Top 7 Bible Verses About Blessings
July 11, 2014 by Jack Wellman 1 Comment
We are blessed by God in so many ways. What are some of the top Bible verses on blessings? What is your favorite?
Blessings from God
All good things come from God and so when we receive blessings why shouldn’t we thank Him for them? In the Bible we can find the word “blessings” over seven thousand times so it is hard to decide which seven Bible verses about blessings are my favorites. Here are those Bible verses on blessings which stand out to me.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
This is one of the most favorite blessing verses in all the Bible and one that some of the orthodox Jews still use today. The Hebrew word for bless is “barak” and it means to kneel, to be blessed, or to cause to kneel.” I find that interesting because when the patriarchs blessed their children the children always knelt before the patriarch so to be blessed is to kneel and today if we bend the knee and humble ourselves before the Lord He will bless us. If the Lord shines His face upon you and is gracious to you, that is a blessing. When Moses caught a glimpse of God the Lord caused Moses’ face to shine from the Shekinah glory of God. He made Moses’ face shine when “the Lord [turned] his face toward [him] and God was certainly gracious to Moses as He still is to His own children today.
Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”
This seems to be contrary to the ways of man. How can a person be blessed when they are reviled, when they are persecuted, and when the say all kinds of evil things against you which are false? Here is how. You are blessed for being persecuted, reviled, and lied about when it is “for [Jesus’] sake.” How is it possible to be blessed for being hated? It is because they also persecuted Jesus and the prophets and that puts you in excellent company. The Greek word for blessed is “makarios” which means to be made happy. Here is why I can say that. When Peter and the apostles were beaten for preaching the gospel, did they go and ask the church to pray for them? Did they ask the Lord to stop their beatings and persecution? No, “they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). These men were reviled, persecuted, and beaten and yet they rejoiced…because they were blessed! They were very happy about it because they were “considered worthy to suffer shame for [Jesus’] sake.” Persecution and joy actually go together or at least they should.
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Once more we see blessings are the results of something we might not associate with them…trials. The man or woman who perseveres or endures under trials…whether they are persecutions, name calling, gossip or lies, or bodily sufferings, when they stand the test (persevere) they “will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” We tend to think of blessings only in the form of money, home, family, friends, and other such tangible things but trials is not one of those things we normally associated with blessings but blessings they are even though our rewards will not fully come in this life.
Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”
Here the word bless is used three times…which emphasizes the importance of them. Of course God the Father is our blessed God and He has blessed us in Christ and these blessings include “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” What does Paul mean by writing that we are blessed “in the heavenly places?” That is because we can “rejoice that [our] names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20), our “hope [is] stored up for [us] in heaven” (Col 1:5) and we have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for [us]” (1 Pet 1:4). Our names, our hope and our inheritance and “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” await us. Now aren’t these things awesome blessings to ponder?
Deuteronomy 7:13 “He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.”
This may be one of the greatest blessings found in the Bible but it is only for those who are obedient to God, and even though this was written to Israel, since God is no respecter of persons, He would most certainly bless those nations and peoples who are striving to obey God and live a righteous life. This blessing is conditional and it is only “If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them” (Duet 7:12). Even though we are not saved by the law Jesus said that “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23).
Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Here God actually wants us to test us and then to bless us if we have faith in Him. If we give back to God a portion of what is already His He says to us “see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” God’s desire is to bless us but we must have the faith to give before these blessings can be poured out through “the floodgates of heaven and pour [them] out” on us, then there will be “so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” That’s a good problem to have. The “floodgates of heaven” is a great image of just how much God can poor out because floodgates are like the wall of a great dam and when they are opened, there is a flood of blessings that can come in such measure that we won’t even have “room enough to store it!”
Second Corinthians 2:8-9 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
Paul was writing to the Corinthians about generous giving and ensuring the church that God is more than “able to bless [them] abundantly” and so much “so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” That about covers it doesn’t it? What more could a person need? Paul ties in giving to the person who “freely scattered their gifts to the poor” being blessed and the result is that “their righteousness [endures] forever.”
Conclusion
If the Lord God has saved you, then you are blessed above most of those who live on the earth. If you are not saved then you only have the curse of judgment to come (Rev 20:11-15) and this curse cannot be reversed. If today you will repent and trust in Christ as your Savior, your blessings will be awaiting you in heaven because they will be reserved for you there (Eph 1:3) and what greater blessing is there in all the universe than to have eternal life in Christ?
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Thursday, December 17, 2015
THE SON
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."
The young man held out his package.
"I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the portrait.
"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this portrait of the son. Who will bid for this painting?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the painting of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel.
"I'm sorry, the auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."
The young man held out his package.
"I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the portrait.
"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this portrait of the son. Who will bid for this painting?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the painting of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel.
"I'm sorry, the auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"
THE SON
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."
The young man held out his package.
"I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the portrait.
"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this portrait of the son. Who will bid for this painting?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the painting of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel.
"I'm sorry, the auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."
The young man held out his package.
"I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the portrait.
"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this portrait of the son. Who will bid for this painting?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the painting of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel.
"I'm sorry, the auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"
Thursday, November 19, 2015
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IS A JOURNEY
Personal Development is a Journey
Personal development is like a journey: You have a destination that you desire to reach, but you can only reach this destination when you are willing to invest time and work during this journey.
This site does not provide "get rich quick" solutions and cannot present you the magic bullet that solves all your problems within no time and allows you to accomplish everything you desire without any effort at all. This site, however, is figuratively your means of transport that accompanies you on your journey and helps you wherever possible.
The Planet of Success website is conceived to be your inspiration and motivation during your journey and will be your assistant to make the best out of your life and live life to the fullest. You can learn here to discover your full potential, find the purpose of your life, start living life more conscious and learn how to face your fears.
Personal development is like a journey: You have a destination that you desire to reach, but you can only reach this destination when you are willing to invest time and work during this journey.
This site does not provide "get rich quick" solutions and cannot present you the magic bullet that solves all your problems within no time and allows you to accomplish everything you desire without any effort at all. This site, however, is figuratively your means of transport that accompanies you on your journey and helps you wherever possible.
The Planet of Success website is conceived to be your inspiration and motivation during your journey and will be your assistant to make the best out of your life and live life to the fullest. You can learn here to discover your full potential, find the purpose of your life, start living life more conscious and learn how to face your fears.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Friday, December 3, 2010
HOW TO RECOVER FROM A SETBACK
How to Recover from a Setback
You can’t beat yourself up over this. There was no way to foresee it. Anyone could have made the same mistake. There are a dozen ways to say it, but no matter how you spin it, suffering a temporary setback is a momentum killer—if you let it. Here are three tips for getting back in the saddle after a deflating setback.
Step One: Pout or Punch. Do What You Have to Do to Feel Better.
Allow yourself to be an utter mess, SUCCESS columnist Mel Robbins says. “I gripe. I cry. I feel insecure. I punch the wall. I exercise. Then, it’s out of my system and it’s over,” she says.
Take the time you need to process what happened. Whether it’s life-altering like a layoff or an unforeseen obstacle in a big project, it’s okay. Really. Accepting the setback is an important step toward moving forward. It’s one more thing you can put in the “I know not to do that next time” column.
