Character 2

Recently my mother was diagnosed with some type of Dementia that affected the way she thought and acted. Just last Friday she went to heaven at the ripe age of 92 (almost 93). Dementia is serious because it changes the way we act. Character affects the way we act like dementia affects the way we act. We, as a family, were glad that we knew her character from years before Dementia. Most of us cannot blame dementia, our actions tell about our character. If our actions are questionable, weak, ungodly, or embarrassing, then it is likely a reflection of our character. I am personally very concerned about my character because it is a part of the legacy that I am living and leaving.

My wife and I often quote the "fruit of the Spirit" as the character traits we want in our life. (Galatians 5:22-23).

What do you do to influence your character?

God bless you!
PJ

Character

I have heard people say, "He is quite a character" and it wasn't really intended as a great compliment. The character noted in this devo deals with who we are when no one is watching and or listening, even when we think no one will ever know.

God desires for us to be people in His image and reflecting His character, not for show, but as a basic of how we think, act and live all the time... in private and in public.

Our character is really revealed in the most private times of life. Everyone has a good performance for the public, what are you like in private... that will reveal your character.

"God send your Holy Spirit to work so strongly in me that it influences every area of my life, in private and public. So that I may be a person of Godly character."

God bless you!

PJ

Respect

This is a great word about respect! God is interested in how we treat others because we represent Him! I watch people ignore a person until they perceive the person is either important or wealthy, then they are shown respect. That is terrible hypocrisy and God hates it. God desires that we treat one another with respect, no matter who the person is. I am trying to show sincere respect for all people and in the process, be a witness to the great work of Jesus Christ.

How about you? Are you showing respect?

God bless you,
PJ

Respect

I have noticed this is an issue for many people. I have the opportunity to work with people from about every rank of life. I have often watched people turn on the respect and honor when they encounter a person that they believe is important and turn it off for others. I firmly believe we need to show respect for every person we meet.

This devo is a great reminder!

God bless you and show respect to others today!

PJ

Compliments

The closing verse in the devo is so impactful, if we do it! "Worry weighs a person down; and encouraging word cheers a person up." Proverbs 12:25

This is an area I am trying to consciously do more! I run into discouraged and defeated people who need guidance and encouragement daily. From my perspective so much of the media is extremely negative and many of us have caught the disease. I try to encourage others and I really thank the Lord for people who encourager.

If we think about it, we can compliment most people. Try it... it may be the best word that person will receive all day.

God bless you,

Pastor Joe

2nd day of Criticism

The devo is right... "no one likes criticism - even when it is constructive - we sometimes need it." All of us have faults or weaknesses that someone can criticize. The difference between judging and constructive criticism can be found in the "how" and "why". There are people who have criticized me and it was harsh and uncaring, but correct. I firmly believe their action was motivated by a judgmental spirit. I have also been criticized with a very caring spirit, that was gentle and constructive. There is a difference!

Now, I need to watch this in my heart and attitude as I observe others. Am I being judging or constructively criticizing? The "how" and "why" is essential.

Frankly, I believe that I should spend more time trying to encourage others than criticize.

God bless you,
PJ

Criticism

Great verse; "If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise."

Frankly, I don't like criticism! However, I have learned that it often carries, at least, threads of truth from which I can learn. I recall many years ago a man criticized me for saying I had a load of dirt dumped in my yard. He said, "it was soil that was dumped in my yard, dirt is what one removes from the vacuum cleaner bag." I thought that was so silly to nit pick so much... but the lesson was to learn and apply it in a constructive manner. God desires us to learn and grow from our critics.

Now I literally stop and pray, "God, is there something in this that you desire me to know and learn?" Very often I find something I can learn and apply. Sometimes I know it is false and unmerited. Either way, I am choosing to listen, learn and apply for growth in my life.

How do you handle your criticisms?

God bless you,
PJ

Perspective

Wow, this is such an important spiritual and life skill. Since the Bible informs us that "all things work together for our good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28) then we need to get perspective, that is, a Godly perspective. A number of years ago there was a Christian singing group who had a song, "A New Point of View". It dealt with the idea of seeing life from a heavenly view point... that is perspective.

I don't know about you, but I begin to lose the Godly perspective when I focus mostly on me and stop reading the Bible. My ability to maintain a Godly perspective is closely related to staying close to God.

How about you?

PJ

Gossip

It seems to me like we have a tendency to suggest that females do this more than men. I am not at all sure this is true. Regardless of who does it more, it is wrong. I know for a fact that we can gossip under the disguise of "prayer requests". If we have a prayer concern about someone, we can pray for and about someone without telling anyone about what we know or think. Don't go around sharing it with others.

I think, when we hear gossip talk, we need to declare we will not participate and walk away. What do you do?

I love the verse at the bottom of the devo... "let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29.

