Category: Character

Integrity

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“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10

Can God trust you to do the right things? It doesn’t have to be a lot. Just simple actions added together can make a big difference. God doesn’t need us. He could do it all on his own. But it grows us little by little. When everyone just puts their little bits together with others it can make a huge difference. Consider how many Christian’s contribute, and that’s not always all of them, but added together, wow. All you are given is a test by God. Because if he doesn’t test us he can’t see how much we grow from it. It doesn’t need to be a big commitment or a lot of faith to change someone’s life. You can change your life and the lives of those around you by consistently showing you care and are faithful. Doing the good thing and saying what God has for you to say. Once you say something or do something it’s in the past but your words and deeds speak volumes about your character. Acting out of emotions can get you in trouble and hurt others when we want to be loving and caring. People don’t always hear what they say it just comes out and it may even be doing harm to them as well as others. We need to be encouraging and uplifting to others by the little things we do. If somebody says or does something we don’t like maybe it’s because they are hurting or in need. If we are compassionate we will try to help them. Changing their attitude. Bring a smile to someone’s life today by the things that you do and you may make a big difference in their lives.

Procrastination

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“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for the harvest.” John 4:35

This was said about telling the good news of salvation to someone and we certainly don’t want to procrastinate when it comes to someone’s eternal destiny but we can put so many things off until tomorrow and it never seems to be the right time. Praying, reading the Bible or so many things. I know I could sit playing on my tablet for hours and keep putting things off. There came a day when I said from now on I am going to do the next right thing no matter what it is and just get it over with. One thing was I never drank much water most of my life and one of my kidneys dried up and had to be removed. The doctor said you only have one left and you need it to live, so drink a lot more water or you will need dialysis. Well I had a couple roommates on dialysis and it was bad but when they finally got close to dying it was horrible to watch. I have to make myself drink water but I drink a lot now. Because of my stroke there are things I can’t control but if something will keep me healthy like a good diet or rest, I do it. I have a routine to help me do important things like reading my Bible or praying I do it at the same time every day. I also journal everything I read for better comprehension. I do things to stimulate my brain it’s the one thing I have that works real well and that’s very important to me. When it comes to prayer I used to tell people I’d pray for them and then forget. I don’t forget any more and I always say thank you for blessings and answered prayers. If I’m worried about something I pray but if there is something I can do to help God will nudge me and I jump to it right away. Spending time with family and friends, even if it’s just talking online is important because they won’t always be there. I know because I almost died at 45 but God wasn’t done with me. So many things like reading books writing my devotionals that I share with many people and on my blog. Maybe there are things you want to try like working at a food pantry or serving in a ministry. People are definitely needed for so many things. There are many things we can do to make a difference in others lives and encourage people. Do everything you can to make today a better day than yesterday. So one day you can hear, “ well done good and faithful servant.”.

The Soldier

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“For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go’, and he goes, and that one, ‘Come’, and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this’, and he does it.” Matthew 8:9

A soldier is only concerned with doing the will of his commander. We are soldiers in God’s army and we should do everything unto the Lord our King. I am retired so I can do whatever I want but God is my boss and I follow his lead. I follow his commands and try to be like him. A good soldier is sure to wear his uniform proudly and always has his weapons at the ready. He wouldn’t go into battle without them or he would end up dead. Others lives depend on him and a careless soldier is not an honorable soldier. We follow commands and when God tells us to do something it is extremely wise to heed his call. Sometimes his commands don’t always make sense because we don’t know everything and we don’t have to. God always does what is best for us, as does any good commander. They know things that we don’t. They are responsible for the safety of their soldiers. The ultimate commander is God himself and we all should take his lead. A good commander would give his life for his soldiers and God gave the most important thing to us that he could. The life of his one and only son. I know I could take a bullet before I could watch one of my children suffer and die. That says so much for the leader of the world. He leads by example. That is why he sent his son. Because as we watched Jesus, we got to know the Father better. He will do whatever it takes to make sure his children are safe, healthy and happy.

Who Is God?