Step Two: You’ve Got to Move It (Move It)
Pardon the maddening tune, but the next step to recovery is taking action. Any action. Write down your proudest accomplishments and remember how you achieved them. Journaling your accomplishments will help you realize how powerful you really are. Recognizing your power, you can move forward confidently without second-guessing your every step.
Step Three: What’s the Takeaway?
From every misstep, there’s a lesson learned or a key takeaway that you can apply to your next project. So think on two levels—literally and figuratively. What’s the literal lesson from what happened and what larger, overarching principle can be taken from this experience? View your challenges positively. Easier said than done, but just thinking to yourself, “Okay, it can only get better now” is the kind of positive affirmation you need.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
STRENGTHEN YOUR BRAIN MUSCLES
Strengthen Your Brain Muscles
Just like your body, you can improve your mental fitness with these simple exercises.
Take a deep breath. Breathing is the only bodily function that we do both voluntarily and involuntarily. Inhale and exhale deeply to improve your physiological and psychological well-being.
Tell a good story. Sharing experiences in a compelling and fun way sharpens your mental recall.
Mix up your routine. Take a different route to work, or sit with your legs crossed opposite the way you normally would. Changing your typical way of doing things tells your brain to wake up and pay attention.
Write. Writing notes, poetry, stories or in a journal helps your memory, clarifies your thinking and engages your creativity.
Laugh. Endorphins released when you laugh lower your stress and can help your long-term health.
Perfect your posture. Try solving a problem while slouching down at your desk versus sitting upright and see how it impacts your outcome. Proper posture improves blood flow to your brain bringing mental clarity and improved memory.
Just like your body, you can improve your mental fitness with these simple exercises.
Take a deep breath. Breathing is the only bodily function that we do both voluntarily and involuntarily. Inhale and exhale deeply to improve your physiological and psychological well-being.
Tell a good story. Sharing experiences in a compelling and fun way sharpens your mental recall.
Mix up your routine. Take a different route to work, or sit with your legs crossed opposite the way you normally would. Changing your typical way of doing things tells your brain to wake up and pay attention.
Write. Writing notes, poetry, stories or in a journal helps your memory, clarifies your thinking and engages your creativity.
Laugh. Endorphins released when you laugh lower your stress and can help your long-term health.
Perfect your posture. Try solving a problem while slouching down at your desk versus sitting upright and see how it impacts your outcome. Proper posture improves blood flow to your brain bringing mental clarity and improved memory.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
300 WANTED
The outcome of the upcoming elections has never been so unpredictable. For the first election in a long time, I’m not only excited to vote, I’m enthusiastic about motivating people to participate and be involved. I don’t know if you know, but there is a window of opportunity in 2011 to begin to birth the Nigeria of our dreams. Almost 3yrs ago, the New Nigeria Club was born, and the aspiration in our hearts was and still is that we will be involved in the birthing of a New Nigeria. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am glad to announce to you that the time is here! The year 2011 will go down in Nigeria’s history as the year of the voter!
The good news is that there is no future without you! We have gone past the times when we have allowed those whose tight hold on the reigns of political power have constantly convinced us that we have no say in the matter. This coming year, things will be different. I speak not merely with the authority of one that has gotten a revelation from God, but also with the authority of one who is privy to how advanced some processes have progressed already. If we blow this opportunity before us in the coming elections, getting Nigeria on the right path again will become very difficult. This is why we need these 300!
First of all, let me make it clear to you that once in the history of every nation, there comes a problem, which once solved, creates the leverage point for their all rounded success and prominence. This problem, usually sits at the root of so many other problems, and once the root is taken care of, the stems, branches and leaves will adjust in time. That problem for Nigeria is not power, it’s not good roads, not education, not even poverty and it’s ills – these are mere manifestation of our deeper challenge. One will think that the problem is spiritual, but I daresay there is so much solution already within the spiritual terrain. The root problem of Nigeria, is simply lack of proper, value based and systemic political leadership! Imagine if Nigeria has proper political leadership for the next 12yrs? Then our economy will recover faster than the economy of Japan, and Nigeria will win it’s true place in the league of great nations!
Think about it, in the times when we had sound political leadership, everything else worked – light, infrastructure, innovation e.t.c. Imagine, we had a television station in Nigeria before France! Can you imagine where we would have been today if we had continued from then? Our root problem is political leadership! It’s high time our pastors stop encouraging us to prosper in spite of our nation, the peace of Jerusalem should be critical to the prosperity of it’s dwellers. Our mandate is to disciple nations, correct political leadership is at the heart of the gospel. If progress for Nigeria is on your heart…then you must move today. You must join hands with us as we select 300 people who will form the core group of the revolution that are about to begin! The criteria are – be a value based person, hold no allegiance to any personality but to an objective and be willing to cast your vote and influence others based on knowledge and not emotions. We are currently shortlisting for these 300 from around the country for a strategic meeting. If you are an influence in your city of residence and are willing to position in a direction that lifts up the fate of the nation, kindly indicate interest by filling the form here.
You and I cannot afford to stand idle in the forthcoming elections. We must take responsibility! Don’t wait until you are “Led”, we are already led. The voices of distress, the reality of life’s perishing through the cracks created by the gaps in who we are versus who we should be, and the inborn sense of responsibility in all of us is leading enough. Before you go into the philosophies of helpless men, please consider the following questions.
1. Did God lead Nehemiah to build the wall of Jerusalem or he simply heard the call through the distress news he received?
2 .Did God tell David to confront Goliath, or David just couldn’t stand the insult of Goliath, the paralytic fear of Israel and the defiance against God?
3 Did God tell Shadrach, Messach and Abednego to defy Nebuchadnezzar, or was it a personal choice based on what God’s word already expressed?
4 Did God tell Daniel not to eat or he purposed in his mind not to be contaminated by the Babylonian system? Did Daniel debate or waste time finding God’s perspective on what is mind his clearly expressed on, generations before?
5. Did God tell Martin Luther the reformer to paste his thesis that banished him to house arrest for 2yrs for declaring “the just shall live by faith?
6. Did God tell Wilberforce to abolish slave trade in England and consequently force the world to do same?
7. I would like to know the school that your Pastors Children attends or attended, whether it’s in this nation or abroad, whether its a public or private, whether he is ‘led’ by God or by the deplorable situation in the nation or whether he is led to use a generator at home and at the church or does he simply analyze the situation and use his brain?
Change is here, and we are all responsible! If you know that you are critical to the future, don’t let this pass! Circulate widely among other change agents. The first meeting will be holding on Dec 11… and it’s a meeting anyone who is destined to be relevant to the future must be in. Please note that indication of interest does not automatically qualify.
The good news is that there is no future without you! We have gone past the times when we have allowed those whose tight hold on the reigns of political power have constantly convinced us that we have no say in the matter. This coming year, things will be different. I speak not merely with the authority of one that has gotten a revelation from God, but also with the authority of one who is privy to how advanced some processes have progressed already. If we blow this opportunity before us in the coming elections, getting Nigeria on the right path again will become very difficult. This is why we need these 300!
