Character Traits June 2014

8/12/2019 Character Traits June 2014

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Refreshing Daily

in Gods WordEmphasis on

Character Traits

June 2 14


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The Character of TactJune 1

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16

Key Verse: Verse 15- "But speaking the truth in love,may grow up into him in all things, which is the head,even Christ:"

Key Words:speaking the truth in love

Wisely labeled The a!ing Vir"ue#$ "a%" %an gra%e ourli&e li'e "he &ragran%e o& a s(ee"-s)elling rose* Ta%" isappropria"e# a""ra%"i!e# alluring# and appealing+ bu" i" is alsorare* ,h# so rare

Re)e)ber "he "ea%hers you had (ho la%'ed "a%". /ou(ondered ea%h day i& "ha" (as going "o be "he day you (eresingled ou" &or hu)ilia"ion*

Re)e)ber "he sales)an you en%oun"ered (ho la%'ed"a%"+ and "he only "hing you (an"ed &ro) hi) (as "o be &ar#&ar a(ay.

0nd (ho %an &orge" "he physi%ian (ho did no" %onsideryou a person+ bu"# ins"ead# you (ere ase 25. /ou (ere abody (i"h blood pressure 13# heigh" 57$# (eigh" 15# andyou need surgery i))edia"ely* 0ll o& "his (as spo'en in)ono"one (hile he s"ared a" a bro(n &older s"u&&ed (i"h 8-rays and %har"s* Brillian". /es 9 bu" no "a%"*

erhaps you heard abou" "he (i&e (ho (en" on a long"rip# (hi%h "oo' her "o ;e( /or'# The dog is on "he roo&*7

The ne?" day (hen = %alled &ro) @e &ell o&& "he roo&*7 The &ollo(ing day (hen = %alled &ro)aris# you %ould ha!e said# >The dog is a" "he !e"7s in "hehospi"al#7 and &inally# (hen = %alled &ro) Ro)e# you %ouldha!e said# >Aear# "he poodle didn7" )a'e i"*7$ Then "he (i&e


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said# ;o( learn "o be "a%"&ul*$ Then she as'ed# @o(7s)o).$

ausing us" &or a se%ond# he "hen replied# Aear# your)o) is on "he roo&*$

Tha" is bru"al# isn7" i". We need "o be "a%"&ul* olo)on(arns us "ha" a brother offended is harder to be won than astrong city, and "ha" contentions are like the bars of acastle.

= read abou" a shoe sales)an (ho# on "he &irs" day o& hisne( ob# (as "old by his e)ployer no" "o say# /our &oo" is "oobig &or "he shoe*$ =ns"ead# he (as "augh" "o say# =7) sorry#)a7a)# bu" "he shoe is us" "oo li""le &or your &oo"*$ Bo"h

s"a"e)en"s e?press "he sa)e &a%"# bu" one (as an insul" (hile"he o"her (as "a%"*$ ;o(# "a%" did no" %hange her &oo" siCe#bu" i" did sa!e &a%e# and "ha" is (ha" "a%" is all abou"*

Wha" "o do:

Thin' be&ore spea'ing*

ray be&ore spea'ing*Ao un"o o"hers as you (ould ha!e "he) do un"o you*

"i%'s and s"ones (ill brea' "he bones# bu" (ords%an 'ill "he spiri"*

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

The Character of CompassionJune 3

Bible Reading:


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your burden in )y hear"*$ o)passion is an aspe%" o& our%hara%"er "ha" is !ir"ually )issing "oday* The lo!e o& )any is(a?ing %old*

0" a soldiers7 brea'&as" held a &e( years ago a" "heReds"one 0rsenal here in 0laba)a# g"* aor o& "he 0r)y#Ja%' Tilley# shared "he &ollo(ing s"ory*

Tilley des%ribed a re%en" !isi" he )ade "o Wal"er Reededi%al en"er in Washing"on# A# "o !isi" our (oundedsoldiers &ro) "he (ar in =raF* Tilley (as by "he bedside o& ape%ial Gor%es soldier (ho had los" his righ" hand and hadsu&&ered se!ere (ounds on his &a%e* Tilley (as (ondering ho("he g"* aor o& "he 0r)y should honor su%h a soldier#

sho(ing hi) respe%" (i"hou" o&&ending hi)* Wha" %an you door say in su%h a si"ua"ion "ha" (ill en%ourage and upli&". @o(do you sha'e hands (i"h a soldier (hose hand is )issing.

Ginally he "hough"# Well# "he soldier has a (ris"* = (ill a%"as "hough i" is his hand*$ Ta'ing "he soldier by "he (ris"# hea""e)p"ed "o spea' so)e (ords o& en%ourage)en" "o "he(ounded soldier* Bu"# he said# "here (as ano"her )an !isi"ing"he soldier (i"h hi) "ha" day# and he 'ne( e?a%"ly (ha" "o do*

@e re!eren"ly "oo' "he soldier7s s"u)p o& a hand in bo"h hishands and bo(ed do(n by "he soldier7s bedside and prayed&or hi)# "hen gen"ly leaned o!er and 'issed "he soldier on his&orehead and said# = lo!e you and "han' you &or ser!ing our%oun"ry*$

The young soldier loo'ed a" "he po(er&ul bu" gen"le )anand sa( "he "ears in his eyes and said "o his !isi"or# Than'you# r* residen"*$ /es# "he o"her !isi"or (as "hen residen"

Heorge W* Bush# "he o))ander-in-hie& o& our 0r)edGor%es*Tilley (en" on "o say# = learned "ha" day "ha" po(er is no"

(ea'ened by %o)passion and hu)ili"y# bu" ra"her i" iss"reng"hened*$

aybe ea%h o& us needs "o learn "he sa)e lessonI"ha" one%an be po(er&ul bu" ye" s"ill &ull o& %o)passion and hu)ili"y*

Wha" "o do:

u" %o)passion in"o daily pra%"i%e*


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Tea%h i" "o your %hildren*

Bu" re)e)ber# lessons in %o)passion are no" so)u%h "augh" as %augh"

ray &or o"hers (ho are burdened do(n*


Purity in CharacterJune 2

Bible Reading: a""he( 5:1-13Key Verse: Verse "Blessed are the pure in heart:for they shall see #od."