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“The Lord, The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin.” Exodus 34:6-7

“Who is God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” Micah 7:18

This is from God’s own words not from second hand information. He wants you to know him and his character. He can not lie because it is not in his perfect nature. His promises, vows, and statements can always be counted on and what he says he will do, he does do. Even if it seems impossible to our human minds. His ways are far above our ways and very unique and different with each of his unique and different children. The first thing he is, is compassionate. He cares about everything that is important to his creation. Because he wants the very best for everyone and everything. He even notices when a single sparrow dies. His grace is new every day. We don’t deserve anything but he gives good things to everyone every day. Not just to those who love him but the sun shines also on the wicked. It takes a lot to make him angry. The Israelites were a great example. They kept screwing up and doing the same things that he had told them not to do, but he kept forgiving them over and over. But when he promises punishment he follows through. He promises curses to those who do not obey. But he will forgive you if you ask. He says he delights to show mercy. That means he wants you to ask for forgiveness and to believe that he will give it. It doesn’t matter how bad your sin was, he gives all a brand new start. Forgetting your sins though they may be many. He has so much love that we will never understand and he will never promise something that he won’t do. He can always be counted on. He created everyone on purpose and he has a purpose for everyone’s life. He loves you and you matter to him. There is nothing you could ever do that he can’t forgive. Even as he hung on that cross to make it possible for you to be forgiven, he forgave those that sought his death. Everything that was made from galaxies to elaborate single cells were well thought out in detail. For everyone to enjoy.

The Narrow Road

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“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name and in your name cast out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly’I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers.” Matthew 7:22-23 NIV

“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” Matthew 7:13 NIV

This world is a terrible place right now. It is easy to see we are in the end times. I hurt that so many people are lost and hurting. But we have been warned. It is not easy to get into heaven. It takes strength and commitment. People think you must be weak to choose Christianity. But I’ll tell you it is much easier to follow the crowd do just what feels good. It may be easier, but not better by far. If you are a Christian people will look down on you and treat you differently. Doing the right thing is not popular. Being a true Christian makes you unique and different. Standing out in a crowd. To be a true Christian you need to follow God’s commands. This is how we show him we love him. He is first in our lives before everything else. Now he has shown us how much he loves us and continues to show us each and every day. He does want the very best for us that is why his commands are there. I can see a lot of violence and hatred in the world. I get that those things won’t end up in heaven, but in the first verse it says Many who say they are Christians and who do great things in the ministry will not be going to heaven. So good deeds don’t necessarily cut it. It’s a heart thing and only God knows our hearts. People can act like a Christian and not be one. It’s not what you do but why you do it that matters. To be a Christian is to be as much like Christ as we can. He was an excellent example for us to follow. No we are not perfect, we make mistakes. But we are forgiven if we really desire to do right and make a difference. Because we are free to be a Christian in America we’ve taken it for granted. We are free to do just what we want. Making many of us selfish. It’s easy to think of numero uno first. But this is not Gods way. He has told us to put others first. Hard to follow maybe, but it’s important. Love always thinks of others first. In other countries where it isn’t free to worship God, there are so many more real Christians. They risk their lives every day that they desire to serve God, but there is a greater passion in what they do because it’s very very important to them. Here, well I’ll get around to it someday. But someday is not promised. You are betting your life in eternity each breath you take. If there is no heaven then we lose nothing, but if there is a hell you lose everything if you have not planned ahead. It’s easy to do the wrong thing, the things everyone else is doing. But remember the road to destruction is wide. It’s difficult to stay on that tiny path and many won’t complete the journey. But it is worth it.

Which road are you on?

Where Is Your Heart

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“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind. To reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10 NIV

