Monday, January 11, 2010
Day 8 Blessed Matthew 5:1-3
Character is defined by who we are when no one is looking. God cares more for our character than our comfort. Our character is not what we do rather it is who we are. We can not separate ourselves from our character. We are who we are. If we are godly then everything that we do stems out of our godly character. It would be natural to us to live,move and breathe in the will of God. We may never be faced with the danger of losing our lives for our faith but we can not take that for granted. The responsibility we have to the Lord is to develop our godly character. Not so that we boast but that we become a magnet that draws people to want what we have. This character is being developed as we do this study, it is opening areas in our lives that need closer examination and in some cases fixing.It is also developed as we read His word,in prayer and in our daily sacrifice as we give up our will for His. Let us truly live our lives each and every day by announcing that we are His! We have been bought with a price! The blood of the one and only Lord,Jesus Christ! As sure as an apple tree is an apple tree so I am a Christian! It is who I am that causes me to do what I do. Please Him! Let's stick together and lift,hold each other up in the midst of the battle so that our godly character can grow. Amen!
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Day 8 - Blessed
ReplyDeleteToday's reading started with a discussion of community. It is important to surround yourself with people of like-mind, people who are striving to attain the same goals as you are. Though, I believe that this is often taken to an extreme and exclusive occurrence, as I feel it is vital to reach outward and help to pull others upward as well.
There have been numerous studies on the effects that a neighborhood (community) has on children. Research has shown that children who grow up in middle-class or more affluent neighborhoods actually have higher cognitive abilities and school achievement. Children growing up in low-income neighborhoods have more physical and mental health issues than others. This is especially true for males. There was further evidence that growing up in a low-income neighborhood produced higher criminal and deliquincy behaviors and unfavorable sexual outcomes. (http://www.psychologicalscience.org/journals/cd/12_1/Leventhal.cfm)
People who are in environments filled with violence, often turn to violence as an option in dealing with frustration. Those who hear crude language as a part of regular communication, will frequently incorporate that language into their own vocabulary. On the flip side, successful people strive to surround themselves with other successful people. Athletes usually hang out with other athletes. Less than desirable characters will end up spending time together plotting their next transgression. Those of high character are attracted to others with high character.
The Lord qualifies the follow as desirable traits for Christians to achieve:
Matthew 5: 3-11 "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."
Ephesians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control."
24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 12 months/year, 365 days/year... none of us has "arrived" at the mark, we are all still striving toward the finish line. It is a matter of making up your mind then disciplining yourself to attain the goal with the help of your Creator. It is not a "sprint" that we are training for -- it is a "marathon!!" Find your pace and settle in for the race of your life! NJ
It is important to be around godly people to help keep us on track and accountable while we strive to live a life marked with Godly character especially when faced with difficult choices. God sees how we act at such times and how committed we are - how our Christ likeness shows up and leads others to want to know what Godly character is.
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