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A great Leader encourages and empowers others

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“A boss creates fear, a leader confidence. A boss fixes blame, a leader corrects mistakes. A boss knows all, a leader asks questions. A boss makes work drudgery, a leader makes it interesting. A boss is interested in himself or herself, a leader is interested in the group.” — Russell H. Ewing

“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” — Marianne Williamson

“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” — Bill Gate

“Coaching isn’t an addition to a leader’s job, it’s an integral part of it.” — George S. Odiorne

“I have yet to find the man, however, exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.” — Charles M. Schwab

“If you are going to help people reach their potential, they need to be recognized and rewarded. Everyone needs that.” — Jacqueline Norcel

“If you wish a general to be beaten, send him a team full of instructions; if you wish him to succeed, give him a destination, and bid him conquer.” — Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare

“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” — George Patton

“No general can fight his battles alone. He must depend upon his lieutenants, and his success depends upon his ability to select the right man for the right place.” — Philip Armour

“Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise. They’re absolutely free and worth a fortune.” — Sam Walton

“People change when they hurt enough that they have to, learn enough that they want to, or receive enough that they are able to.” – John Maxwell

“Talented performers flock to the best and brightest leaders, and these leaders, in turn, lift the lids off their people and uncork the latent talent inside of them.” – John Maxwell

“The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” — Theodore Roosevelt

“The people who are lifting the world onward and upward are those who encourage more than they criticize.” — Elizabeth Harrison

“The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already.” — John Buchan

“The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.” — Charles Schwab

“There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being to help someone succeed.” — Alan Loy McGinnis

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly, and they will show themselves great.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Resource: Leadership Quotes

Rivers of Living Waters

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In May of 1989 my family and I woke up to the sound of mortar blasts, and rocket launchers in our back yard. It was a great spot for the government soldiers because of the cliff overlooking the other side of the city, where rebel soldiers occupied.

When we left our home that day, we came across many displaced people who had been without food and water for many weeks. The fighting was intense and life as we knew it, came to a stop.

We had no idea what life would look like the next few weeks with less food and no source of safe drinking water. By the time we hit the second week on the run, we began to realize how important water is.

Vital organs began to shut down because of dehydration. Skin began to get clammy. Coherent thoughts began to vanish. As we struggle to find safe drinking water, our mouths became dry; our heads ached and our Knees became weak. Sadly, many others fell by the roadside for lack of water.

There are a lot of people in our world dying spiritually, because they lack the life-giving Spirit, flowing in their hearts. Jesus gave an invitation to us in John chapter 7. He said, “if anyone is thirsty, let him come and drink.” It is an invitation heralded by prophets of old. Isaiah 55: 1 says, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.”

In the Bible, water is a very rich symbol. God himself is “the spring of living waters in Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13. The point here is, God alone can satisfy the soul of man. As he “draws water from the well of salvation,” he finds exceeding Joy. Isaiah 12:3

I love the way John connects the different references of water in his book and ties them to Jesus. In chapter 2, we find water turned into wine. In chapter 3, we find the water of the new birth. In chapter 4, we find the invitation to drink living waters. In chapter 5, we find the cleansing waters of Bethesda. In chapter 6, we find the calming of waters. Make no mistake, all these references speak of the fact that only Jesus is able to satisfy the hunger and thirst of a lost dying world.

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come and drink” is an invitation to those who understand the human condition. We are “poor in Spirit.” We are dry and weary; empty and heavy laden. Jesus offers to fill us up with eternal life, if we would simply “believe in Him.”

Will you come and drink? Jesus gives rivers of living water. Whoever drinks of this living water, the waters of His salvation, shall experience everlasting life. I pray that our response will be just like the woman at the well in John chapter 4. She said to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water that I thirst no more.”

Calvary Covers it all

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Whenever there is an accident, an illness or a disaster, the first thing that comes to mind is – “do I have insurance… do I have full coverage?” It is reassuring to know you are fully covered.

Jesus is not an insurance policy,  but He has provided full coverage for everything we can ever imagine, through His work on Calvary. Our past, present, and future is fully covered.

Take a look at these scriptures:

Colossians 2:14 AMP

Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross.

