Develop Your Character in the New Year

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."(Joshua 1:9 N.I.V)

This is a hard world which can shake and break those who want to follow the road of faith. We need to focus all our energies on achieving strength, fitness and maturity so that we can stand firm as we pursue our purpose. “No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (Philippians 3:13-14 N.L.T)

What character traits should we develop? It should be those that conform us to the image of God’s son.  "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sister"s.(Romans 8:29). They include the fruits of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5: 22-23:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. They encompass a spirit of prayerfulness and dependence on God, gratitude for all we have and anticipate to receive in future, forgiveness of others and ourselves, a clear conscience, and diligence (commitment and discipline) in positive actions.

May you develop to become all you can be!

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"Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed". Cavett Robert

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