Character

Character

Genesis 31: ⁴⁵ So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. ⁴⁶ Then Jacob said to his brethren, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap. ⁴⁷ Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. ⁴⁸ And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed, ⁴⁹ also Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another. ⁵⁰ If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us—see, God is witness between you and me!”

 

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After twenty years of a tense relationship with Laban, Jacob and his family were finally about to leave. GOD had taken Laban’s wealth and family from him and warned him not to say anything good or bad about Jacob. Jacob and his group he led, placed stones in a heap and sat on them.

 

My Observations:

• Laban could not bless or curse Jacob, so he said “May the LORD watch between you and me.”
• Laban’s statement was targeted at Jacob’s character, because Laban’s character was not good.
• Laban’s statement was true because GOD is the keeper of character.

 

Character is doing the right actions when no one is looking. This is the usual definition. But I have to add these words, “Knowing that GOD is always watching.”  “May the LORD ‘watch’” is a warning to Jacob and us. When temptation comes, “watch.” When we don’t feel like doing it GOD’s way, “watch.” When trouble comes and we feel like leaving GOD, “watch.”

 

GOD sees everything we do. There is no hiding. Character says “Do it GOD’s way especially when no one can see you and give you a reward for your actions.” Laban had to let go of the wealth and his family he tried to control for decades. He let Jacob know that GOD is watching.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD give Moses the detail of Jacob’s actions and Laban’s conversation?
• Have you ever been faced with a decision to do right or wrong when no one is looking?
• Is there a part of you that needs to be placed before GOD so HE can help with good character?

Sight Reminder

Sight Reminder

Jude 1: ⁵ For even though you know all this, I want to remind you of how the Lord once rescued the people of Israel from Egypt, but afterward destroyed those who did not believe. ⁶ Remember the angels who did not stay within the limits of their proper authority, but abandoned their own dwelling place: they are bound with eternal chains in the darkness below, where God is keeping them for that great Day on which they will be condemned. ⁷ Remember Sodom and Gomorrah, and the nearby towns, whose people acted as those angels did and indulged in sexual immorality and perversion: they suffer the punishment of eternal fire as a plain warning to all.

 

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“Can’t they see he’s lying?” were the words running through my mind. I wrestled with this guy “getting away with “ his lies about me and wondered why people believed the lies.

 

• I was furious that he could “get away with” deception and I had to have “my” reputation tarnished.
• I thought about trying to convince other people that this guy was lying, but it seemed hopeless.
• I wondered how many other people have gotten hurt because stories were “spun” in a certain way to ruin reputations and shift power.

 

Jude, human brother of JESUS, reminds everyone that the LORD not only sees wrong, but does something about it. He gave examples of how GOD used HIS power to address wrongs that had gone on for long periods of time. He also reminds everyone that GOD is still watching.

 

My Observations:

• GOD sees the sins I do and gives me plenty of time to confess my sins and turn from them.
• GOD’s grace covers a multitude of sins, BUT HE still wants me to turn from them so I can see HIM and hear HIM.
• GOD sees those who manipulate words, hide malice in their hearts, use divisive ways and who flat out lie and HE has already decided what wrath HE has for them.

 

It’s not them I need to be concerned with, rather, I need to be good with GOD. I mean, when I look back on times that people have lied to get positions, power or praise, I can also see that GOD may allow a season that seems, to the liar, that he or she is “getting away” with things, but they are not.

 

GOD see my sins and yours. HE sees the sins of those who try ti cause harm and who may even be fooling themselves. GOD sees the hearts of mankind and wants to repair hearts of stone, turning them into a soft area HE can live in. I gladly take HIS reminder that HE is in control of all situations, even the ones that seem out of control.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use the examples in this passage?
• Have you ever seen a situation that seemed out of control, come to order?
• Will you place your trust in GOD, knowing HE has the situation where deception seems to be winning, but it really is not because HE is in control always?

