Character Corner

2008-08-14T06:00:00.001-04:00

Imagine being called "blessed" by Jesus Christ. The Word of God says that when the Son of Man shall come in His glory, He shall invite His sheep, whom He calls "ye blessed of my Father," to come to the kingdom prepared for them. The Father says that His blessed have the characteristic of compassion. They have a sympathetic concern for others and an inclination to give aid, support, and mercy. They give whatever is necessary to meet the needs of another, without expectation of anything in return. Both spiritually and physically they see the hungry and feed them, they see the thirsty and give them drink, they house strangers, they clothe the naked, and they visit the sick and those in prison.

Jesus Christ is our example of compassion. He saw the multitude's need and had compassion because they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. He met their spiritual need by teaching them, and by encouraging them to pray for laborers. He met their physical need by providing food to strengthen them, and by showing mercy to the sick and diseased. He gave sight to the blind. He cast out the demons from the demoniac and raised the widow's dead son to life. Jesus also saw the needs of sinful man and in His great compassion became the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. Nabal, on the other hand, did not have concern for others. He was a wealthy man and had means of support, but when he was told of the needs of David and his men, he replied, " what has that to do with me?"

We must cultivate this sympathetic concern for others and the willingness to give support and show mercy in our lives. We must have compassion as did the Good Samaritan who was willing to be inconvenienced when he saw a man half dead. He took time to bind up the man's wounds, bring him to a place of rest, and take care of him.

Let us strive to follow Jesus and cultivate compassion in our lives. Let us have the mind of Christ knowing that the true source of our strength, of our ability to help others, and success comes from the Lord.

2008-07-28T15:24:00.002-04:00

Who is she? Who is the one who seems so easy to befriend? Who is the one, when needs arise, to whom you turn with your request for help? She's approachable, receptive, and friendly. She makes it easy to draw near, and to make proposals or requests.

Jesus Christ is approachable. His invitation to all is, "Come unto me." John found Jesus approachable when he drew nearer to the Lord and leaned upon His breast. The fearful disciples did not hesitate to wake Jesus with their requests for protection during the storm at sea. This open access to Jesus encouraged the unclean leper to approach Him and request that he be made clean. Approachability cleared the path for those who were seeking Jesus, such as the rich young ruler, who asked, "What shall I do that I may have eternal life?"

We too can come boldly before the throne of grace, as did the thief on the cross, who realized his lost condition and cried out to Jesus, "Remember me..."

Are you thinking of her—the lady who you find approachable? Is she like Lydia who attended to those things spoken to her by Paul and was born again? Does she remind you of Appollos who, when approached by Aquilla and Priscilla, humbled himself, and allowed them to expound unto him the way of God more perfectly? Or is your relationship with her like that of Paul and Timothy? Do you each allow access into each other's life? Do you share your hopes and fears, receive encouragement and guidance, and strengthen your love for each other?

Are you approachable? Are you receptive and friendly to the overtures of another? Are you allowing others to draw nearer to you, to get to know you, and to come to you with requests for help? Let us strive to be approachable. And remember, the true source of our strength, success, and approachability comes from the Lord.

2008-06-17T11:39:00.001-04:00

Teachers. I learn so much from others. The things they say, the things they do, and the example they allow me to see. To teach is to impart knowledge or a skill to another person. It is to give instruction, to inform, enlighten, train, and educate. Just as we learn from others, we are also teaching others by our words, by our example that others follow, and by our testimony—which is what others see.

Jesus Christ is our example of a teacher. He taught the multitudes in the temple, in the cities, and in the villages, and His Word was with power. Jesus called His disciples apart and giving them the Word of God, instructed them in the way they should live and trained them for the ministry He wanted them to fulfill. Jesus imparted unto them the meaning of God's Word, further explained the parables, and questioned their understanding of what they had been taught.

Jesus was a Teacher to the individual. He expounded all the Scriptures concerning Himself to the two disciples going to Emmaus. He instructed the rich young ruler and the lawyer by answering their inquiries regarding salvation. He allowed Mary to do the needful thing and to sit at His feet and hear His Word. And questioning His love and desire to do what he was taught, Jesus instructed Peter to follow Him.

