PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

- Growth begins with a Dream. Growth requires a Vision. You must have a clear picture of what you want to be, do or have. Luke 6:39-40; Ephesians 4:11-13; Philippians 3:4-13; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Matthew 4:19; Philippians 3:10-11;
- Growth begins with Desire. Growth is intentional. You cannot be forced to grow. You have to desire it. You have to want it. See 1 Peter 2:2
- Growth requires Self discipline or consistency. Without consistency there can be no growth. See Hebrews 5:13-14; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
- Growth requires a Design or a plan. Growth requires a regimen. 1 Timothy 4:14-15; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3. You have to plan your growth.
- Growth requires determination. You have to persevere to grow. You have to make up your mind to follow through with the process. See Acts 24:14-16; 1 Timothy 4:7-8
- Growth requires right relationships or empowering associations. The company you keep will either encourage or delay your growth process. See Proverbs 13:20; 27:17; 2 Timothy 2:16; 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV, NLT)
- Growth requires Goals and targets. Growth is in stages and in phases. You have to set goals for your growth. See 1 John 2:12-14; Ephesians 4:13-15
- Growth requires a commitment to a process. Growth is a process so you have to be patient with the process. 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 1:2; Joshua 1:8
- Growth requires the assistance or the involvement of a Coach. Growth may require the involvement of a coach or teach. 2 Chronicles 24:2 NKJV, MSG; 2 Chronicles 26:5 MSG; Philippians 4:9; 2 Timothy 3:14; 1 Corinthians 4:14-17
- Growth requires a sincere self assessment. To grow you have to be sincere with yourself. You cannot be in self denial or be unteachable. See Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
- Growth is intentional. See 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 2:2
- Growth requires accountability. See Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24-25
- Greater sense of Fulfillment: Growth brings a sense of fulfillment. See Galatians 4:19; Ephesians 4:11-15; Romans 8:29
- Greater Effectiveness: As we grow in Christ we become more effective in the execution of our assignments. See Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Timothy 3:6
- Greater Authority: As you grow and advance spiritually, mentally, emotionally etc, you will be entrusted with more authority. See Ecclesiastes 10:16-17; Galatians 4:1-2; 1 Timothy 3:6; Hebrews 5:12
- Better Health: Health is part of our inheritance. The more grow in Christ, the more we should be able to take advantage of our inheritance. See Acts 20:32; Galatians 4:1-3; 3 John 2
- Better Character: One sure sign of true growth is character. Immaturity is synonymous with immorality and bad behavior. See Proverbs 20:11; 1 Corinthians 13:11; 14:20; 1 Peter 2:1-2
- Greater Quality of life: As you grow your life improves. See 1 Corinthians 14:4a (AMPC); 1 John 2:13-14; 3 John 2;
- Greater Income: See 3 John 2; Acts 20:32
- Greater Success: Success is becoming all that you were born to be, do and have. Success is the progressive realization of goals and targets that are in line with your God given destiny. See Luke 1:80; 3 John 2; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2-3;
- Faster rate of progress: As you grow, your knowledge increases which leads to a faster rate of progress in our lives. As we grow we will experience breakthrough. Ecclesiastes 10:15; Isaiah 10:27 NIV
- Greater Reliability. As we grow we become more reliable. We become rock steady, consistent and faithful. See Ephesians 4:14; 1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:2; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 16:18
- Greater level of maturity: Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Psalm 131:2; Ephesians 4:11-13
- More knowledge. See 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 1:2-4
- Increased Wisdom: See Proverbs 4:7-9; Proverbs 24:3-5; Ephesians 1:17; Colossians 1:9.
