March 1, 2023

Hey Church Family!

How's your character?  Have you ever sacrificed a bit of your character in order to achieve something, gain something, or fulfill a need?  What would the people closest to you say about your character?

I find it interesting that when I see a lack of character in the people around me, it bothers me more than my own lack of character. The struggle I have with character is in that moment of temptation, I don't always have the will power to do what is right.  I often opt to sacrifice a bit of my character for something that has little or lesser value.  My problem is that I'm just not consistent—some days I'm a man of great character.  Other days, I feel like a man with no character at all.  Would any of that be true for you too?

We know that God delights in character.  Throughout Scripture we see that he loves honesty, rewards humility, and guides us through integrity (Proverbs 11:1-13).  He loves character because it is a reflection of his nature.  We desperately need to be men and women of character.  We need to have the will to do whatever God says is right, regardless of the cost.

You know what?  We love to bump into people like that.  We love to do business with people of character.  We love to interact with men and women with integrity, honest, and humility.  Why?  Because they're the most dependable people.  They're incredibly trustworthy.  They're committed and follow through.  I don't know about you, but I want that for my kids.  I want that for everyone around me.  But I especially want that for me.

Over the next few weeks, I'd like to explore character more with you.  For now, I want us to pray this prayer together.  I hope you will make it your prayer for the next several weeks.  Who knows?  Maybe God will will answer this prayer for you.
 
Lord, give me the wisdom to know what's right
and the courage to do what's right, no matter what.

Have a blessed week!
​Pastor Michael