First of all, let me make it clear to you that once in the history of every nation, there comes a problem, which once solved, creates the leverage point for their all rounded success and prominence. This problem, usually sits at the root of so many other problems, and once the root is taken care of, the stems, branches and leaves will adjust in time. That problem for Nigeria is not power, it’s not good roads, not education, not even poverty and it’s ills – these are mere manifestation of our deeper challenge. One will think that the problem is spiritual, but I daresay there is so much solution already within the spiritual terrain. The root problem of Nigeria, is simply lack of proper, value based and systemic political leadership! Imagine if Nigeria has proper political leadership for the next 12yrs? Then our economy will recover faster than the economy of Japan, and Nigeria will win it’s true place in the league of great nations!
Think about it, in the times when we had sound political leadership, everything else worked – light, infrastructure, innovation e.t.c. Imagine, we had a television station in Nigeria before France! Can you imagine where we would have been today if we had continued from then? Our root problem is political leadership! It’s high time our pastors stop encouraging us to prosper in spite of our nation, the peace of Jerusalem should be critical to the prosperity of it’s dwellers. Our mandate is to disciple nations, correct political leadership is at the heart of the gospel. If progress for Nigeria is on your heart…then you must move today. You must join hands with us as we select 300 people who will form the core group of the revolution that are about to begin! The criteria are – be a value based person, hold no allegiance to any personality but to an objective and be willing to cast your vote and influence others based on knowledge and not emotions. We are currently shortlisting for these 300 from around the country for a strategic meeting. If you are an influence in your city of residence and are willing to position in a direction that lifts up the fate of the nation, kindly indicate interest by filling the form here.
You and I cannot afford to stand idle in the forthcoming elections. We must take responsibility! Don’t wait until you are “Led”, we are already led. The voices of distress, the reality of life’s perishing through the cracks created by the gaps in who we are versus who we should be, and the inborn sense of responsibility in all of us is leading enough. Before you go into the philosophies of helpless men, please consider the following questions.
1. Did God lead Nehemiah to build the wall of Jerusalem or he simply heard the call through the distress news he received?
2 .Did God tell David to confront Goliath, or David just couldn’t stand the insult of Goliath, the paralytic fear of Israel and the defiance against God?
3 Did God tell Shadrach, Messach and Abednego to defy Nebuchadnezzar, or was it a personal choice based on what God’s word already expressed?
4 Did God tell Daniel not to eat or he purposed in his mind not to be contaminated by the Babylonian system? Did Daniel debate or waste time finding God’s perspective on what is mind his clearly expressed on, generations before?
5. Did God tell Martin Luther the reformer to paste his thesis that banished him to house arrest for 2yrs for declaring “the just shall live by faith?
6. Did God tell Wilberforce to abolish slave trade in England and consequently force the world to do same?
7. I would like to know the school that your Pastors Children attends or attended, whether it’s in this nation or abroad, whether its a public or private, whether he is ‘led’ by God or by the deplorable situation in the nation or whether he is led to use a generator at home and at the church or does he simply analyze the situation and use his brain?
Change is here, and we are all responsible! If you know that you are critical to the future, don’t let this pass! Circulate widely among other change agents. The first meeting will be holding on Dec 11… and it’s a meeting anyone who is destined to be relevant to the future must be in. Please note that indication of interest does not automatically qualify.
WITHOUT VISION PEOPLE PERISH
That is a well-known quote from the Bible and one I am contemplating today. By the time you are reading this with your eyes, I will have a knife in my eyes. Today I am having eye surgery. Ouch!
However, there is something even more important than eyesight and that is vision—the ability to see what is invisible to others and might not yet even exist.
“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight,
but has no vision.”—Helen Keller
There is a famous story about a block of marble back in the 1400s. This block of marble was deemed flawed, useless and was cast aside. Every sculptor who looked at it saw it too long and narrow to be valuable for sculpture. It lay there worthless for 40 years. In 1501, a 26-year-old young man happened by this block of marble. He saw something very different. He had a greater vision for this block of marble. Inside this formless mass of stone this young sculptor saw the heroic beauty, grace and wonder of a man who would become known as David. Young Michelangelo famously said, “I already saw David inside, I had only to release him by chipping away at the marble that trapped him in.
It is said we are not limited by our abilities or by our current circumstances. We are only limited by our vision of what can be. A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.
One person sees a rock pile another sees a great cathedral.
The difference? Vision.
We are all very visual beings. Our eyes take in four million bits of information every second. Our imagination processes it and forms a three dimensional, four-color picture and puts that picture into creative motion. We all think in pictures. If I said, “big black dog”, what comes to mind? A picture of a big black dog, right? Every one of us has a picture of ourselves in our mind. We have a picture of our family, our business, our abilities and our future.
Here is the scary part—you will never rise above the image you have in your mind in any area of your life.
You will live up to your vision of yourself—literally. How we see ourselves is what we become. Your marriage, your career, your bank account, your health or your children will only be as grand as your vision for it. You and your future are only limited only by your ability to be a visionary. The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the ability to envision it.
I can predict your future. I’m no prophet or fortune teller, but if you tell me your vision for your future I can tell you exactly how your future will unfold for you—exactly as you see it.
You can change your future by simply changing your vision for it.
During the month of December I am going to do an exclusive video series here on this blog to help you do just this—paint a better vision for your future. No matter your past, you have a spotless future. You have a completely blank canvas in which to paint your 2011. I will help you choose the brushes, paint colors and help you select the image of your future you’d like to paint… and I will teach you how to paint a grand picture—for your year in 2011… and beyond! Stay tuned for that.
Okay, wish me luck as I (voluntarily!) do the one thing taught to us not to do since we were knee high to a grasshopper—“don’t stick sharp objects into your eye.”
In the meantime, get the discussion started: When have you had a vision for something that others didn’t see, but you made it so? What do you do to make your vision clearer, more vivid and tangible? How do you help others see what they cannot yet see
However, there is something even more important than eyesight and that is vision—the ability to see what is invisible to others and might not yet even exist.
“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight,
but has no vision.”—Helen Keller
There is a famous story about a block of marble back in the 1400s. This block of marble was deemed flawed, useless and was cast aside. Every sculptor who looked at it saw it too long and narrow to be valuable for sculpture. It lay there worthless for 40 years. In 1501, a 26-year-old young man happened by this block of marble. He saw something very different. He had a greater vision for this block of marble. Inside this formless mass of stone this young sculptor saw the heroic beauty, grace and wonder of a man who would become known as David. Young Michelangelo famously said, “I already saw David inside, I had only to release him by chipping away at the marble that trapped him in.
It is said we are not limited by our abilities or by our current circumstances. We are only limited by our vision of what can be. A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.
One person sees a rock pile another sees a great cathedral.
The difference? Vision.
We are all very visual beings. Our eyes take in four million bits of information every second. Our imagination processes it and forms a three dimensional, four-color picture and puts that picture into creative motion. We all think in pictures. If I said, “big black dog”, what comes to mind? A picture of a big black dog, right? Every one of us has a picture of ourselves in our mind. We have a picture of our family, our business, our abilities and our future.
Here is the scary part—you will never rise above the image you have in your mind in any area of your life.
You will live up to your vision of yourself—literally. How we see ourselves is what we become. Your marriage, your career, your bank account, your health or your children will only be as grand as your vision for it. You and your future are only limited only by your ability to be a visionary. The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the ability to envision it.
I can predict your future. I’m no prophet or fortune teller, but if you tell me your vision for your future I can tell you exactly how your future will unfold for you—exactly as you see it.
