A person of character has a keen eye for getting things done. They ask “why”, if an approach at work or home is not getting the desired outcomes. It is a quizzical soul that gathers the facts and makes adjustments base on the realities choking the results. Not doing anything is not an option for the productive person who is ever ready for progress.

A productive person compliments fervent prayer with engagement in highly industrious activity. However it is hard work that has strategic alignment with the mission and values of the organization. They value collaboration around an agreed upon cause. A person of character seeks what’s best for the team and is not enamored by self-recognition. Because others trust their agenda they all work together toward an agreed upon goal.

How is the organization of your home life? Are you and your spouse aligned around the same values and vision for your children? Is your family progressing in their Christian character? Parents have a stewardship to train their children in the ways of God. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Passive parenting produces wasteful children; active parenting produces productive children. Indeed, productivity in all areas of life comes with a price.

Productivity is your accountability to not squander away the Lord’s opportunities. He has blessed you with gifts, skills and experiences that can be used for Kingdom advancement. Therefore move forward in faith, trusting Him to bring about the desired deliverables. The Holy Spirit gets the most out of your efforts when inertia is converted to energy. Idleness is a ploy of the enemy while prayerful productivity is the fruit of an active faith.

Jesus explained this when He said, “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Matthew 25:29). Have I settled for less than God’s best? Am I experiencing His abundance through prayerful and productive activity at work and home?

Related Readings: Genesis 39:1-6; Psalm 127: 1-5; Luke 12:42-43; 1 Timothy 3:4-5

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?

It is easier to be a Christian when everything is going well. But what happens when things do not go your way? God sends a test or allows a test, and suddenly your faith has an opportunity to come alive and go to a deeper level of dependency. Perhaps you are experiencing disappointment from a friend, an unfaithful spouse, a rebellious child, death of a loved one, a loss of your job, or your health is giving you fits.
 
You can rest assured a test is coming. You have either been through a test, you are in a test or you are in between tests, but they are coming, so be ready. It may be a relational test, a financial test, a physical test, a family test, a career test, or a character test, but in God’s school of faith He gives regular exams with eternal consequences.
 
It may be a quick and unexpected pop quiz or an anticipated and grueling final exam. The answer key is abandonment to Almighty God. Your eternal instructor is trustworthy. Humbly learn what He is teaching you, so that you can teach others and become a better follower of Christ. But what, you ask, is the purpose of these tests of faith?
 
Two possible reasons for God’s test of faith are to teach you how to battle the enemy and to validate your obedience to God during difficult times. Your battle is not against a person or persons. It is spiritual warfare with an unseen enemy who lurks behind any and every opportunity he can to deceive, discourage and destroy you.
 
Your protection against this spiritual enemy, Satan, is the “belt of truth strapped around your waist”, an “armor of righteousness”, “your feet covered in peace”, a “shield of faith”, a “helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit”, and “God’s word” (Ephesians 6:13-18). Furthermore, engage with a community of believers to cover your back with prayer. It is the believer’s preparation and posture that causes Satan to squirm and to flee.
 
Another reason for your test of faith could be to validate your obedience to God. Will you remain faithful to Him, even when He seems very distant and uninterested? When life is hard, will you stay mad and blame others and God for your misfortune, or will you obey Him? Do the right thing even when you don’t feel like it and God will honor your efforts.
 
He has a much bigger plan that doesn’t waste pain. He is looking for trophies of grace to present to those in need of Christ and for those who may be stumbling and struggling in their faith. He is looking for men and women dead to themselves and their selfish desires, but alive unto Christ. Pain positions you to be a product of the grace of God.
 
Yes, it may be very difficult right now, but stay true to God. He is bigger than anything or anyone who may have you down right now. Tests are temporary but trust is forever. “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews” (Acts 20:19). Am I trusting God with this test? Will I obey well?
 
Related Readings: Genesis 22:1; Deuteronomy 8:2; John 6:6; 2 Corinthians 2:9

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?

A person of Christian character understands that true wisdom resides in heaven and not on earth. Because they look upward to the Lord for insight and understanding, they get down on their knees in humble prayer and dependency. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). God is not greedy in giving out wisdom; His offer is for all who ask.

