Character

Good character is:

- the abode for all virtue

- the foundation for true success

- the strength to overcome every adversity

- the fuel that propels us towards our destiny

- the credentials for building nobility into others

- the light that guides our way through darkness

- the true beauty of our soul

Vivien Hibbert

Character

Good character is...

• the throne of greatness
• the foundation for true success

• the strength to overcome every adversity

• the credentials for building nobility into others

• the abode for all virtue

• the light that guides our way through darkness

• the fuel that propels us towards our destiny...and...

• the true beauty of our soul

Vivien Hibbert

Romans 5:3-5 

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

God Desires 7 Things

7 times God expresses in the Word that He has a desire for something. We can see that these desires are all centered on His love for the Church. There is a progression of His desires from the Old Testament on into the New Testament until we see His final desire:that His Church would see His glory:

1. He desires the beauty of the Church—Ps. 45:11

2. He desires truth inside our hearts (integrity)—Ps. 51:6

3. He desires that we 

(Zion – the place and people of His presence) would be His dwelling place forever—Ps. 132:13-14

4. He desires intimacy with us—Song of Songs 7:10

5. He desires that we would be like Him 

– rich in mercy—Hosea 6:6 (Eph. 2:4)

6. He desires that we would increase in 

knowing Him—Hosea 6:6 (NLT)

7. He desires that we would see His glory—John 17:24

If these are the things that God desires - we should run after each one - so that we would be part of revealing His glory in, and through our lives.

The Beauty Of Holiness 1

Psalm 96:9

Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

Tremble before Him, all the earth.

(NKJV)

Let all the earth dance before Him

(Wycliffe Bible)

(Interesting: the Wycliffe Bible actually has the most correct translation of the Hebrew word "tremble" in this instance -  churl meaning: to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, to bring forth). That's right...when we worship the Lord in  holiness, we are invited to dance before Him!!

Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor.
      Let all the earth tremble before him. 

(The Message)

Once again, we see a connection between glory and holiness:

• 3 times in the previous verses of this Psalm there is a cry for the glory and wonders of the Lord to be known in the nations

 V 3 Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.

• In Ps. 96:9, the Hebrew word for "beauty" is hadarah, which also means glory. Here, the psalmist calls on us to worship His beautiful and glorious holiness. He is all the more beautiful because of His glory and holiness. As we worship Him, we are also made beautiful by holiness.

-Holiness is beautiful because it is the fruit of God's love for us

-Holiness is beautiful because it is the fruit of our love for the Lord

-The glory and beauty of the Lord in the earth and in His people is the evidence of God's presence and love in us. 

-The glory and beauty of the Lord create a most beautiful dance

- The Beauty of Holiness Part 2: HERE

- 3 Attributes of holiness: HERE

- More on Holiness: HERE and HERE

How Beautiful!

My friend, Richard Oddie (A New Zealander living in Australia) sent me these beautiful pictures of birds - if birds are so beautiful, then how much more are we - the Bride of Christ. Then we must consider: how beautiful is our King who reigns in splendor. He is the one who designed each of these creatures.

Revelation 4:11 “ You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”