Key Words:pure in heart

Those (ho are o& a pure %hara%"er ha!e a glo( abou" "he)"ha" %an only %o)e &ro) Hod*

Rober" Wise in his boo'# There =s ;o ira%le$# "ells "he

&ollo(ing s"ory:,ne day 0)y ar)i%hael# (ho de!o"ed her li&e "o res%uing

girls (ho had been dedi%a"ed "o a li&e o& sla!ery and sha)e in=ndian @indu Te)ples# "oo' so)e o& "hose girls "o see agolds)i"h re&ining his gold* The )an sa" beside a %har%oal&ire* ,n "op o& "he %oals lay a %o))on red %ur!ed roo& "ile andano"her "ile o!er i" li'e a lid* This is (ha" "he )an %alled hisho)e)ade %ru%ible* The )an had a )i?"ure o& sal"# "a)arind&rui"# and burn" bri%' dus"# (hi%h he %alled his )edi%ine$ &orpuri&ying "he gold* @e dropped a lu)p o& one in"o "heblis"ering )i?"ure and le" "he &ire ea" i"*$ 0&"er a(hile# "he)an li&"ed "he gold ou" (i"h a pair o& "ongs# le" i" %ool# ands"udied i"* Then he again pla%ed "he gold in "he %ru%ible andble( "he &ire ho""er "han i" (as be&ore* This pro%ess (en" onand on# "he &ire gro(ing ho""er and ho""er* The gold %anno"bear i" so ho" a" &irs"#$ e?plains "he golds)i"h# bu" i" %an beari" no( 9 (ha" (ould ha!e des"royed i"# helped i"*$

0s "he girls (a"%hed "he gold being puri&ied in "he &ire#so)eone as'ed "he golds)i"h# @o( do you 'no( (hen "hegold is puri&ied.$


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The golds)i"h ans(ered# When = %an see )y &a%e in i"# i"is pure*$

@o( do (e 'no( (hen our %hara%"er is pure. Wheno"hers %an see Jesus in us# our %hara%"er is pure*

Wha" "o do:

Ao no" resen" "he &iery "rials o& li&e* Those "rials areprodu%ing puri"y in your %hara%"er*

E"%h in your )ind "hose (ords#


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says*

0s' Hod "o re)o!e your bi""erness*

ray &or "hose (ho are bi""er*


The Character of a Good WorkEthic

June 5

Bible Reading: ro!erbs 14:1-32Key Verse: Verse 32 - "$n all labour there is profit: butthe talk of the lips tendeth only to penury."Key Words: labor

,ne o& "he real 'eys "o a su%%ess&ul li&e is de!eloping agood (or' e"hi%* We are "old in ro!erbs 14:32 "ha" "here is

pro&i" in all labor* = ha!e &ound "ha" you spell a%%o)plish)en"W-,-R-K*When i" %o)es "o pro&essional baseball# ;olan Ryan (ill

go do(n as one o& "he grea"es" pi"%hers in "his )odern era# i&no" one o& "he grea"es" pi"%hers o& all "i)e*

,n ay 1# 1LL1# Ryan "hre( his se!en"h no-hi""er* @isunpre%eden"ed a%hie!e)en" %a)e a" "he age o& &or"y-&our* ,n"ha" nigh"# he s"ru%' ou" si?"een o& "he "(en"y-se!en ba""ers he

&a%ed* 0&"er "his in%redible &ea"# repor"ers &lo%'ed "o "helo%'er roo) "o hear ho( he %ould a%%o)plish su%h a &ea"*Ryan said# =" is no se%re"* y &a"her ins"illed (i"hin )e agood (or' e"hi%*$

When spor"s repor"er and long-"i)e &riend# Barry Warner#%alled Ryan a" 3:2 a*)*# us" &our hours a&"er Ryan had&inished "hro(ing his no-hi""er# "o reFues" an in"er!ie(# Ryanagain (as as'ed# ;olan# ho( did you do i".$

Ryan replied# Barry# i" is us" ano"her day a" (or'* =" is3:2 in "he )orning# bu" =7ll be ba%' a" "he s"adiu) a" L:2"his )orning "o s"ar" )y (eigh" progra)* = (ill li&" #pounds o& ;au"ilus and &ree (eigh"s# and so)e"i)es = li&" up"o 1# pounds* =7ll run and (a"%h &il) o& )ysel& and


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grea" pi"%hers o& "he pas"* =7ll (or' on an a!erage o& "(el!ehours a day during "he season and "en hours a day during "heo&&-season*$ Ryan %losed ou" his in"er!ie( (i"h Warner bysaying# Barry# "he se%re" o& %on"inued su%%ess is hard (or'*$

Wha" "o do:

Ae!elop a good (or' e"hi%# and s"ar" (hen you areyoung*

Ae!elop a (inner-ne!er-Fui"s )en"ali"y*

The good (or' e"hi% in!ol!es good s"udy habi"s as

(ell M&or all s"uden"sN*Re)e)ber# you spell a%%o)plish)en" W-,-R-K*


Character of CourageJune 6

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-LKey Verse: Verses 6#L "Be strong and of a goodcourage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for aninheritance the land, which $ sware unto their fathersto give them. %ave not $ commanded thee& Be strongand of a good courage' be not afraid, neither be thou

dismayed: for the ()*+ thy #od is with theewhithersoever thou goest."Key Words:Be strong and of a good courage

=n Joshua %hap"er one# Joshua is "old "hree "i)es "o bes"rong and o& good %ourage* =n !erse si?# he is "old "o bes"rong and o& good %ourage be%ause he is going "o ha!e "odi!ide "he land a)ong "he @ebre( people* =n !erse nine# he isgoing "o ha!e "o %arry ou" "he Word o& Hod* Ginally# in !erseeigh"een# he is "old "o be s"rong and o& good %ourage be%ausehe is going "o ha!e "o %arry ou" %api"al punish)en"*

We despera"ely need "oday so)e )en# (o)en# boys


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and girls (i"h %ourage "o %arry ou" "he (ill o& Hod and "o be&ai"h&ul in "heir Hodly %on!i%"ions*

= "ried bu" %ould no" &ind a be""er )odern-dayillus"ra"ion o& %ourage "han "he one o& i'e hris"ian* The&ollo(ing is a spee%h )ade by John * %ain# O; Mre"iredN#(ho represen"s 0riCona in "he O** ena"e* When "his spee%h(as )ade# he (as running &or residen" o& "he Oni"ed "a"es*

0s you )ay 'no(# = spen" 513years as a prisoner-o&-(ar during "he Vie" ;a) (ar* =n "he early years o& )yi)prison)en"# "he ;or"h Vie"na)ese 0r)y M;V0N 'ep" us insoli"ary %on&ine)en" or "(o "o "hree "o a %ell* =n 1L1# "he;V0 )o!ed us &ro) "hese %ondi"ions o& isola"ion in"o large

roo)s (i"h as )any as "hir"y "o &or"y )en "o a roo)*This (as# as you %an i)agine# a (onder&ul %hange and(as a dire%" resul" o& "he e&&or"s o& )illions o& 0)eri%ans onbehal& o& a &e( hundred ,Ws* Ten "housand )iles &ro)ho)e one o& "he )en (ho )o!ed in"o )y roo) (as a young)an na)ed i'e hris"ian* i'e (as &ro) a s)all "o(n nearel)a# 0laba)a* @e didn7" (ear a pair o& shoes un"il he (as"hir"een years old* 0" se!en"een he enlis"ed in"o "he ;a!y* @e

la"er earned a %o))ission by going "o o&&i%er "raining s%hool*@e "hen be%a)e a ;a!al Gligh" ,&&i%er and (as sho" do(n and%ap"ured in 1L6* i'e had a 'een and deep appre%ia"ion o&"he oppor"uni"ies "his %oun"ry# and our )ili"ary# pro!ide &orpeople (ho (an" "o (or' and (an" "o su%%eed*

