Summary: You can not be promoted until you learn the first rule of success.

Someone said,"The first rule for success is to show up."

Many people want the Lord to promote them in the things of God and to be honest it would work toward our favor however many lack the determination to follow through in achieving their God ordained destiny.Regardless of what others do you can not afford to let your circumstances or what people speak or think effect where you are going.Anytime I hear individuals talking about promotion I have learned to always question that persons spiritual relationship not only with God but also with their leader.It has often been said that you can’t lead if you can’t follow.When you show up you are building character.I would never follow anyone who does something half heartedly.When I served under my Pastor I often questioned myself as to whether or not I was giving my all in the task that God had assigned when my my Pastor asked me to do something seeing that he did it wholehearted was only an example for me to follow.I was following him as he was following Christ.Motivational speaker Joe Girard said," The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs...one step at a time." There is no quick way to any promotion or success.I was promoted to minister because I showed up,I was promoted to Elder because I showed up,I was promoted to Pastor because I showed up,I was promoted to Bishop because I showed up.Not only that but I had the determination that I was going to achieve my goal no matter what people said or thought.

Here are some scriptures that helped me to stay humble:

I had to read my word in order to relate with my leader:

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.Joshua 1:8

Success defined in the Hebrew means to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper.

When there was something I didn’t understand I asked my leader:

Proverbs 4:7 say’s Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

When my Pastor told me to do something I did it with no questions asked:

Hebrews 13:17 say’s Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

1 Samuel 15:22 say’s Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.

1 Timothy 5:1,2 say’s Rebuke Not an elder,but entret him as a father;and the younger men as brethren;The elder women as mothers;the younger as sisters,with all purity.

When it came to my recieving my Pastor:

Philippians 2:29 say’s Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold (honor) such in reputation.

1 Corinthians 16:18 say’s For they fefresh your spirit;therefore acknowledge them that are such.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 say’s Know them that labour among you,and are over you in the Lord,and admonish you.

1 Timothy 5:17,18 say’s Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.For the scripture saith,Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.And,The labourer is worhty of his reward.

When it came to supporting my Pastor financially:

1 Corinthians 9:7-14 say’s Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Galatians 6:6-10 say’s Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

I end with this,"Whatever you sow that is what you are going to reap"

"Even So Come Lord Jesus"