Character Check

Hey, and welcome to Mahalia’s inspirations. Today’s topic is a reminder to check out character and make sure we are aligned with the principles of God.

Character is “the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.”

If we think about our character, we would all love to say we are kind,  compassionate, patient, and strong. Some can be honest and say we can be selfish, prideful, and mean. But who wants to hear the negative traits, right? But the truth is we can display both positive and negative characteristics. That is why it's essential to always do a character check in our walk with Christ. For those in the faith, our daily aim is to display the characters of God. Since God is our father and we are his children, we should imitate his qualities. Ephesians 5:1-2.  So, what is the character of God? He has many attributes, but the most important he tells us to have is love.

I choose to love

Many people have definitions of love; society has conditioned us to believe that love is what you can do for me. But love is more about giving and sacrifice than it is about receiving. The greatest love there ever will be is the Father's love for us, that he gave his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins. John 3:16. He gave his life for a friend; think about that for a moment. Most people love you with strings attached, and even those who honestly love you still can’t compare to how our creator loves us.  When we can grab hold of his love, that strength will keep us smiling and going another day because we know the truth.  When people become colder and bitter, they only care about money, fame, and how to get to the next level. Remember your character to love, be kind,  be gentle, and have joy and peace.

Love in Times of Difficulties

The pressure of life can weigh us down. Especially when  we focus too much on our problems, we can get lost and lose focus on the fact that God is still good. Forest Frank said it best: in his song God is Good, “God is good all the time. If he ain't, then you lying, in the rain and the shine; God is good all the time”. These lyrics are such a motivator to know that no matter what we face, our struggles, and our weaknesses, God is bigger than the obstacles. Only if we trust him to be. There are many distractions in our everyday lives: financial problems, family drama, politics, etc. Those distractions can cause us to forget what matters and change our character. If you think about it, people are becoming increasingly selfish and tense and have no love. But there is power in love.

God is our source of strength, help, and love. When we feel hope is weakening, we should draw close to him because he is the way, the truth, and the life.

2 Timothy 3:1-10 states, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 

9 But they shall proceed no further: their folly shall manifest unto all men, as theirs was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience.”

This scripture above states how people will be during the last days before Jesus returns. If you look around, it feels like people have become heartless. But if you want to keep your character and not be overcome by destruction, remember Jesus' teachings about having purpose, faith, long-suffering (patiently enduring hardship), and patience. But importantly, LOVE. If we do not love, than nothing we do matters. If we are connected to Christ, and do things out of his love, we are living in vain. Our goal is to Love God with all your might, heart, and soul, then love your neighbor as you love yourself.  Be good to those who despise you. Our character should always display God's love.

Stay strong and be encouraged. Keep your eyes on Christ, and remember to love the way God loves. Until next time, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Love,

Mahalia💛💛