0s a par" o& "he %hange in "rea")en"# "he Vie"na)eseallo(ed so)e prisoners "o re%ei!e pa%'ages &ro) ho)e* o)eo& "he pa%'ages (ere hand'er%hie&s# s%ar!es# and o"her i"e)s

o& %lo"hing* i'e go" hi)sel& a ba)boo needle* ,!er a periodo& a %ouple o& )on"hs# he %rea"ed an 0)eri%an &lag and se(edi" on "he inside o& his shir"* E!ery a&"ernoon# be&ore (e had abo(l o& soup# (e (ould hang i'e7s shir" on "he (all o& "he%ell and say "he ledge o& 0llegian%e* = 'no( "he ledge o&0llegian%e )ay no" see) "he )os" i)por"an" par" o& our dayno(+ bu" = %an assure you in "ha" s"ar' %ell# i" (as indeed "he)os" i)por"an" and )eaning&ul e!en"*

,ne day "he Vie"na)ese sear%hed our %ell# as "hey didperiodi%ally# and dis%o!ered i'e7s shir" (i"h "he &lag se(ninside# and re)o!ed i"* Tha" e!ening "hey re"urned# opened"he door o& "he %ell# and &or "he bene&i" o& all o& us# bea" i'e


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are supposed "o be and do (ha" "hey are supposed "o do*We are "old in = orin"hians 4:3 "ha" &ai"h&ulness is a

reFuire)en"# oreover it is re-uired in stewards, that aman be found faithful. We are en%ouraged in === John !erse5# "o be &ai"h&ul# Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoeverthou doest to the brethren, and to strangers. We are "old inRe!ela"ion 3:1 "ha" Hod re(ards &ai"h&ulness# ear none ofthose things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shallcast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried' and yeshall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death,and $ will give thee a crown of life.

;o(# i" is "rue "ha" a person does no" ha!e "o be &ai"h&ul "o

be a hris"ian+$ bu" in all %andor# no" being a &ai"h&ulhris"ian in a""endan%e and ser!i%e (ould be li'e ha!ing***

a %ar (i"hou" gas#

a %hur%h (i"hou" )e)bers#

a la(n )o(er (i"hou" a blade#

a "ea%her (i"hou" s"uden"s#

a house (i"hou" a roo

a le""er (i"hou" pos"age#

a bell (i"hou" an an!il#

a ballga)e (i"hou" a ball#

a ligh" bulb (i"hou" ele%"ri%i"y# or

a husband (i"hou" a (i&e*=n o"her (ords# useless o %an you be a hris"ian$

(i"hou" being &ai"h&ul. /es# you (ould us" be a uselessone* ;o( = 'no( you (ould ne!er desire "o be useless "o

Hod+ so (hy no" begin "oday being &ai"h&ul so you %an "urnyour uselessness in"o &ai"h&ulness# "rus"(or"hiness# anddependabili"y*

Wha" "o do:

roperly de&ine "he (ord &ai"h&ul

Aedi%a"e yoursel& "o being &ai"h&ul "o Hod*

Be &ai"h&ul in e!ery &a%e" o& your li&e*

Wri"e do(n so)e areas in your li&e (here you need


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"o be )ore &ai"h&ul*

The Character of AmbitionJune

Bible Reading: 0%"s 1L:31-41Key Verse: Verse 31 - "/fter these things were ended,0aul purposed in the spirit, when he had passedthrough acedonia and /chaia, to go to 1erusalem,saying, /fter $ have been there, $ must also see*ome."

Key Words:$ must also see *ome

=& you (ere "o as' )e (hi%h %hara%"er "rai"s are )issing&ro) "oday7s so%ie"y# "he "rai" o& a)bi"ion (ould beso)e(here near "he "op o& "he lis"*

/mbitionis de&ined as a de"er)ina"ion "o su%%eed$ M"he0)eri%an en"ury di%"ionaryN*


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Wha" "o do:

Today: pi%' one area o& your ob (here you la%'a)bi"ion and de"er)ine "o be su%%ess&ul in "ha" area*

Today: pi%' one area o& your &a)ily li&e (here youla%' a)bi"ion and de"er)ine "o be su%%ess&ul*

Today: pi%' one area o& your spiri"ual li&e (here youla%' a)bi"ion and de"er)ine "o be su%%ess&ul*

Ao all o& "he abo!e ea%h day# and you (ill no" la%'a)bi"ion*


The Character of PrideJune L

Bible Reading: ro!erb 16:16-35Key Verse: Verse 1 "0ride goeth before destruction,and an haughty spirit before a fall."

Key Words:pride

There are so)e "hings "ha" are so nausea"ing "ha" "heyde&y de&ini"ion* ride is one o& "hose "hings*

=" (as pride "ha" %aused 0da) and E!e "o rebel agains"

Hod* =" (as pride "ha" %aused ain "o slay 0bel* =" (as pride"ha" %aused e"er "o say "o Jesus# =7ll ne!er deny "hee$2atthew 34:567.

= ha!e sear%hed "he %rip"ure &ro) Henesis "o Re!ela"ion#and = ha!e ye" "o &ind a person &ull o& pride "ha" Hod e!erused*

= li'e (ha" arilyn !os a!an"# (ho is lis"ed as ha!ing "hehighes" =P in "he (orld# said: Re)e)ber# (e7re allbiodegradable*$ o "he ne?" "i)e you are &eelingirrepla%eable# us" re)e)ber "he biodegradable &a%"or*

Vin%e


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au"ograph* ,ne day (hile ea"ing a" a publi% res"auran"# hespo""ed a 'id approa%hing his "able*


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Bible Reading: sal) 2LKey Verse: Verse 1 - "$ said, $ will take heed to myways, that $ sin not with my tongue: $ will keep mymouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

