All posts tagged: character

Jabez, a man of ‘weight’

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I hear your voice, I hear it piercing through the night. I feel your heart, I feel the beating of your heart. It was a whisper. But it got louder. Now, it’s clearer. You said, ‘Come away to my secret place I want to spend some time with you. Come away to my dwelling place I want to pour my love on you.’ Walter Bright 1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Exactly 10 years ago, today, I bumped into a missionary at the San Francisco Airport. He had just arrived back to the States from his first two years of work in various parts of West Africa. He was excited to find out that I was born and raised in that part of the world. So, we sat down for a little chat about his travels and ministry. After reminiscing for about an hour, he said these words to me. “I have profound respect for African Pastors. …

10 Reasons we fail to come into our true Greatness

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Time Magazine got it wrong when they put T.D. Jakes’ picture on the cover of their September 17th 2001 magazine with the question – “Is this the next Billy Graham?” Our culture is always on the hunt for the next big thing. But that idea falls short of the glory of God. Why can’t both preachers be great in and of and by themselves? In this third part of their ‘America’s Best Series’, the magazine failed to rise above the age long temptation to define greatness in terms of position, power, prominence and possession. Even Jesus’ disciples stumbled over this same temptation when they “argued with one another about who was the greatest.” The desire to be better than or above everyone else is born in a sinful, broken and bankrupt place of an arrogant heart. A lot of people tend to think that this is an American problem. But this is not an American problem, it is a sin problem. Pride is a disease. And the gospel, in all its simplicity and power, is …

WWJD with Difficult People?

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My first attempt at a title for this post was, “7 types of people I really don’t like.” I know! I know I should love people unconditionally. I know I should go the extra mile. I know I need to be like Jesus, but I fall short so many times  in my love and patience for difficult people. How many can handle a church member who’s always giving you a dirty look, a sarcastic remark or a backhanded compliment. Frankly, only those who know difficult people can really understand what I am talking about. This is the kind of people I want to talk about in this post. I will briefly mention 7 character flaws of people, and frame them as highly difficult to live or work with. Having said that, I hope to encourage all of us to strive and commit to growing into the likeness and character of Jesus. This, I believe, is the first key to  dealing with difficult people. The second is to become cognizant of the fact that these people are – family members, co-workers, …

Bitter Free

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How do you react to grumbling and criticisms? Do you react in the same negative spirit? Do you feel the need for revenge and payback? I personally think it is a test of character when others slander and are judgmental of us. Character is not only how we act but how we react to people who hurt us – especially those we call brothers and sisters in Christ. I have been in situations in my life and ministry when I literally felt my heart descend into a dark and bitter place because of how others treated me. But The Lord has taught me and has given me tools to keep me from bitterness. I tweeted about this sometime ago: “I will not sin against God by ceasing to pray for you." 1 Sam. 12:23. Give me thick skin and a soft heart toward mean spirited church folk — Walter Bright (@WaltBright) May 9, 2014 So what’s up with this verse? How can this verse help deal with the hurt and pain that come from the people we  love and gladly serve. In …

5 Things that get a great leader snubbed

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I often ask myself why some of the smartest people in the world are not the ones calling the shots or running the show? Why is it that some people with great ideas and awesome resume don’t get their projects and ideas approved or get that promotion based on their smarts. Why do they get smack down or shuffled off into other departments in a company or just get completely ignored? Being smart and full of good ideas are not the only things that get you noticed and keeps you productive and ahead of your peers. Character is the most important trait you could ever possess. It is rather unfortunate that most smart people get smacked down or get ignored, but it is a reality. From my observation, there are five crucial reasons: Arrogance, Ego, Insincerity, and Over-selling of self and Insubordination. Let’s unpack these: Arrogance Unfortunately most arrogant driven people don’t even realize it. They don”t even have to say a word, because their attitude speaks louder. They are snobbish, and love making others …

two unchangeable things about God

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So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. Hebrews 6:18 How certain are the promises of God? The writer of the book of Hebrews claims that the certainty of God’s promises are guaranteed by God’s own perfectly trustworthy character. To illustrate this and prove the certainty of God’s promises, the writer uses Abraham as an example of one who through faith and much patience inherited the promises of God. As if that illustration was not enough, the writer makes a bold statement about two unchangeable things about God. What are they? And how important are they? The two unchangeable things are: God’s promise/purpose God’s Oath one deals with the fact that all the promises of God are yes! and the other is more like an assurance that he will certainly deliver on what he promised. Hebrews 6:13 says, “For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had …

15 Invaluable Laws to reaching your Potential

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The Law of Intentionality: Growth Doesn’t Just Happen The Law of Awareness: You Must Know Yourself to Grow Yourself The Law of the Mirror: You Must See Value in Yourself to Add Value to Yourself The Law of Reflection: Learning to Pause Allows Growth to Catch Up with You The Law of Consistency: Motivation Gets You Going–Discipline Keeps You Growing The Law of Environment: Growth Thrives in Conducive Surroundings The Law of Design: To Maximize Growth, Develop Strategies The Law of Pain: Good Management of Bad Experiences Leads to Great Growth The Law of the Ladder: Character Growth Determines the Height of Your Personal Growth The Law of the Rubber Band: Growth Stops When You Lose the Tension Between Where You Are and Where You Could Be The Law of Trade-Offs: You Have to Give Up to Grow Up The Law of Curiosity: Growth Is Stimulated By Asking Why? The Law of Modeling: It’s Hard to Improve When You Have No One But Yourself to Follow This is my personal favorite. The Law of Expansion: …

Code of Ethics for Pastor

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We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. (2 Corinthians 6:3) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (Philippians 1:27) All who are called by God to the ministry of the gospel solemnly commit to a life of joyful obedience and selfless service in order to glorify God and enrich his people. Therefore, a minister will: Pursue Integrity I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. (1 Chronicles 29:17) • in personal character. Exalt Christ, not self. Be honest, not exaggerating or overpromising; peace-loving, not contentious; patient, not volatile; diligent, not slothful. Avoid and, when necessary, report conflicts of interest and seek counsel. • in personal care. Care for the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical dimensions of your person, for “your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). • in preaching and teaching. Interpret the Bible accurately and apply it discerningly: …