Watched and Watched Over

 

Watched and Watched Over

Acts 23: ¹² The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ More than forty men were involved in this plot. ¹⁴ They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”

 

¹⁶ But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

 

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When the driver cut me off, rage filled my mind. I thought of a great idea. I would speed up, get in front of the reckless driver and slam on brakes to scare him or her straight. Brilliant! As I put my plan in motion, I moved to the passing lane, hit a pot hole and blew out a tire.

 

• There were times when my plots to harm someone, were being watched.
• There were times when my plots to get back at someone were being seen.
• There were times when my plots to take justice in my own hands, failed miserably.

 

A small group of forty or more Jews decided to take matters in their own hands. They thought it would be better to go against the law they strictly followed to rid themselves of their problem. They decided to kill Paul and went to the church leaders to bring them into the conspiracy. BUT GOD placed Paul’s nephew close by.

 

• GOD watches over those whom I plot against.
• GOD watches over me when people plot against me.
• GOD watches over the just and the unjust so HE would prefer that I make a choice to watch over people rather than harm them.

 

“MY grace is sufficient” says the LORD. This statement is mind boggling. I mean, HE has grace for those who harm me and for me wanting to harm them back. HE places the HOLY SPIRIT in me as a guide to drop my “rage” and replace it with “right.”

 

When I am guided by the HOLY SPIRIT, I am led to peaceful places. My rage subsides and peace prevails. I am grateful for GOD’s protection.

 

• Are you harboring bitterness towards someone?
• Do you think you would feel better if that person were harmed?
• Will you release your rage and receive peace that only comes from the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Plan for Blessing

Plan for Blessing

Acts 9: ¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

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“Oh no!” I said out loud as I looked at the clock. I had overslept and missed the interview. I checked the clock and the alarm was set, but every once in a while it would malfunction if I did not use care with the switch. “My life is ruined” I thought immaturely. Days later I got a call for an interview with another company. I graduated with a job.

• There have been many times when I thought the worst.
• There have been many times when I wondered if GOD is even listening.
• There have been many times when I was going through something and just wanted the pain to be over.

Ananias was summoned by the LORD to go meet Saul. The LORD explained that Saul is praying and has seen a vision of Ananias laying hands on him to receive his sight. Saul had no idea this conversation was going on, but the plan for the blessing was getting set up.

• GOD has a plan to bless me.
• GOD is working when I do not hear the conversations HE has about me.
• GOD gets excited to reveal HIS plan about me to others.

Waiting on a blessing can sometimes feel difficult. I mean especially when the wait has been for years, or even decades. BUT GOD has a blessing planned for those who keep their trust in HIM.

Saul, while misguided, believed he was doing things for GOD. His fire for hatred would some day be used for love. GOD saw this and developed a plan. HE did the same for me. HE saw the places HE had for me from far off. I only had one interview offered to me and I got the job. This sent me on a road to hear GOD. I am grateful HIS plan is unbreakable.

• Are you worried that you have not heard from GOD yet?
• Do you think HE has forgotten you?
• Can you see that you do not have to trust harder or live better to please GOD?
• Will you keep praying, knowing HIS plan for you is greater than you could ever imagine?

Protection Wherever You Go

Jeremiah 45: ² “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: ³ You said, ‘Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.’ ⁴ But the Lord has told me to say to you, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth. ⁵ Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’”

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Graffiti laced buildings seemed to spring up the deeper I traveled towards my destination. I stared out the window at broken glass, boarded buildings and beat up bums. This was my first day of school and I had to ride public transportation. I wondered if I would make it to school alive!

• There are times when fear gets the best of me.
• There have been times where I have had to face my fears.
• There have been situations that I would never have chosen to be in.

Looking back over many situations in my life, I say to myself, “Wow, I would never do that again!” But should I really say that? I mean the situation was not ideal; in fact many situations were quite difficult. BUT GOD brought me through each one!

• GOD has protected me all of my life.
• GOD has watched over me through very scary and difficult situations.
• GOD has allowed me to escape with my life during some very tenuous times.

Praise is all I can offer GOD for my life. Whether it was a car spinning sideways on an expressway or thugs robbing me, GOD was there protecting me through every step. HE has allowed me to travel to unknown places and return unharmed. HE is where I place my trust.

