Posts Tagged ‘ character ’

Personal Integrity

April 19, 2010
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Endurance produces character, Character produces hope. Romans 5:4

Have you spent much thought about your personal integrity? We don’t want to become obsessed with showcasing our character but it might be good to give it some consideration.

Here are some questions to ponder:

* Am I the person others believe me to be?
* When others are not observing, am I still a person of integrity?
* Am I perceived to be an honest person?
* Am I someone who can be trusted?
* If my books were opened how would they read?
* Does my character exude love, grace and humility?

Some are heard to say about certain people, “He’s a character.” What they mean is that he is a bit strange in thinking and habits. He might have certain antisocial habits that isolate him from normal activity.

The same word that is translated “Character” in Romans 5:4 is translated “stand the test” in II Corinthians 2:9. (“severe trial” – II Corinthians 8:2, “demanding proof” II Corinthians 13:3) Paul uses the same word with his appraisal of Timothy in Philippians 2:22. “You know that Timothy has proved himself”.

Some people seem unconcerned about their reputation. Shepherds are to have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. (I Timothy 3:7) Maybe we should all be a bit concerned about our character.

Patience and perseverance can produce character and character will not disappoint us because it brings hope.

Character Counts

November 27, 2009
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All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble  character. Ruth 3:11

Boaz has checked it out; Ruth is a woman of character.  Her character is known in the town.  He does not realize that he and Ruth are destined to become the ancestors of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He only knows that she is a woman of character.

“Character Counts” is a program that caught on a few years ago in the nation’s schools. Our nation was being buried in the manure of character failures.  We had reached the epitome of degradation and character failures.  It was time for us to regain the old ways that brought the character of individuals to the forefront.

We had moved from the character ethic to the personality ethic.  Stephen Covey is his book The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People notes this change in emphasis in our nation.  He found that the literature in early American focused on qualities of honesty, integrity, virtue, and faithfulness.

Today the literature shows a dramatic shift toward a personality ethic that focuses on learning to manipulate, look good, personal satisfaction and a move people toward goals. There is a growing awareness that somewhere we have taken a wrong turn.  Our jails are full of young and old who attempt short cuts to happiness and find the road is full of potholes and pain and disappointment.

God has always shared with us that Character Counts:  3 we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5)  Without character there is little room for hope.  We need to get our nation back to attending church, studying the Bible and living the way we were designed to live.  Only then can we become a great nation. People who have no knowledge of God and His word have a hard time with character. Let’s get with God’s program because Character Counts.

Yes and No

July 17, 2008
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It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions. Titus 2:12

This is the age when people want us to build character: “Character Counts.” We want our children to learn good character traits and be able to apply them at the opportune time. There is little question that bringing character into play in our world would be a move in the fight direction.

The D.A.R.E. programs attempt to teach our children to “just say ‘no’”  They are talking about tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Again this is a supper idea.

Learning to say “no” may not be that difficult if we could learn to say “yes” to the right things.  Learning to set priorities is a must if we and our children are ever to make a success out of living.  Saying yes to the right things doesn’t leave as much room to necessitate saying a lot of “nos.”

In a most unusual way the grace of God teaches us to say “no” to the things that lead away from God and “Yes” to the things that lead to God.  By doing this we can overcome the worldly passions and streets of desire that drown men in perdition.  Losing priorities can make us go after thins that end in destructive lives and dead in streets. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. (I Timothy 6:9)

When we say “yes” to the important things we will say “no” to the less important things that clamor for our attention.  We are always saying “no” to something.  We must learn to say “yes” to the better things of life and the “nos” will come easier.

Having trouble saying “yes” to the more important things in life?  It might be time for you to let the Lord come in and make a difference in your day.

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