Join us at Eric & Angela's home at 10pm to 4am for an all night prayer meeting. It promises to be an AWESOME and powerful time where we will move the heart of God for Gloucester and D7 Church.
Men of Unshakeable Integrity
D7 men are men of unshakeable integrity
(Unshakeable= solid, constant, unmovable, unwavering)
“A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives” – Jackie Robinson
“Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” Genesis 41:38 (NLT)
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change. When you have integrity, your words and your deeds match up. You are who you are, no matter where you are or who you are with.
A man with integrity does not have divided loyalties (e.g. God and money, the Church and the world, his wife and other women - that’s duplicity), nor is he pretending (that’s hypocrisy). A man with integrity is a “whole” man; they can be identified by their single-mindedness. A man with integrity has nothing to hide and nothing to fear. If you want to be free you have to make integrity part of who you are. No compromise. D7 men are men of unshakeable integrity; they are who they are no matter what the circumstances are.
A vision will lead you but integrity will keep you. Gifts without integrity are fruitless. Integrity will determine who you are and who you are will determine what you do. Integrity is your best friend and also the best friend that your friends will ever have.
If you’re planning to achieve anything you have to work on your character. If your talent takes you where your character cannot keep you, you will end up:
A vision will lead you but integrity will keep you. Gifts without integrity are fruitless. Integrity will determine who you are and who you are will determine what you do. Integrity is your best friend and also the best friend that your friends will ever have.
If you’re planning to achieve anything you have to work on your character. If your talent takes you where your character cannot keep you, you will end up:
- Hitting a performance ceiling that is much lower than your aptitude.
- Hitting an obstacle or situation that derails you.
- Reaching great success only to self-destruct and lose it all.
Think about the questions below:
- Do your words and your deeds match up?
- Does your environment control who you are? If so how can you overcome that?
- Would the people in your world say that you are a man of integrity? Why?
Image-Building vs. Integrity-Building
An image cannot sustain you because we are all faced with conflicting desires.
For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Galatians 5:17
No one, no matter how “spiritual”, can avoid this battle. Integrity is the factor that determines which one will prevail. Integrity determines who we are and how we will respond before the conflict even appears. Image is what people think we are. Integrity is what we really are. Consider the following questions and answer Yes or No:
Fighting the lies
You’ve all heard these lies:
No one, no matter how “spiritual”, can avoid this battle. Integrity is the factor that determines which one will prevail. Integrity determines who we are and how we will respond before the conflict even appears. Image is what people think we are. Integrity is what we really are. Consider the following questions and answer Yes or No:
- Are you the same person no matter who you are with?
- Do you make decisions that are best for others when another choice would benefit you?
- Are you quick to recognise others for their efforts and contributions to your success?
Fighting the lies
You’ve all heard these lies:
“You’re cheating, but it is for your family!”
“This is how I was made.”
“I am married but I am not blind!”
“You are a man, aren’t you?”
When trials come (and believe me they will!) to rob you from your integrity remember two things:
1. Man (your boss, the government, your parents, etc) is not your source but God.
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. Hebrews 13:6
2. God has made us with desires. But He has also given us self-control.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Do you believe or have believed in lies that have had a negative effect on your integrity?
Integrity is about the small things
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10
Integrity commits itself to character over personal gain, to people over things, to service over power, to principle over convenience, to the long view over the immediate.
For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Matthew 10:26
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16
Becoming a Man of Integrity
It is always easy to do what is right when you know ahead of time what you stand for. In the end you can bend your actions to conform to your principles, or you can bend your principles to conform to your actions. But remember: If you cross the line of your values – whether it’s by an inch or by a mile – you are still out of bounds.
Monitor who you are becoming
1) Commit yourself to developing strong character. Take full responsibility for your mistakes. If you have to apologise to someone this is your chance, don’t hold back take this opportunity to allow God to work in you and through you. Unconditionally forgive those who may have hurt you (Remember Jesus did this for you in the first place). Is there anyone in your life that you need to thank? Is there anyone that needs honour? The time to do it is now. Do you see solid, unshakeable integrity in yourself? Make the commitment to change today.
Read the following statement, and then sign the line below:
I commit myself to being a person of character. Truth, reliability, honesty, confidentiality and above all the word of God will be the pillars of my life. I will treat others in the way I expect to be treated. I will live according to the high standards of integrity amid of all of life’s circumstances.