Men and women of character are able to discern between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is limited to temporal results; godly wisdom is unlimited in eternal consequences. Worldly wisdom strains in self-effort; godly wisdom rests in God’s grace. Worldly wisdom brings attention to the person; godly wisdom glorifies God. “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

Furthermore a person of wisdom is not shy to share their insights with those who are eager to learn. They openly tell others of their own mistakes and also celebrate their successes. Wise followers of Jesus listen to the hungry of heart, discern what they are capable of receiving, and then gently apply truth at their point of openness. Wisely serve wisdom in digestible portions, so a soul does not feel bloated with too much information.

Therefore, seek wisdom from your Savior Jesus, whose insights cannot be explained by human reasoning. He will give you just what you need for now, not too much and not too little. However, He shares with you what He sees as right, so you can humbly teach His thoughts to others. Peter described Paul like this when he said, “Our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him” (2 Peter 3:15). Am I still learning, growing and gaining the wisdom of God? Do I steward the Lord’s wisdom wisely?

Related Readings: 1 Kings 3:28; Isaiah 28:29; Colossians 3:13; James 3:13-15

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?

Is there enough evidence in your home for you to be convicted of following Jesus Christ? This is a choice that God gives us. A choice to center our home around faith or a façade. What happens behind the doors of your home? Is your home an incubator for faith? Indeed, your ministry begins at home. When your faith works at home, you have the creditability to export it to other environments. It is your laboratory for living.

This does not mean you are without problems, conflicts and challenges at home. On the contrary, it is when your faith sustains you through family difficulties that it becomes a compelling reason for others to follow Christ. The question for the head of the home is: Are you the spiritual leader? As a single parent, or the father or mother in the home, do you model prayer and Bible study? Does the fruit of the Spirit flow from your character? Are you involved with a community of believers in a local church?

Belief in God is a choice, so what are some wise choices you can make to build your household of faith? Begin by developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Once you are born again, you have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to grow in your faith. Learn the Bible, apply it to your life and let God change you from the inside out.

Next, challenge your family to do the same. Create a culture of prayer that becomes a catalyst for their time with Christ. Family devotions, small groups with other believers and journaling are a few ways to feed the faith appetite of your loved ones. Take your family to church. This sets the stage for a week of faith and obedience.

Perhaps you read a chapter in Proverbs over dinner. Pray with your spouse. Turn off the television one night a week for thirty minutes; then discuss God’s word or act out a Bible story in a play and then pray for one another. Teach your children to pray for the sick, the lost and the hurting. Model for them the joy of generous giving and serving.

Show them how to serve the homeless, orphans and the elderly. Allow your kids to experience summer camps. This will galvanize their faith. It is a financial sacrifice, but it is an investment that will keep on throwing off dividends throughout their lives.

Talk with your family about your own struggles and failures, and God’s faithfulness to answer prayer and take care of you in spite of your mistakes. Your family needs to see you as much vulnerable as they do confident. Indeed, facilitating faith in your home is a daily choice; this is one reason Jesus prayed, “Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3). Am I a catalyst for Christ in my home? Do I serve the Lord with my family?

Related Readings: Genesis 18:19; 2 Kings 23:24; John 4:53; Acts 18:18

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?

What is your personal and professional mission? Are they clearly defined and do they align? Your mission is your purpose in life; it is why you get up in the morning. Is yours compelling and Christ centric? Your mission flows from your heart, mind and soul. It is who God made you to be and what He wants you want to do. Are you on your mission from God? A life on purpose is able to produce lasting results blessed by the Lord.

Your mission keeps you honest and accountable. It is what God uses to measure the effectiveness of your life. He has created you for a specific purpose with a specific plan. You can rest assured that your mission involves loving Him and loving others, as these are His two greatest commandments. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”; and, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Love lingers long and hard on behalf of the Lord.

Your mission is a time-saver as it is a filter for decision-making. It gives you permission to say no to many things and yes to a few things. Your mission is your friend, your motivator and your protector. Embrace it and let it empower you. Then live your life intentionally, rather than drifting and missing God’s best. So, how can you discover and live out God’s mission for your life and work?

Your mining for your mission begins with God. How has He gifted you? What are your passions and what do you do well? Will the mission you are considering be pleasing and acceptable to Him and to those who care about you the most? What are your roles in life? You may be a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a parent, a friend, a leader, a husband, or a wife. Consider the influence of your life’s roles and weave those into your purpose.

Your personal and professional mission should support and encourage alignment between the two. For example, if your personal mission is to be family friendly and your professional responsibilities require you to travel extensively, you may need to re-evaluate. If your career is currently demanding an inordinate amount of time, make sure your spouse and children understand this is temporary so that they can support your efforts.

