Character is built

"Character is built,
you don't just reach up and grab it."
- Robert Rowe

Nearly all men can stand adversity,
but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
- Abraham Lincoln

"The true character of ministry is a servant heart."
- Unknown author
“A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere:
and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.”
Proverbs 16:28

“Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have;
for he himself has said, I will be with you at all times.”
Hebrews 13:5

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings,
knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character,
and character produces hope,
and hope does not disappoint us,
because God's love has been poured into our hearts."
Romans 5:3-5

God our Father, let all the trials that come to me form me.
I always give the right targets at love after
and that I with good intentions may reach to the correct character.
Give me the right good character,
that I ask you in Jesus name, amen.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Karakter wordt opgebouwd

Pain and Suffering is inevitable but Misery is optional

"Pain and Suffering is inevitable but Misery is optional."
- Anonymous

"God did not promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain.
But he promised us strength for the day, comfort for tears and light for the road."
- Author unknown

"For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience?
But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
For you have been called for this purpose,
since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps."
1 Peter 2:20-21

God our Lord, I thank you that I can feel your guiding hand.
Give that I always can overcome the problems that could happen to me.
Make that I can  come stronger out of the struggles.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Pijn en lijden is onvermijdelijk, maar Miserie is optioneel

Christ Suffering (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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2013 update:  

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The blessing of a broken leg

Mr. McConkey told of a lady summering in Switzerland who went for a stroll and came to a shepherd’s fold. She looked in at the door. There sat the shepherd and nearby on a pile of straw lay a single sheep seemingly in suffering. Asking what was the trouble, she was told that the lamb’s leg was broken. The shepherd said that he himself had broken it. It was a most wayward animal and would not follow, not obey and misled the others. He had had experience with sheep of this kind, so he broke one of its legs. The first day when he took it food, it tried to bite him. He let it lie for a couple of days then went back to it. It not only took the food but licked his hand, showing every sign of submission and affection. He said when it was well, it would be the model sheep of the flock. It had learned obedience through suffering. Many times out of our very agony of heart, the God of love seeks to bring into our lives the supremest blessing that can enrich and glorify our lives -- the blessing of a human will yielded to the will of God. Scripture assures God’s children that afflictions are for their profit ‘that we might be partakers of his holiness’ and that we might ‘yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness.’

Quiet Hour Stories with Scripture Readings -- Keith L. Brooks, page 51

Faith and trial

Dutch version / Nederlands > Beproevingen en geloof

“In this [hope] you rejoice even though for a brief moment at the present you are bound to grieve in various trials, in order that the proof of your faith –much more precious than gold refined by fire! –may be found [a cause for] praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1Pe 1:6-7 MHM)
“It is by [Jesus] also we now enjoy an approach [to God] through His unmerited favor in which we now stand. Also, we may boast in the hope of God’s glory.” (Ro 5:2 MHM)
“For it is better for persons to suffer because of doing good – if that be the wish and will of The God – than be persons suffering for doing bad.” (1Pe 3:17 MHM)

“Consider it immeasurable joy, my brothers, whenever various trials befall you, realizing that this testing of your deep conviction works out endurance. But, let endurance work out completely so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (Jas 1:2-4 MHM)

“Beloved, do not think it strange the burning fire you face as a test as though something alien was taking place. But rather all of you continue to rejoice because of sharing in the sufferings of the Christ, so that you might also rejoice in exultation at the revelation of his glory.” (1Pe 4:12-13 MHM)
“For thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.” (Ps 66:10 ASV)
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But Jehovah delivereth him out of them all.” (Ps 34:19 ASV)
“[There] they strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to remain in the Faith, saying: “We must gain entrance into the Kingdom of The God through many oppressions.”” (Ac 14:22 MHM)

“For I think The God has exhibited us apostles last as [persons] condemned to death, because we became a theater spectacle to the Cosmos–both to angels and humans. We are morons because of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honorable, but we dishonorable. Until this present hour we both hunger and thirst–are without proper clothing, are beaten, and homeless. Also, we work with our own hands. When reviled, we bless. When persecuted, we endure. When defamed, we implore. We [apostles] have become the outcasts in the world of humankind. Until the present moment we have become the refuse of all.”

“I do not write to shame you, but rather as admonishing my beloved children. For though you have myriads of infant-teachers, but you do not have many fathers in Christ. For I gave birth to you in Christ Jesus by means of the Good News.” (1Co 4:9-15 MHM)
“But, we possess this treasure in vessels of baked clay, so that the surpassing greatness may be the power of The God and not our own.”
“Continually pressured, but not completely restricted. Continually perplexed, but not without direction. Continually persecuted, but not abandoned. Continually suppressed, but not destroyed. Constantly enduring the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may be manifest in our body. For we, the living, are constantly being exposed to death in behalf of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus might also be manifest in our mortal flesh.” (2Co 4:7-11 MHM)

“Thou didst cause men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” (Ps 66:12 ASV)
“The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.” (Pr 17:3 ASV)
“Not only that, but we also are boasting in the oppression, realizing that this oppression produces endurance. However, this endurance documents and endorses [us]. Then, this endorsing documentation [produces] hope;” (Ro 5:3-4 MHM)

“Blessed [by God] is the person who endures trials. Because having become approved such a person will receive the crown of life which [God] promised to those loving Him.” (Jas 1:12 MHM)
“Do not be frightened of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested by 10 days of oppression. Continue to be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” (Re 2:10 MHM)
“Because you observed the word of my own endurance I will also keep you from the hour of temptation coming upon the entire inhabited earth.” (Re 3:10 MHM)