Signature: Date:
2) Do the little things. Spend the next week carefully monitoring your character habits. Make a note to yourself each time you do any of the following:
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10
Integrity commits itself to character over personal gain, to people over things, to service over power, to principle over convenience, to the long view over the immediate.
For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Matthew 10:26
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16
Becoming a Man of Integrity
It is always easy to do what is right when you know ahead of time what you stand for. In the end you can bend your actions to conform to your principles, or you can bend your principles to conform to your actions. But remember: If you cross the line of your values – whether it’s by an inch or by a mile – you are still out of bounds.
Monitor who you are becoming
1) Commit yourself to developing strong character. Take full responsibility for your mistakes. If you have to apologise to someone this is your chance, don’t hold back take this opportunity to allow God to work in you and through you. Unconditionally forgive those who may have hurt you (Remember Jesus did this for you in the first place). Is there anyone in your life that you need to thank? Is there anyone that needs honour? The time to do it is now. Do you see solid, unshakeable integrity in yourself? Make the commitment to change today.
Read the following statement, and then sign the line below:
I commit myself to being a person of character. Truth, reliability, honesty, confidentiality and above all the word of God will be the pillars of my life. I will treat others in the way I expect to be treated. I will live according to the high standards of integrity amid of all of life’s circumstances.
Signature: Date:
2) Do the little things. Spend the next week carefully monitoring your character habits. Make a note to yourself each time you do any of the following:
- Don’t tell the whole truth.
- Neglect to fulfil a commitment, whether it’s promised or implied.
- Leave an assignment uncompleted.
- Talk about something that you might have been expected to keep in confidence.
3) Do what you should do before you do what you want to do. Everyday day this week, find two items on your to-do list that you should do but that you have been putting off. Complete those tasks before doing anything on the list that you enjoy.
4) Study the life of Saul and David. Write down the contrast between these two men. What can you learn from them and what timeless principles can you draw from their lives.
Key Verses:
But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. 17 Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.” Zechariah 8:16-17 (NLT)
“Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” Genesis 41:38 (NLT)
The above is also based on the following:
Integrity
Becoming a person of influence
Developing the leader within you
“Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” Genesis 41:38 (NLT)
The above is also based on the following:
Integrity
Becoming a person of influence
Developing the leader within you
Men of Extraordinary Vision
We kicked off D7 Men with what I find to be a crucial thing in life: Vision. Men in our society lack vision - not on my watch! As long as I live I will challenge the men around me to grab hold of what God intends for them. Men, you were created for a purpose and sitting watching TV eating junk is not one of them. I refuse to be surrounded by purposeless, visionless men.
D7 Men are men of extraordinary vision
D7 Men are men of extraordinary vision
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5
“You never just focus on what you’ve accomplished for the year; you focus on what you’ve accomplished relative to exactly what you said you were going to accomplish.”
– George Rathmann
You measure the success of your vision according to what you’ve planned and how much you’ve managed to accomplish toward that goal. Remember that the future belongs to those who plan for it, even though some people would rather spend more time planning their holidays than their life. As a D7 man you have to have vision.
When writing down your vision consider:
When writing down your vision consider:
1- God.
Great vision requires remarkable, reckless faith. When devising a vision for your life make sure you make God’s priorities your priorities. Make sure your dreams are also God’s dreams, otherwise you might end up chasing the wind, just like king Solomon. (See Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, 17, 1:2-4, 1:5-8, 1:8-9)
2- The People in Your World
Teamwork makes the dream work. If you can achieve your vision by flying solo, then chances are you're not doing anything worthwhile. A big vision requires people. We can’t accomplish great things alone. Examples of people that had a great team: David (his mighty men), Jesus (the twelve disciples) and the Apostles (spirit filled men). Your vision should have the capacity to turn ordinary men into “giant killers”. So look after the people that God has put in your world. Don't take them for granted, they might become your best friends. Stay planted in God's house no matter what, serve the people in your world with a humble attitude and you will see that they will be more than willing to help you out.
3- The Clarity of Your Vision (thanks to Dr. John Maxwell for the insight)
Write the vision and make it plain on tablets
Habakkuk 2:2
Make sure you clarify your vision. Make sure you know what you want (James 1:6-8). Make you vision clear.
