Reputation vs Character...

Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us...Romans 5:3-5, NIV

I have recently been reading through the book of Proverbs. I realised how, over the years, I have taken many of the proverbs as promises. However, the proverbs are not promises. They are words of wisdom. Many of them are truths about human behaviour and clearly show the principle of sowing and reaping. In essence the proverbs are instructions as to how we should live, given in the form of commands.

Many of the proverbs speak of the importance of character that is esteemed far above reputation. On our daily news we hear of prominent people who, through corrupt behaviour or slanderous statements about them, have lost their reputation. In the eyes of others they have fallen from grace and not lived up to their reputation.

We all have a reputation – it’s what other people think of us – what we appear to be to them. Some people work hard to defend their reputation and often create a false image of what they really are.

God’s not concerned with our reputation. He’s deeply concerned about our character. Character is what God knows us to be. Character doesn’t just happen. It develops out of daily choices as to how we live our lives - godly choices, that become a way of life, whether good or bad.

God sometimes chooses suffering to develop our character. The hard times prove what we really are on the inside. They develop perseverance as our eyes are on Jesus and not the circumstances engulfing us. Character can’t be divorced from endurance. It grows from a daily walk with God.

When we recognise that we’re accountable to God it shapes the decisions we make – character- forming decisions, relying on His faithfulness and the conscious daily knowledge that He’s always with us. Whether we feel it or we don’t feel it, His presence never leaves us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to trust You today and every day. Whatever others may think of me, You know me as I am. Help me to make daily choices that honour You so that pleasing and honouring You becomes my way of life. Thank You for Your promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Taken from Seeds of the Kingdom

Don't give up, as God still knows better than we do..

I thought I did what's right
I thought I had the answers
I thought I chose the surest road
But that road brought me here
So I put up a fight
And told you how to help me
Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear

Chorus 1:
You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
For You know better than I

If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe knowing
I don't know is part of getting through
I tried to do what's best
But faith has made it easy
To see the best thing i can do
Is to put my trust in You.

Chorus 2
For, You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
For You know better than I

Coda:
I saw one cloud and thought it was a sky
I saw a bird and thought that I could follow
But it was You who taught that bird to fly
If i let You reach me
Will You teach me.
(Repeat Chorus )

For, You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
I'll take what answers you supply
You know better than I

The True Eternal Faithful Unchanging Love

Now Hollywood wants to make you think they know what love is.
But I'm a tell you what true love is.
Love is not what you see in the movies.
Its not the ecstasy, its not what you see in that scene
you know what I mean? I'm telling you right now, true love is sacrifice.
Love is thinking about others before you think about yourself
Love is selfless not selfish. Love is God and God is love.
Love is when you lay down your life for another
Whether for your brother, your mother, your father or your sister
Its even laying down your life for your enemies,
That's unthinkable, but think about that
Love is true
Think.

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast
It is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs
You see love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, it always perseveres
Love never fails. Love is everlasting
Its eternal, it goes on and on, it goes beyond time
Love is the only thing that will last when you die
But ask the question why? Do you have love?

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love

There is no greater love than this than he who lays down his life for his friends
Now are you willing to lay down your life for your friends?
You're probably willing to lay down your life for your mother
your father, or your best friends
But are you willing to lay down your life for even those that hate you?
I'm going to tell you who did that
The definition of love is Jesus Christ. He is love
The nails in his hands, the thorns in his brow
Hanging on a cross for your sin my sins
That is love he died for you and me while we still hated him
That is love
God is true love, and if you don't know this love
Now is the time to know, perfect love

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love
(repeat)