According to how we act we will be rewarded. God wants everyone to have a good life. A life full and abundant. The world uses the word ‘karma’. Bringing on yourself inevitable results by good and bad character. We have been given a free will to do whatever we want. It’s all up to us. From an early age we are taught to be good. Even though we have a natural tendency toward sin because of the fall of Adam and Eve it is not true that we will be bad. Your parents are not the only ones who raise you. They may not of been the best examples to live by but there are other people teaching you good character traits. Teachers, sport coaches, churches and other good people in your life. They teach you how to interact with those around you and how to act as part of a team. Dealing with animals in a caring way. Skills in getting along with others. God has given us his words in the Bible that tell us clearly how to have a good life. The rewards for good behavior and what’s happens with bad behavior. They are spelled out very clearly. There are laws to keep us from doing bad things to others. If you don’t break the law you won’t pay the consequences. There are consequences for every action. Deep inside of us we all have a conscience that guides us. It wants us to do good and makes us feel bad inside when we do something bad. If we ignore it and repeat offenses it will grow hard. We can still change it if we want to but it will take God’s help, our creator, to change us. If we want to be blessed again and not always have problems we need to ask forgiveness and ask for help. He is always waiting right there to help. He is not expecting us to behave in a way that is impossible. He tells us the correct way and also offers us all the help we will need to do it. Knowing what is best for us and loving us unconditionally makes him the expert. He is also the one responsible for the outcome of our lives in his world. That is why I always look at the Bible as my owners manual for life. It will give answers for everything if you will just make it part of your life. Just like reading the owner’s manual for your new car will help you understand how it works best.

Have you read your owner’s manual lately?

His Image

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“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Everyone is very special to God. We were all made in his image. That is why we can all live our lives to the fullest. He knew us before we were ever born. He sees the big picture. He is looking through a wide lens. Everything that can make us the best we can be is all mapped out. We have a very important purpose. God knows before anything happens just what will work best. It would work perfectly if we did everything right. Problem is that we are not perfect. We are all given free will to do what we want. Life is a learning process that lasts till our very last breath. The people we are around as we grow. The time we were born. Where we were born and grew up. Our choices that we make. All these things make us who we are. For every action God has a consequence for us. Good behaviors bring blessings. Bad behaviors bring more challenges and trials. God is not surprised by any of our choices. Good or bad he sees them coming and adjusts our life with love and care. Making our lives work out for our best. He is not just concerned about us, but everyone. Our choices do impact everyone around us. Take a family for example. I have one sister and two brothers. I was the first born to my parents. They were good Christians and my grandfather was a Baptist minister. All these things made me who I was and our relationships made a difference to all our lives. Slowly I was becoming who he made me to be. Trials come to teach us. Just as we go through school from kindergarten thru high school. These trials are meant to help us grow. They come with tests we need to pass to get us to the next level. Some move quickly and some take more time. Don’t think you are ever too far gone or your troubles are too much. God will always let us have a do-over. We just need to come to him and say I’m sorry. I really have screwed up. Help! He molds us and makes us just right. We can trust that God knows just what he’s doing. He’s been doing it for years and years. He can keep our life on track just like he keeps billions of lives going at once. We continue to be special because of each life we touch. It’s so easy to say “if this just happened,” or, “if I hadn’t done that.” We might see our lives as bad or good. God sees the whole picture though. He’s doing everything to make our life really count.

Are you a good example of Christ?

Overflowing Heart

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“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, an evil man brings evil out of the evil things stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV

When I was young my mother told me if I didn’t have anything good to say I shouldn’t say anything at all. This was very wise. In the Bible it says that the fool loves to talk, but the wise has few words. I know that as I began a relationship in earnest with my God I desired to do what he wanted all the time. I always wanted to help and at times I spoke without thinking. Was it really any of my business? I felt the spirit in side prompting me to hold my words. I liked stating my opinions and what I thought should be done. I didn’t really seek out the Lords opinions and ways though. I may have wanted things more my way. Or done the way I would do it. I felt myself quieted quite often. At the same time I was seeking to know the Lord more. Reading the Bible and different studies of others on the Bible . I read Christian books, devotionals, watched on-line sermons, Christian movies and documentaries. The more time I spent with the Lord throughout the day, the more confident I felt. I believe what goes in comes out. If I spent all day playing games and watching tv, or spent time hanging around angry, complaining, selfish and self-serving people , then that’s how I would become. That is not how I wanted to be. I spent time evaluating each thing I spent time doing. The first thing I did is give away my TV. Too much value-less time spent there. I have PureFlix now so I can spend time watching television and movies. Everything I have ever watched on it I enjoy. It’s kind of like eating. Just because it tastes good does not mean it’s good for you. I’ve found that eating less sugars and starches helps me feel better and less bloated. Watching too much tv just makes me anxious and nervous. Depending on what I watch. I prefer things that bring peace and inspiration. I like feeling positive. Music can really change the way you feel. I know that listening to others talking around me can make me anxious and frustrated, but by turning on praise music or instrumentals I can relax. If my heart is anxious and frustrated I will not be at my best. So as I choose to do things to occupy my time, I choose things that edify me and others. Then I am certain to respond positively towards others.