• Do you need protection?
• Are you going into the unknown?
• Will you allow GOD to guide you?
• Will you ask HIM for HIS protection?

Have Some Heart for Dessert

Isaiah 7: ³ Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. ⁴ Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.

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Returning home from watching a scary movie I opened the gate and walked to the back door of the house. My neighbor decided to play a prank and snarled from the separating bushes of our homes. I screamed and ran in circles! Interviewing for a company that wanted me to “Flip the image of a heart on screen during surgeries” made me nervous. I screamed and ran in circles!

• There have been many times in which I have been scared.
• There have been many situations where I have lost hope.
• There have been many situations that I could not see a good outcome so I backed out because of fear.

Life seems to bring many scary situations, sometimes daily. I almost had a head on collision once. I almost fell off of high places. I almost got hit by a truck. Each scary time makes me think, “Should I just hide in the corner of my house and never come out?” BUT GOD says different.

• GOD says to me “Be careful, keep calm” during situations, so I will not let my mind run away and spiral out of control.
• GOD says to me “Don’t be afraid” especially when HE prompts me to try something that seems extremely difficult or out of my knowledge or comfort zone.
• GOD says to me “Do not lose heart” because HE knows the many journeys HE will have me travel, I will face opposition.

Staying the course is sometimes extremely difficult. I mean it seems like big obstacles pop up at every turn that will make me want to quit. BUT GOD wants me to focus on HIM rather than the obstacle. My only weapon in many instances is praising GOD in the middle of the storm. HE is the provider, HE is the power and HE is the hiding place in the middle of the storm.

• Are you nervous about something?
• Do you see no way out?
• Can you stop looking at the problem and take a moment to praise GOD for what HE “is” doing?
• Will you “Be careful, keep calm, not be afraid and not lose heart” today because GOD is with you?

Watch My Words!

Ecclesiastes 5: ² Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.
³ A dream comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. ⁵ It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. ⁶ Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

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“I promise never to do that again” were the empty words I pledged to GOD to get me out of trouble this particular time. At the time I was scared and did not want any more consequences and I just wanted whatever to be through! I had no plan or thought behind the statement, I just blurted the words out, hoping HE would mop up the situation,.

• There have been times where I promised things to GOD and did not fulfill them.
• There have been times where I promised that I would behave a certain way to GOD and did not change.
• There have been times where I promised something to GOD with good intentions but no plan.

“I’ll pray for you” are words that perk GOD’s ears. HE waits on the prayer I’m going to say for that person yet it never comes out. “I’ll server you more if…” are words that have crossed my mind, as if my service were a bargaining tool with GOD. Squirming is not a good time to make promises with GOD. In fact HE would rather that I wait.

• GOD wants me to develop a plan before I make a vow.
• GOD wants me to think about what I am saying before I invoke HIS name.
• GOD wants me to treat HIS name as holy so making a promise is serious business to HIM.

Fearing GOD means fulfilling the promise I made to HIM. I should not stop until I finish whatever I promised. This could mean sacrificing my wants and replacing them with HIS plans.

• Did you make an empty promise to GOD?
• Is HE still waiting on you to do something you promised?
• Will you go out and fulfill that promise and praise HIM for HIS grace?

Slow Down to Decide

Psalm 11:4 But the LORD is in HIS Holy temple

                        the LORD still rules from heaven

            HE watches everything closely

                        examining everyone on earth

            5 The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked

                        HE hates everyone who loves violence

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By now I was able to drive myself to work, but I still needed permission to go places. I have no idea how a friend of mine always had a party to go to but nonetheless, I wanted in. This was my opportunity. A person who I was supposed to fill in for at work no longer needed me to fill in. It was Friday night and the shift was from 6PM until 2AM. Let’s see, stay at home with the parents or go to the party with friends and not be seen as a square anymore! What should I have done?

• When I am impatient I make decisions too quickly that may be detrimental.
• When I decide in haste I usually regret the quick decision.
• When I rush into a decision I usually do not think of the consequences.