You can change your future by simply changing your vision for it.
During the month of December I am going to do an exclusive video series here on this blog to help you do just this—paint a better vision for your future. No matter your past, you have a spotless future. You have a completely blank canvas in which to paint your 2011. I will help you choose the brushes, paint colors and help you select the image of your future you’d like to paint… and I will teach you how to paint a grand picture—for your year in 2011… and beyond! Stay tuned for that.
Okay, wish me luck as I (voluntarily!) do the one thing taught to us not to do since we were knee high to a grasshopper—“don’t stick sharp objects into your eye.”
In the meantime, get the discussion started: When have you had a vision for something that others didn’t see, but you made it so? What do you do to make your vision clearer, more vivid and tangible? How do you help others see what they cannot yet see
Friday, November 19, 2010
DO WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT
Do What You're Good At
For this exercise, we give you permission to brag. What are your strengths? Things you do better than most others. Write down at least five things you do really well and consider them carefully. Determining these strengths and gifts is what author Marcus Buckingham calls the Strength Zone Path.
The English-born best-selling author of Now, Discover Your Strengths says everyone has a uniqueness about them that, if they could discover it, fine-tune it, work hard and grow in it, would set them apart. The Strength Zone Path takes your giftedness and talent and helps lift you above the crowd.
But many don’t know their own strengths. Instead, they focus on improving their weaknesses, trying to correct those flaws. Buckingham, like others before him, say enhancing your strengths, rather than your weaknesses, is the path to an accomplished life. No one has ever been successful doing something they didn’t like and no one has ever been successful doing something they can’t do well. So, make sure your life is leveraging your strengths.
For this exercise, we give you permission to brag. What are your strengths? Things you do better than most others. Write down at least five things you do really well and consider them carefully. Determining these strengths and gifts is what author Marcus Buckingham calls the Strength Zone Path.
The English-born best-selling author of Now, Discover Your Strengths says everyone has a uniqueness about them that, if they could discover it, fine-tune it, work hard and grow in it, would set them apart. The Strength Zone Path takes your giftedness and talent and helps lift you above the crowd.
But many don’t know their own strengths. Instead, they focus on improving their weaknesses, trying to correct those flaws. Buckingham, like others before him, say enhancing your strengths, rather than your weaknesses, is the path to an accomplished life. No one has ever been successful doing something they didn’t like and no one has ever been successful doing something they can’t do well. So, make sure your life is leveraging your strengths.
HOW TO EXHIBIT EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP I
How to Exhibit Extraordinary Leadership
in Tough and Challenging Times
1. Keep Your Eye on the Big Picture. When things get tough, everybody's temptation is to become acutely focused on the problem. The Extraordinary Leader, however, will keep his or her eye on the big picture. This doesn't mean that we don't address the problem.
In fact, we have to address the problem. But what separates a leader from a follower is that the leader doesn't get caught up in the problem. The leader sees the big picture and keeps moving toward the vision. The further they take their followers toward the vision, the further away from the problem they get.
2. Don't Get Caught in the War or the Friendly Fire. When it gets tough even the most loyal team members can be tempted to start shooting and, unfortunately, they sometimes shoot each other! Rather than focusing on the enemy on the outside, they begin to question each other and find many faults with one another that they normally would not have seen.
The Extraordinary Leader is the one who can keep from being drug into the fray. They keep their eye on the big picture and act rationally and objectively. They understand that people are heated and are saying things they don't really mean. The people are firing because they are angry or scared. The Extraordinary Leader understands this and rises above it. This way, they take fewer arrows and they set the example for their followers.
3. Be First to Sacrifice. When it gets tough, like when there has to be cuts in salaries etc, the leader should do just that - lead. They need to not only be the one who is rewarded the greatest when all is well, but they need to be the first to sacrifice. The Extraordinary leader says, "I know many of you are concerned with the salary cuts. I am too.
In the long run we will be healthy again but for the mean time, this is necessary. Understanding this, I want you to know that I am taking a 20% pay reduction myself. I want you to know that we are in this together." The Extraordinary Leader is the first to sacrifice and will be rewarded with the loyalty of his or her followers.
4. Remain Calm. Panic is one of the basest of human emotions and no one is immune to it. The Extraordinary Leader, however, takes time out regularly to think the issues through so they can remain calm. They remind themselves that all is not lost and there will be another day. They remind themselves that being calm will enable them to make the best decisions - for themselves and for their followers. Panic only leads to disaster, while calm leads to victory.
5. Motivate. In tough and challenging times, people are naturally down. They tend to be pessimistic. They can't see how it is all going to work out. Thus, they have a hard time getting going. The Extraordinary Leader knows this and will focus in on being the optimistic motivator. He or she will come to the office knowing that for the time being, the mood of the group will be carried and buoyed by them and their attitude. Above all else, they seek to show how the end result will be good - and with this they motivate their followers to continue on, braving the current storms, and on to their shared destiny.
6. Create Small Wins. One of the ways to motivate is to create small wins. The Extraordinary Leader knows that in tough times his or her people think that all is lost. They wonder if they can win. So the Extraordinary Leader creates opportunities for the team to win, even if they are small. They set smaller, more achievable goals and remind and reward the team members when they hit those goals. With each small win, the leader is building the esteem and attitude of his followers, digging them out of their self-created hole of fear.
7. Keep a Sense of Humor. Look, hardly anything in life can't be laughed at. The Extraordinary Leader knows that even if the whole company goes down the drain, we still go home to our families and live a life of love with them. The Extraordinary Leader keeps perspective and knows that we humans act irrationally when we get scared and fail, and sometimes that is humorous.
Don't ever laugh at someone's expense in this situation, because that will be perceived at cold and heartless, regardless of what you meant by it, but do keep the ability to laugh at yourself and the situations that present themselves. By doing this you will keep yourself and your team in an attitude that will eventually beat the tough times.
Lead well!
Chris Widener
in Tough and Challenging Times
1. Keep Your Eye on the Big Picture. When things get tough, everybody's temptation is to become acutely focused on the problem. The Extraordinary Leader, however, will keep his or her eye on the big picture. This doesn't mean that we don't address the problem.
In fact, we have to address the problem. But what separates a leader from a follower is that the leader doesn't get caught up in the problem. The leader sees the big picture and keeps moving toward the vision. The further they take their followers toward the vision, the further away from the problem they get.
2. Don't Get Caught in the War or the Friendly Fire. When it gets tough even the most loyal team members can be tempted to start shooting and, unfortunately, they sometimes shoot each other! Rather than focusing on the enemy on the outside, they begin to question each other and find many faults with one another that they normally would not have seen.
The Extraordinary Leader is the one who can keep from being drug into the fray. They keep their eye on the big picture and act rationally and objectively. They understand that people are heated and are saying things they don't really mean. The people are firing because they are angry or scared. The Extraordinary Leader understands this and rises above it. This way, they take fewer arrows and they set the example for their followers.
3. Be First to Sacrifice. When it gets tough, like when there has to be cuts in salaries etc, the leader should do just that - lead. They need to not only be the one who is rewarded the greatest when all is well, but they need to be the first to sacrifice. The Extraordinary leader says, "I know many of you are concerned with the salary cuts. I am too.