Key Words:$ will keep my mouth with a bridlean you 'eep a se%re". an you. o)e on no(# be

hones"* When pri!ileged in&or)a"ion is passed on "o you#does i" re)ain in "he (alls o& your )ind# or is i" only a )a""ero& "i)e be&ore a lea' o%%urs. When "he grape!ine reFues"syour a""en"ion# do you re&use "o help i" %li)b higher# or do youen%ourage i"s gro("h# &er"iliCing i" by "he (agging o& an

unguarded "ongue. ;o(# (hen so)eone says# This is%on&iden"ial#$ do you respe%" his "rus" or ignore i".The longer = li!e# "he )ore = realiCe "he s%ar%i"y o& people

(ho %an be &ully "rus"ed (i"h %on&iden"ial in&or)a"ion* Thelonger = li!e# "he )ore = !alue "hose rare souls (ho %an indeed'eep a se%re"* 0s a )a""er o& &a%"# i& = (ere as'ed "o lis" "heessen"ial %hara%"eris"i%s "ha" should be &ound in any )e)bero& a s"a&& or %hur%h o&&i%er# "he abili"y "o )ain"ain %on&iden%es

(ould ran' a" "he "op*,ur )inds )igh" be %o)pared "o a %e)e"ery# &illed (i"hgra!es "ha" re&use "o be opened* The in&or)a"ion# no )a""erho( ui%y# )us" res" in pea%e in i"s %o&&in# sealed in silen%e*

/ou and = (ould no" gi!e a plug ni%'el &or a do%"or (horan his )ou"h* The sa)e applies "o a pas"or# %ounselor#"ea%her# se%re"aryIor a %lose# "rus"ed &riend* ;o businesse!er gro(s and re)ains s"rong unless "hose in leadership are

people o& %on&iden%e* ;o s%hool )ain"ains publi% respe%"(i"hou" a s"a&& %o))i""ed "o 'eeping pri!a"e "he a&&airs o&o"hers* When lea's o%%ur# i" is o&"en a sign o& %hara%"er(ea'ness and a%"ion should be "a'en "o dis%o!er "he person(ho has allo(ed his )en"al %o&&in "o be e?hu)ed ande?a)ined*

=n&or)a"ion is po(er* The person (ho re%ei!es i" anddispenses i" bi" by bi" o&"en does so "ha" o"hers )igh" be

i)pressed be%ause he or she is in "he 'no(*$ Ge( "hings are)ore sa"is&ying "o our old ego "han ha!ing o"hers s"are (ide-eyed and saying# y# = didn7" 'no( "ha"*$

olo)on (ri"es so)e s"rong and (ise (ords on "he


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sube%" o& 'eeping se%re"s* ro!erbs 1:1L# $n the multitudeof words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lipsis wise. ro!erbs 11:12# / talebearer revealeth secrets: buthe that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. ro!erbs12:2# %e that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he thatopeneth wide his lips shall have destruction.

;o(# le" us go ou" and %on"rol our "ongues and 'eep "hose"hings "old "o us in %on&iden%e a se%re"*

Wha" "o do:

Wha"e!er you hold in %on&iden%e# do no" repea"*Whene!er you are "e)p"ed "o "al'# do no" yield*

Whene!er dis%ussing si"ua"ions# dis%uss "heproble)# no" "he person*


The Character of bedienceJune 11

Bible Reading: @ebre(s 12:1-1Key Verse: Verse 1 - ")bey them that have the ruleover you, and submit yourselves: for they watch foryour souls, as they that must give account, that they

may do it with oy, and not with grief: for that isunprofitable for you."

Key Words: )bey

=& obeying (ere easy# e!eryone (ould be doing i"* =" "a'esa person o& high Hodly %hara%"er "o obey "hose (ho ha!e "herule o!er "he)* E!ery oun%e o& %arnal &lesh (i"hin us s%rea)sou" agains" obedien%e* /ou (ill no" &ind one person inside

Hod7s Word (ho &ailed "o obey (ho did no" end up in so)esor" o& "rouble*

= read re%en"ly abou" Roger oore# a young dad (ho (asgi!en a "ra&&i% %i"a"ion &or no" ha!ing his "oddler se%ured in a


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%ar sea"* When "he o&&i%er pulled oore o!er# he i))edia"elybegan "o gru)ble abou" "he "i%'e"+ bu" he did se%urely &as"enhis young son properly in"o his %ar sea"* @e "hen s"u&&ed "he"i%'e" in"o "he glo!e %o)par")en" and dro!e o&&* ;ine"een)on"hs la"er# r* oore and his young son (ere in!ol!ed inan a%%iden"* The young "oddler sus"ained a &e( )inorinuries# bu" (as pro"e%"ed by "he res"rain"s o& "he %ar sea"*On&or"una"ely# "he &a"her (as 'illed* 0l"hough he heeded "he(arning "o se%ure his son# he ne!er bu%'led up hi)sel&*

This dra(s )e "o se!eral %on%lusions:Girs" o& all# (e should obey (i"h a good spiri"* e%ondly#

(e should no" only )a'e our %hildren obey "he rules# (e

should obey "he) as (ell* Thirdly# (e )us" al(ays re)e)beri& (e are in au"hori"y# obedien%e is no" us" "augh"+ i" is also%augh"*

Wha" "o do:

,bey "hose (ho ha!e "he rule o!er you M(i"h a good

spiri"N*0s paren"s# ne!er %o)plain abou" ha!ing "o beobedien"* Tha" (ill %o)e ba%' "o haun" you in your%hildren*

Re)e)ber "he &lesh does no" (an" "o obey# so daily(al' (i"h Hod and li!e in "he piri"*

Ao no" de!elop &riendship (i"h disobedien" people*

Be 'ind "o "he)# (i"ness "o "he)# bu" "hey should no"be your running-around buddy*$


The Character of ConsistencyJune 13

Bible Reading: a""he( 32:1-13


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Key Verse: Verse 2 - "/ll therefore whatsoever theybid you observe, that observe and do' but do not yeafter their works: for they say, and do not. "

Key Words: they say, and do not

1hhh =7ll le" you in on a li""le se%re"* ,ne o& "he grea"es"sins o& our day is in%onsis"en%y* When you s"udy "he pages o&Hod7s Word you (ill &ind i" o!er and o!er again* We ashris"ians are 'no(n &or reFuiring o& o"hers (ha" (e do no"reFuire o& oursel!es or our &a)ily*


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i)por"an" leaders in "he (orld* ,n "he o"her hand# (hen = a)(i"h ri)e inis"er Aisraeli# he )a'es )e &eel as i& = a) oneo& "he )os" i)por"an" leaders in "he (orld*$

a) Rayburn (as pea'er o& "he @ouse o&Represen"a"i!es longer "han any o"her )an in our his"ory*There is a s"ory "old abou" hi) "ha" re!eals "he 'ind o& )an hereally (as* The "een-age daugh"er o& a &riend o& his diedsuddenly one nigh"* Early "he ne?" )orning "he )an heard a'no%' on his door# and (hen he opened i"# "here (as r*Rayburn s"anding ou"side* The pea'er said# = us" %a)e by"o see (ha" = %ould do "o help*$

The &a"her replied in his deep grie = don7" "hin' "here is

any"hing you %an do# r* pea'er* We are )a'ing all "hearrange)en"s*$Well#$ r* Rayburn said# ha!e you had your %o&&ee "his

)orning.$ The )an replied "ha" he had no"* r* Rayburnsaid "ha" he %ould a" leas" )a'e %o&&ee &or "he)*

While he (as (or'ing in "he 'i"%hen# "he )an %a)e in andsaid# r* pea'er# = "hough" you (ere supposed "o be ha!ingbrea'&as" a" "he Whi"e @ouse "his )orning*$

Well# = (as# bu" = %alled "he residen" and "old hi) = hada &riend (ho = needed "o be (i"h "his )orning and "ha" =%ouldn7" %o)e*$

/ man that hath friends must show himself friendly.

