A reflection from a Ron Carpenter message "High Character Christians"

The post below is from Tosh, one of the contributors to this blog.  Read her truth about what God has to say about our character.

My first post:

A reflection from a Ron Carpenter message "High Character Christians".

THE WORD: "You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own." (Leviticus 20:26) "Those who live according to the sinful nature cannot please God." (Romans 8:8)  "Those who live accoriding to the (flesh) have their mindset on what the flesh desires; but those who live according to the Spirit have their mind set on what the Spirit desires." (Romans 8:5)

MY TRUTH: Character, as defined by Merriam Webster is "one of the attributes that distinguish an individual".  According to Pastor Ron, character is "committing to a set of standards", specifically ones that do not change.  One of the most important character traits that God calls us to exhibit is HOLINESS, root word meaning WHOLENESS.  God is WHOLE because he is ONE.  He is fully integrated - whatever God SPEAKS, Jesus COMPLETES through the POWER of the Holy Spirit.   In other words, He says what He thinks, and does what He says.  In the very least, God is a "man of His word . . . after all, "in the beginning, the Word was God and the Word was with God". 

As we are created in God's image we also are comprised of three parts - soul, body and spirit.  If I'm going to be whole, one and therefore, holy, as my Father in heaven has called me to be, then I need to get my mind, body and spirit in alignment with each other.  And if I am to please God, then that alignment should begin with what the Spirit desires, which also means crucifying my flesh.  Holy Spirit, guide me . . . show me what you desire, and reveal to me actions, behaviors, habits that I need to crucify of the flesh.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• What is my current character?
• What do I want my character to be?
• What does God call our character to be?
• If God is holy, meaning he is fully integrated - what has God said that He has to now do in your life?

Share if you would like!

Love,

Tosh

Giving

THE WORD:  “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.  Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.  At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.  The goal is equality, as it is written: ‘The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.’” – 2 Corinthians 8:12-15

MY TRUTH:  Give according to your means (what you have) and desire (what you want to do freely).  God does not want us to struggle in our desire to give (i.e. give begrudgingly or thinking twice about it) or struggle as a result of giving (i.e. give away all that we have so that we are poor and homeless.....unless God has clearly told you to do this).  He wants us to give freely and according to what we have so that as a result we will contribute to the equality of each other's needs being met.  So when you have abundance give abundantly so that if the time comes when your abundance is low another will have the means to supply unto you.  If everyone were to do their own part and give, everyone would have what they need.  No one would or should be in want.  But in order to do this we must be connected to God and pray for his spirit to overtake our giving so that we may not be limited by our stingy flesh.

About The WORD My TRUTH

As I was studying the TRUTH (about how God wants us to live) through the WORD (the bible) I started a word document to keep my notes on what I thought were the truths the word was saying to me.  After reflecting and thinking, I thought that yes these notes were good for my own spiritual growth but how wonderful it would be to share my insights and have the insights of others shared with me.  I also wondered, after listening to a devotional by Francis Chan how I could be contributing to the great commission (Matthew 28:19) of bringing others to Christ.  What could I do in this digital world to somehow bring someone under the loving and protecting arms of God? Thus this blog!

I invite you to read, reflect, and comment on the content you see posted here.  All that I ask is that you be respectful of the truths of others and comment/post in love even if you may disagree.  Other opinions are welcomed and encouraged because God has revealed different truths to us all, but just remember LOVE and UNDERSTANDING.  I hope this forum can provide insight and ongoing richness to our lives as we try to live as our best selves during our time here on earth.  Here's to The WORD and your TRUTH!