In the long run we will be healthy again but for the mean time, this is necessary. Understanding this, I want you to know that I am taking a 20% pay reduction myself. I want you to know that we are in this together." The Extraordinary Leader is the first to sacrifice and will be rewarded with the loyalty of his or her followers.
4. Remain Calm. Panic is one of the basest of human emotions and no one is immune to it. The Extraordinary Leader, however, takes time out regularly to think the issues through so they can remain calm. They remind themselves that all is not lost and there will be another day. They remind themselves that being calm will enable them to make the best decisions - for themselves and for their followers. Panic only leads to disaster, while calm leads to victory.
5. Motivate. In tough and challenging times, people are naturally down. They tend to be pessimistic. They can't see how it is all going to work out. Thus, they have a hard time getting going. The Extraordinary Leader knows this and will focus in on being the optimistic motivator. He or she will come to the office knowing that for the time being, the mood of the group will be carried and buoyed by them and their attitude. Above all else, they seek to show how the end result will be good - and with this they motivate their followers to continue on, braving the current storms, and on to their shared destiny.
6. Create Small Wins. One of the ways to motivate is to create small wins. The Extraordinary Leader knows that in tough times his or her people think that all is lost. They wonder if they can win. So the Extraordinary Leader creates opportunities for the team to win, even if they are small. They set smaller, more achievable goals and remind and reward the team members when they hit those goals. With each small win, the leader is building the esteem and attitude of his followers, digging them out of their self-created hole of fear.
7. Keep a Sense of Humor. Look, hardly anything in life can't be laughed at. The Extraordinary Leader knows that even if the whole company goes down the drain, we still go home to our families and live a life of love with them. The Extraordinary Leader keeps perspective and knows that we humans act irrationally when we get scared and fail, and sometimes that is humorous.
Don't ever laugh at someone's expense in this situation, because that will be perceived at cold and heartless, regardless of what you meant by it, but do keep the ability to laugh at yourself and the situations that present themselves. By doing this you will keep yourself and your team in an attitude that will eventually beat the tough times.
Lead well!
Chris Widener
Thursday, November 18, 2010
EXCELLENCE
Excellence: Taking Your Leadership to New Heights
By John C. Maxwell
As a child, did you ever wish that you could fly? The longing to escape gravity seems ingrained in our imaginations. Fictional characters from Superman to Mary Poppins to Aladdin have soared across the sky on adventures. Michael "Air" Jordan's fame rested, in part, on his seeming ability to glide above his opponents on the court to slam-dunk the basketball. Kite flying remains a popular pastime and air shows draw crowds to watch planes perform acrobatic aerial feats.
Our longing to take flight transfers to our careers. We don't want to be stuck on the bottom level; we want to soar. We desire to be on top, to excel in our work.
Whatever your occupation and regardless of your position, here are three habits of excellence which, when attained, will get you off the ground.
Work with Your Whole Heart
I've never met a halfhearted leader who sustained excellence. The successful leaders I know are ablaze with desire to see their vision come to fruition. Having an end in mind, they approach work with joy and expectancy.
What should you do if you feel unmotivated on the job?
1) Seek self-awareness of your strengths and find ways to express them. What do you do well? What captures your attention? What have you enjoyed doing in the past? If your role at work doesn't provide an outlet for your strengths, volunteer them in another capacity.
2) Monitor your attitude. Cease complaining and weed out negativity from your thoughts. Instead, concentrate on opportunities to learn and grow.
Devote Undistracted Attention to Your Job
Excellent leaders have laser-like focus. They fix their attention on top priorities and refuse to be diverted from accomplishing them. They work purposefully and strategically, doing what's important instead of what's easy.
How can you regain focus when your vision seems fuzzy?
1) Prioritize your time. If you don't budget your time, others will spend it for you. Control your calendar so that your hours are spent on what matters most.
2) Protect your environment. Distractions creep in and hold our attention hostage. Take steps to eliminate interruptions. This can be as simple as turning off your phone during times of focused thought or sealing yourself off from others for a few minutes in the morning so that you can plan for the day.
Give Maximum Energy to Your Team
Leaders who excel give full commitment to their team. They offer their best day after day, always devoting maximum effort to their responsibilities. They understand what's required to complete an assignment, and they don't rest until every detail is in place and the project is finished.
1) Eat well and exercise. Your health determines your quality and quantity of life. Don't view your physical health in isolation; it connects to your emotional and mental health.
2) Make rest a must. Leaders are generally driven, outcome-oriented people. As such, they can have a hard time seeing the value of rest and relaxation. In truth, you actually accomplish more when you discipline yourself to unplug and recharge periodically.
By John C. Maxwell
As a child, did you ever wish that you could fly? The longing to escape gravity seems ingrained in our imaginations. Fictional characters from Superman to Mary Poppins to Aladdin have soared across the sky on adventures. Michael "Air" Jordan's fame rested, in part, on his seeming ability to glide above his opponents on the court to slam-dunk the basketball. Kite flying remains a popular pastime and air shows draw crowds to watch planes perform acrobatic aerial feats.
Our longing to take flight transfers to our careers. We don't want to be stuck on the bottom level; we want to soar. We desire to be on top, to excel in our work.
Whatever your occupation and regardless of your position, here are three habits of excellence which, when attained, will get you off the ground.
Work with Your Whole Heart
I've never met a halfhearted leader who sustained excellence. The successful leaders I know are ablaze with desire to see their vision come to fruition. Having an end in mind, they approach work with joy and expectancy.
What should you do if you feel unmotivated on the job?
1) Seek self-awareness of your strengths and find ways to express them. What do you do well? What captures your attention? What have you enjoyed doing in the past? If your role at work doesn't provide an outlet for your strengths, volunteer them in another capacity.
2) Monitor your attitude. Cease complaining and weed out negativity from your thoughts. Instead, concentrate on opportunities to learn and grow.
Devote Undistracted Attention to Your Job
Excellent leaders have laser-like focus. They fix their attention on top priorities and refuse to be diverted from accomplishing them. They work purposefully and strategically, doing what's important instead of what's easy.
How can you regain focus when your vision seems fuzzy?
1) Prioritize your time. If you don't budget your time, others will spend it for you. Control your calendar so that your hours are spent on what matters most.
2) Protect your environment. Distractions creep in and hold our attention hostage. Take steps to eliminate interruptions. This can be as simple as turning off your phone during times of focused thought or sealing yourself off from others for a few minutes in the morning so that you can plan for the day.
Give Maximum Energy to Your Team
Leaders who excel give full commitment to their team. They offer their best day after day, always devoting maximum effort to their responsibilities. They understand what's required to complete an assignment, and they don't rest until every detail is in place and the project is finished.
1) Eat well and exercise. Your health determines your quality and quantity of life. Don't view your physical health in isolation; it connects to your emotional and mental health.
2) Make rest a must. Leaders are generally driven, outcome-oriented people. As such, they can have a hard time seeing the value of rest and relaxation. In truth, you actually accomplish more when you discipline yourself to unplug and recharge periodically.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
CHARACTER THE KEY TO SUSTAINING MOMENTUM
Character – The Key to Sustaining MomentumBy John C. Maxwell
Tiger Woods exploded onto the national stage in 1997, when, as a 21-year old, he won golf's most prestigious event, the Masters. Not only did Tiger win the tournament, he shattered records along the way, making the world's best golfers look like amateurs. Within a year of becoming a professional golfer, Tiger had attained the sport's number one ranking.
