Tuesday, December 8, 2015

CHARACTER

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 31

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

On display in the Archaeological Museum in Pella, Greece, is a golden leaf crown. This was created to resemble the wreath of leaves placed on the head of Olympic champions. Of course the Emperor had to have one made of Gold. Today’s reading should help us all strive to be the best we can be with God’s Spirit working 24/7 within us.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Proverbs 31:10-11

Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

 

Could it be that Solomon was describing his own mother and the wife of his father. David and Bathsheba’s first child died at birth, and Solomon was their #2 child. No doubt Bathsheba shared in the words of repentance found in Psalm 51. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed that King Lemuel, whose name is mentioned in this chapter, was Solomon himself and that Lemuel was one of Solomon’s names which means, “One who comes from God.” Wesley notes, “Perhaps David and Bathsheba, as a pledge of their reconciliation with God, gave Solomon this name, along with others, to remind him of his obligation to God.” It’s very possible that in Solomon’s eyes, his mother Bathsheba became the “virtuous wife” he describes. We serve a God who redeems the fallen and who, by His Holy Spirit, develops character so that a person, made in God’s image, can change and grow into the “stature of the fulness of Christ.” For a New Testament reading check out Ephesians 4:12-16.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray with my whole being for Your help to fulfill all the potential that You desire to develop in me. Help me to be honest, virtuous and honourable. May the character of Jesus grow more and more in me, not by my own efforts alone, but by Your Spirit filling me, changing me, and growing me until I come into the “stature of the fulness of Christ.” Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Over the years I have read extensively about a man of character, Nelson Mandela, as well as reading his own writings.  Mandela said on one occasion, “One thing 27 years in prison taught me was to use the silence of solitude to realize how precious words are.” Reading this and thousands of Mandela’s other words has caused me to strive to do a better job of using words here on my blog. I’ve read that during his years in prison with just bread and water for breakfast, he would lift the bread to God and say, I receive this in remembrance of Your body, Lord Jesus, and with the water, “I receive this in remembrance of Your blood.” This would have been in keeping with his Wesleyan Methodist upbringing. Then he would be taken outside to the hard labour which they required of him. I saw a photo in a Toronto newspaper from just before Mandela was elected President. It was of Mandela, DeKlerk, President at the time of South Africa, and Mangosuthu Buthelezi of the Zulu people, kneeling together during a prayer meeting. A bloody civil war was averted, and a week later Mandela was President. Could Mandela’s deep and mainly private relationship with God have been the secret of his amazing strength of character? I leave this for you to judge.

Yours for becoming all we can be with the great help of God’s Spirit dwelling within us,

David

11 thoughts on “Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  1. Thank you Pastor David for today’s reading and comments. Proverbs 31 challenges me to strive, as your prayer says, to be filled by the Spirit changing me to come into the “stature of the fulness of Christ”.

    Blessings on this day to all our fellow saints in Jesus.

  2. Oh, David–what a divinely inspired message and prayer, this morning–I thank you, for your precious words. “We serve a God who redeems the fallen and who, by His Holy Spirit, develops character so that a person, made in God’s image, can change and grow into the “stature of the fulness of Christ.” Let us be all God calls us to be and with courage face the world with love and dignity as Christian, in love with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. God bless you dearest saints!

    I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20

    Keeper of my Heart–Mercy Me
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK2LMz5cU6A

  3. This Blog is amazing! David, bless your heart! You are taking me by the hand every morning and leading me into the word of God. l love it! l love it! l love it!

  4. Blessed this morning by your words. Thank you again and again for your faithfulness. Striving to be what Christ would want me to be. Blessings everyone, love your blogs every morning.

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