 In 2016, I was laid off from my college teaching position because the school didn’t have enough students enrolled for the following semester, at least not for my class. This was a huge hit to me, because I was initially “promised” a full-time teaching position when I was hired. But circumstances made that impossible. This layoff hurt me a little more than a previous one, because I had just moved my daughter and I to Elk Grove, CA, far away from family and friends. My first inclination was to panic and run back home with my tail between my legs. But I made the decision to stay, because I strongly believed God had brought me to that area for a reason. At that time, I told myself (and the Lord) that I was ready to commit to my work of ministry full-time. I promised Him as long as He took care of me and Aaliyah, I would do His work and I would complete it in a spirit of excellence. And so I did. Now, at the time, I did what many new Thought Leaders and Ministers do. I assumed because I said “Yes” to the call, then I would automatically receive financial blessings to make this journey easier. But that didn’t happen. What I soon learned in 2016 was I needed preparation for this great work, just in the same manner I had to prepare to become a teacher. And that’s when my spiritual and practical training in building an online business, virtual ministry, and political platform began. Fast forward today, I can see just how much I have grown in wisdom and knowledge. I can see the evidence of that direct training, and now this work reaches millions of people online. And it’s still growing. When the Lord came to me and made this request, He gave me the vision for it and promised to reward me heftily for my service. That promise was too great to ignore. But in order to see it come to pass, I had to sow diligently into my virtual platform. That included constructing effective content (blog posts, social media posts, videos) that ministered directly to my audience, even when no one knew who I was. Now, in the beginning, nothing happened for me. I started building my virtual ministry by engaging more on Facebook. On my personal page, I talked about book publishing, knowing the Holy Spirit, and empowering women. I also started a virtual Bible study with my small audience, even when I had no clear idea as to how it would be received. My virtual discussions took off when I shared my conservative political views. And that one area lit a fire in my virtual presence, because since then, my following has grown quickly. As I continued to do what I felt led by the Spirit to do, I didn’t witness a massive financial harvest. Yes, the Lord helped me meet my basic needs and some of my desires, but it wasn’t to the extent that He showed me in the vision back in 2016-2017. And because the money was not flowing as much as I thought it should, I often contemplated abandoning the mission. Each time those thoughts entered my mind, I noticed my productivity level decreasing. And when that happened, I noticed how unfulfilled I felt, not to mention my ministry began to slack off. I simply didn’t like that feeling. So, I put a guard around my mind, I reflected on the promise God made to me in exchange for doing His work, and then I resumed the mission. One of the main lessons the Lord taught me during this phase was the Law of Sowing and Reaping. Philosophers will also refer to this principle as the Law of Compensation, to which I will describe later. And it was this very lesson that helped me realize why long-term planning and persistent efforts will have far greater rewards in the future…if I faint not. In this lesson, I want to teach you about the importance of long-term planning. More specifically, this lesson will expound upon:
So, grab your note pad and pen, and let’s get into this teaching. The Law of Compensation Works in EVERY Situation, Whether Good or BadNapoleon Hill best describes this concept as “The Law of Increasing Returns.” It is the belief that what you put into a work at the beginning will “yield returns in excess of and out of proportion to the effort put forth” (The Law of Success, page 317, Kindle Version). Jesus described this natural law when He taught, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38 NIV). Both teachings point to God’s way of increase. And this principle applies to each of us, whether we sow good things or bad. Paul addressed this same natural law when he said, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). In each lesson, our spiritual leaders and modern philosophers showed us how to thrive in this earthly world. It’s through the effective use of the laws of nature -- the laws established by God -- that guarantee our success. And it’s what we do in the beginning stages of building our platforms that will determine our harvest. Most people are looking for fast results, quick turnarounds, and instant fame. They don’t understand that the laws of nature forbid such a thing, because time is what’s needed to create a harvest. Consider the farmer and his work. When he sows the seeds, he must first complete preliminary work just to make the soil ready. Once he plants the seed, he must ensure it receives enough water and sun light. There is work the farmer must complete; and once he has done that, he trusts nature to take over the process. In the beginning, God set these natural laws in motion, laws which man has yet to fully comprehend. But you and I need not worry about the details of how nature brings things together. Our job is to do our part and to do it well. And when we accomplish the work in the beginning, we will see a great return in the future. That’s what the Law of Increasing Returns means, and this law is applicable to us as Thought Leaders. Had I chosen to quit my virtual platform in early 2017 because I didn’t see that large harvest initially, I would not be where I am today. Yes, the labor was intense. Yes, I felt too tired at times to invest in the work. But the promise of God kept me focused. What I’m experiencing now is just a fraction of what’s to come. And I am confident, if I continue on this