Romans 8:35-39 AMP

Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Hebrews 10:12-14 Bible (AMP)

Whereas this One [Christ], after He had offered a single sacrifice for our sins [that shall avail] for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, Then to wait until His enemies should be made a stool beneath His feet. For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.

Romans 8:1-4 (AMP)

Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (not guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [[a]the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [[b]subdued, overcame, [c]deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice], So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit].

Doxology

What else can I say, but

Praise to One who has ransomed my soul.

Praise to the One who covers my past, present and future sins.

Praise to the One who covers the multitude of my sins with His love.

Praise to the One who lavished me with His grace, calling me son

Praise to the One who justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies me.

Praise to the One who loves me with an everlasting love.

1 Timothy 1:17-2 (AMP)

Now to the King of eternity, incorruptible and immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever (to the ages of ages). Amen (so be it).

To Tweet or not to Tweet

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If you have not yet asked yourself why you have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts or why you are on any other social media sites, chances are, you have them or are on them, for all the wrong reasons.

It is important for all of us to define the purpose for having or using social media, because if we don’t define it for ourselves, others will define it for us.

Like any good tool, social media can be misused and abuse depending on the one using it. Some use it for perverted purposes, others, for dubious purposes and still others use it to promote self.

It is not a secret, social media has brought out the narcissism in every one of us. Recently, an article in the Atlantic made some bold claims that “we’re in the middle of a raging narcissism epidemic.”

In the article, they cited a study showing that “among a group of 37,000 college students, narcissistic personality traits rose just as quickly as obesity from the 1980s to the present.”

Citing Elias Aboujaoude, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford, the article claims that in “virtual space many of the physical interactions that restrain behavior vanish. Delusions of grandeur, narcissism, viciousness, impulsivity, and infantile behavior for some people rise to the surface.”

When it comes to connecting with others on social media, I am most interested in connecting with people who use social media on purpose, not just because everyone else uses it any given reason.

Take a look at this first ever tweet of Rick Warren. I think it serves as a great model for venturing into the social media world:

You can see how he recognizes the potential danger of your entire online presence becoming all about you. But in this tweet, he also clearly defines his goal for jumping in.

I think we should define our intentions before jumping into social media. If we don’t, we might lose our way, waste our precious time and spend our days self promoting.

Good news is, it is never too late to reevaluate why you have an online presence and make necessary adjustments. Here is a short list of  first steps:

  • Define your purpose for an online presence from the get go
  • Decide which platform best suits your goals
  • Dedicate specific time for engaging
  • Determine to learn from others and grow in the process, instead of getting lost in frivolous activities
  • Delete other accounts that steal your time and divert your focus
  • Deliver transformational content
  • Don’t put yourself in a box. Enjoy it!

People all over the world all have different reasons for using social media: for some it’s just to connect with friends and meet new ones. For other, it’s a way to get their message out into the world. There is no one way or reason, just make sure that it is advancing your cause and not hindering your purpose or wasting your time.

Reconciliation: Two Worlds Collide

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The last few months have been a moving apart of many nations, cities, and Peoples. From the Middle East, to Eastern Europe, Parts of Africa, to Ferguson, conflict, strife and dissension seem to be pulling people and communities further apart. There is no telling of how this falling apart, affects families, Churches and relationships.

I am however hopeful, that just as a people fall apart, there will come a time of healing and reconciliation. This is the will of God; and Quite frankly, our world needs this desperately.

There is an account in Genesis chapters 24-33 that tell the story of two brothers. It is a story of love and hate; friendship and hostility. It is a story of a falling out. 20 years of grudge and separation. It is a very strong desire to revenge, as well as arrogance and un-repentance.

For the most part, it was 20 years of deception, mistrust, deceit, anger, bitterness and the misery of resisting God  Everything was great between them until one betrayed the other. As difficult and impossible as it seems. It took one bold act of surrender for God to break the curse of deceit and bitterness.

When we give up our pride and our grudge, we allow God to work miracles only He alone can. Each one of these men had to humbly surrender something to gain something far greater than they could ever have, holding on to their rights and wrongs.

