“Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” -Abraham Lincoln
Character Counts.
2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
The Character Project
- Choose a trait
- Pray daily for that trait
- Listen for practical steps
- Memorize scripture about your trait
- Ask for another’s prayer
- Pray for help every moment
Abigail and Gracious Courage
Numbers 16:1-3 One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan, Abiram and On sons of Reuben… They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?”
What right do you have to lead?
“They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” (Numbers 12:2)
Numbers 16:4- 7 When Moses heard what they were saying, he fell face down on the ground. Then he said to Korah and his followers, “Tomorrow morning the Lord will show us who belongs to him and who is holy. The Lord will allow only those whom he selects to enter his own presence. Korah, you and all your followers must prepare your incense burners. Light fires in them tomorrow, and burn incense before the Lord. Then we will see whom the Lord chooses as his holy one. You Levites are the ones who have gone too far!”
Numbers 16:8-11 Then Moses spoke again to Korah: “Now listen, you Levites! Does it seem insignificant to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the community of Israel to be near him so you can serve in the Lord’s Tabernacle and stand before the people to minister to them? Korah, he has already given this special ministry to you and your fellow Levites. Are you now demanding the priesthood as well? The Lord is the one you and your followers are really revolting against! For who is Aaron that you are complaining about him?”
These Levites focused on the one thing they were not allowed to do and not the privileges they already had
Numbers 16:12-14 But they replied, “We refuse to come before you! Isn’t it enough that you brought us out of Egypt, a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us here in this wilderness, and that you now treat us like your subjects? What’s more, you haven’t brought us into another land flowing with milk and honey. You haven’t given us a new homeland with fields and vineyards. Are you trying to fool these people? We will not come.”
Numbers 16:19 Meanwhile, Korah had stirred up the entire community against Moses and Aaron, and they all gathered at the Tabernacle entrance. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to the whole community, and the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Get away from all these people so that I may instantly destroy them!”
Numbers 16:22-25 But Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground. “O God,” they pleaded, “you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Must you be angry with all the people when only one man sins?” And the Lord said to Moses, “Then tell all the people to get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.” So Moses got up and rushed over to the tents of Dathan and Abiram, followed by the elders of Israel. “Quick!” he told the people. “Get away from the tents of these wicked men, and don’t touch anything that belongs to them.
The one thing they didn’t have, they desired
1 Timothy 6:6-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Contentment – realizing God has already provided everything I need for my joy in Him
The religion of secularism kills contentment
The sin of comparison kills contentment
Heb. 12:1 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
We were created then recreated for a living relationship with God
“We have almost forgotten that God is a Person and, as such, can be cultivated as any person can . . . You and I are in little (our sins excepted) what God is in large . . . Come near to holy men and women of the past and you will soon feel the heat of their desire after God. They mourned for Him, they prayed and wrestled and sought for Him day and night, in season and out, and when they had found Him the finding was all the sweeter for the long seeking. God waits to be wanted.” – A.W. Tozer The Pursuit of God
Contentment: God has provided for my joy in Him