Jesus also taught by example. As He was praying, His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. In being a Servant and washing the apostles' feet, Jesus showed them that they also should serve as He had done. The testimony of Jesus, in doing good and by His miracles, enlightened Nicodemus to believe that Jesus was a Teacher come from God because he saw that God was with Him. Also, Jesus, in laying down His life and going to the cross for our sins, is still today teaching us that we too must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.

In following Jesus we become teachers also. We are to teach our children just as Joshua prepared to do when he set the twelve stones in the midst of Jordan as a remembrance for the future generations from which would see and learn. As Lois and Eunice did by training up Timothy in unfeigned faith and the Holy Scriptures. We are to teach one another as Paul exhorted Timothy to commit what he had heard to faithful men, who then would be able to teach others. We can do as Aquila and Priscilla did when they took Apollos unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly, which enabled Apollos to preach Christ mightily. Or we can be as Philip, who guided the Eunuch in understanding the Scriptures unto salvation. Or as Paul and Barnabas, when educating the church in the way of God, inspired others to have a testimony that was so like Christ that they were called Christians first at Antioch.

Let us be watchful in our teaching that we do not lead another astray as did Herodias in instructing her daughter to dance before the men and then request the head of John the Baptist. Or with the counsel of Diotrephes, who instructed the church not to receive John or the brethren and cast out those of the church who would.

Let us strive to teach by example as Paul did when he admonished that we should do those things that ye have both learned and received, and heard and seen in him. And remember that the true source of our strength, success and ability to teach good things comes from the Lord.

2008-05-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

The other day a discussion arose as to why Nicodemus visited Jesus at night. One said because he did not want to be seen and another replied that he wanted to wait until Jesus, who was surrounded by the multitudes, was less busy. Our old nature wants to put a negative spin on things but we are commanded think no evil. To think evil is to produce or form in your mind. It is to conceive or examine mentally, to believe, consider, anticipate, invent or imagine evil. Evil is morally bad or wicked. It causes injury, damage, or any other undesirable result.

Jesus, who did not have evil thoughts, responded to others as our example for good in thinking no evil. During the storm at sea he was confronted by the disciples, "Carest thou not that we perish?” He responded, "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" When, after the village of Samaritans did not receive him, the disciples asked if they should command fire to come down and consume them. Jesus replied that he did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them. And when they passed the blind man they questioned Jesus "who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered "neither hath this man sinned nor his parents: but for the works of God should be made manifest in him." Also while Jesus healed the man sick with palsy telling him to be of good cheer thy sins be forgiven thee the Scribes reasoned in their hearts, "Why doth this man speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" Jesus, knowing their thoughts, asked, “Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? This was done that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins.” As Martha, laboring and questioning Mary's motive for sitting at the feet of Jesus, complained to Him. Jesus responded to Martha, “One thing is needful and Mary has chosen that good part.”

Let us strive to think no evil. Let us encourage others like Paul did when he wrote to Philemon, and besought him for Onesimus who, before that time was unprofitable but was now profitable and who perhaps had departed for a season that he may be saved. Or the prodigal son's father, who besought his eldest son to join him in being thankful for his brother who was once dead is now alive, who was lost and now found. Or as Job, who when confronted by his disastrous circumstances refrained from thinking evil, he fell down upon the ground and worshipped the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away blessed be the name of the Lord.

Let us discipline our minds to think good and not imagine evil. Let the words of our mouth and meditation of our hearts be acceptable. And remember that the true source of our strength, success, and our ability to think no evil comes from the Lord.

2008-02-26T12:13:00.000-05:00

For He spake, and it was done: He commanded, and it stood fast. Throughout the Bible we are called upon to believe in Jesus Christ and to believe God's Word. To believe is to accept as true. It's the mental act of placing your trust or confidence in a person or thing. Believing is to think, to judge, and to expect something is true.

