barrykind
Advanced Member
Member # 35
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posted
Scripture: Proverbs 3:3-4 "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the table of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." (NIV)
Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be born with an attractive personality? They make hardly any effort, yet people are drawn to them. Now, I am not a psychologist or social scientist, but it seems that for these people certain personality traits are hard-wired in from birth - wittiness, warmth, friendliness, the "look," athleticism and intelligence. But, being "Mr. or Ms. Personality" is a surface thing to be enjoyed for a passing moment, like a spray of mist on a hot day. Character is something different, something that can be learned, that can be built. It is not hardwired from birth, in fact, just the opposite is true. We are all born with an insufferable self-centeredness. "Mine" is one of the first words found in the internationally accepted subset of the Toddlers' English. Character involves such non-tangibles as love and faithfulness. Love is reaching out beyond my egotism to live my life for someone else's benefit. Faithfulness is living my life consistent with that love. It means I will never let you down.
Being a sinner as I am, these two things are difficult to maintain, warring as it were against my own sinful soul. But, God is faithful and He is loving - toward me and toward you. He never fails, and therefore, I can trust Him and His love. Now that I know I am loved by Him and that He will never leave me or forsake me, I don't have to live my life trying to get that love and acceptance from others. I already have it from the most significant Person in the universe.
Now, instead of spending energy trying to gain attention from others, getting them to accept me or even love me - I can spend that energy reaching out to others with the same love and acceptance with which God loves and accepts me. The result? "Favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." In other words, a good reputation that counts!
Prayer: Father, thank you for helping me daily build a good reputation built on You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Sent to me by a freind~
-------------------- The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART! John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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