- Better skill. See Hebrews 5:14; 1 Timothy 4:7-8
- Greater Productivity and Fruitfulness: See John 15:1-7; Ecclesiastes 10:15
Exploring The History and Purpose of the Bible

Partnering for Vision Fulfillment
- The purpose of this message is to help you understand your role in God’s redemptive plan
- To inspire you to get actively involved in God’s redemptive plan
- To accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission
- A Co-laborer
- A Sharer or partaker
- A Contributor
- A Participant or participator
- An associate
- Prayer. See Isaiah 45:11. The first call of the believer is to prayer. Through prayer we Partner with God to facilitate the advancement of His plans and purposes. See Matthew 6:9-10; 9:35-38; Acts 12:5-11; Romans 15:30-32; Philippians 1:19; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2. There are wicked forces in the earth and we have to contend against them to minimize the effect and impact of their work in the earth amongst the sons of men. See Ephesians 6:12; Luke 12:21-23;
- Participation. This is refers to your physical involvement in the advancement of God’s work. This refers to:
- Provision. By provision we refer to financial partnership. Financial involvement is the proof of heartfelt commitment. See 1 Kings 17:8-15; 2 Kings 4:8-17; Matthew 6:21; 6:33; Luke 8:1-3; Acts 16:14-15; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; 11:7-9; Philippians 1:5-7 NLT; 4:10-19; Ezra 1:1-6 NLT; 3 John 5-8 NLT
PROSPERITY WITH A PURPOSE
- To teach you the purpose of prosperity in the kingdom of God
- To teach you the power of prosperity
- To stir within you the desire to prosper
- To teach you how to prosper
- To see that many are raised to finance the work of the kingdom
- To bring you into your wealthy place
- To help you have more than enough reasons for the fulfillment of your God given vision and dreams
- For the glory of God. God blesses us for His own glory. God blesses us for the credit of His good Name. God blesses you for His good pleasure. See Psalm 35:27; 1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 67:1-7; 96:8; 102:13-18; Exodus 16:1-16; Deuteronomy 8:18; Isaiah 60:1-7; 62:1-7; Malachi 2:1-3; Jeremiah 13:11; Matthew 5:16; 2 Corinthians 9:10-13; Hebrews 13:16
- To demonstrate His goodness: Your prosperity and your welfare is a testimony of God’s grace, His love and His goodness. See Psalm 35:27; Jeremiah 33:9; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:8. God blesses us in honor of Christ’s finished works and as a demonstration of His love towards us. See Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; Galatians 3:6-9; 3:26-29; Romans 4:13
- To establish His Covenant. Prosperity is our right by covenant and by virtue of the redemption. Remember that the redemption was carried out based on a covenant. See Deuteronomy 8:18; Genesis 12:3. Without prosperity, the families of the earth will not be blessed. God prospers us to fulfill His Word. See Genesis 26:1-5; Deuteronomy 7:7-9,12-15; Galatians 3:26-29; Acts 3:25-26; Romans 4:13; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 3:13-14; Proverbs 10:22; Genesis 24:1,35; Ephesians 1:3. Being born again is an upliftment. It is a divine lifting from the earthly places under the control, influence and intimidation of darkness into the heavenly places of God’s kingdom. See 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalm 113:7-8; Ephesians 1:17-23; 2:4-8; Isaiah 43:7; 60:1-7
- To demonstration His dominion through us. Money is power in the natural realm. See Genesis 1:26-28; Proverbs 22:7; 18:23; Ecclesiastes 10:19. The person with the most money dominates and controls the affairs of men. Money gives you influence with men. See Proverbs 14:20; 19:4,7; Money is a defense. See Proverbs 10:15; Ecclesiastes 7:12. Money gives us purchasing power to buy radio and TV stations for the promotion of the Gospel.
- To reward our obedience and our service in the kingdom of God. Prosperity is a reward. It is also a kingdom motivator. See Genesis 12:1-3; 26:1-5,12-14: Deuteronomy 28:1-13; Ezra 7:1-10; Job 36:11; Isaiah 1:19. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ also presented prosperity as a reward. See Matthew 19:27-29; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 5:1-7. John the Apostle also postulated that prosperity is a reward. See 3 John 2. James the Apostle corroborated the same in James 1:25.
- To amplify the voice of the Gospel and to find its spread. It takes money to spread the Gospel. Money is a tool. Money is a facilitator. See Luke 8:1-3; Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10; Philippians 1:4-7; Acts 16:12-15; Philippians 4:15-19; Ecclesiastes 9:13-16. Money amplifies your voice. It takes money to buy airtime, print tracts and books and fund missionary projects. See 2 Corinthians 11:7-9
- To fund the needs or causes of His Kingdom. Luke 8:1-3; 12:16-21; 2 Corinthians 9:8. The primary reason why God blesses or prospers us is for the purpose of funding the needs of the kingdom of God. See Ezra 2:68-69; 7:11-24: Nehemiah 7:70-73; Nehemiah 11:22-24, 12:44-47; 14:4-14; Haggai 1:1-11; Matthew 6:33. Ignoring the needs of God’s house can surely lead to poverty or financial hardship. Deuteronomy 8:18. God gives you the power to get wealth to establish His covenant in the earth. See Psalm 67:1-2; Luke 8:1-3
- To meet your own needs. God wants your needs to met. He is concerned about you; He is mindful of you. He seeks your wellbeing. See Psalm 8:4; 115:12-15;; Romans 8:31-32 NLT; Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Matthew 6:11.