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 2013 update:

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Commit your self to the trustworthy creator

Dutch version / Nederlands > Verbindt u met de geloofwaardige Schepper

“So, then, also let those doing good continue to suffer in harmony with the will of The God, committing their souls to a trustworthy Creator.” (1Pe 4:19 MHM)
“For it is better for persons to suffer because of doing good–if that be the wish and will of The God–than be persons suffering for doing bad.” (1Pe 3:17 MHM)
“And so I continue to suffer as I do. However, I am not ashamed, for I know the One in whom I believe, and I am persuaded he is able to guard what I have laid up in trust until that Day.” (2Ti 1:12 MHM)
“Because this is the will of The God that those doing good muzzle ignorant and senseless persons.” (1Pe 2:15 MHM)

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in Jehovah his God:” (Ps 146:5 ASV)

“Devolve upon Jehovah thy ways, And trust in him, and he will bring it to pass.” (Ps 37:5 Calvin_Bible)
“Into thy hand I will commend my spirit; For thou hast redeemed me, O Jehovah! God of truth.” (Ps 31:5 Calvin_Bible)
“I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou art afraid of man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass;” (Isa 51:12 ASV)
“[The God] will reward each one in harmony with [their] works. Indeed, to those who endure in good works–glory, honor, and incorruption to those searching for everlasting life. But, to those who out of selfishness disobey the truth, obeying rather unrighteousness–wrath, anger,” (Ro 2:6-8 MHM)

God should be your hope

Dutch version / Nederlands > God moet je hoop zijn

“Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Ps 16:11 RSV)
“Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.” (Ro 5:2 RSV)
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” (Ro 5:3-5 RSV)
“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” (2Co 9:8 RSV)
“For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Heb 6:10-12 RSV)

Be willing to access joy in the face of adversity

"Be willing to access joy
in the face of adversity."
- C.W. Metcalf


"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love into our hearts."
Romans 5:3-5


Though our hope in Jesus Christ, through whom we have received reconciliation,
we rejoice already now. Even though many tests in our lives come over us,
let us be stronger than this and give that we ourselves still feel happy.
Let us stand and win life.
You have the victory wreath of life promised. We hope for it.
Lord, protect me in my expectations
and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Don’t disappoint me.

Dutch / Nederlandse versie > Bereid zijn toegang te krijgen tot vreugde in het aangezicht van tegenspoed

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Partakers of the sufferings

“So let us go forth to Him outside the camp bearing His reproach. For we do not have here a continuing city, but we seek the [city] coming.” (Heb 13:13-14 LIT)

 “Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial happening among you for your testing, as [if] a surprise [were] occurring to you; but according as you share the sufferings of Christ, rejoice; so that you may rejoice exultingly at the revelation of His glory.” (1Pe 4:12-13 LIT)

 “and our hope for you [is] certain, knowing that even as you are sharers of the sufferings, so also of the comfort.” (2Co 1:7 LIT)

 “If you are reviled in [the] name of Christ, [you are] blessed, because the Spirit of God and of glory rests on you." Truly, according to them, He is blasphemed; but according to you, He is glorified. [Isa. 11:2]” (1Pe 4:14 LIT)

 “Then they indeed departed from [the] presence of the sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were deemed worthy to be dishonored on behalf of His name.” (Ac 5:41 LIT)

 “having chosen rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than for a time to have enjoyment of sin; having counted the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” (Heb 11:25-26 LIT)

Dutch version / Nederlands > Deelgenoten van lijden

+++

2013 update:

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Gospel = Good tidings, good news, a good message

No one of intelligence will dispute the meaning of the word “Gospel;” it signifies “good tidings,” good news, — a good message. Nevertheless, often what many consider “a real gospel sermon” is understood to signify bad tidings — tidings of eternal misery to the great mass of our race — to all except the little flock of God’s faithful people who respond to a “gospel” of accepting Jesus or spending eternity in miserable suffering. As a consequence the preacher of a “gospel sermon” is expected to figuratively shake the congregation over an abyss of everlasting torture, making as strong an effort as possible to intimidate them thereby to a thorough reformation of life, in hope of thus escaping an awful eternity.

 - Restoration Light

Read more >The True Gospel

• The Roman Catholic faithgospel
• The Calvinistic Gospel (Calvinsists, Presbyterian, Congregationalists, Baptists, and many Lutherans and Episcopalians).
• The Arminian Gospel (Methodists, Free-Will Baptists)
• The true Gospel, Gospel of blessing to all the people (gospel of peace,gentleness, patience, meekness)

Quote: All that ever went before our Lord’s preaching was not the Gospel, but merely types and promises which foreshadowed it.

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us

Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Matt. 3:15

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psa. 40:8

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matt. 5:17, 18

The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness'sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. Isa. 42:21

Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:20

What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom. 8:3, 4

Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Rom. 10:4

Dutch version / Nederlands > Opdat in ons wordt volbracht wat de wet van ons eist

+++2013 update:

Deutsch: Christus im Hause des Pharisäers, Jacopo Tintoretto, Escorial (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Suffering produces perseverance

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Ellende leidt tot volharding

Romans 5:3-4, New International Version

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    What are you living to produce in your life? Wealth? Fame? Status? Significance? Legacy? How about character! Isn't having the character of God our real goal in life? So even in our worst of times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in Jesus Christ. 



    Dear Father, please bless me so that I can be strong in difficult times and consistent in holy character. Please give me a heart of courage and compassion so that in some small way I can more nearly remind others what you are like and what you can do in their lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.