my character rests in God

"Because God has made us for Himself, our hearts are restless until they rest in Him."— Augustine of Hippo

When God shows up in our lives, we begin to find rest and peace and purpose. All three of those are much needed in our lives and for the people we come in contact with each day. In fact I have noticed that people seem to lack more and more character as I get older ... kids seem to respect less, adults keep promises less, and on the list goes.

In my time with God this morning, I read about and thought much about and asked God to reveal and refresh my character:

Psalm 17 (GW - God's word translation)

3 You have probed my heart.You have confronted me at night. You have tested me like silver, but you found nothing wrong. I have determined that my mouth will not sin. 4 I have avoided cruelty because of your word. In spite of what others have done, 5 my steps have remained firmly in your paths. My feet have not slipped. 6 I have called on you because you answer me, O God. Turn your ear toward me. Hear what I have to say. 7 Reveal your miraculous deeds of mercy, O Savior of those who find refuge by your side from those who attack them. 8 Guard me as if I were the pupil in your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

David said this is a HEART issue. When we stop letting God deal with our hearts, we have huge problems with our character. Yet allowing God to test us and refine us, things will begin to change. Sin will become something we have less, and we will want more and more of God.

Let God build your character so that people will see God in your life. What happens when you character is strong? David said "my mouth will not sin" and "my feet have not slipped". No, we aren't perfect, but we are becoming more like Jesus.

Best part (I've got to stay calm because this is exciting to me) is that when God deals with and builds my character He begins to protect us more and guard us even more. That is not just guarding us from evil, but God guards us from the things that often barely influence us yet take us way off track. Which makes us more like Jesus too.

May God my character, and may I know and show that my character rests in God!

Hebrews 1:3 (nlt) --- The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command.

Romans 5:4 (nlt) --- And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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