For Jacob, it was the courage of accepting a new identity after deceitfully claiming to be someone he wasn’t for all these years. For Esau, it was the faith to accept that God still had a great plan for his life, even though he was rubbed of it once. But revenge was not the path to that destiny.

Today, I am hopeful about Ferguson, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Nigeria. I am hopeful not only about justice, but about reconciliation. I am hopeful for broken and divided churches, a society rocked by racism and families torn apart by strife and conflict. I am hopeful for reconciliation.

Let eat me leave you today with a prayer. Out of Psalm 85:10 we find this incredibly powerful verse. And my prayer is that it will start you on the journey toward reconciliation. Psalm 85:10 I pray, that on your journey toward reconciliation, “mercy and truth will meet together; righteousness and peace will kiss each other,” and everything stolen will be restored.

Pursue reconciliation and stay reconciled, everyone!

Unstoppable

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The weeks gone by have been unbelievably dark and discouraging. There were times I felt like the sky was literally falling. It brought memories of me driving through the fog heavily resting over San Francisco. The days, however are becoming  a little less gloomy. I can almost see Jesus clearing the dark clouds, one giant sweep at a time. I can also hear Him say, “you’ve come too far to give up now.”

Do you know how that makes me feel? I feel like the sky is the limit. I feel like I can do any thing. I feel unstoppable. In the words of Smokey Norful, I feel like:

“There is nothing that I can’t do, as long I have you. I can sail on the clouds, make a mountain lay down. I can breathe in the deep blue sea. I can ride on the star. I can make a storm stand still;  kick off my shoe and dance on the moon.” Smokie Norful

By the Lord’s help, I can run through a troop.

By Him I can leap over a wall.

He makes my feet like hinds’ feet – able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble.

He teaches my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

He has given me plenty of room for my steps under me, that my feet would not slip.

Now I have the courage, strength and skills to live life, reach my dreams and take down any obstacle in my way.

 Every valley shall be lifted and filled up; and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked  and uneven shall be made straight and level, and the rough places a plain.

I am not going to sit by and let anything rub me of my destiny. I am not going down without a fight. God has made me a conqueror. He has deposited too much in me to let it go to waste. Here I come! Everything that belongs to me, I’m taking back.

7 Wins for your Community

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Dear Church Family,

It is good to come to you today through the love and grace of Jesus our Lord.

Allow me to share a few words about what I believe God is doing and wants to do at TAG this fall.

The Lord has shown me at least 5 Areas in wish He wants to prosper us this fall I am calling this the 5 Wins of Fall.

  1. The church that prays together wins

  2. The church that suffers together wins

  3. The Church the forgives one another wins

  4. The Church that serves together wins

  5. The Church that Dreams together wins

  6. The church the unites wins

  7. The Church loves God and His people believer and unbelievers wins.

As your pastor, it is my duty to not only call the Church to action, but to lead the way, through example.

So I want to Repent and ask your forgiveness in areas I have failed to show good example and leadership.

I want to personally ask for your forgiveness if I have hurt or grieve you in any way in my ministry to you. You should know that my love for you is never failing.

I humbly ask for your help to carry on the mission God has given us for His Church.

I beg you to dream with us, believe with us and partner with us, so that we can all taste the victories He has in store for us.

Thank you!
Pastor Walter Bright

Places

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“It reaches to the highest mountain; it flows to the lowest valley – the  blood that gives me strength from to day it will never lose its power.”
-Andrae Crouch

Have you ever thought you were out of God’s reach? Have you ever felt like you are too far gone and God cannot reach you? Have you ever felt like you have drifted so far and there is no hope.

Well, I am here to tell you today, that you are never beyond God’s reach.

The blood of our Savior Jesus Christ reaches to the highest mountain and it flows to the lowest valley. He is able to save to the uttermost. Check this out:

Psalms 139:8-12 NLT
If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

So I encourage you to…

Apply His blood to your:
Secret Places
Crooked Places
Hidden Places

Apply the Blood to your
High Places
Sad Places
Shy Places

Apply the Blood to your
Lonely Places
Ugly Places
Forgotten Places

Apply the Blood to your
Dry Places
Desert Places
Bankrupt Places

Apply the Blood to your
Dark Places
Sinful Places
Demonic Places

Apply the Blood to
Places of confusion
Places of depression
Places of oppression

You are not out of His reach.

