Lost: A Battle for Character – Part 3
By · CommentsIn this series LOST: A BATTLE FOR CHARACTER, we will be taking a closer look at the pillars of character that has been shaping our world since God created it. Character are those qualities built into your life that determine your response, regardless of circumstances. And like the brilliance of a diamond, success in every area of your life will be enhanced as you develop each facet of your character. As imperfections are cut or polished away, you can reach your full potential.
Have you Lost the Character of….
Integrity: The best definition I’ve ever heard for Integrity is when your behavior matches your beliefs, essentially “what you do when nobody is watching”. A person of integrity won’t roll the stop sign in the middle of the night, or cheat on his tax returns to save a buck, or as scripture says in Psalm 15:4 “…keeps his oath even when it hurts.” The benefits of Integrity include having a constant peace in your heart, gaining the trust, respect, honor and influence of those around you, and walking closely with God. Jesus showed us many times God will be harder on hypocrites than on sinners! Think about this: when you have integrity, that’s all that matters, and when you don’t have integrity, that’s all that matters. The Character of Integrity: FOUND
Hope: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast…” Hebrews 6:19. What do we have if not hope? Without it, people are angry and depressed and isolated and scared and dying. Yet, those who believe are given eternal hope. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give to you a future and a hope.” Jer 29:11. Know God, Know Hope… No God, No Hope. The Character of Hope: FOUND
You won’t want to miss our next installment on these lost qualities of character, so make sure to subscribe to the feed above, and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook as well. In part 4 of this series we’ll look at the next two pillars of character nearly lost on this generation.
God is a Control Freak!
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Entrust your loved ones to Me. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands.
Sometimes you confuse loving others with rescuing them. When a loved one has a problem, you often feel responsible to come up with a solution. Then you plunge headlong into problem-solving mode, as if you’re obligated to provide sound advice. I want to help you stop feeling responsible to fix people since that is My role–not yours.
It is My prerogative to bring about change in people’s lives as I choose to do so. You can be part of the process, but remember that I am the Author and Director of the drama. You need to follow My script rather than creating your own. Do not usurp My role in people’s lives, no matter how much you long to help them.
When you feel compelled to rescue a loved one, take a good look at the quality of your love. Learn from Me, because I have all authority in heaven and on earth: I could rescue or control anyone at will. Yet I intentionally created people with the capacity to choose good or evil. I wanted them to be free to love Me–or not. Love that has no choice is not real!
Subordinate your deficient, controlling love to My perfect, empowering Love. Prayerfully release your loved ones into My protective care. Restrain your urges to solves their problems. Instead, use your time and energy to listen to them and pray for them. Trust in My Love and My unsearchable wisdom. I can work changes in your loved ones’ lives beyond anything you might ask or imagine. As you release these precious ones to Me, linger awhile in My unfailing love–for them and also for you.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (Psalm 143:8)
Quo Vadimus?
By · CommentsFew people know much Latin. And for the rest of us, there are probably only one or two phrases we’re familiar with. Most people know “carpe diem”, which translates to “seize the day”. It is one of my favorites (not that this is unusual). Another of my other favorites is “quo vadimus”, which translates to “where are we going?” To me it is the perfect book end partner to carpe diem.
Where carpe diem is all about living in the present, quo vadimus encourages you to consider the future. Both are equally important. For as often as you may attempt to live each day to the fullest, you may still end up going nowhere in the end. It is important to stop and consider what you’re doing, and whether it is taking you where you actually want to be. But many people don’t actually know where they want to go. Each day ends up being a step in a direction, but instead of a thought out direction, it’s a random one. Take enough random steps, and odds are that you’ll end up back where you started.
When you realize that’s happened to you, and things get bad, that’s the time to stop and ask yourself… Where am I going? Sometimes it’s difficult to ask, because your answer may be that you’re going somewhere you don’t want to go. That’s ok… because now you know. After all, in order navigate a course, not only do you need to know your destination, but you need to know where you are.
So take the time to ask yourself where you are going, and then seize every opportunity to get yourself there. Seizing the day alone is not enough. If you need help getting there, this is why Family-iD exists! Check out our curriculum so you have an answer to “Quo Vadimus?”