Wha" "o do:

To ha!e &riends# be one*Ao un"o o"hers as you (ould ha!e "he) do un"o you*

Than' Hod daily &or your &riends*

Be &riendly "o "hose (ho perse%u"e you*

0l(ays re)e)ber "ha" Jesus is "he Hrea"es" o& allGriends 9 so be a &riend o& Jesus*


The Character of Fault!Finders


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June 14

Bible Reading: ro!erbs 1:1-3Key Verse: Verse 3 - "%e that hath a froward heartfindeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tonguefalleth into mischief."Key Words:findeth no good

= dra( your a""en"ion "o !erse 3 o& our "e?"# %e thathath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath aperverse tongue falleth into mischief.

o)e people see) "o be happy only (hen "hey are )a'ing

o"hers )iserable Be%ause "hey "hri!e on &aul"-&inding# "heys"ir up s"ri&e (here!er "hey go* Wha" is (rong (i"h "he)any(ay. The ans(er is %lear* They are disgus"ed (i"h "heiro(n unprodu%"i!e li!es and are dissa"is&ied (i"h "heir li)i"eda%hie!e)en"s# so "hey "ry "o boos" "he)sel!es by hur"ingo"hers* By %ri"i%iCing "hey relie!e "heir inner anger anddisappoin")en"*

arana"ha$ )agaCine %arried "he &ollo(ing s"ory abou"

%ri"i%is):The (i&e o& a hard-"o-please husband (as de"er)ined "o"ry her bes" "o sa"is&y hi) us" &or one day* >Aarling#7 sheas'ed# >(ha" (ould you li'e &or brea'&as" "his )orning.7 @egro(led# >o&&ee# "oas"# gri"s# sausage and "(o eggs: ones%ra)bled and one &ried*7 he soon had "he &ood on "he "ableand (ai"ed &or a (ord o& praise* 0&"er a Fui%' glan%e hee?%lai)ed# >Well# you s%ra)bled "he (rong egg7$

Griend# i& you are %ons"an"ly &inding &aul" (i"h o"hers# youneed "o as' yoursel Wha" is (rong (i"h )e.$

Be assured you are being robbed o& "he oy o& yoursal!a"ion i& you are indeed sa!ed* Re)e)ber# (hen you%ri"i%iCe o"hers# all you are doing is sho(ing "ha" you are no"sa"is&ied (i"h yoursel&* The &aul" (i"h &aul"-&inders is a &aul" in"heir %hara%"er*

Wha" "o do:


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RealiCe "ha" &aul"-&inding is a horrible &aul"*

Wri"e do(n posi"i!es abou" "hose you are %ons"an"ly&inding &aul" (i"h*

a'e i" a habi" "o sing Hodly %horuses*

ray &or "hose you &ind &aul" (i"h*

The Character of "ensible

"ilenceJune 15

Bible Reading: sal) 24:1-12Key Verse: Verse 33 - ";eep thy tongue from evil, andthy lips from speaking guile."

Key Words:;eep thy tongue

olo)on said in E%%lesias"es 2: "ha" "here is a time tokeep silence and a time to speak. er"ainly# "here aredi&&eren" "ypes o& silen%e* There is a &oolish silen%e# a%o(ardly silen%e# and a resen"&ul silen%e* Why# "here is e!en age" e!en$ silen%e* ;one o& "hese are re%o))ended# by "he(ay* The one (e hear"ily re%o))end is a pruden" silen%e# aholy# gra%ious silen%e# (hi%h "he %rip"ure hear"ily

re%o))ends*=& one does no" pra%"i%e "his "ype o& silen%e# he (ill spea'

inurious (ords and s"ir up s"ri&e 20roverbs


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per&e%"ly s"ill# "ranFuil and silen"* Ginally# "he &irs" (o)ans"o)ped her &oo" and shou"ed# pea'# so = %an argue (i"h you)ore*$

We %an Fui%'ly lose our "es"i)ony by spea'ing Fui%'lyand i)pulsi!ely* Today# le" us as' "he @oly piri" "o help us)ain"ain a sensible silen%e*$

Wha" "o do:

0pply "he si? )isses$ you &ind in "he de!o"ion "oyour li&e*


The Character of #abelingJune 16

Bible Reading: a""he( 1:16-35Key Verse: Verse 35 - "$t is enough for the disciplethat he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.$f they have called the master of the house Beel=ebub,how much more shall they call them of hishousehold&Key Words: have called the master of the house of

Beel=ebub

The harisees had labeled Jesus BeelCebub$ M


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ner!ous person$+ @e7s a per&e%"ionis"*$Bu" )y &a!ori"es are "he spiri"ual$ labels: @e7s a

di%"a"or$+ he7s a harisee$+ @e has no s"andards$+ @e7s "oos"ri%"*$ /ou 'no( "hose spiri"ual labels*

;o(# "o be %o)ple"ely hones" abou" i"# i" is o%%asionallyhelp&ul "o li%' a label and s"i%' i" on* =" sa!es a bundle o& "i)e#and i" %an %o))uni%a"e a &airly %lear pi%"ure* @o(e!er# i" isi)por"an" "ha" (e guard agains" using a (rong label "ha"%ould be dangerous and da)aging* =& you label E?la?%ho%ola"e %andy#$ "ha" is bad+ so ge" "hose labels righ" (henyou label people*

;o( "he danger in playing label$ is "ha" you se" yoursel&

up as udge and ury# de%laring "ha" your "hird-handin&or)a"ion is %orre%"* When "ha" happens# "he ga)e o& labelis o!er# and no( you begin "o play "he ga)e o& slander*as"ing labels on people# %hur%hes# and s%hools (i"h onlypar"ial &a%"s# &eelings# and opinions is no" only un&air in "hega)e o& label# i" is also un-hris"ian*

Those (ho really enoy "he ga)e o& label are ei"heri))a"ure spiri"ually or "hey are unsa!ed* 0s a )a""er o& &a%"#

"hey are "he only ones (ho play "he ga)e* ,h (ell# = really dono" li'e "he ga)e o& label any(ay# so = do no" "hin' = (ill play*@o( abou" you.