Sin is part of my humanity. I was born with it and when I make decisions too quickly I can sometimes be fooled by its deadly grip. I then look up and I am in something I can’t get myself out of. How can I avoid this?

• When I make a decision I should ask GOD for HIS direction.
• When I make a decision I should allow GOD to say “No” or “Yes.”
• When I make a decision I should understand that GOD is watching everything closely.

I know GOD understands when I sin. I was born with a deficit to my character and HE knows it. BUT GOD is pleased when I come to HIM first with my plans. HE loves it when I ask HIM first and when I yield to HIS decision. My relationship with GOD should have healthy fear of HIM but also healthy “love” of HIM which seeks HIS advice from time to time.

• Are you worried and making snap decisions?
• Can you slow down to listen to what GOD is saying to you?
• Will you add GOD to your decision and know that HE is pleased with you regardless of the outcome?

A Place of Worship

1 Chronicles 2: ⁵ “The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. ⁶ But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?

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Three forty five in the morning, I finally closed my eyes.  I heard noisy clumps of feet in the kitchen then I heard a knock on my door. My mother was telling me to get up for church. “I don’t feel like going right now” I responded. “If you can stay out all night, you can get up for church” was her response.

“Why do I have to go to church anyway?” I grumbled.

• There have been times where I tried to leave GOD in the church building so I could do what I wanted to do.
• There have been times where I didn’t want to go to the building where GOD lived because I couldn’t do what I wanted to do.
• There have been times where I would leave the building where I thought GOD lived only to get back to doing what I wanted to do.

There was one flaw with my thinking. GOD is everywhere! I mean I had not only squeezed GOD into the tiny building we called a church, but there were even rooms where HE couldn’t possibly be in. I mean GOD couldn’t be in the bathrooms, only in the sanctuary and classrooms was my flawed thinking.

• GOD is everywhere and church buildings are a gathering place for flawed people.
• GOD is all seeing so every place I think HE is not, HE is.
• GOD is all knowing so HE is even in my thoughts and desires even when they are not following HIS ways.

GOD cannot be contained or left at a building. When I go to “church” I am not going to see GOD, rather I am going to see a group of sinners rescued by GOD. I am there to hear how GOD transforms lives and tell people how HE has done the same in my life.

During the week I can meet with others to pray and talk. This is also “church.” And when I’m by myself I can bow my knees and praise GOD as an act of worship. GOD cannot be contained.

• Do you think the “church” building is more sacred than your house?
• Do you believe there is a place on earth more sacred than another?
• Can you stop trying to contain GOD within certain things and see HIM everywhere?
• Do you believe HE owns everything?
• Won’t you stop crying for more and seek open eyes to HIM? 

Would seeing GOD make a difference?

Exodus 24: ⁹ Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up ¹⁰ and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. ¹¹ But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.

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Mustard yellow, rust, distinct figures hanging from the mirror and a vanity license plate individualized my car. People would often say, “I saw your car” but the reference would be at places and times I probably should have been studying or in bed. I wonder if GOD were standing visibly in front of those places would I enter.

• GOD wants me to have character and perform just like HE is standing right in front of me.
• GOD wants me to focus on HIS plan when no one is watching me.
• GOD wants me to treat HIM as GOD not as a distant possibility.

The elders of Israel weren’t supposed to go see GOD but they did anyway out of curiosity or disbelief is my guess. They actually saw who Moses spoke to and knew he wasn’t making all of this up to control them. In spite of “seeing” GOD and witnessing HIS miracles they could not stop sinning.

• It’s up to me to choose GOD instead of being on the wrong path.
• It’s up to me to desire GOD’s way instead of thinking my way is a good way.
• It’s up to me to focus my energy towards GOD’s people rather than catering to those who do not love HIM.

GOD wants me to love HIM and that means understanding HIS compassion for “everyone” not just my exclusive mind. HE desires that I act with character to draw people to HIM.

• Are you acting with character?
• Are your thoughts filled with judgment or compassion?
• Can you focus on what GOD wants you to do instead of wanting to see HIM as some sort of parlor trick or magician?