path, I will receive (physically) the rewards He laid out for me. This principle applies to you, too, Beloved. Three Feet from GoldIn one of Napoleon Hill’s many books, he describes this story of a man who made some fortune from gold hunting. When he first began digging, he didn’t find much. But the more he hunted, he soon discovered a large amount of gold. So, he continued to dig and dig and dig… …until his digging reached the end. He hit a spot where he could no longer see any traces of gold. Rather than wasting more of his time and resources, he took his wealth, sold the machinery he used, and went back home. Before doing this, he managed to sell the property to someone else, believing there was no more use for it. The new owner, recognizing the land still had potential, decided to hire an engineer who could explain why the traces of gold stopped at that particular spot. The expert advised the new owner to dig just a few feet in another direction. And guess what? Just three feet away from where the previous owner had stopped, the new owner discovered far more gold. He went on to become a very wealthy man. And the previous owner—the one who stopped three feet short of more gold—regretted quitting too soon. It was a huge lesson for both owners, but none more than the first gold hunter. From that story, he learned to never stop pursuing what he believed would bring him success. And although he ceased in making a fortune with gold, he took that lesson and applied it to another field, which eventually made him rich. This story is certainly applicable to us as leaders. There are times when we are working on our online platforms, and things are going well. We are selling books. We are booking speaking engagements. We are ministering to people online and offline. We are seeing “gold nuggets” along the journey. And then all of sudden, nothing happens. It’s as if no one wants to book us anymore or there is this shortage in book sales. And then suddenly, we question if this mission is even worth the sacrifice. My experience is no different. There were moments on this journey when a flood of clients wanted to work with me. They loved my teaching and training, and were ready to pay whatever fee I charged. But then there were times when I couldn’t find a client, even if I offered my services at a discounted rate. It was like the stream of gold had ceased, and I questioned if I should quit this venture to explore other options. But it’s something about that story that made me believe I was just “3 feet from gold.” And this encouraged me to press forward as I hope it encourages you. Keep Your Eyes on the Promise and Endure the HardshipsNobody said the road to success would be easy. And for those people who do say that, they are lying to themselves. There is a process by which we each obtain the object of our desires. And this process is established by God. Everything firstly begins with a thought or idea. That thought is then fueled by a burning desire. That burning desire translates into actionable plans. And when those plans are executed with persistence and diligence, the idea manifests in the natural. As a new Thought Leader and author, you have an idea of what you want to do with your platform. Your work will not look like mine, as it shouldn’t. God has given you something unique. And you must give careful attention to that vision. Understand, when it comes to building your platform, you will need to sow before you reap. You need to sow time, energy, and finances, particularly in the area of training and development. You need to keep your long-term plans in mind so you don’t become weary in well-doing. My purpose is to prepare you for this work long-term. I don’t want you to simply put a book out there and then have the world forget you. I want you to walk in the fullness of your calling so you reach the people God has waiting for you. So, keep your eyes focused on that promise. Learn to endure the hardships that come with labor. Discipline yourself so you increase in wisdom and knowledge. Every adversity will make you stronger, if you will take those lessons and use them to your advantage. God’s ways are not here to destroy us. They are here to make us ready and fit for the great promise. So, as you continue to work on your platform, always remember, what you put forth today will yield a return later. Your ability to plan for long-term success will impact your productivity each day. In Conclusion ...Thought leadership is a powerful method for elevating your platform and bringing your message to millions of people nationwide. But to be most effective, you will need proper training from an expert coach who has delivered the kind of results you desire. Beloved, in this new era, I want to teach you how to tap into your God-given abilities so you thrive as one of His leaders in the earth. Whether your vision focuses on the social, political, or economic spheres, you can fulfill God's calling on your life when you have the right spiritual and practical training to make it a reality. Today, I invite you to join our growing rank of leaders who are learning to do things God's way so we get His results. Your training is crucial to this development, and at The Felecia Killings Foundation, we've crafted a dynamic leadership program and event just for you. Register for Our Bi-Annual CCM Leadership Convention | Build Your Thought Leadership in the Social, Political, or Economic Sphere  Join Coach Felecia Killings and her guest speakers for our annual 3-day event hosted in Atlanta, GA.
Sponsored by The Felecia Killings Foundation, The CCM Leadership Convention will help rising leaders like you establish powerful thought leadership in the social, political, and economic spheres. During our intensive training, you will learn key principles that will help you bring your ideas to the national forefront. Event topics include:
Don't miss this exciting time to receive our in-person training. Our Convention Schedule Day 1 — Establishing Powerful Thought Leadership in the Social, Political, or Economic Spheres
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