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01-18-2008, 07:34 AM
"Character vs. Personality"
“They said, 'Rabbi,' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?' 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.'” — John 1:38-39 NIV
Two of John the Baptist's disciples heard him speak of Jesus, who was passing by, so they followed Jesus and asked where he was staying. He invited them to come and see. Jesus' invitation is open to each of us, but not all of us accept and really get to know him. If we persistently studied the Gospels (Good News) of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we would learn the things that define "character." The Bible goes on to say, "So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him." (Vs. 39b). So many times we come to Jesus, stay with him for a little while, then let the day's activities and stresses take us away from him. Money often gets in the way. Jesus told the Pharisees, who loved money, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts." (Luke 16:15).
Many men and women have excellent personalities, but character comes from inside our minds and hearts. If we make the right choices in small challenges, we shall make the right ones when the tough challenges come along. It was Corrie Ten Boom's horrible Nazi concentration camp experience that enabled her to become one of God's strong messengers. "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man." (Psalm 112:4).
Horace Greeley, well-known journalist, wrote, "Fame is vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character." When you accept Jesus' invitation to "come and see," you learn the details of his command to love the Lord and your neighbor. Then you'll bring glory to God through character, not just personality.
Lord, we are grateful for your invitation and we shall try to stay near you and learn from you constantly. Amen.
“Prayerful Living”
“They said, 'Rabbi,' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?' 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.'” — John 1:38-39 NIV
Two of John the Baptist's disciples heard him speak of Jesus, who was passing by, so they followed Jesus and asked where he was staying. He invited them to come and see. Jesus' invitation is open to each of us, but not all of us accept and really get to know him. If we persistently studied the Gospels (Good News) of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we would learn the things that define "character." The Bible goes on to say, "So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him." (Vs. 39b). So many times we come to Jesus, stay with him for a little while, then let the day's activities and stresses take us away from him. Money often gets in the way. Jesus told the Pharisees, who loved money, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts." (Luke 16:15).
Many men and women have excellent personalities, but character comes from inside our minds and hearts. If we make the right choices in small challenges, we shall make the right ones when the tough challenges come along. It was Corrie Ten Boom's horrible Nazi concentration camp experience that enabled her to become one of God's strong messengers. "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man." (Psalm 112:4).
Horace Greeley, well-known journalist, wrote, "Fame is vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character." When you accept Jesus' invitation to "come and see," you learn the details of his command to love the Lord and your neighbor. Then you'll bring glory to God through character, not just personality.
Lord, we are grateful for your invitation and we shall try to stay near you and learn from you constantly. Amen.
“Prayerful Living”