Your mission should be a regular monitor of who you are and what you are doing. Start today and define who you are by God’s definition. What He would have you to do at this stage of life, for your mission can evolve over time. Write it down or update it and keep it in front of you. Then one day, like Jesus, you can say mission accomplished. “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4).

What is God’s purpose for my personal and professional life? Are they aligned? Am I on purpose for God?

Note: my personal mission is to glorify God by being a faithful husband, available father, loyal friend and loving leader. My professional mission is to equip ministries for Christ!

Related Readings: Exodus 9:16; Psalm 57:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Revelation 17:17

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?

What is your picture of God’s plan for your future?  Is it full of possibilities and promise or is it frightful and uncertain? Do you dwell on the disappointments of the past or do you anticipate the blessings of the future? Are you a pioneer who is propelled forward by the prospects of good things or are you a procrastinator paralyzed by doom and gloom?

The great news is God has a hope and a future for His loved ones. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). You can prayerfully plan and work hard because your Savior scripts your future. The Lord will lead you to His purposeful place.

Is moving forward with God’s game plan without suffering and sacrifice? Of course not! Pioneers understand that conquering new horizons require hardships and overcoming harsh conditions. Procrastinators, however, find excuses why taking new territory won’t work. They are intimidated by the big boulders of unbelief that lie ahead on the trail of trust. But is God big enough to remove obstacles and clear the way? Yes, and He is waiting for you to walk with Him by grace. Pioneers are proactive to pray as they move ahead in faith.

Your Heavenly Father will clear the way for you to travel to your next destination. Paul understood this, “Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you” (1 Thessalonians 3:11). Pioneers show up in the face of uncertainty and expect good things to happen. Procrastinators remain behind terrified by the prospects of bad things, but pioneers are at peace as they see God at work in the unseen.

Pioneers hope. Procrastinators fear. Pioneers encourage. Procrastinators complain. Pioneers support. Procrastinators tear down. Pioneers pray. Procrastinators worry. Pioneers are creative. Procrastinators are dull. Pioneers are determined. Procrastinators give up. Pioneers make progress. Procrastinators lose ground. Pioneers are leaders. Procrastinators were leaders. Pioneers serve a Big God. Procrastinators serve a small god.

Are you a pioneer or a procrastinator? Where is the Lord leading you that requires great faith? Is your vision so compelling that unless God shows up it is doomed for failure? Keep pressing forward by faith and by God’s grace and you will carry out His perfect plan. “This one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13). Am I willing to release my fears and move forward by faith?

Related Readings: Numbers 20:12; Micah 4:13; Romans 15:23-24; 2 Corinthians 1:17

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?

A person of character is dressed in dignity. They carry themselves with the attraction of pride-less poise, because their God given dignity is clothed with humility from on high. Indeed a child of God knows they are special because their Heavenly Father has assigned them a special status. “When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God” (Genesis 5:1). Your dignity is a result of the divine dignity of your Creator’s doing.

Do you sometimes find yourself in circumstances that bruise or even crush your dignity? Like Job you struggle to hang on to your dignity, “Terrors overwhelm me; my dignity is driven away as by the wind, my safety vanishes like a cloud” (Job 30:15). It may be an insecure spouse who has worn down your dignity with their verbal and even physical abuse. What they say in rage is not who you are, but a commentary on their callous condition. Do not believe the lies unloving people may say about you. People who feel no dignity try to drag others down into their pitiful state of confusion and pain.

You can stand up with confidence because Christ confers on you strength and dignity. He has honored you with the character and conviction to carry on for Him. This is why Paul said, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). Life in Christ demonstrates dignity in words and actions.

Are you able to hold your head high because of who you are in Christ? By faith can you dismiss the detrimental remarks of those who think they control your character? It’s because you are a child of the King of King’s that your royal blood of redemption is a reminder of your dignified position. His eternal esteem is His estimate of you!

Therefore, in humility and out of gratitude, receive Christ’s gracious commendation so you in turn can give dignity to those who don’t feel dignified. Paul said, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Romans 15:7). Honestly ask, “Have I, with dignity, accepted others just as Christ has accepted me?

Related Readings: Genesis 2:15; Exodus 28:2, 40; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 1:30

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?

Character invites respect and admiration. This comes over time as a track record of consistently doing right becomes evident. Your character becomes valuable as a creditable community assigns it value. This begins in your home. Does your spouse, children or roommates see the same person in private as others see in public? The alignment of your private and public character is necessary to qualify for the respect of respectable persons.

