Good Character
"The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out." Proverbs 10:9
If you were on a reality show with the cameras rolling for all the world to see, would you change some things? Maybe the way you spoke to your children or your spouse? Or maybe the way you treat the lady at the coffee shop who doesn't seem to be in the same hurry you are every day? Abraham Lincoln once said that, "Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."
A person's character is the whole sum of their thoughts, desires, intentions and actions. It's very reassuring to know that one incident doesn't determine your character. Can I get an Amen?!!! It's the sum of what you do with your whole life. Getting mad about McDonald's messing up your order (for the third time) doesn't mean you're doomed with an impatient or mean character. It just means you're human. Ok, you can laugh now... we've all done it.
King David was a man of good character although he sinned on occasion, just like the rest of us. Daniel was also a man of good character who "refused to eat the king's meat." These men had two different personalities but one thing in common that makes for good character-they both loved the Lord with all their heart and were determined to serve Him with all they had.
It's the Lord’s purpose to develop character within all of us just as He did for David and Daniel. Proverbs 17:3 says, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart” As silver and gold are refined by fire so are our hearts. Tests and trials, though painful, will draw us closer to Jesus and His presence will shape our character “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” Romans 5:3-4 .
You can be certain that whatever you are going through right now is either shaping, testing or showing your character. Titus 2:7-8 says, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may not be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." If the person you are in private is not the same person the world sees, pray that God will shape your character and make you into the person He needs you to be.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the tests and trials that shape us. May our character reflect your presence in our lives. May we show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech as we strive to be more Christlike bringing others to you through our actions. In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.
Happy Running!!!!
It's the Lord’s purpose to develop character within all of us just as He did for David and Daniel. Proverbs 17:3 says, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart” As silver and gold are refined by fire so are our hearts. Tests and trials, though painful, will draw us closer to Jesus and His presence will shape our character “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” Romans 5:3-4 .
You can be certain that whatever you are going through right now is either shaping, testing or showing your character. Titus 2:7-8 says, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may not be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." If the person you are in private is not the same person the world sees, pray that God will shape your character and make you into the person He needs you to be.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the tests and trials that shape us. May our character reflect your presence in our lives. May we show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech as we strive to be more Christlike bringing others to you through our actions. In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.
Happy Running!!!!
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