Jesus is our example to show us how we should believe. He accepted God's Word for His will for His life. In the synagogue He read, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach...the acceptable year of the Lord." He then proclaimed, "This day is this scripture fulfilled..." Jesus believed the truth shall make you free. In the wilderness, during the temptation of the devil, Jesus put His confidence in God's Word and the devil left Him. Jesus' trust in God's Word brought joy, boldness, and an encouragement for others to believe. He rejoiced at Lazarus' tomb, knowing that the Father never left Him, that the Father always hears His prayers, and the other could see His faith and believe.

As followers of Christ, we have rewards when we believe the Bible. Simeon, who waited for the consolation of Israel, was told that he should not see death before he has seen the Lord's Christ. He saw his expectation of salvation when he was present in the temple when Mary presented Jesus to the Lord. The centurion's faith was praised when he put his confidence in the Word of Jesus to heal his servant. Paul's belief in God's Word brought joy, boldness, and a desire for others to believe. When at sea, and the angel told him not to fear for God had given him all that sail with him, he advised the others to "be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me."

Let us not walk in unbelief, putting our confidence in ourselves as Peter often did in the Scriptures. Let us not accept the "mountains" as true, as did the twelve spies when God had promised a land of milk and honey. Nor let us be like the rich man who lifted up his eyes in hell because he did not believe Moses and the prophets.

We are to be known as believers. God's Word is rich with promises that we can claim as our own! Let us abide in the simplicity of believing. Let us have the mind of Christ and remember that the true source of our strength, success, and believing comes from the Lord.

Continued...

2008-01-29T12:18:00.000-05:00

Follow me in having compassion. Is our care and concern for others drawing the lost or are we acting like Nabal showing disregard to the needs of others. Jesus had compassion. He wept over Israel. He called out the legions that had controlled the demoniac, he stood still to hear the beggar's cry and he loved the rich young ruler who had turned away. A little maid had compassion on Naaman and sent him to the prophet of God in Samaria. Paul following Jesus' example wept over the lost, shouted out to the centurion jailer to do thyself no harm and he reasoned with Felix.

Follow me in prayer. Are we praying for the lost as the Syrophonecian women pleaded with Jesus for her daughter or are we acting like the Pharisee who prayed to himself and whose prayers went unheard. Jesus persevered in prayer. He prayed for Peter because Satan desired to sift him as wheat. He prayed before Lazarus’s tomb for all to hear. He prayed all night before calling his apostles. And he encouraged his disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers. The church following his example tarried ten days before the day of Pentecost. And Paul who prayed for those in the churches and who had encouraged them to pray for him that utterance may be given unto him and he would have boldness in preaching the gospel.

Follow me in the knowledge of the word of God. Are we going forth bearing precious seed or are we in error, not knowing the scriptures? Jesus, in the synagogue, preached from the book of Esaias. He expounded, to the woman at the well, on her knowledge from the word of God showing her need for and that he was the coming messiah. He discussed the necessity of regeneration with Nicodemus. He encouraged the disciples to abide in his word, the word he had given them from the Father, to be bearers of fruit. Phillip followed Jesus’ example as he preached Christ to the Ethiopian eunuch. And Stephen's knowledge of the word of God cut to the hearts of the chief priest.

Follow me with a spirit that refuses to quit. Are we persevering as the widow woman to the unjust judge or are we acting like Ahab who when he did not get Naboth's vineyard quit and laid down on his bed. Jesus had a spirit that refused to quit. He did what needed to be done. He told his disciples He must go through Samaria—and through Samaria He went! When rejected, He went on to other towns seeking to save the lost. He set his face like a flint going to the cross and crying out it is finished. And he commanded the church to go comforting them with his promise, Llo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

Let us strive to follow Jesus in becoming a fisher of men. Let us share the gospel with others showing them the gift of eternal life for we shall doubtless come again rejoicing. And remember that the true source of our strength, success and crown of righteousness comes from the Lord.

Follow Me...

