YOUR CHARACTER IS SHOWING

Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death. -Eleanor Roosevelt

Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

            You probably already know that the moon reflects the light from the sun. Without the sun the moon would be dark and not much to look at. Much like the moon, we should reflect the character of God’s only begotten Son— Jesus. As we do, others will want to know more about the Saviour and Lord willing, they will call out to Him for salvation.

            As one old friend use to say, “You are now becoming what you will one day be.” You are in the development stages of your character building and it is showing to everyone you are around. What is your life telling them about Jesus?

BEHIND THE SCENES- CHARACTER

If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself. –Moody

Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

What are we doing to keep our good name? Have we spent time with the Lord today? Are we investing in the lives of others? Are you attending a local Bible Believing church? What do we use to dictate what we believe? Is it culture? Is it our education or lack thereof?
Paul speaking to the Christians at Ephesus said to them in Ephesians 6:13, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

What you do behind the scenes is your true character. It will be manifested in your walk and talk, giving you your reputation. Paul speaks to Timothy and tells him this, 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” Can this be said of us?

CHARACTER

            Strength of character may be acquired at work, but beauty of character is learned at home. --Henry Drummond

Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

            Character has been said to be who you are when no one else is around. What websites do you visit when by yourself? What channels do you watch on TV when the kids have gone to bed for the evening? Where do you spend your money? Where do you share your talents God has given you?

            Where you spend your time, spend or invest your money, and share your talents reveal a lot about you. If you shared your checkbook or account summary, what would it reveal about your lifestyle? If we were to look at the history on your computer or the back button on your TV, what would it reveal? Those talents God has given you, what are you using them for?

            Child of God, be careful, your character is showing every time you go out in public because what’s done in the darkness when no one else is around is revealed in the light.

LOOK IN THE MIRROR

            The things that are wrong with the country today are the sum total of all the things that are wrong with us as individuals. --Charles W. Tobey

James 1:23-24, For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

            It’s easy sitting behind a screen commenting on other people’s post or throwing your opinion out on social media. It’s real safe to open your filthy mouth distorting facts and telling blatant lies to push your agenda when no one can question your view. It’s amazingly convenient that you’re never around to take the responsibility of your own actions.

             If you were to stop long enough to survey your own life, you may find out that many of your problems would disappear, if you truly looked in the mirror of God’s Word, finding out what God says about you.

CHARACTER HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

            Fame is vapor; popularity an accident; riches take wings.  Only one thing endures, and that is character. -Greeley

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2:7-8

            Character has been defined as: who we are when no one else is around. What we watch, what we listen to, where we go, and what we do when no one else is around all make up our character. Interesting thing is our character is put on display when times in our life get rough. It shows up in the classroom when our teacher “gives” us a failing grade. It shows up in the work place when we don’t get that promotion we thought we deserved. It will even show up at the kitchen table when you don’t get the fried chicken you wanted for supper.

            How are you preparing when your character is put on display?

WHO IS THIS BABE IN THE MANGER?

In Jesus I see the picture of the kind of man I know I ought to be. -Brown

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

In this one verse see a beautiful picture of our Saviour; pictures of leadership, honor, humility, service, strength, and sacrifice to name a few. How does this all play factor in our life? In every way Jesus is described we ought to strive to be the same. As we are transformed into the men and women God wants us to be, He will be honored! As He is honored and we share the hope of the Gospel, others will be saved as well!

So, who is this Babe in a manger? He is our great example of who we ought to be!

CHARACTER- WHO YOU ARE WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING

If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself. -Moody

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. Romans 1:8

Do you talk the talk but don’t walk the walk? There are many of us that are just key board Christians. We set behind a screen typing away, sharing Christian pictures and quotes but never giving of our time, talents and treasures to the local church. Some of us head to church on Sunday morning leaving our Bibles at home. Some of us head to church on Easter or Christmas and claim we have done our Christian duty. Being a Christian is twenty four seven. It’s not just on Sunday. Not just behind the pulpit. Not only on a foreign or domestic mission field. It’s every hour of every day, everywhere we go!

Are people talking about your faith? They said this of our Saviour, "We never saw it on this fashion." What are they saying about yours?

WHAT MAKES A GOOD MAN?

     Fame is vapor; popularity an accident; riches take wings.  Only one thing endures, and that is character. –Greeley

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

     The steps…the order of his life…his character…his life as a whole and not just for a moment in time- I think I read part of this post from something someone shared yesterday but I’m not sure. Anyway the Lord sees our life as a whole, from beginning to end. It is not defined by one poor choice or slip of the tongue. I am thankful when I fall He doesn’t kick me to the curb never to be used of Him again. What He does is come to where I am at and helps me up. Just as He lifted me from the miry clay, He lifts me day by day! As someone once said, “He saved me, He is saving me, and I will be saved!” So what makes a good man…good, life-long character!

LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN/WOMEN!

There is no better test for a man's ultimate integrity than his behavior when he is wrong. --Unknown

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Proverbs 19:1

       Let’s admit it; no one likes it when they are wrong. However, the way we handle when we are reveals a lot about our heart. If we cover the wrong up, if we are deceptive, or if we tell an outright lie we reveal how wicked our heart is.

      Child of God, do you want to have a life of integrity? Start by having pure thoughts; begin by getting the Word of God into your mind daily- Romans 12:2. Second- have a pure tongue; your mouth reveals what’s in your heart- (Matthew 12:34). Last have a pure testimony before God and man. God knows your heart better than you do- David says in Psalm 139:1-2, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”

     God is willing to work with you right where you are at but are you willing to be the man or woman of integrity that He needs?

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost! –Anonymous

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

Many years ago men would seal a deal with a hand shake. Whether the deal was over a $100 lawn mower or a $100,000 tract of land; a man’s word use to mean something. It held weight. It meant He said what he meant and he meant what he said. You could take it to the bank!

Well I am still thankful there is One that is good to Their Word! Our Saviour has said He would save you if you receive Him. Our Saviour said He would secure you if you ask Him. Our Saviour said He would be seen in the clouds coming again! Hallelujah! Even so come quickly Lord Jesus! Why do I believe that; because of His name sake!