char·ac·ter (krk-tr)n.
The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another. See Synonyms at disposition.
A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category. See Synonyms at quality.
Genetics. A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or group of genes.
Moral or ethical strength.
A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.


One of the main qualities we need to be leading ladies in our walk with Christ is the virtue of having a good character. In spanish, we used the word caracter.. it basically means a persons attitude or disposition. When people think of you, what would be the first word they used to describe you? That is a scary one for me- knowing that I so often fall short of what I desire to be . So what is your character like? How is your attitude and outlook on life in general? Your character is what people know you for, either being nice, giving, stuck-up, bitter and striving, or gentle and peaceful, tender, rough, funny or serious, negative , positive, sweet or sour?. And on the list could go..

Proverbs 12:4 (Amplified Bible)
4A virtuous and worthy wife [earnest and strong in character] is a crowning joy to her husband, but she who makes him ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

God exhorts us as women to have a virtuous and strong character so we can be a crowning glory to God. The scripture above doesn't just apply to those of us who are married, remember that we are all the bride of Christ. What does Jesus say about your character? Is there some area that needs to be changed? I know I have several present issues I need to work on in my own personal life.

God gives us a checklist for the quality control of our character here in 2 Peter

2 Peter 1:5-9So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. ( The Message Bible)

So just as I have just taken a little character tune-up.

Here' s a checklist :
Do you have:
_faith?

_good character (goodness)? if not what area should I work on?

_spiritual understanding? (knowledge) if not how can I grow deeper in my relationship w/God?

_alert discipline? (commonly known as self control) (ouch)

_passionate patience? (preserverance....double ouch)

_reverent wonder? (godliness-being like God)

_warm friendliness? ( are you a good friend?--brotherly kindness)

_generous love?



Here is the NIV transaltion of this passage: 2 Peter1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

So remember that C is for character. Don't beat yourself up if you didn't feel like your check-up went as well as you would like. Take the one area that bothers you the most- or needs the most work and focus on it for 21 days.. that is how long it takes to make a habit. Then move on to the next area.. and with God's grace and help you'll be on your way to developing a more
Christ like character..

Have a great week! I love you all..
Don't miss tomorrow.. Joel has a great message prepared for tomorrow!