2- The People in Your World
Teamwork makes the dream work. If you can achieve your vision by flying solo, then chances are you're not doing anything worthwhile. A big vision requires people. We can’t accomplish great things alone. Examples of people that had a great team: David (his mighty men), Jesus (the twelve disciples) and the Apostles (spirit filled men). Your vision should have the capacity to turn ordinary men into “giant killers”. So look after the people that God has put in your world. Don't take them for granted, they might become your best friends. Stay planted in God's house no matter what, serve the people in your world with a humble attitude and you will see that they will be more than willing to help you out.
3- The Clarity of Your Vision (thanks to Dr. John Maxwell for the insight)
Write the vision and make it plain on tablets
Habakkuk 2:2
Make sure you clarify your vision. Make sure you know what you want (James 1:6-8). Make you vision clear.
Clarity requires effort. Ask yourself these questions.
1) What are your deep concerns?
2) What are your values?
3) What strengths do you have?
4) How have your experiences shaped you?
These questions uncover how you are wired and what you value the most. Once the vision starts to come together in your mind, write it down and share it with someone you trust. As your vision crystallizes, you might want to surround yourself with inspirational resources (books, movies, paintings, people who can help you realise your vision).
Clarity specifies your direction. Why should we make the effort to see the vision clearly? Because vague visions cannot serve as compelling guides. Writing down your vision is a great way to make it clear. This will also provide you with direction, accountability and possible problems.
Clarity will determine your priorities. Every man has limitations. Limited time, limited resources, and limited energy. As such, nobody can have it all in life. In light of our limitations, we each have to make sacrifices and scale back the scope of our ambitions. Seeing the vision clearly helps us to prioritize which opportunities to bypass and which activities deserve our dedication. The choices we make either draw us closer to our vision or push us farther away from it. If we're unsure of the vision, then we won't know how to make decisions that carry us in the right direction. If we don't live by priorities we will live by pressures. So set your priorities right, at the very beginning.
How NOT to Be Double-Minded
1) What are your deep concerns?
2) What are your values?
3) What strengths do you have?
4) How have your experiences shaped you?
These questions uncover how you are wired and what you value the most. Once the vision starts to come together in your mind, write it down and share it with someone you trust. As your vision crystallizes, you might want to surround yourself with inspirational resources (books, movies, paintings, people who can help you realise your vision).
Clarity specifies your direction. Why should we make the effort to see the vision clearly? Because vague visions cannot serve as compelling guides. Writing down your vision is a great way to make it clear. This will also provide you with direction, accountability and possible problems.
Clarity will determine your priorities. Every man has limitations. Limited time, limited resources, and limited energy. As such, nobody can have it all in life. In light of our limitations, we each have to make sacrifices and scale back the scope of our ambitions. Seeing the vision clearly helps us to prioritize which opportunities to bypass and which activities deserve our dedication. The choices we make either draw us closer to our vision or push us farther away from it. If we're unsure of the vision, then we won't know how to make decisions that carry us in the right direction. If we don't live by priorities we will live by pressures. So set your priorities right, at the very beginning.
How NOT to Be Double-Minded
"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."
– Henry Ford
... but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14
The answer is: You Focus and Press on. Ask yourself these questions.
Focus: Write down your short term and long term Goals.
Press on: How are you going to implement the above?
Take your time to read and meditate on these verses: Ephesians 3:20, 2 John 1:8, James 1:12, Galatians 6:9
Recommended Reading:
Believe That You Can by Jentezen Franklin
Recommended Reading:
Believe That You Can by Jentezen Franklin
Profile of a D7 Man
Romans 8:29 (Msg)
The men at D7 Church have officially started their journey.
This year is going to be a year of challenge, growth, faith, strong relationships, wild fun, exploration, and uncomfortable living. This is what the men at D7 Church will be focusing on.
