April/March, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Finding Change

Building Character of the Month Series

God is into changing one’s character. Sin has been so destructive; it has ruined whom we are or who we were meant to be. God wants to fix all of that. Jesus did this for us at Calvary and the Holy Spirit’s job is to make this happen for each of us.

However, building character and changing character is not always the same. To change one’s character takes a ‘heart response’ and a heart response takes humility. It is often said, “One cannot teach an old dog new tricks” and for one to change it often includes ‘trial and error’.

The story of Gideon (Judges chapters 6 through 8) offers us guidance and support in changing God’s way. Gideon was never too sure of himself or what God wanted. He never sees himself as a ‘somebody’ or a talented person. He lacked intelligence, strength of character, and diverse abilities. He was a simple man and scared much of the time, yet God called him in Hebrews a ‘person of faith’.

What God sees in us and how we see ourselves is usually two different persons. God is looking for people to give into what He wants—humble enough to allow God to have His way. In other words, God is looking for humility that comes from the heart and one’s spirit, not from one’s strength of personality.

So if you are looking for change—to be the person God wants you to be—start with humility not strength, and let God do the changing, just ‘go with the flow of the Spirit of God’. It will not be easy but the end result, well, it is what you have always been wanting and looking for—the perfect person who loves God, others and oneself.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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