2007-12-12T14:19:00.000-05:00

While the shepherds were abiding in the field, the angel of the Lord came upon them and said, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." And the shepherds went unto Bethlehem and saw Mary, Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen it they made known abroad the saying which was told to them concerning this child. Then, the shepherds returned home rejoicing, praising, and glorifying God. We, too, are to be lights in this world, sharing the good tidings and telling about the gift of eternal life. And when we return home and stand before the Lord, we can praise and give glory to God by receiving the Crown of Righteousness. Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Follow me in assurance of salvation. Do we know that we know that we are born again? Or are we acting like those certain disciples who answered Paul, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." Jesus knew He came forth from the Father into this world and He would leave the world and go to the Father. He told his disciples that they would leave Him, but He was not alone because the Father was with Him. When responding to the chief priest's question, "Art though the Christ?" He proclaimed, “If I tell you ye would not believe. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Peter, while following Jesus, exclaimed, "Thou art the Christ," and his assurance allowed him to be greatly used in pricking the hearts of the lost.

Follow me in the conviction that men are lost. Are we aware of the lost around us, or do we choose not to acknowledge their need of a witness? Jesus had conviction that men are lost. He told of the rich man who died and, in hell, lifted up his eyes being in torments. He came into the world to seek and save sinners; He went throughout all the cities proclaiming redemption. John the Baptist followed Jesus when he confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees asking, "Who hath warned you to flee the wrath to come?" And Andrew, following the Lamb of God, found his own brother, Simon, and said, “We have found the Messiah.”

Follow me in purity of life. Are we confessing our sins and living a separated life, or are we acting like those virgins who did not take oil for their lamps? Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, was without sin—He was holy and blameless. His life caused Nicodemus to look for Him in the garden. The purity of His life convicted the thief on the cross to confess that he was receiving his punishment justly, and that Jesus had done nothing amiss. He called on the Lord asking him, "Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Let us follow Jesus in purity like those women who, having husbands that obeyed not the word, but were won without the Word through the conversation of their wives. Consider Daniel, who purposed in his heart to live a separated, pure life by which king Darius made a decree that all men should fear the God of Daniel.

Follow me in crucifixion of self. Are we taking up our cross and following Jesus, or are we acting like Demas who, having loved the world had forsaken his labor? Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for the sheep. He told His disciples, "No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of myself." Jesus made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He said, “If any man come after me let him take up his cross and follow me.” Paul, who did not want to frustrate the grace of God in his life, followed this example and proclaimed to the Galatians, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live."

To be continued next month…

2007-11-06T12:28:00.001-05:00

The trumpet may sound today. Are we earnestly longing and yearning for the Lord's return? Are we being faithful, keeping God's Word, for all things that pertain to life and godliness? If we can say that’s what my heart is striving for then we can receive, after we give an account to Jesus, a crown of righteousness.

Jesus Christ looked forward to His second coming. Jesus began to show His disciples that He must die and be raised up again the third day. He challenged His disciples to take up their crosses and follow Him. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels: and then He shall reward every man according to his works. And when, on the Mount of Olives, He found His disciples meditating on these things, He encouraged them to “watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh.”

After teaching and preaching, the people thought that the Kingdom of God should appear. In response, Jesus spoke a parable to them. A nobleman gave his servants ten pounds and said occupy till I come and when he returned he called his servants to give an account and those who had been busy and gained he complimented, "Well done, thou good servant because thou hast been faithful…" and He then rewarded them for their faithful service. Jesus rejoiced in His appearing. To the high priest he proclaimed, "Ye shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven." He told His disciples, "I said unto you, I go away and come again unto you. If you loved me you would rejoice because I said I go unto the Father." And when the disciples’ hearts were troubled, He comforted them with these words, "Let not your heart be troubled... I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again."

The crown of righteousness will be given to those faithful Christians who read and keep the Word of God while waiting for the Lord's imminent return. Let us be like the Israelites who answered Moses, after he gave them all the words of the LORD, “All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.” And let us take heed, as did the disciples, who, in response to the question, "Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?” did as they were commanded and waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father for the Holy Ghost. Let us respond to our testings and trials like Job, who said, "I know that my redeemer liveth and he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." Let us have confidence as Paul, who was ready to be put to death and stated, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing."

Jesus Christ is coming again. He said, "Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be." Let us strive to respond like John "Even so, come, LORD Jesus." And remember the true source of our strength, success and crown of righteousness is from the LORD.