Speak good and helpful words! That is God's plan!

God bless you,
PJ

dysfunction

At first glance, most of us view our families as normal. We will even view dysfunctional as "normal" because that is the only thing we know. Learning to be honest with self and identifying our dysfunctional or sinful ways is the beginning of our improvements. God's Holy Spirit and the Bible will help us identify the unhealthy elements in us and God will help us change.

When I do pre-marriage preparation I ask couples to identify unhealthy patterns in the home in which they were raised and honestly target those unhealthy areas so they will not carry them into their own marriage.

Most of us have some unhealthy, dysfunctional patterns that we learned from home. Target them and surrender them to God, asking His Holy Spirit to help you move beyond those dysfunctional patterns.

Tell someone about this and grow to be more Christlike!

God bless you,
PJ

Victory

Most of us men like to win! I either want to win or I don't want to play. While I have matured past that perspective and I will play games simply for the fun of playing, win or lose. However, I have embraced the win attitude spiritually and I want to play on the winning team. I know for a fact that Jesus Christ is the winner and I can be on the winning team. I also know that my spiritual victory is dependent upon me fighting the good fight and running the race with biblical help and wisdom. I stay away from temptations and sin. I know most of my losing actions and I must stay away from them. I also know what helps me be victorious... I try to keep them dynamically close and strong. My victory depends of staying close to Christ, He is the winner over sin and Satan. I stay close to Christ by reading my Bible, avoiding temptation, running from temptation.

How do you maintain your victory?

God bless you!
PJ

Holy

My first response is; God is, I'm not! However, that is a choice because God says we are to be holy and we can be holy. So, yes, I can be holy. In fact God is working in me to make me holy. Praise God, I need His help!

I am eternally grateful for the work and help of the Holy Spirit who works in me to help me become more holy everyday. I cannot do it by myself. I am daily dying to Joe and surrendering to God and His holiness. Staying in His Word, the Bible, is an essential to becoming holy. It is a challenge and a doable option, if we choose to do it. God says we can, I believe Him.

How about you?
PJ

defeated

My Dad always said I should not be a quitter. I remember playing football in the seventh grade and it was so hot as the season was starting and the long, hot, hard practices were getting to me and I quit. Football defeated me and I quit. This devo is good... there are some things we should quit and other things where we should stay focused and refuse to be defeated. There is an eternal reward in heaven and an eternal damnation in hell. I must refuse to be defeated by Satan and his schemes and I must never quit on God's plan.

Don't quit on devotions, bible reading, praying, and Godly living... don't let your failures defeat you and refuse to be defeated by Satan's plan.

I will not be defeated!

How about you?

PJ

That is so depressing!

I find the words of the devo encouraging to know, that our thoughts of depression are not sinful. My actions are the concern, they can become sinful. Have you ever heard of the "kick the cat" syndrome? That is when a person is feeling depressed about something and comes home and "kicks the cat". The cat didn't do anything... just happened to come and rub against the leg of the depressed person. How I respond or act when I am depressed the the big deal. I know when I am feeling depressed it rarely has anything to do with my wife... but if I am not careful I will take it out on her. So, I will tell her what is happening and I am not upset with her. This has been helpful for me and our relationship. Also, reading God's Word and listening to worship music is valuable for me.

How do you handle depressive times?

God bless you,
PJ

Discouragement 1 & 2

We read about discouragement yesterday and now again today. For most of us, discouragement returns more than we would like to admit. I had a very discouraging day this last week. I found a trusted confidant and shared my frustration and discouragement. They couldn't change a thing, but they could listen and show their care. We also prayed together. The devo is right... trust God! That is essential! And it tells us to not get tired in doing what is good... because we will reap the benefit in the future. (Galatians 6:9) When our hope is beyond the discouraging circumstances, then we can live beyond our discouragement.

What do you do when you are discouraged?

God bless you,

PJ

Change

Change is one of the hardest things for many of us. Changing our heart is the work of God, through salvation, by accepting Jesus into our life and receiving His forgiveness. Changing our thought process is a vital part of our discipleship. Romans 12:2 tells us to "...not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

The idea is that change requires that we fill our mind with the information that will lead us toward the change we want to accomplish. If I want to become a more Godly man, more thoughtful father, better employee, etc... I need to fill my mind with the things that will help me change.

What are you reading, watching, thinking about, etc... it all will influence your ability to change to become all that God desires you to be.

God bless you,
PJ

Desires

We have an amazing abiblity to justify our desires and do about whatever we want. This devo on desire is so good. This devo asks a good question; "How can I know if my desires match God's desires for me?"

One of the things my dear wife and I ask; "Does it produce the fruit of the Spirit?" Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

If my desires produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit, it is most likely that they are from the Spirit of God.

How do you measure the intent of your desires?

Test yourself!
PJ