Thursday, 24th March, 2022
Bible Reading: Galatians 5: 22-24
Memory Verse: Examine yourselves to see whether you are still in the Christian faith. Test yourselves! Don’t you recognize that you are people in whom Jesus Christ lives? Could it be that you’re failing the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (GWT)
Warren Buffett said, “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.” It’s easier to train a person of good character to do a job well than to develop character in a skilled but unprincipled employee. Skills can be acquired and mastered over the years, but character defects are most times irredeemable! The character a person brings into the job is more important than the skills he/she brings. There are many things that can get a man to the top, but there is just only one thing that keeps him there – Character. There is a lot to learn from Japan and South Korea. In Japan and South Korea, there is neither a typical syllabus nor any exam in the primary schools. Up to fourth-grade, students are taught etiquette, manners, how to be humble towards elders and the history and other details about their country. In these countries, exams are given least importance. Learning and character top the priority list. You can never get through your degrees and certificates what you should get through character! I have come to realize in life that until we give the right character its place in our lives, we will always end up bankrupt regardless of how buoyant we are in every other area of life. Character matters in everything. No matter where you place skills and degrees, character matters. Beauty without manner cannot sustain you in marriage. Intelligence without character cannot make you outstanding. Power without discipline would end you in futilities. Max Depree said, “We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are.” One of the HR gurus on hiring and employability, Michael Josephson once said, “In today’s business environment, character and ethics are critical competencies of leadership. Without them, a capable person is just another major risk”. There is more hope in life for a poor man with the right character than a rich man with the wrong character. Socrates said, “What mostly count is not merely to live, but to live right”. Beware of the impression you create with your character. You will need to do a character audit to know the pattern of behavior and the character defects holding you down from living your best life. What is your biggest character flaw and what are the steps you want to take to overcome it? Discuss this with your mentor and work seriously to build up the character that is in tandem with your destination. Take conscious effort to work on any character trait that is inimical to your destiny.
Quote: Your success stops where your character stops. You can never rise above the limitations of your character – John C. Maxwell.
Prophetic Decree: Receive your deliverance from evil foundational habits and character, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. The only wise God we thank you.
2. I will not rise only to fall because of known and unknown character defect, in Jesus name.
3. My mouth, you shall not lead me out of divine destiny, in Jesus name.
4. Holy Spirit, open my eyes to areas of my life where I am proud and help me take to correction, in Jesus name.
5. I come against the spirit of insurbordination, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 5-8