Wha" "o do:

Ao un"o o"hers as you (ould ha!e "he) do un"o you*

i)ply pu"# (e o&"en brea' Hod7s Word be%ause (eudge o"hers and label "he) (i"hou" ha!ing all "he&a%"s*

0l(ays re)e)ber "o )a'e your labels so&" and"ender "oday# &or la"er you )ay ha!e "o (ear i"

yoursel&*


The Character of False Flattery


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The Character of $ying to "elfJune 1

Bible Reading: hilippians 2:1-16Key Verse: Verse - "But what things were gain tome, those $ counted loss for Christ.

Key Words: loss for Christ

Aie"ri%h Bonhoe&&er re%ogniCed "he end o& @i"ler and "he;aCi )o!e)en" &ro) i"s !ery beginning* When "he ;aCi)o!e)en" &irs" began# )os" belie!ers in Her)any suppor"ed@i"ler* 0s a resul"# Bonhoe&&er &ound hi)sel& unpopular e!ena)ong his &ello( belie!ers* 0s res"ri%"ions and "henperse%u"ions %a)e# Bonhoe&&er again %ried ou" agains";aCis)# and (arned "he %hur%h and "he Her)an people o& "hee)erging e!il* Bu" no one (ould lis"en* Ginding hi)sel& indanger# he &led "o 0)eri%a+ bu" he &el" all "he (hile "ha" hispla%e (as in Her)any* =n early 1L4 he re"urned "o hisho)eland only "o be arres"ed and "a'en "o "he e?"er)ina"ion%a)p a" Glossenburg# (here he (as s"ripped and hanged a""he age o& "hir"y-nine*

Bonhoe&&er had "o )a'e "he ul"i)a"e sa%ri&i%e# bu" longbe&ore Aie"ri%h Bonhoe&&er7s &lesh (as e?e%u"ed# he had died"o sel&*

Bonhoe&&er (ro"e "ha" "here are &i!e dea"hs (e )us" all be(illing "o die i& (e are "o li!e &or hris"*

1* Aea"h "o natural relationships M&a)ilyN* =& &a)ily%o)es &irs"# "hen (e (ould ne!er be (illing "o die &orhris"*

3* Aea"h "o success* Bonhoe&&er on%e said# u%%ess isonly "he !eneer "ha" %o!ers "he e)p"iness o& "hesoul*$

2* Aea"h "o the flesh* The &ear o& su&&ering %o)es &ro)no" ha!ing died "o sel&*

4* Aea"h "o the love of money.5* Aea"hfor ChristIshould (e be %alled "o su%h a "as'*


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)y ser)ons (ill spea' "en "i)es louder "han be&ore* = (illa%"ually reoi%e in "he !i%"ory o& dea"h &or# "ruly# &or )e "o die(ould be a gain &or "he souls o& )en and (o)en aroundRo)ania &or hris"Ss glory*

The o&&i%er sen" Tson ho)e*;o( "his raises an in"eres"ing Fues"ion* When you

die# (ha" i)pa%" (ould you li'e "o ha!e &or hris". Will yourdea"h be a gain &or hris".

Wha" "o do:

Re)e)ber your li&e (ill bere%alled in your dea"h*

@o( do you (an" "o be re)e)bered.Re)e)ber only (ha" is done &or hris" (ill las"*

Re)e)ber your "es"i)ony is no" (ha" you "hin' andsay abou" yoursel bu" (ha" Hod 'no(s abou" you*

Re)e)ber "he old saying: = die "o li!e or = li!e "odie* ;o( "he )ore = li!e# "he )ore = die# and "he )ore= die# "he )ore = li!e*$


The Character of GoodnessJune 3

Bible Reading: Hala"ians 5:1L-36Key Verse: Verse 1 - "But the fruit of the !pirit islove, oy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,faith,"

Key Words: goodness

= read a hu)orous s"ory re%en"ly abou" a gooda)ari"an$ (ho had died and gone "o hea!en* e"er s"opped

"he )an a" "he ga"e o& hea!en and as'ed hi) "o gi!e ana%%oun" o& hi)sel&* Tell )e one good "hing you did in yourli&e#$ e"er de)anded*

The )an paused &or a )o)en" and "hen responded# = sa(a gang harassing an elderly (o)an# so = 'i%'ed "he leader o&


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"he gang in "he shins*$e"er as'ed# When did "his happen.$The )an replied# 0bou" "hir"y se%onds ago*$There are "i)es "ha" i" )ay appear "ha" our goodness "o

o"hers does no" (or' ou"+ bu" (e should al(ays %arry ou" a%"so& goodness - no" be%ause o& "he bene&i"s (he"her good or bad#bu" be%ause i" is "he righ" "hing "o do*

,n Gebruary 3L# 1LL3# si?"y "housand people "oo' par" in>!/ 9oday7s


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Key Verse: Verse 15 - "/nd if it seem evil unto you toserve the ()*+, choose you this day whom ye willserve' whether the gods which your fathers servedthat were on the other side of the flood, or the gods ofthe /morites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for meand my house, we will serve the ()*+.Key Words: choose you this day whom ye willserve

=n %hap"er "(en"y-&our# Joshua# "he leader o& =srael# hasga"hered all o& =srael "oge"her and re)inds "he) o& all "ha"Hod has done &or "he)* @e %au"ions "he) abou" all "he &alse

gods in "he land# and "ells "he) "ha" "hey )us" %hoose (hi%hgod "hey are going "o ser!e* Ai!ided loyal"y ne!er (or's


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Wri"e ou" your "op priori"ies &or li&e and see ho()any are Hodly priori"ies*


The Character of Getting Things&ight

June 33

Bible Reading: = a)uel 15:1-LKey Verse: Verse 1 - "!amuel also said unto !aul, 9he()*+ sent me to anoint thee to be king over hispeople, over $srael: now therefore hearken thou untothe voice of the words of the ()*+.Key Words: hearken thou

@a!e you e!er s"udied "he li&e o& aul as "he 'ing o& =srael.The poor guy ne!er did any"hing righ"*