Consistent Winning Produces Momentum
Early in 2001, Tiger captured his second Masters title to complete an unprecedented feat: winning all four of golf's major championships consecutively. Golf's popularity soared as its youthful star dominated event after event. People who had never before been interested in golf tuned in to see Tiger. Inspired by him, kids dragged their parents to the local golf course so that they could learn the game. Recreational golfers around the world patterned their swing after Tiger's while practicing on the driving range.
Advertisers flocked to Tiger's side to take advantage of his gathering momentum. He inked multi-million dollar deals to wear the Nike logo, hit Titlelist golf balls, and endorse everything from General Motors to American Express. Forbes described Tiger as "a marketer's dream." Virtually every product he pitched seemed to turn into gold. Thanks to his sizeable sponsorship deals, in September 2009, Fortune estimated that Tiger had become sports' first billionaire athlete.
Character Defects Halt Momentum
Tiger-mania came crashing to a halt in December 2009 after Woods had a bizarre traffic accident in his driveway. The incident initiated a cascade of rumors about Tiger's marital infidelity, which he later admitted. As news coverage intensified, more incriminating tidbits surfaced, and the scandal gained steam.
As this article is being written, a shamed Tiger remains in seclusion. By all accounts his marriage is in shambles. Accenture and AT&T have already cut ties with him, while other advertisers such as Gillette and Tag Heuer have distanced themselves from Tiger by pulling his ads. As for golf, Woods has taken an indefinite leave of absence, and it remains to be seen if he will recover his on-the-course greatness.
Lessons Learned from Tiger's Tumble
1) Momentum can be a leader's best friend or a leader's worst enemy.
In his early days as a professional, Tiger Woods' hard work and talent earned him a flood of victories. As the wins mounted, Tiger's momentum took off. His confidence intimidated opponents, his personality attracted business deals, and every move he made seemed to draw the praise of an enraptured media.
Revelations of Tiger's sordid behavior have generated a mountain of negative momentum, which will be difficult for him to overcome. The tide of public opinion is now squarely against him. Whereas people used to cheer Tiger on to success, many will now root for him to fail. The influence he once had has been dealt a serious blow, and it will be an uphill struggle for him to regain it.
2) Momentum can reverse direction in an instant.
Momentum can be a fickle friend, changing sides at any moment. One day Tiger was being coronated as the athlete of the decade by the Associated Press. Then, seemingly overnight, his name was being dragged through the mud on every conceivable news outlet.
3) Winning generates momentum, but character sustains it.
Tiger's story is a cautionary tale about character. All of the momentum you build through decades of hard work and dedication can be erased if you do not craft the character to support it. Character is forged daily through the decisions we make. It comes from within and cannot be purchased. Be diligent about working on your character so that you become a person worth following and someone worthy of harnessing the momentum of success.
Tiger Woods exploded onto the national stage in 1997, when, as a 21-year old, he won golf's most prestigious event, the Masters. Not only did Tiger win the tournament, he shattered records along the way, making the world's best golfers look like amateurs. Within a year of becoming a professional golfer, Tiger had attained the sport's number one ranking.
Consistent Winning Produces Momentum
Early in 2001, Tiger captured his second Masters title to complete an unprecedented feat: winning all four of golf's major championships consecutively. Golf's popularity soared as its youthful star dominated event after event. People who had never before been interested in golf tuned in to see Tiger. Inspired by him, kids dragged their parents to the local golf course so that they could learn the game. Recreational golfers around the world patterned their swing after Tiger's while practicing on the driving range.
Advertisers flocked to Tiger's side to take advantage of his gathering momentum. He inked multi-million dollar deals to wear the Nike logo, hit Titlelist golf balls, and endorse everything from General Motors to American Express. Forbes described Tiger as "a marketer's dream." Virtually every product he pitched seemed to turn into gold. Thanks to his sizeable sponsorship deals, in September 2009, Fortune estimated that Tiger had become sports' first billionaire athlete.
Character Defects Halt Momentum
Tiger-mania came crashing to a halt in December 2009 after Woods had a bizarre traffic accident in his driveway. The incident initiated a cascade of rumors about Tiger's marital infidelity, which he later admitted. As news coverage intensified, more incriminating tidbits surfaced, and the scandal gained steam.
As this article is being written, a shamed Tiger remains in seclusion. By all accounts his marriage is in shambles. Accenture and AT&T have already cut ties with him, while other advertisers such as Gillette and Tag Heuer have distanced themselves from Tiger by pulling his ads. As for golf, Woods has taken an indefinite leave of absence, and it remains to be seen if he will recover his on-the-course greatness.
Lessons Learned from Tiger's Tumble
1) Momentum can be a leader's best friend or a leader's worst enemy.
In his early days as a professional, Tiger Woods' hard work and talent earned him a flood of victories. As the wins mounted, Tiger's momentum took off. His confidence intimidated opponents, his personality attracted business deals, and every move he made seemed to draw the praise of an enraptured media.
Revelations of Tiger's sordid behavior have generated a mountain of negative momentum, which will be difficult for him to overcome. The tide of public opinion is now squarely against him. Whereas people used to cheer Tiger on to success, many will now root for him to fail. The influence he once had has been dealt a serious blow, and it will be an uphill struggle for him to regain it.
2) Momentum can reverse direction in an instant.
Momentum can be a fickle friend, changing sides at any moment. One day Tiger was being coronated as the athlete of the decade by the Associated Press. Then, seemingly overnight, his name was being dragged through the mud on every conceivable news outlet.
3) Winning generates momentum, but character sustains it.
Tiger's story is a cautionary tale about character. All of the momentum you build through decades of hard work and dedication can be erased if you do not craft the character to support it. Character is forged daily through the decisions we make. It comes from within and cannot be purchased. Be diligent about working on your character so that you become a person worth following and someone worthy of harnessing the momentum of success.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
MAKING AN IMPRESSION VS BEING IMPRESSD
Admired for her beauty, Jennie Jerome (Winston Churchill's mother) glided through the loftiest social circles in Great Britain. Once, on consecutive nights, Ms. Jerome dined with England's premier politicians: Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and his chief rival, William Gladstone. When questioned about her impressions of the two men, Ms. Jerome made the following observation:
"When I left the dining room after sitting next to Gladstone, I thought he was the cleverest man in England. But when I sat next to Disraeli I left feeling that I was the cleverest woman."
Perhaps you know leaders like Gladstone-confident individuals who exude wit, intelligence, and charisma. Whenever you're around them, you cannot help but notice their charm...because they make every effort to parade their brilliance in front of you. However, I'll wager that you'd prefer to follow someone like Disraeli, a leader who would rather draw out the best in you than strut his or her personal greatness.
In relationships, be impressed with others instead of trying to make an impression. Throttle back on the urge to make your presence felt, and instead look for ways to esteem those around you. By expressing genuine interest in the people in your life, you'll win friends and gain favor.