- To meet the needs of your family members. God blesses you so you should be able to provide for your own household. See Genesis 30:25-30; 2 Samuel 6:10-12; Genesis 39:5; Genesis 12:2; 1 Kings 17:8-16; 2 Kings 4:1-7; 1 Timothy 5:8
- To take care of our parents. God expects you to honor your parents by taking care of them. As you do this, God prospers you more and more. Matthew 15:1-9; Ephesians 6:1-3; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16
- To meet the needs of the poor. God blesses you so that you can be a blessing to others. It takes money to help the poor. It has been said that the only way that you can help the poor is by not becoming one of them. You cannot help others if you are not blessed. See 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-37; 11:27-30; Genesis 12:2; Hebrews 13:16; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22; Psalm 112:3,9; 2 Corinthians 8:1-8; 9:6-10; Proverbs 3:27-28; 19:17; 28:8; Deuteronomy 15:7-11. Our generosity is a demonstration of our love for others. See 1 John 3:16-18; Proverbs 11:24-25
- For you to lay up wealth for your children’s children. God expects you to save up for your children. Don’t just spend everything you own, save for the future, especially the future of your children. See Proverbs 13:22; Ezra 9:12; Psalm 37:25-26
- To take care of your Man of God and those who minister in God’s house. This is one of the reasons why God prospers His people. See Genesis 14:13-24; Numbers 18:8-32; 1 Kings 17:8-16: 2 Kings 4:1-7; Malachi 3:8-12; 2 Chronicles 35:15; Ezra 2:68-70; Galatians 6:6-10; 1 Timothy 5:17; Romans 15:27; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 2 Corinthians 11:7-9
Leadership: The Jesus Style
Leadership: The Jesus Style
The subject of leadership is one of the most studied subjects in the world because we know that everything rises and falls on leadership. Furthermore, we know that a man’s success in life and the measure of his influence will not be any greater than his leadership ability. This is what drives the intensive study of the topic of leadership
As a result of this, there are different views about what leadership is and what leadership is not. The best reference for the true meaning of leadership is exemplified by Jesus Christ our Lord and explained in the Scriptures because Jesus is the embodiment of truth while the Bible is truth captured in print.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (Jn 10:11)
In July 2005, The Lord spoke the following words to me, He said, “You are UNQUALIFIED to lead a people you are unwilling to die for.” That’s a very big statement. God calls leaders “Shepherds” and the people He called “Sheep.” He called both secular and religious leaders shepherds. This puts leadership in an entirely different light. See Psalm 78:70-72 (NIV); Isaiah 56:9-12; Jeremiah 3:15-16; 23:1-6; Ezekiel 22:23-31; 34:1-31.
Leadership is not a position. It is taking responsibility for the wellbeing of others. It is a selfless and self sacrificing commitment to the wellbeing of a person or group of persons. Leadership is leveraging your abilities, influence and gifting for the improvement of the wellbeing of others. True Leadership is adding value. It is improving the lives of others.
This is the kind of leadership that Jesus modeled to us in the Bible. He said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” See Matthew 20:25-28 NLT.
It is obvious from the text above that leadership is a call to selfless, self giving service. True leadership is serving the purposes of God. It is serving the interests and priorities of the kingdom. It is being concerned about improving the wellbeing of others. This is the kind of leader that God wants us to be.
Leadership is not a position of authority but an opportunity to serve others. It is using your position and privileges to help people be more, do more and have more. A leader will leave you better than the way he finds you. See Acts 4:13; 20:17-31; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 MSG.
Paul the Apostle wrote the following words in his letter to Thessalonican Church:
1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 NLT
So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery.
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.
As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
From the above context we can see that Paul and his colleagues were not doing it for gain. They were in ministry to please God and to give their lives for the betterment of others. Nothing wins a man’s loyalty than his knowledge of your willingness to sacrifice yourself for his own wellbeing. When people become convinced of your selfless and self sacrificing commitment to their good they are inspired to commit themselves to follow you selflessly as well. See 2 Corinthians 4:1-2; 12:13-18.
People will obey those they fear. They admire those they respect. But they will live or die for someone they love. A true leader is a good shepherd. He loves the people he is called to serve even if they don’t love him back. See Philippians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 NLT. Consider Jesus. In spite of all the maltreatment He received from humanity, He still loved us and gave Himself for us. It was the knowledge of Christ’s love that inspired Paul to say that, “The life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” See Galatians 2:20.
Again He wrote,
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NKJV
Love wins people. Love attracts people. As we begin to serve people out of genuine love for them, they will drawn to God. The power of God will flow out of us powerfully. Remember that most of the greatest miracles Christ wrought were done out of compassion; genuine concern for the wellbeing of others. See Matthew 14:14; 15:29-38; 20:30-34; Mark 1:40-42; 5:1-19; 8:1-9; Luke 7:11-17.
People crave love just like they crave oxygen. Anywhere they find genuine, selfless love they will stick. In Acts 11:24, the Bible records that the Church at Antioch grew because Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. It’s time to embrace the Jesus style of leadership. Serving through exemplary character, feeding the people the truth of God’s Word and praying for them continuously. Comforting the disheartened, strengthening the weak, rebuking the proud and the unruly, healing the sick, bringing deliverance to the oppressed at no charge whatsoever. Jesus said, “Freely you have received and freely give.”