=n %hap"er &i&"een o& = a)uel# he disobeyed Hod in regard"o des"roying "he 0)ale'i"es*=n %hap"er se!en"een# he le" Aa!id go and &igh" Holia"h in

his pla%e# and Aa!id be%a)e "he na"ional hero ra"her "hanaul*

=n %hap"er eigh"een# he (an"ed Aa!id 'illed be%ause o& hisealousy o!er Aa!id*

=n %hap"er nine"een# he "hre( a a!elin a" Aa!id (hile

Aa!id (as playing his harp &or "he 'ing* Bu" "rue "o &or)# he)issed* aul %er"ainly %ould do no"hing righ"*o "he s"ory goes "hrough aul7s li&e: al(ays being (rong

and ne!er righ"* 0&"er a)uel7s dea"h he "urned "o a (i"%h "o)edia"e &or hi)# ano"her (rong in his li&e* aul7s las" a%" on"his ear"h (as "o "a'e his o(n li&e* aul7s li&e (as one )is"a'ea&"er ano"her*

;o(# = do (an" "o i)press upon you "ha" ge""ing "hings

righ" is e?"re)ely i)por"an"* =" %an and (ill sa!e you &ro) alo" o& hear"a%he*

= a) re)inded o& a s"ory = read abou" a young pas"or (ho(as losing his %ongrega"ion "o sleep during a dry ser)on* To


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0)os 2:2# Can two walk together, e8cept they be agreed&Be %are&ul (ho) you run (i"h# &or you (ill be%o)e li'e

"he)*=n 1LL5# "he 0)eri%an o%iologi%al Re!ie($ repor"ed on a

s"udy "ha" re!ealed "ha" young )arried %ouples ha!e a grea"er"enden%y "o di!or%e i& "hey li!e in an area (i"h a high%on%en"ra"ion o& singles* The resear%h (as done by %o""ou"h# a so%iology pro&essor a" "he "a"e Oni!ersi"y o& ;e(/or' in 0lbany# and his %olleague# Ken


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Key Verse: Verse 2 -"$ remembered #od, and wastroubled: $ complained, and my spirit wasoverwhelmed. !elah."

Key Words:$ remembered #od, and was troubled

@a!e you e!er loo'ed up "he de&ini"ion o&pessimist. =n"he 0)eri%an en"ury Ai%"ionary# apessimistis one (ho"ends "o be nega"i!e abou" e!ery"hing*$

=n our "e?"# Aa!id is being pessi)is"i%* Why# in !erse"hree "he sal)is" is so nega"i!e "ha" he said# $ remembered#od, and was troubled.

=& you ha!e e!er had "o deal (i"h a person (ho is

pessi)is"i%# you unders"and (ha" a %hallenge "ha" %an be* =read "he &ollo(ing s"ory (hi%h %er"ainly iden"i&ies pessi)is)"o a "ee*

T(o du%' hun"ers (ere 'no(n &or "heir %on"ras"ingou"loo's on li&e* ,ne (as an e"ernal op"i)is"# (hile "he o"herli!ed ou" "he role o& "he e!er-nega"i!e pessi)is"* The op"i)is"se" ou" "o ge" a posi"i!e response &ro) his hun"ing par"ner by"a'ing "he o&& season "o "rain his dog "o re"rie!e &allen du%'s

by (al'ing on "he (a"er* @is dog did no" us" s(i) ou" "o ge""he du%'s+ he li"erally (al'ed on "he (a"er* When openingday o& du%' season arri!ed# "he op"i)is" %ouldn7" (ai" "o sho(o&& his dog* @e go" his %han%e as he sho" do(n "he &irs" du%'"ha" &le( o!er* on&iden" "ha" his dog (ould genera"e aposi"i!e response &ro) his pessi)is"i% &riend# he sen" his doga&"er "he du%'* Jus" li'e he (as "rained# "he dog (al'ed ou" on"he (a"er and brough" ba%' "he du%'* The hun"er bea)ed

(i"h pride only "o hear his pessi)is"i% &riend say# >Ho" a dog"ha" %an7" s(i)# huh.7$

0 pessi)is": one (ho "ends "o be nega"i!e abou"e!ery"hing*

aybe "oday (ould be a good day &or ea%h o& us "o beginbeing a li""le less pessi)is"i%*

Wha" "o do:

=& you "end "o be pessi)is"i%# as' Hod "o help you in


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June 36

Bible Reading: == e"er 1:1-LKey Verse: Verse 6 - "/nd to knowledge temperance'and to temperance patience' and to patiencegodliness'Key Words: godliness

There are "hree pri)ary de&ini"ions o& "he (ord #odliness.o)e say "he (ord )eans pie"y$ 9 i" does* "ill o"hers say"ha" a be""er de&ini"ion is "ha" #odliness )eans Hod-li'e-ness$ 9 and i" does* Bu" "here is a "hird de&ini"ion "ha" = li'e

e!en )ore "han "hose )en"ioned pre!iously# and "ha" is "ha"#odliness )eans de!o"ion "o Hod*$;o(# i" really does no" )a""er (i"h )e (hi%h o& "he "hree

de&ini"ions you %hoose i& you aspire "o be Hodly* /our li&e (ill%hange# and "his "hing %alled "he hris"ian li&e (ill "hen ha!eso)e real )eaning and purpose "o i"*

/ears ago# a pregnan" (o)an s"ood in "he yard o& herBal"i)ore# aryland# ho)e and shoo' her &is" a" Hod in a

"orren"ial rains"or) and shou"ed !ulgari"ies a" Hod# and"aun"ed @i) "o s"ri'e her dead i& @e did indeed e?is"* 0&"er"he ligh"ning did no" s"ri'e# she "urned "o her &a)ily (ho(i"nessed "he unusual ordeal and de%lared !i%"ory be%auseshe had pro!en "ha" Hod did no" e?is"* he (ould la"er "ell herson# Bill# "ha" she did no" %are i& he be%a)e a drug addi%"#ban' robber# or e!en brough" ho)e a boy&riend ins"ead o& agirl&riend* 0ll she (an"ed (as &or hi) "o ne!er be%o)e a

hris"ian*Bill urray# son o& adelyn urray ,7@are# did be%o)e a

hris"ian a" "he age o& "hir"y-"hree+ and his )o"her diso(nedhi)* @is li&e (as "rans&or)ed &ro) a li&e o& pornography andal%ohol "o a li&e de!o"ed "o Hod* Bill urray said a&"er he (assa!ed# = ha!e "he pea%e =7!e longed &or all o& )y li&e*$ @e(en" on "o say "ha" Hodlessness siphons a(ay any )eaning"o li&e*$

=& your hris"ian li&e has no )eaning# "hen = %hallenge you"o pu" Hodliness in"o your %hara%"er and be de!o"ed "o Hod*/ou (ill &ind so)e real pea%e and )eaning "o li&e*


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Wha" "o do:0dd Hodliness "o your %hara%"er*

Keep a %lose rela"ionship (i"h Hod*Re)e)ber (orldliness is a de!o"ion "o "he (orld#and Hodliness is a de!o"ion "o Hod* Whi%h o& "hese doo"hers see in you.