The 30-Second Rule
I've developed a simple rule in relationships to help me shift away from a selfish vantage point. Within the first 30 seconds of a conversation, I say something encouraging to the other person. Giving out compliments focuses me on the value of the other person and prevents me from being self-absorbed. Here are a few principles I've found helpful in following the 30-second rule:
1) Give Others the "Triple A" Treatment:
o Attention
o Affirmation
o Appreciation
Gossips speak endlessly about others, and bores talk only of themselves. A brilliant conversationalist is someone who speaks to you about yourself. These thoughtful persons attract friends and reap the benefits of likeability.
2) Remember that the 30-Second Rule Gives Energy
People are energized and motivated when their leaders value them for who they are. On the other hand, they quickly disengage when they feel anonymous. Speaking encouraging words does wonders for a leader when it comes to inspiring a team and earning its loyalty.
3) Practicing the 30-Second Rule Positions You for Success with People
Benjamin Franklin realized this truth when he wrote the following note to John Paul Jones:
"Hereafter, if you should observe an occasion to give your officers and friends a little more praise than is their due, and confess more fault than you can justly be charged with, you will only become the sooner for it, a great captain. Criticizing and censuring almost everyone you have to do with will diminish friends, increase enemies, and thereby hurt your affairs."
When we add to others, they are drawn to our side, but when we belittle others, they withdraw from our influence.
4) Spend Time Creating an Encouraging Thought for Everyone You Know.
Before I meet with people, I pause to think about something encouraging I can say to them. This practice isn't complicated, but it does take some time, intentionality, and discipline. And the reward for practicing it is huge.
SUMMARY
Too many people, when in the presence of others, search for ways to make themselves look good. The key to the 30-Second Rule is reversing this practice. When spending time with people, search for ways to make them look good. Doing so uplifts them and ultimately raises their opinion of you as well.
"When I left the dining room after sitting next to Gladstone, I thought he was the cleverest man in England. But when I sat next to Disraeli I left feeling that I was the cleverest woman."
Perhaps you know leaders like Gladstone-confident individuals who exude wit, intelligence, and charisma. Whenever you're around them, you cannot help but notice their charm...because they make every effort to parade their brilliance in front of you. However, I'll wager that you'd prefer to follow someone like Disraeli, a leader who would rather draw out the best in you than strut his or her personal greatness.
In relationships, be impressed with others instead of trying to make an impression. Throttle back on the urge to make your presence felt, and instead look for ways to esteem those around you. By expressing genuine interest in the people in your life, you'll win friends and gain favor.
The 30-Second Rule
I've developed a simple rule in relationships to help me shift away from a selfish vantage point. Within the first 30 seconds of a conversation, I say something encouraging to the other person. Giving out compliments focuses me on the value of the other person and prevents me from being self-absorbed. Here are a few principles I've found helpful in following the 30-second rule:
1) Give Others the "Triple A" Treatment:
o Attention
o Affirmation
o Appreciation
Gossips speak endlessly about others, and bores talk only of themselves. A brilliant conversationalist is someone who speaks to you about yourself. These thoughtful persons attract friends and reap the benefits of likeability.
2) Remember that the 30-Second Rule Gives Energy
People are energized and motivated when their leaders value them for who they are. On the other hand, they quickly disengage when they feel anonymous. Speaking encouraging words does wonders for a leader when it comes to inspiring a team and earning its loyalty.
3) Practicing the 30-Second Rule Positions You for Success with People
Benjamin Franklin realized this truth when he wrote the following note to John Paul Jones:
"Hereafter, if you should observe an occasion to give your officers and friends a little more praise than is their due, and confess more fault than you can justly be charged with, you will only become the sooner for it, a great captain. Criticizing and censuring almost everyone you have to do with will diminish friends, increase enemies, and thereby hurt your affairs."
When we add to others, they are drawn to our side, but when we belittle others, they withdraw from our influence.
4) Spend Time Creating an Encouraging Thought for Everyone You Know.
Before I meet with people, I pause to think about something encouraging I can say to them. This practice isn't complicated, but it does take some time, intentionality, and discipline. And the reward for practicing it is huge.
SUMMARY
Too many people, when in the presence of others, search for ways to make themselves look good. The key to the 30-Second Rule is reversing this practice. When spending time with people, search for ways to make them look good. Doing so uplifts them and ultimately raises their opinion of you as well.
Friday, November 6, 2009
THE PRODIGAL SON
There is a story in the bible of a rich man who had two sons. The younger son ask his father to give him His share of inheritance. The father obliged.
• After a while the younger sold his share of the property and went to a far country, where he wasted his money in reckless living. He spent everything he had and began to borrow until he found nobody to borrow from again.
• He went out looking for a good job but due to lack of the necessary qualifications, he could not secure any except to take care of the pigs in the farm.
• He accepted the offer with joy but that could not satisfy his lifestyle of living. Very often, he had no food and had to eat part of the pigs portion.
• At last he came to his senses. he remembered the peace and comfort that existed in his father’s house and decided to return and ask for forgiveness from his father. His father who had been looking forward to his return someday gladly welcome him and held a big party in his honors.
• Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repent “Luke 15-10
• You may say, what has this to do with me? It certainly has something to do with everyone who born into the world. Since every man born into the world comes with an inheritance.
• Small or Big, it is certain that every man received an inheritance from God into this world. It could be farming, teaching, trading, driving, truck pushing, medical practice and engineering etc.
• The question is not what type of inheritance you were given but whether you are using it to Glorify God or dishonor Him. Is your God given Strenght.power.wisdom, intellect, beauty, fame, wealth, children etc.being used to honor and Glorify the name of the Lord? If not you are like the prodigal son and you need to return and surrender wholly to the lord.
• If you are using your strength for armed robbery, your wisdom and intellect to deceive people, your beauty for sexual favours,your fame and wealth for oppression etc,You are like the prodigal son. You have drifted with your inheritance far from the lord.
• Note that if the prodigal son had not come to his senses and return to the father he would have perished in the strange land .This is because he choose to live out of the will of his father-God.
• Dear brother and sister, no matter how far you have drifted away from God, no matter how terrible you have missed the mark, you can return to the father, God is ever willing to take you in. The prodigal son had nothing to show for the wasted years but a penitent heart. That is all he had left with him.
• Can you say like the prodigal son? I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him,”father,I have sinned against the heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants Luke 15:18-19
• Will you arise and return to the lord today? Do not let this opportunity pass you by.
HOW TO RETURN TO GOD
Admit that you are a sinner Rom:3:23
Confess your sin to God and Repent Now Act 3:19
Believe that God loves you and that Jesus died for
• After a while the younger sold his share of the property and went to a far country, where he wasted his money in reckless living. He spent everything he had and began to borrow until he found nobody to borrow from again.
• He went out looking for a good job but due to lack of the necessary qualifications, he could not secure any except to take care of the pigs in the farm.
• He accepted the offer with joy but that could not satisfy his lifestyle of living. Very often, he had no food and had to eat part of the pigs portion.
• At last he came to his senses. he remembered the peace and comfort that existed in his father’s house and decided to return and ask for forgiveness from his father. His father who had been looking forward to his return someday gladly welcome him and held a big party in his honors.
• Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repent “Luke 15-10
• You may say, what has this to do with me? It certainly has something to do with everyone who born into the world. Since every man born into the world comes with an inheritance.
• Small or Big, it is certain that every man received an inheritance from God into this world. It could be farming, teaching, trading, driving, truck pushing, medical practice and engineering etc.
