Granny's Place

Important Announcement

The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More

Developing Christian Character

This Bible Study is about character. Character relates to a person’s essential being, what that person stands for, and what the person intends to do with his or her life. It grows out of the person’s view of life and lifestyle. Character sets each person apart as a unique individual.

Read 2 Peter.,Focal: 1:1-11 (Read all 3 chapters, to get a better understanding of Christian character) �?/FONT>The foundation�?2 Peter 1:1,,�?/FONT>The Resources�?2 Peter 1:2-4,,�?/FONT>The Responsibility�?2 Peter 1:5-7,,�?/FONT>The Outcome�? 2 Peter 1: 8-11. The purpose of this study is to help you to formulate a plan for growing in Christian character. These four things I’ve underlined are the things to keep in mind as you formulate your plan.

Effective, productive Christians continue to grow toward spiritual maturity by developing qualities that strengthen Christian character.

So, what does character mean to you? Within your heart answer; Am I more the person the Lord wants me to be today, than I was a year ago? In what ways is my character truly Christian? What changes do I need to make?

In his second letter, Peter emphasized Christian attributes expressed by continuing growth that develops character-strengthening qualities. Peter ended his message by commanding believers to �?/FONT>grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ�?/FONT> (3:18). He added; �?/FONT>To him be both glory now and forever!�?(v.18).

This theme of Christian growth also was reflected in 1 Peter. There Peter indicated the source of growth when he wrote: �?/FONT>Like new-born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation�?(1 Peter 2: 2).

Could Peter’s stress on growth have grown out of his life �?his bold claims of loyalty to his Lord, his tendency to speak and act without thinking, and his sad denial of Jesus Christ (see Mark 14: 66-72)? After talking with the resurrected Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter rebounded and boldly preached to the crowd at Pentecost, so that three thousand persons were saved (Act 2).

Some people our age feel they can’t grow or be useful to the Lord or the church because they are “over the hill.�?That is not so!! Peter was probably our age when he wrote his Epistles. He probably was over 65 years old when he wrote his letters. Perhaps he thought; I intend for Christians scattered abroad not to make the same mistake I made. I want them to grow, becoming established in God’s truth.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18.

So, You see, if we have a breath, and are Christian’s, we still have some growing to do. God wants us to continue to grow in His grace, no matter our age. Read all the 3 chapters and let us know what these scriptures mean to you. God Bless All. Love in Christ, Sister Betty.

The Outcome Of “Developing Christian Character�?/STRONG>

October 6, 2002

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 2 Peter 1:10 KJV.
(Growing in Grace) As believers, we are to make our �?FONT color=#000099>calling and election sure�?(v.10). God knew us, elected us, and predestinated us before the world began (see Rom. 8: 29-30). He has called people from all over the world, and untold numbers have answered “yes�?to Him. Responding in faith to His election brings eternal security through His grace and a challenge to live righteously in His power.
Do not allow yourself to feel that nothing positive is happening in your life. If you are committed to God and are seeking His will daily, He is doing a wonderful work in you. He desires to make you like His Son Jesus. The Bible promises that even as you read this lesson God is crafting you �?FONT color=#0000cc>to be conformed to the likeness [“image,�?KJV] of his Son�?(Rom. 8: 29). As Christlike qualities are developed in you, you will be productive and effective �?FONT color=#000099>in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ�?(2 Peter 1: 8).

Some Christians seem to be walking on a spiritual treadmill, not even aware they are in trouble. Peter stated that the ineffective, unproductive believer is near-sighted, having no long-range vision of God, and is spiritually blind! Such a Christian has forgotten about being cleansed from sins by God. Such a person is afflicted with spiritual amnesia, certainly not one induced by God.

Hey, this happens to me at times! At times I’m spiritually blind, that’s right - me! The feeling that nothing positive is happening in my life. Oh, I know in my heart that I’m blessed with many positive things, one being Granny’s Place and my dear family and friends (my extended family) here. Others, my husband, my child and grandsons. All who love and need me. So, how does this feeling happen to me? It’s not in my heart, it’s in my mind. I let my guard down..and in a split second Satan steps through the crack, then the cloud of doubt forms over my head, blinding me, “near-sighted.�?But it don’t last long, a few hours or sometimes a day. Then God pokes me in the heart (where I live, where He lives), Praise God! He knows just how to bring me back to positive thinking. It could be as simple as the phone ringing - “hello”…a voice will say one of the following…”Hi Granny, whatcha doing?,�?“Hi Mom, what are you doing?,�?(or the costly one hehe), “Hey Babe, ‘looky here�?�?Anytime that Gary says “looky here�? I know that the boy is about to spend some money or needs me to do something. The grace of God in my heart, over rides the negative thoughts Satan placed in my mind.

It could be as simple as coming to this site and reading a prayer request, a funny post or someone needing me here. That’s God’s way of bring me back to the positive.

My point is, that I’m still growing in grace. I have to remember to guard against that split second, or Satan has a playground!!! He will play with your mind and make you think that you are not a Christian, saved by God’s grace. We have to rebuke the first negative thought that Satan places in our minds.

Though we have eternal security in Christ, we are to guard against presuming on God by taking Him and our salvation for granted.

Does your plan for growth in Christian character include having daily devotions of prayer and Bible reading, meeting regularly with other Christians to study God’s word and worship, ministering to others in Jesus�?name, and telling other people about our Lord Jesus Christ? If so, I know you are growing �?FONT color=#0000cc>in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and forever! Amen�?(2 Peter 3: 18).

Our next Study-4-; “Living for God Every Day,�?will be in Ephesians Chapter 5. I will be posting it later this evening. God Bless All. I’m looking forward to this next study. Love in Christ, Sister Betty.

Important Announcement The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
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