D7 Men are:
Men of Extraordinary Vision (Proverbs 21:5)
Men of Reckless Faith (Ephesians 3:20)
Men of Unshakable Integrity (Zechariah 8:16-17)
Men of Great Influence (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Men of Unmatched Confidence (Hebrews 10:35)
Men of Relentless, “All The Way” Servanthood. (Mat.20:28)
Men of Extraordinary Vision (Proverbs 21:5)
Men of Reckless Faith (Ephesians 3:20)
Men of Unshakable Integrity (Zechariah 8:16-17)
Men of Great Influence (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Men of Unmatched Confidence (Hebrews 10:35)
Men of Relentless, “All The Way” Servanthood. (Mat.20:28)
Men of Consuming Passion (John 2:17)
Men of Intense Urgency for the Gospel (Mark 1:15)
Men of a Much Loved Family (1 Timothy 5:8)
Men of Hard Work (Colossians 3:23)
Men of a Much Loved Family (1 Timothy 5:8)
Men of Hard Work (Colossians 3:23)
Men of Daring Courage (1 Chronicles 11:22-24)
Men of Uncompromising Discipline (Hebrews 12:11)
Men of Uncompromising Discipline (Hebrews 12:11)
Men of Extravagant Generosity (Proverbs 11:24)
Men of Passionate Romance. (Ephesians 5:25)
As men we have to have focus and if we want to be great men we have to have even greater focus. Our focus will help us to define milestones, achievements and discover what being a D7 man is all about. The above profile represents the main characteristics of Jesus. Our aim as men is to be more like him and that is going to be our focus.
If you want to make the most of this journey remember to be real, honest, accountable, trusting, unoffendable and focused. Think about what has been discussed and apply what you learn no matter the cost. You might also consider starting a journal to document your growth this year.
Keep plugged in as there is more exciting stuff to come and remember: perfection is not a requirement for commitment.
If you want to make the most of this journey remember to be real, honest, accountable, trusting, unoffendable and focused. Think about what has been discussed and apply what you learn no matter the cost. You might also consider starting a journal to document your growth this year.
Keep plugged in as there is more exciting stuff to come and remember: perfection is not a requirement for commitment.
Hey D7 Men!
Just to let you know that this coming Tuesday D7 Men is going to be awesome. If you haven’t done so please sign up to this blog asap!!! As I will be adding some extra resources and useful information to it from time to time. Spread the word and don’t forget that everybody is welcome to join us. So invite/bribe/kidnap/beg/sedate/nag/ your heathen friend.
I have waited, listened, and prayed therefore this coming Tuesday I will be unleashing the vision for this year. So be prepared to walk closer to God (you will need it!), be challenged and grow exponentially.
In a nutshell I am extremely excited.
See you there!
Our Best Days Are Ahead
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
What is the unseen? Did you know that:
1- For some people D7 Church is the highlight of their week. Greatness is not what great people say about you. Greatness is what ordinary people, who can benefit you nothing say about you.
2- Church is their only hope. The reason for people to relocate just to join us wanting to be part of an awesome team and a church with a big vision. People that came to Christ through our hard work are now reaping the benefits of a new life.
3- We are building an awesome church. People wanting to give to our church because they have recognised God's work throught us. D7 Arena, we can’t lose sight of it. If you can see it you can have it. D7 is a church with a big vision.
And since breakthrough might be just around the corner what should we do? Here at D7 Church we do the following:
1) We keep on showing up.
At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
Half of the battle is showing up. History is not kind to people who go back. People who haven’t realised going back is never better will always struggle to find a reason to keep going in the face to adversity.The Millions who went back from the brink of Canaan did not write the next chapter of the Bible, but Joshua and Caleb did.
2) We expect great things to happen.
To expect is to believe something will happen.
“ ...‘I am the LORD... Is anything too hard for Me?’”
Jeremiah 32:27
3) We press on.
3- We are building an awesome church. People wanting to give to our church because they have recognised God's work throught us. D7 Arena, we can’t lose sight of it. If you can see it you can have it. D7 is a church with a big vision.
And since breakthrough might be just around the corner what should we do? Here at D7 Church we do the following:
1) We keep on showing up.
At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
Half of the battle is showing up. History is not kind to people who go back. People who haven’t realised going back is never better will always struggle to find a reason to keep going in the face to adversity.The Millions who went back from the brink of Canaan did not write the next chapter of the Bible, but Joshua and Caleb did.
2) We expect great things to happen.
To expect is to believe something will happen.
“ ...‘I am the LORD... Is anything too hard for Me?’”
Jeremiah 32:27
3) We press on.
... but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:13-14
Philippians 3:13-14
There is only one way and that is FORWARD! We've burned the bridges, locked the door and thrown the key out. We are in this until the end, we are pressing own with sharp focus towards the prize.
4) We make a habit to look through the eyes of faith.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:20
Check these verses out:
Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
2 John 1:8
Blessed is the man who perseveres.
James 1:12
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
4) We make a habit to look through the eyes of faith.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:20
Check these verses out:
Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
2 John 1:8
Blessed is the man who perseveres.
James 1:12
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
We can't not afford not to persevere!