage. Looking at his iPad I felt incomplete, for I have never gotten off the first page with mine. I basically use my iPad as a teaching tool. After seeing my brother's iPad (which has less storage), be utilized for more, I started to question whether it was my iPad's fault for lack of utilization or mine? I came to an obvious conclusion. My iPad had tremendous ability that I could access, if I just utilized the apps. The apps have the potential to increase my ability as a teacher, just as John has used them to increase his ability as a pilot.

There is an ancient proverb "familiarity breeds contempt". When things become common we no longer pay them the proper respect. I believe Jesus said it best in Luke 4:24 (NLT); "But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown."

We all need someone in our circle that will recognize our ability when we are unable to see the gift that God has given. Your ability is your God given gift; once it is identified, you will find your wealthy place. Common things will lead to a common life. Don't despise your ability; embrace it. For in your ability, you will determine what sets you apart from others; what makes you unique; your purpose.

"There are two great days in a person's life- the day we are born and the day we discover why." William Barclay

We all have God-given abilities. The challenge of life is identifying the ability that can be used for its greatest good for the betterment of society.

"If you focus on making a difference, the dollars will follow. If you focus on making a dollar, you won't make a difference and you won't make many dollars." Tye Maner

We have all been in a situation where we needed to make a call but our cell phone battery had run out of power. This is a classic example of having the ability, but not having the power. God has endowed us with the ability and the power to perform.

Philippians 2:13 (AMP)[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

We were created on purpose by God to serve a purpose. We must live in our ability and place no limits on our potential. If we don't put a limit on God, God won't put a limit on us. We are the biggest obstacle in our journey to success.

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength

I repeat, if you don't put a limit on God, God will not put a limit on you.

Many people never use the applications on their devices to their maximum potential. The device has the ability to provide resources at the tips of our fingers. But, it is our decision to utilize the device to its greatest capability. I want you to know that God has given you millions of apps. You were born with them, and it's up to you to use them.

Belief

Definition:

1. a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing
2. conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence

John 20:24-28 (AMP)But Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples kept telling him, We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, Unless I see in His hands the marks made by the nails and put my finger into the nail prints, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe [it]. Eight days later His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though they were behind closed doors, and stood among them and said, Peace to you! Then He said to Thomas, Reach out your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place [it] in My side. Do not be faithless and incredulous, but [stop your unbelief and] believe! Thomas answered Him, My Lord and my God!

Isn't it amazing that even though Thomas walked with Jesus and witnessed Jesus perform many miracles he chose not to believe? We must be very careful when it comes to belief. God will meet you on your level of belief and you will live on the level in which you believe.

Question: How are you living? For the way that you are living is in direct proportion to your believing.

Each of us has a belief system that has been established as a result of life experiences. It is critical that we evaluate our belief system to confirm that it matches the path we have envisioned in our mind. If the desired path is not positive, bold, and courageous; it is likely that the level of your belief is low. Remember, God will meet you at the level of your belief, therefore if you have minimal belief the likelihood of finding success on that path drops substantially.

There is an old African story that says, "If you take a baby elephant, place a chain around one of its back legs, hook the chain to a stake, and then drive that stake into the ground to restrain the baby elephant until it's big enough to fend for itself, then when the caretaker removes both the stake and the chain from the elephant's back leg, the elephant will not venture out beyond the length of the chain that once restrained him. The story goes on to say that the elephant has been conditioned to accept residency in a mental prison given to him by his caretaker."

They say elephants have great memories and never forget anything. This chained elephant allowed his past chains to paralyze his future dreams. I wonder how many of us have allowed past failure to limit future dreams.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't-- you're right." Henry Ford

Matthew 8:13 (AMP)Then to the centurion Jesus said, Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed. And the servant boy was restored to health at that very moment.

Jesus again makes it plain that our belief system will manifest the things we desire when asked with pure motives. We will move in the direction of our most dominate thought. So, make sure you are focusing your thoughts in the right direction. We can interpret the verse; "it shall be done for you as you have believed" to mean; we must believe it is so, when it is not so; in order for it to be so.

I repeat; we must believe it is so, when it is not so, in order for it to be so.

Long ago, there was a battle about to take place. One of the generals was talking about tactics with his team of officers. An officer interrupted him and explained that he thought that the strategy was a waste of time. "The gods have already decided who will win." he proclaimed. "Are you suggesting that fate has decided the result in advance?" the general asked. "Yes, I am." the officer responded. The general took a coin out of his pocket and said, "So if I toss this coin and it comes up heads, we win, but if it's tails we lose. Is that how fate works?" "Pretty much." said the officer. The general tossed the coin and it came up heads. "See, the gods have decided. We can't lose now!" They went to their troops with the good news and the soldiers marched into battle with renewed enthusiasm. After a glorious victory, the officers met in the general's tent to celebrate. "Do you believe in fate now?" the general was asked. The leader smiled, reached into his pocket and pulled out the coin to show to the others. It was heads on both sides. "No, I don't believe in fate, just the value of self -belief. When the soldiers thought that we couldn't lose, I knew that we couldn't lose."

I share this adapted story with you today to encourage you to believe in yourself, to have confidence in your abilities and to launch yourself into the fray with energy and enthusiasm. If you do, great victories will be won.

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Michelangelo

Family, let's aim high. Let your belief in God's abilities help you to soar to heights you could never achieve on your own.