Dear Co-workers in Ministry,
Sometimes I ask God for a message to inspire, and He gives me a message to challenge.
“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character” (Psalm 105:19 NLT).
Reputation is what you are supposed to be. Character is what you are.
Reputation is the photograph. Character is the face….
Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone.
Character is what angels say about you before the throne of God.
— William Hersey Davis
The Character Test
At some point, God tests everyone’s character, whether human or angel. Lucifer failed the test! And he also fell from heaven! His character flaw was pride. After serving God faithfully for ages and ages, pride in his good looks, splendor, beauty, and vast knowledge led him to believe he could elevate himself above his creator. Avoid pride like the plague!
Joseph, “a very handsome and well-built young man” (Gen. 39:6 NLT), was sold into slavery by his brothers at age 17 and served his master faithfully and without pride for several years. He passed the first part of his God-ordained character test when he refused to be seduced by his master’s wife. But after that, he was falsely accused and thrown into prison. “They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar” (Psalm 105:18 NLT). Joseph’s character test lasted for 13 years, “Until the time came to fulfill his dreams” at age 30. “Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door” (Psalm 105:20 NLT). Joseph’s astounding elevation came only after he passed the full character test.
Each of us must pass our own God-mandated character test. Some will fail because they will choose to pursue reputation rather than character. They want people to think of them as something they are not. They put on a façade of righteousness while, like Lucifer, harboring deep within, the pride of life, which may include, self-aggrandizement, boasting, ostentatious materialism, arrogance, and many other such “trumped-up or impure behaviors. It is foolish to pursue a great reputation while neglecting to build character. The time will come for the fulfillment of our dreams if we first can endure and pass all parts of our God-ordained character test.
Focus Quote: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love endurance and gentleness.”
–1 Timothy 6:11 (NIV)
Special Note: Pray without ceasing! Please keep Elder Alfred Holston in prayer!
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man [or woman] availeth much” (James 5:16b).
And please continue to join us for our 5:14 pm prayer. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Just pause and pray wherever you are. There is no call line or zoom link that you need to remember or retrieve and connect to. Just connect to God and pray! We and many others will also be praying with you. There is power in agreement!
Blessings, Peace, and Love,
Dr. Alton E. Sumner, Chair, Sick-and-Shut-in Ministry
Author, Standing on the Promises: Defeating Fear and Breaking Barriers,
(301) 921-6060
Listening to the Soul! Lightening the Heart! Lifting the Spirit!
Built to Last!