Let’s help them find God and follow Him. Let’s help them become like Jesus in character, charisma and compassion Let’s help them find their purpose. Let’s equip and empower them to fulfill destiny. Let’s help them be more, do more and have more. That’s service. I mean that’s leadership. Shalom
Blessings,
DWF
P. S.
Join us for Leadership Sessions everyday (Monday through Saturday) @ 10:00am (GMT+1) for S.K.I.L.L.S on New Vision TV, on the web @crichurch.org and on Facebook @Apostle David Wale Feso, @ Charismatic Renaissance or @ NewVisionTV Broadcast.
Let’s help you develop your leadership ability and increase your level of influence and capacity for success.
Preserving the Faith of the Fathers For Future Generations
The Spiritual Dimension of Fatherhood
- A male parent, one who has begotten a child. Proverbs 4:3; Genesis 5:1-3
- Prototype. Ephesians 3:14-15; 5:1
- Source: Isaiah 51:1-2 (A chip of the old man); John 8:44
- A male figure in authority. See 1 Samuel 10:9-13; Corinthians 4:14-17;
- An old man. See 1 Timothy 5:1
- A Priest
- A male guardian.
- A Pioneer in any field of endeavor. See Genesis 4:20-21
- The leading men of a city or society
- Forefather; Founding Father. See Exodus 3:6;
- The state of being a father
- The attributes or qualities of a mature male or a man
- One authorized to perform sacred rites in a ceremony. See Genesis 12:7-8; 13:18; 26:23-25; 28:18-20
- A teacher of the Word. See Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 11:18-21; Malachi 2:4-7; Proverbs 4:1-4;10-11
- An intercessor. Genesis 17:18-20; Luke 18:1; 1 Timothy 2:8; Luke 22:31-32
- Model. 1 Corinthians 4:14-17; Philippians 4:9; Titus 2:6-8; 1 Corinthians 11:1.
- A king is someone that occupies a preeminent position
- A king directs and governs the affairs of the people under his authority. See Matthew 6:9-10; Genesis 18:19; Judges 13:12; Isaiah 33:22
- The king Fights for the protection of his people. Nehemiah 4:13-14; Genesis 14:21; Acts 20:28
- The King is a Provider. Matthew 6:11-13
Principles of Effective Problem Solving
See Ecclesiastes 10:15; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 2
- Something can be a problem. See 2 Kings 4:1-7; Hosea 4:6; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Matthew 8:5-13
- A System can be a problem. See Exodus 18:13-23; Acts 6:1-7
- A person or groups of persons can be the problem. When it’s a person he or she is a saboteur of progress. These can also be called adversaries. See Acts 13:5-12; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Romans 15:30-32; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
- Identify the problem. A problem identified is a problem half solved. Know the problem. Try to identify the cause of the problem and how long it has been happening. See Matthew 17:14-21; Joshua 7:6-26; Jonah 1:6-16;
- Ask yourself: Can I solve the problem? Do you have what it takes? Do you have the skills? Inventory your personal arsenal of knowledge, talents and skills. See Luke 14:25-33; 1 Kings 3:3-16; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Luke 18:1-6; Luke 16:1-12
- Ask yourself the question: Do I need someone to help me solve the problem? Who is it or who are they? Where can I find them? What will it cost? This is called objective problem solving. See 1 Chronicles 22:1-5; 2 Chronicles 2:1-18; 1 Corinthians 4:14-17; 2 Timothy 4:9-13
- To whom do I need to report the problem if I can’t solve it? (In organizational setting) See Numbers 11:10-15; 2 Samuel 15:31; 16:23; 17:14; 17:23; Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-6
- What do I need to do or learn to keep the problem from reoccurring? If a problem keeps reoccurring it means that you are not growing or learning. See 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Ephesians 4:11-15; Hebrews 5:12-13; 2 Peter 3:14-18
- Be willing to do whatever you have been taught to eliminate the problem and end the cycle of repeated happenings. Exodus 17:8-13; Ephesians 4:14-15: 4:17-24; Colossians 3:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV
- Confront the individual or individuals sabotaging your success as an organization. Identify their real challenge. Correct and train but if they don’t change that lead to number 8. Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Timothy 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:1-3
- Fire the individual who seems to be the problem who is unwilling to change, learn or develop the necessary skills to become better. Employ a new person or new persons who will take the roles of the person or people you fired. See 1 Corinthians 5:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 John 1:9-10; 3 John 3:9-10
- Change the system when necessary. Develop new processes that will improve or change your current outcomes for the better or the best. See Exodus 18:13-23; Acts 6:1-7