What are you spending time putting into your heart?

Do Over

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“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

As we leave 2019 behind it is a very good time to take a quick look to our past. Do we have regrets and disappointments we need to leave behind. Things we did or didn’t do. Things we don’t like about ourselves. Maybe I have been mean, negative, and angry. Have I had bad habits and behaviors that need to change. What can I do that will make life better? Sometimes we get so stuck beating ourselves up over what is already done and gone. We can’t change yesterday but today is a brand new day. We can start all over. You are never too far gone. Even when you are at the very bottom and things seem hopeless, you can look up and dream. What would make you better? Make life more fulfilling? Imagine that and what it looks like. I like what someone said the other day. Take a rubber ball and throw it as hard as you can at the ground. What happens? The harder you throw it the higher it bounces back. That’s us. When life slams you down bounce back. The harder you are slammed, the bigger your comeback can be. There is one large key. We can’t do it alone. But there is someone out there that wants to help. Will you let him? All you have to do is ask. You also need to be willing to try. Just one day at a time. I like lists so I write things down. At the end of the day what things did I do or not do. Just being able to check things off is my motivation. I take my list to God each morning. He is the one wise enough, rich enough, strong enough, and powerful enough to get it all done and he wants it more than me. He wants us to grow and be blessed. It might take work but who can not suck it up for one day. Tomorrow we can work on tomorrow. If this was your last day on earth wouldn’t you want to make it count? When you have regrets you need to take them to Jesus and ask him to forgive you. But don’t stop there. Leave them there. He has totally wiped the slate clean and it shines brightly. Don’t try to take that big black boulder back. That makes no sense. It doesn’t exist anymore. When Jesus hung on the cross the criminal next to him had many regrets. Some quite big. But he gave them all to Jesus. Jesus told him, “today you will be with me in paradise.” No chance to make any more mistakes. Just perfection and joy forever.

Do you want to accept the one who can help you?

A Disciple

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“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31 NIV

What is it to be a disciple? A person who is an adherent of the doctrines of another. To be taught and trained. That can be anyone you long to be like. A parent who teaches you how to live, a teacher who teaches knowledge, a coach who teaches athletic ability and a policeman who teaches laws. That is a very small list and so may people can impact your life causing you to want to be like them. To emulate them. But none of those people are perfect everyone has faults. We all will one day die and then no one will long to be like us anymore. Even many so called gods will die or have died. But my Jesus is alive. He lives in everyone who believes in him. If you are one of those people then you know that you have been set free and the love you feel is undeniable. You no longer live to please yourself. That no longer seems that important to you. You live to serve your savior Jesus Christ. Doing things he told us to do and things his father told us to do. Following their doctrines is now a priority. We have their spirit living in us to help us we do not do it on our own. Through thick and through thin they are there. This spirit speaks to our hearts and gives us the strength to do good deeds and be more like Jesus. The more you look like Jesus the more you long to be that way because peace comes over your life. This is a far cry from the happiness you might feel when you get what you want your way. This is a joy that is hard to explain. We all will follow something or someone in our life. I decided to follow Jesus because he gives back so much more. Some follow just because they want eternal life, life in heaven after this life is over, and that goes on forever. The fact that they were set free from sin and so much else is a great side benefit. Now all the hard stuff doesn’t seem so hard anymore and someone is with us through it all. We don’t need to please anyone but our king we know we aren’t perfect and that’s ok. Our God loves us just as much either way, nothing we do could ever keep him from loving us just as much. I know I have made mistakes and felt bad about them but I run to God and tell him I am sorry and he is glad to forgive me. I will always follow him for so many reasons.

Who are you a disciple of?