Playing with fire

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But God came to Abimelek in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is another man’s wife. Genesis 20:3

Diabolical Disturbing Trend
If this verse from Genesis chapter 20 does not put the fear of God in you, I don’t know what else would. There is something diabolically disturbing in desiring and wanting someone else’s spouse.

Maybe it is the diabolical deception or the lustful pleasure, or the two joined that takes away any kind of common sense or the fear of God, to prevent one from committing such a selfish and wicked sin.

We see it play out every day in the lives of the rich and famous, and the not so rich and famous. It’s portrayed in our favorite movies and TV Shows. Sadly, most of us have accepted it as a culture. And a lot of people don’t know, but by giving in to such sins, they expose themselves or give themselves over to death. It might not be a physical death, even though a jealous husband or wife might find pleasure in taking the law into their own hand, but most certainly a spiritual death.

Scriptures
Allow me to share a few scriptures here. Sometimes it is good to just read the raw truth of God’s word. We might just discover His heart about the matter.

Proverbs 6:32 ESV

He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.

Leviticus 20:10 ESV

“If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 22:22 ESV

“If a man is found lying with the wife of another man, both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman. So you shall purge the evil from Israel.

Forbidden Sex
As we can see from the above scriptures, the wages of sin is death. This sin will not go unpunished. But the free gift of God through Christ leads to forgiveness and eternal life. Unfortunately, not many seek forgiveness after falling into this horrible sin.

God is too gracious to leave you under a death sentence.

If you Reach out in humility, and with a truly repentant heart, you will find mercy.

Having said that, forbidden sex brings devastating consequences to you as an individual, to your family, and everyone else involved – even in this dispensation of grace.

Adultery destroys others, it destroys trusts, intimacy, self-esteem. It destroys Families, careers, destinies. Reputations, ruined forever by this great evil. Everyone involved is left with emotional and shameful pain.

Hint to the wise is quite sufficient!
When I was a kid, my mother used to tell me, “son, don’t mess around with fire, because it is going to burn you.” Messing around with somebody’s husband or wife is a fire you want to avoid – because it is going to burn you.

Is Anything too hard for God

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Is anything too hard for God? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son. Genesis 18:14

Abraham and his wife, as we know, had no children for a long time. They had longed to have children, But Sarah was barren.

In this chapter, they are old,  hopeless, a little bitter toward God. They had waited for a long time in prayer, but nothing yet had moved in their favor. Doubt and disappointment had set in! And instead of focusing on the greatness of God, they made their childless situation greater than God, by focusing on it.

It is in this context that the question God asked Abraham is truly understood.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?

The announcement of a somewhat miraculous conception for a woman in her old age was ridiculously laughable. So Sarah laughed.

I think, a follow-up question would have put things – a little more in perspective for them: Is anything too hard for God? Haven’t you heard –

  • That He makes things out of nothing and calls things that are not as though they are?
  • That they that know their God , they shall do exploits?
  • That when he opens a door no one can close it. And when he closes a door no one can open it?
  • How He raised up A DELIVERER in the Pharaoh’s house?
  • That the walls of Jericho fell with a shout?
  • That through Him some conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, except the edge of the sword, we’re made strong in weakness, opened barren wombs, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight, and received their dead back by resurrection?

Is there anything too hard for God? Have you not heard of His fame and glorious power? Have you never seen Him in action:

  • The heaven melts like wax before Him
  • Demons tremble at the mention of His name
  • If he is for us who can be against us?
  • Those who wait upon Him renews their strength
  • He makes a way where there seems to be no way
  • He will do what he said he will do
  • He sets the lonely in families
  • And opens the womb of the barren so that they bear children

Sometime God goes the extra mile to raise the faith level of those lacking in faith.

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself. Hebrews 6:13

God desires to show more convincingly the unchangeable character of his purpose. For this reason, he guarantees His promise with an oath. So that by two unchangeable things, in which lit is impossible for God, we may find confidence in His promises.

Your situation may look humanly impossible today, but with God, nothing is impossible. So hold on to those promises, because He who spoke them is faithful and more than able to do what He said He will do.