"tuned" CHARACTER...Weekly Devotion

Thank you for joining me for this week's devotion. It is my prayer that your heart will be challenged by the Word of God today.


"tuned" CHARACTER...

This past week on the YOUR OPINION MATTERS poll, I asked the question "What would you least likely do that would lower your standard". The top responses were...

• 76% voted that they would NOT purchase beer for an underage relative
• 15% also voted that they would NOT get a tattoo
• 7% said they would NOT watch soap opera's

How interesting that no votes were cast for such things as: I would NOT play the lottery or I would NOT watch reality television. Does this mean that the 3 top selections were considered far worse things or does it suggest that we, as Christians, have a level of standards that are more easily lowered?

When I was younger I often related "characters" to cartoons. Cartoon characters took on certain attributes and could always be expected to deliver exactly what they had been painted to do...

• ROAD RUNNER...quick, fast and always chasing his enemy. But never catching him.
• BUGS BUNNY...the "what's up doc?" rabbit who always got himself out of tight spots.
• POPEYE...with just the right amount of spinach could overtake anything, especially Brutus.

We, as Christians, often times are like cartoon characters that have attributes that often stick with us!

"If a duck walks like a duck and sounds like a duck...its probably a duck"

This saying is true. The outside package is usually what you can expect on the inside. The inward character can be tested by what is seen outwardly.


• Is it easy for you to stretch the truth?
• Are you quick to anger?
• Do you consider it alright to cheat alittle?
• Do you speak negatively about others?
• Do you find it difficult to forgive others?

Paul speaks about building our character, developing a righteous and holy character. This tuning of our character first begins in our mind. (Eph. 4:23...be renewed in the spirit of your mind) and then Paul gives us a character checklist to follow...



EPHESIANS 4:25-32

Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another. (26) 'Be angry, and do not sin', do not let the sun go down on your wrath, (27) nor give place to the devil. (28) Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. (29) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. (32) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."


What attributes does your character reveal to others?
Is your character as sure footed as bugs bunny or the road runner?
Can those around you count on you to deliver exactly what you say?

"Dear Lord, I pray that what others see in my character will be uplifting and pleasing to you. I pray that my yes would be yes and my no would be no and that my standards of living, based on your Word, would not falter or easily be changed. Help me Lord to tune my character, so that Your Spirit, Your love, Your light will ooze out to be seen by others. amen."

Have a great week!



Blessings, Laurie







THIS WEEK ON YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL....Please take time to vote in this week's poll asking the question..."What are you most likely to do when you make an entrance into a gathering?" YOUR OPINION REALLY MATTERS!