The Lord both creates character in His children and confers blessings on its attributes. One of His favorite descriptions of His favorite ones is a “righteous” man or woman. “The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness” (1 Samuel 26:23). Character means something because Christ says it means something. He respects righteousness. Righteous behavior is a barometer of the Lord’s blessing.

Have you ever observed how another’s character rubs off on your behavior? If you are around a gentle person for any period of time do you tend to grow in gentleness? If you are honored to see up close the generous deeds of good people do you become more generous? If praying people regularly lift you and your needs to the Lord do you find yourself looking for those with whom you can intercede on their behalf? People of character have a profoundly positive effect on you, as your character does on others!

God created you with an innate desire for authentic respect from those you admire. It is when you feel respected that you more quickly reciprocate respect. However, be cautious not to dwell on feeling respected. Instead, extend respect and as God grows your character respect for you will take care of itself. Character is an incubator for respect.

You may ask, can righteousness bring alignment in my relationships? Yes! It prepares the road of respect on which relationships travel more smoothly. “Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps” (Psalms 85:13). Respect reaps the rewards of trust and transparency in growing relationships. Is my character worthy of Christ’s respect and the admiration of respectable persons? Do I respect character in others?

Related Readings: Psalm 92:12; Psalm 112:6-9; Matthew 1:19; 1 John 3:6-8

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?

Preparation increases confidence and decreases fear. Have you ever been in a situation where the person in charge is nervous, sweaty and obviously unprepared? It may have been a meeting, a presentation or an event. Wherever lack of preparation lounges there is a much higher probability of failure or at the very least a loss of confidence.

However, character has the foresight to see what it will take to be successful and prepares to that end. Assumptions are challenged and facts are flushed out front and center. A prepared person understands the reality of economic cycles and does not spend everything on today or presume by mortgaging the future. Preparation plans ahead.

Just as Jesus instructed the disciples to prepare for the Passover, He is looking for us to provide, thorough preparation, for His projects. “So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover” (Matthew 26:19). Because we represent Christ we want to be painstakingly prepared. Are you ready for your exam? Have you practiced your upcoming speech? Have you double-checked your project checklist? Is your heart right?

Yes the Lord expects us to prepare, but fortunately He has also prepared the way on your behalf. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). When God’s preparation intersects with your preparation the results bless others way beyond your comprehension.

So are you overlooking any person or opportunity that may need more attention than you realized? Is your heart and mind prepared? Remember your battle is not against flesh and blood, so your best preparation is on your knees in humble adoration and petition before your Heavenly Father. Preparation places you in a position to be blessed by God.

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:13). Is the quality of my preparation pleasing to the Lord? How can I better prepare for my family’s finances?

Related Readings: Job 13:18; Isaiah 57:14; 2 Timothy 2:21; Hebrews 11:16

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?

A person of character is always on the look out in how to help others, especially the less fortunate. Their focus on excellent work transcends to those who are out of work. They are not so busy making money that they are unable to share their money. Their gratitude to God overflows in generosity to those who have fallen on hard times and need help.

The poor and needy may be down the street, across town or overseas, but many of them sit in silence wondering what it might be like to feel loved and cared for. Perhaps you have a family member or ex-employee who is struggling in their job search. They cannot make ends meet and they feel like they have exhausted all their options. Is God calling you to step up and send them some money or connect them to a job opportunity?

It takes time to give others prayer, counsel and financial encouragement. Most people do not want to be a burden, and because of our love for them, we can assure them of the blessing they are to us and the privilege it is to serve them. Is there a better way to get God’s message before people than an act of giving? Because He has given so generously to us, we are able to extend that same spirit of abundant giving to others. Do you have a Certificate of Deposit that is about to mature? Could it bless a friend who needs a car, or college tuition?

The Lord has opened His arms wide to give you everything you need in Christ Jesus. “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11). Therefore, how can you leverage His strength and His peace to bless others? Could it be a kind word, an anonymous check or a ride to the doctor? Maybe you give your car away, tutor a child or run for public office?

Look for ways to give and God will open opportunities that can lead others to His great love and provision. What are some creative ways I can open my home and/or go to the homes of the poor and needy on behalf of Jesus? “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). Am I a disciple of Christ that gives to the least of these?

Related Readings: Psalm 146:7-8; Matthew 6:3-5; Romans 15:5; Philippians 4:14-16

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?