• The question is not what type of inheritance you were given but whether you are using it to Glorify God or dishonor Him. Is your God given Strenght.power.wisdom, intellect, beauty, fame, wealth, children etc.being used to honor and Glorify the name of the Lord? If not you are like the prodigal son and you need to return and surrender wholly to the lord.
• If you are using your strength for armed robbery, your wisdom and intellect to deceive people, your beauty for sexual favours,your fame and wealth for oppression etc,You are like the prodigal son. You have drifted with your inheritance far from the lord.
• Note that if the prodigal son had not come to his senses and return to the father he would have perished in the strange land .This is because he choose to live out of the will of his father-God.
• Dear brother and sister, no matter how far you have drifted away from God, no matter how terrible you have missed the mark, you can return to the father, God is ever willing to take you in. The prodigal son had nothing to show for the wasted years but a penitent heart. That is all he had left with him.
• Can you say like the prodigal son? I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him,”father,I have sinned against the heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants Luke 15:18-19
• Will you arise and return to the lord today? Do not let this opportunity pass you by.
HOW TO RETURN TO GOD
Admit that you are a sinner Rom:3:23
Confess your sin to God and Repent Now Act 3:19
Believe that God loves you and that Jesus died for
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Invicible Hand
The Invincible Hand
What comes to your mind by this statement? Hand is an integral part of the body. As a matter of fact, God created every part of the body to perform a specific function. We may probably say that anyone that lost his hand/arm is exposed to the verdict of shame/reproach.
My encounter with some ministers of the gospel like Pastor Nicholas Vijusk proved to you and I that people that were not born without arm can still do exploit. He is a minister of the gospel without arm, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to over 50,000 congregation in one attendance. Practically all he does is with his legs. Yet, he sounded so optimistic to hope for a day he would stand by his wife to be joined together in holy matrimony. John Foppe is another man born without arm, a great motivational speaker, who believes no challenge in life could keep his head below waters.The Hand we are talking about here is not only invincible but also invisible but its manifestations are visible and impactful.
The Hand of God.Yes, the Hand of God. The Bible tells us that God has Hands, Eyes, Arm, Legs etc.
Genesis chapter 1 vs. 26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
Meaning, you are carrying the image of the Creator of heaven and earth. In the subsequent verse, it is confirmed that man was created in His Likeness.
So do Angels have hands.
Psalm 91 vs.12 “They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot again a stone.”
What can this Hand do?
From the time immemorial man has been battling with one challenge or another which may be inflicted, inherited, self protracted or God’s permitted.
The good news is irrespective of the source of the problem or challenge, His Hand is abundantly ABLE.
Isaiah 59 vs.1 “Behold, the LORD’s Hand is not shortened, that it can not save; neither his ear heavy, that it can not hear.”
The Hand saves: The Bible says Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace because of their belief (Christian faith).King Nebuchadnezzar felt they would have died, but the Hand turned the hotness of fire to coldness of time. What a wonderful Hand!
Delivers: At a point in the life of Moses and the Israelites, they were faced with their down to earth enemy who was ready to give it what it takes to enslave them till they die. But this Hand would not agree. It will deliver you today.
Looses: Because of their passion for the kingdom, Paul & Silas were incarcerated, they prayed & sang praises and the Hand intervened and loosen the chains off their hands and legs. So shall you be loosened today.
Equips: For you to conquer the battle of life, you need the Hand to rest upon your life. The warrior of Philistine of Gath (Goliath) for consecutive 40 days roared and challenged Israelites, both the young and old of Israelites could not step out. But the Hand equipped young David, he fought Golliat, won him and even cut off his head.Today, you must surely win the battle of your life
Provides: there was famine in the land of Israel, but the Hand never left Prophet Elijah to hunger and thirsty. He feed on heavenly baked bread and drank water from the brook.
Destroys: When company of people conspired against Moses, the hand caused the earth to open up and swallow them and their families.
Restores: The Hand touched the Zarephath woman’s son and his life was restored.You will be restored.
Promotes: The Hand pushed Mordecai from gate to palace. Meaning, you are due for divine push, you shall be promoted this month.
Gives life: Jesus said “I have come to give you life, life more abundantly.
The hand is now set to step into the situation of your life and turn it around for miracles, breakthoroughs, deliverance, promotion and good virtues of life.
What comes to your mind by this statement? Hand is an integral part of the body. As a matter of fact, God created every part of the body to perform a specific function. We may probably say that anyone that lost his hand/arm is exposed to the verdict of shame/reproach.
My encounter with some ministers of the gospel like Pastor Nicholas Vijusk proved to you and I that people that were not born without arm can still do exploit. He is a minister of the gospel without arm, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to over 50,000 congregation in one attendance. Practically all he does is with his legs. Yet, he sounded so optimistic to hope for a day he would stand by his wife to be joined together in holy matrimony. John Foppe is another man born without arm, a great motivational speaker, who believes no challenge in life could keep his head below waters.The Hand we are talking about here is not only invincible but also invisible but its manifestations are visible and impactful.
The Hand of God.Yes, the Hand of God. The Bible tells us that God has Hands, Eyes, Arm, Legs etc.
Genesis chapter 1 vs. 26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
Meaning, you are carrying the image of the Creator of heaven and earth. In the subsequent verse, it is confirmed that man was created in His Likeness.
So do Angels have hands.
Psalm 91 vs.12 “They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot again a stone.”
What can this Hand do?
From the time immemorial man has been battling with one challenge or another which may be inflicted, inherited, self protracted or God’s permitted.
The good news is irrespective of the source of the problem or challenge, His Hand is abundantly ABLE.
Isaiah 59 vs.1 “Behold, the LORD’s Hand is not shortened, that it can not save; neither his ear heavy, that it can not hear.”
The Hand saves: The Bible says Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace because of their belief (Christian faith).King Nebuchadnezzar felt they would have died, but the Hand turned the hotness of fire to coldness of time. What a wonderful Hand!
Delivers: At a point in the life of Moses and the Israelites, they were faced with their down to earth enemy who was ready to give it what it takes to enslave them till they die. But this Hand would not agree. It will deliver you today.
Looses: Because of their passion for the kingdom, Paul & Silas were incarcerated, they prayed & sang praises and the Hand intervened and loosen the chains off their hands and legs. So shall you be loosened today.
Equips: For you to conquer the battle of life, you need the Hand to rest upon your life. The warrior of Philistine of Gath (Goliath) for consecutive 40 days roared and challenged Israelites, both the young and old of Israelites could not step out. But the Hand equipped young David, he fought Golliat, won him and even cut off his head.Today, you must surely win the battle of your life
Provides: there was famine in the land of Israel, but the Hand never left Prophet Elijah to hunger and thirsty. He feed on heavenly baked bread and drank water from the brook.
Destroys: When company of people conspired against Moses, the hand caused the earth to open up and swallow them and their families.
Restores: The Hand touched the Zarephath woman’s son and his life was restored.You will be restored.
Promotes: The Hand pushed Mordecai from gate to palace. Meaning, you are due for divine push, you shall be promoted this month.
Gives life: Jesus said “I have come to give you life, life more abundantly.
The hand is now set to step into the situation of your life and turn it around for miracles, breakthoroughs, deliverance, promotion and good virtues of life.
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