(The following message is a recollection and adaptation of what Bishop Dale Bronner had shared during a Man-Up! meeting held at City Harvest Church on 24 July 2015)
Bishop Bronner shared so many nuggets upon nuggets of truth that it is not easy to catch them all with a pen and notebook.
Hence, you may wish to get hold of a copy of his message in full from The Ink Room (http://www.theinkroom.com.sg)
Noting that Singapore is known as the Lion City, he proclaimed that Singapore belongs to Jesus -- the Lion from the tribe of Judah. He has some Asian roots and identifies with the same blood type which is the most common among Asians -- B+ (i.e., Be Positive!).
Then, he took some digs at the differences between man and woman. For example, when a woman says she doesn't have any clothes to wear, what she meant to say is that she has nothing new to wear. On the other hand, when a man says he has nothing to wear, he is saying that he does not have anything clean to wear. He quipped, "Your wife doesn't always hear what you say; she interpretes you."
When a man is fulfilled, his wife and his children will also be fulfilled.
Every man has 4 needs (at least):
1. A need to be LOVED.
2. A need to be UNDERSTOOD.
3. A need to be VALUED.
4. A need to be REMEMBERED (in a positive way).
God's answer to every problem is always a person -- the right person at the right time in the right place doing the right thing.
Men are called to be leaders in their home. The LEADER is a path finder where, ethymologically, LEA = path; and DER = finder
God puts a vision in us, but man as a leader has to find the path. LEADERSHIP is leading yourself in such a way that inspires others to follow. God gives us a hunger to find our path. Get up and go on a journey with God. You will find God the most outside of your comfort zone.
The greatest lessons are learnt on a course (of life) and not in a course (of study). Always remain teachable.
God fills us to fulfill the Great Commission.
According to Luke 12:47 (NKJV), "And that servant who knew his Master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." You don't get what you want in life, but you get what you prepare for. BE PREPARED!
How To Prepare Yourself:
1. Assessment
Be aware of not only your strengths but also your weaknesses. Do not be like the job interviewee who only spoke of his strengths and was dumbfounded when asked for an assessment of his weaknesses. He was not honest with his assessment of himself since everybody has weaknesses. God gives you direction based on where are you. "Adam, where are you?"
2. Alignment
Have everything set up properly. Align your values with the Word of God. Taking an analogy from the game of golf, your posture and swing must be in alignment for the ball to reach the goal.
3. Attitude
Attitude is a frame of mind. Be positive. Be allergic to negative people. Whatever frame your mind will frame your world. An attitude is an external sign of an inner emotion.
4. Action
Be ready to take the first step when the time comes.
Have a SYSTEM -- a system simplifies the various aspects of your life such as family, business and finance. With a system, you Save Your Self Time Energy and Money.
WISDOM is knowing what to ignore.
HAPPINESS is determined by genetic set point (50%), intentional activity of thoughts and actions (40%) and outside circumstances (10%). Inspite of the least percentage of influence, outside circumstances can mess up our happiness.
Some Outside Circumstances That Stress You Up:
1. Living out of sync with who you are (your core values).
2. Saying "Yes" when you should say "No". Make a decision to cut off from a state of being, where De = off; cis = cut; and ion = state of. A decision gives us powerful scissors.
3. Trying to control things that are out of your control.
4. Having an unreliable team member.
Be wary of the company you keep. These are the categories of people in your life:
1. Coaches (experts who need very little from you; 90% of the time they are imparting to you while you give them your 10%)
2. Comrades (buddies)
3. Casuals (associates; acquaintances)
4. Care (people we care for)
5. Chronics (hardheaded people)
6. Contaminants (evil, wicked and destrutive people who distract you from your purpose and God-given mission)
Spend more time with your Coaches, Comrades and Casuals.
There is a WORK that God has ordained for man:
1. HARD WORK
Be diligent. Work hard. Dysfunctional = not working. An indolent person is a lazy person who is avoiding pain and, in so doing, creates pain for others. Romance without finance is a nuisance.
2. HEART WORK
Keep your heart clear of offence, resentment, unforgiveness. etc.We control our reactions to others. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)
3. HOME WORK
Maintain your home as Prophet, King and Priest. No amount of success can compensate for the failure at home. Family = Father's house. Husband = houseman.
Build your house on a solid rock of hearing and doing the Word of God (God's principles).
About Bishop Dale Bronner
Bishop Dale C. Bronner is the fourth of six sons of the late Mr. Nathaniel Hawthorne Bronner, Sr. and Mrs. Robbie Bronner. He began ministry in his local, public high school as president and founder of the Praise the Lord Club. Bishop Bronner is a graduate of Morehouse College, where he finished as the top student in the field of religion. Since that time, he has been the recipient of countless accolades. He became a member of the Martin Luther King Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in 1999. In 2001, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Christian Life School of Theology. In 2003, he was consecrated/installed as Bishop by the International Communion of Charismatic Churches, which is a network of more than 16,000 churches.
He serves on the Board of Directors and is part owner of Bronner Brothers Manufacturing Company, a multi-million dollar family-owned corporation which has been in the hair care business for over sixty years.
Currently, Bishop Bronner is the founder/senior pastor of Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral, an interdenominational ministry, founded in 1991, thriving with more than 19,000 members. Many regard Bishop Bronner as a leader’s leader. Consequently, he is a much sought after conference speaker and leadership trainer, whose travels have taken him around the world. He is an accomplished author, with several books to his credit: Get A Grip (1996), Guard Your Gates (2002), A Check Up From the Neck Up (2003), Treasure Your Silent Years (2004), Home Remedies (2005), and Pass the Baton (2006). Bishop Bronner is co-author of Planning Your Succession (2008). He is also a contributing writer for the books, Man Power and Failure: The Womb of Success. Bishop Bronner’s message reaches millions daily through his international multi-media broadcast.
Bishop Bronner resides in Atlanta with his wife, Nina. They are the proud parents of four daughters and one son. Additionally, they are blessed to have two beautiful granddaughters. Bishop Bronner lives with a mission to reach the lost and teach the found. His passion is to know Christ and to make Him known as well as to bring maturity to the Body of Christ.