Character and Conscience( Pt )June 3

Bible Reading: @ebre(s 12:1-1Key Verse: Verse 1 - "0ray for us: for we trust we

have a good conscience, in all things willing to livehonestly."

Key Words: a good conscience, in all things

/our %ons%ien%e is your guide* =" dire%"s your a%"ions in"his li&e# bu" your %ons%ien%e# li'e a %o)pass# (ill guide youin%orre%"ly i& i" is bro'en*

The old saying# li""le (o)an*7

@e soon dis%o!ered his li""le (o)an (as progra))ed "o(arn hi) abou" his gasoline* >/our &uel le!el is lo(#7 she saidone "i)e in her s(ee" !oi%e* Ed(in nodded his head and"han'ed her* @e &igured he s"ill had enough gas "o go ano"her&i&"y )iles# so he 'ep" on dri!ing* Bu" a &e( )inu"es la"er# her!oi%e in"errup"ed again (i"h "he sa)e (arning* 0nd so i"


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(en" o!er and o!er* 0l"hough he 'ne( i" (as "he sa)ere%ording# Ed(in "hough" her !oi%e sounded harsher ea%h"i)e*

Ginally# he s"opped "he %ar and %ra(led under "he

dashboard* 0&"er a Fui%' sear%h# he &ound "he appropria"e(ires and ga!e "he) a good yan'* o )u%h &or "he li""le(o)an* @e (as s"ill s)iling "o hi)sel& a &e( )iles la"er (henhis %ar began spu""ering and %oughing* @e ran ou" o& gaso)e(here inside "he dashboard# Ed(in (as sure he %ouldhear "he li""le (o)an laughing*$

The "ru"h is you %anno" separa"e good %hara%"er and agood %ons%ien%e* They go "oge"her* The reason so)e ha!e

li""le or no %hara%"er is be%ause o& a bro'en %ons%ien%e* o

ho( is your %ons%ien%e. /ou (ill 'no( by your %hara%"er*

What to do:E!alua"e your %ons%ien%e and %hara%"er in ligh" o&

Hod7s Word*0s' Hod "o gi!e you a good %ons%ien%e*0 good %ons%ien%e is %ul"i!a"ed "hrough:

1* obedien%e "o "he Word#3* &riendship (i"h Hod# and2* &riendship (i"h Hodly people*


Character and Conscience( Pt *June 3

Bible Reading: = Ti)o"hy 4:1-

Key Verse: Verse 3 - "!peaking lies in hypocrisy'

having their conscience seared with a hot iron'"Key Words: their conscience seared

,ne li""le &ello( des%ribed "he %ons%ien%e as so)e"hing


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=& your %ons%ien%e does no" %on!i%" you agains"(orldly and i))odes" dress#

=& your %ons%ien%e does no" %on!i%" you "o li!e by "heBoo'#

=& your %ons%ien%e does no" %on!i%" you agains")issing %hur%h#

/our %ons%ien%e is seared

o (ha" %an = do.

Aaily "a'e your )edi%ine: Hod7s Word*

Aaily separa"e yoursel& &ro) "ha" (hi%h sears your%ons%ien%e: )usi%# &riends# e"%*

pend "i)e in &as"ing and prayer# as'ing Hod "ores"ore your good %ons%ien%e*


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(i"h our %hara%"er* =& (e s"i%' our %hara%"er in "he (orld# i"(ill %on&or) "o "he (orld+ bu" i& (e pu" our %hara%"er in"oHod# i" (ill %on&or) "o a Hodly %hara%"er* =" us" depends on(ha" 'ind o& %hara%"er (e (an"*

e!eral years ago# Ar* Ru"h Berenda and a group o& &ello(psy%hologis"s redis%o!ered "he po(er o& so%ial pressure* =n ane?peri)en"# "hey in!i"ed "en "eenagers in"o a roo) (here"hree %har"s (ere displayed* Ea%h %har" had "hree lines o&di&&eren" leng"hs* The group )e)bers (ere as'ed "o raise"heir hands (hen "he "ea%her poin"ed "o "he longes" line on"he %har"* ,ne "een in ea%h group did no" 'no( "ha" "he o"hernine "eens had been ins"ru%"ed "o raise "heir hands (hen "he

"ea%her poin"ed "o "he se%ond longes" line* The lone "een&reFuen"ly loo'ed so)e(ha" %on&used bu" %as" a (rong !o"e(i"h "he o"her nine s"uden"s* Ar* Berenda7s da"a re!ealed "ha"5 o& "he "eens allo(ed peer pressure "o o!erride "heir o(nbe""er udg)en"*

The "ea) o& resear%hers rea%hed "he &ollo(ing %on%lusion:one7s %hara%"er is &or)ed by (ho) he or she runs (i"h* o i"is (i"h all o& us* ,ur %hara%"er (ill ne!er rise abo!e "hose (e

surround oursel!es (i"h* Worldly &riends and &a)ily (ill)old one in"o a (orldly %hara%"er* Hodly &riends and &a)ily(ill )old one in"o a Hodly %hara%"er* o (ho) are yourunning (i"h.

Wha" "o do:

a'e (ise Hodly %hoi%es on (ho in&luen%es you*

0l(ays re)e)ber as paren"s# your %hildren (ill&ollo( your a%"ions )ore "han your (ords*

0l(ays re)e)ber# ei"her you (ill ha!e %hara%"er# oryou (ill si)ply be a %hara%"er*


'olding Character


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June 2

Bible Reading: = e"er 1:1-16Key Verse: Verse 14 "/s obedient children, not

fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts inyour ignorance:Key Words:/s obedient children

o)e years ago our girls sa" inno%en"ly in "he li!ing roo)(a"%hing a"urday )orning %ar"oons# as "hey did )os"a"urday )ornings# un"il "hey had used all o& "heir TV "i)e &or"he day* /es# (e had "i)e li)i"s &or (a"%hing TV# and "hen

"hey (ould slip o&& and do "heir %hores and play "heir %hildishga)es: "ypi%al &i!e and si? year-old girls*This a"urday (as "o be di&&eren"# ho(e!er* This a"urday

(as "he a"urday "ha" (ould %hange )y "hin'ing on inno%en"%ar"oons &ore!er* a"urday a&"ernoon (e headed ou" &or ana&"ernoon o& shopping and spending so)e "i)e "oge"her as a&a)ily* Then i" happened "ha" one o& our li""le ones said#


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I deeply appreciate the help of

Mary Parsons

Glenda Myrick


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is a ministry of

++,- Chalk.ille 'ountain &oadBirmingham( A#/ 0+*0+

1*2+3 -+4!*54)666/mountain.ie6baptist/org

Documents

Character Traits June 2014