What does a Godly person “look” like?

Titus 1: ⁷ Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁸ Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

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When she came down the stairs I said “wow” to myself. “This woman is fine!” We were just friends but I noticed her a little more this time. Pretty on the outside is one thing but is she pretty on the “inside?” I guess the conversations had paid off and this “friend” could very well be “the one” I said to myself but are my “insides” good enough for her?

• I can be ugly when I am “always” seeking to get “my” way.
• I can be ugly when I snap and get angry at the tiniest tiff.
• I can be ugly when my drunkenness clouds my better judgment.
• I can be ugly when I want to resolve arguments with fist fights.
• I can be ugly when I seek to scheme my way into money.

This list shows what a very “ugly” person looks like to GOD. When I act like this, it’s a wonder that HE even listens to my prayers at all. There is an old saying… “GOD don’t like “ugly” and it’s true.

• GOD wants me to be “hospitable” and open my home to many people.
• GOD wants me to love “HIS ways” which are the only example of good.
• GOD wants me to have “self-control” so that temptation cannot easily throw me off my game.
• GOD wants me to be “upright” so others can follow my example.
• GOD wants me to be “holy” so HE died for me and declared me holy.
• GOD wants me to be “disciplined” enough to read HIS Bible regularly and speak the truth always.
• GOD wants me to “learn the Bible” from humble people and teach soundly not from my thinking.

My insides are very important to GOD because that’s what HE uses to draw people to HIM. I can spend a lot of time working on the outside to remain attractive, but if my insides are ugly then what good am I? I am GOD’s property so I should act like it.

There is nothing wrong with physical beauty BUT GOD wants me to shine inner beauty first to attract people to HIM rather than ogling over me.

• Are you attractive to GOD?
• Does your personality and behaviors attract people to “you” or GOD?
• Can you search your heart today to see what “ugliness” you can get rid of?

I found peace this weekend

Philippians 4: ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

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My mind was filled with excitement as I thought of expansion of my business. On my way to one of my business solution partners, I felt the urge to call my mother to check on her, this was last Monday. “The nursing home just called me” she said in a very somber tone. The inevitable had come and grandma was home with my LORD and SAVIOR JESUS who is the CHRIST.

I have to admit the dread that came over me was not because I will miss her, even though that is true, it was because I wondered how my aunts, uncles, mother and father would take the news. Would there be infighting or blame or would there be a passive aggressive tolerance for one another? What should I do?

• Peace is what GOD is made of.
• Peace comes from GOD in the middle of anxiety.
• Peace from GOD rests my mind.

Grandma truly loved JESUS and wanted her children which included grand children, great grand children, spouses, friends and neighbors, to believe in HIM and this weekend I found out why… PEACE.

• GOD wants me to rejoice in the LORD always in spite of what’s going on.
• GOD wants me to be gentle so everyone will see GOD’s face with my actions.
• GOD wants me to pray and petition HIM so HE can give me wisdom and peace.

Grandma loved. You would think I would have to write more but that sums it up and this is what she would want me to do.

• In the middle of my fears, think about JESUS who is the “true” savior.
• When I feel like arguing, think about what HE has done and mimic the “noble” efforts.
• Instead of always being right, think about JESUS and truly act “right” according to his standards.
• When faced with the world’s temptations, think about HIM and HE will give “pure” thoughts.
• During my disgust of the ugliness of the world, think about JESUS who is “lovely” in action.
• While lusting over worldly items think about HIM and “admire” HIS merciful qualities.
• When I judge and hold someone to my measure, think about JESUS and HIS “excellent and praiseworthy” personality.

Grandma and JESUS want me to spread unity to my family, which gives me peace.

Are you ugly?

1 Corinthians: 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 

8Love never fails…

 

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13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

Two girls got on our crowded bus. They made their way back to where we were sitting. Since chivalry was dead, we didn’t consider relinquishing our seats. My friend sat near the window and I noticed the girls craning their necks to “look” at him trying desperately to get his attention.

 

“Hey! What about me?” “Don’t you like a skinny, glasses wearing guy with a constant bad hair day?” “Don’t you know how great I will be”, I thought about telling them. After years of the same treatment I worked on my physical appearance by lifting weights, brushing my hair, and getting into the latest fashion. I made it! Or did I?

• Ugly isn’t on the outside.
• Ugly is measured by GOD.
• Ugly is thinking someone is not worthy of my company.
• Ugly is thinking I am better than someone else.
• Ugly is complaining about “those” people.
• Ugly is looking out for “me” and “me” alone!
• Ugly does not understand how GOD has shown me grace and mercy in all circumstances.

When I read this passage, I realize I fall very short in the “love” department. When I “love” myself, I’m hard on others and I become selfish but when I “love” others GOD blesses me with results.

• LOVE = Patient = waiting on the slow person to get dressed or cross the street.
• LOVE = Kind = paying a strangers toll, smiling at someone, holding a door, helping someone.
• LOVE does NOT EQUAL Envy ≠ wanting “that” person’s position, beauty or stuff.
• LOVE does NOT EQUAL Pride ≠ thinking I’m better than others or my skills and talents are superior or not accepting or asking for help when I need it.
• LOVE does NOT EQUAL Rude ≠ mistreating people, interrupting to get my point across, embarrassing people.
• LOVE does NOT EQUAL Selfish ≠ thinking about me all the time. Protecting me, guarding me!
• LOVE does NOT EQUAL Record Wrongs ≠ always ready to “win” the argument or get my point across.
• LOVE does NOT EQUAL Evil ≠ wanting to harm someone, or trip them up in their words or lie, cheat or steal.
• LOVE = Truth = GOD’s Bible and JESUS’ words
• LOVE = Protection = Instead of justifying why I shouldn’t be with that person I talk only about the good they do.
• LOVE = Trust = absolutely knowing the person has my best interest in mind.
• LOVE = Hope = able to look at a better future which is always ahead of me.
• LOVE = Perseverance = no matter how “ugly” they get I treat them with love.
• LOVE does not EQUAL failure = When all else fails use love!

JESUS is the only one who can LOVE perfectly, but HE asks that I add this to my diet each day.

• Who are you “loving” (action word) today?
• Do you “love” yourself in an unselfish way?
• Can you add a little “love” today?