YOUR HELP NEEDED: "Write down for the coming generations what the LORD has done, so that people not yet born will praise Him. (Ps. 102:18) What have you been learning through these 40 days of purpose? Would you be willing to share His story in your life? PLEASE 
       "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more
   and more like Him and reflect His glory even more." 
   (2 Corinthians 3:18 - NLT)
From the very beginning, God's plan has been to make me like His Son Jesus. Sometimes I desire to be a god- to try to control my circumstances, my future, and people I interact with. God doesn't want me to be a god, but godly==> like Christ. To be godly means to grow up spiritually and become like Christ in my character. It does not mean God wants to lose my personality (He created us to be unique, some more unique than others!), God is all about transforming my character. God's ultimate goal for my life on earth is not my comfort, but His character. My personal experience has been that He will sacrifice my comfort for His character all the time. Because He loves me and has so much more for me than what my eyes can see. I misinterpret "the abundant life" to be constant happiness, but it's not about me! Why would God provide heaven on earth when He's planned the real thing for us in eternity?
Paul explains in Ephesians 4:22-23 our three responsibilities in becoming like Christ
  1. First we must choose to let go of the old ways of acting.

    2. "...everything--and I do mean everything--connected with that old way of life has to go.." (Eph 4:22 The Message)
  2. I must change the way I think.

    3. "...to be made new in the attitude of your minds..." (Eph 4:23 NIV)
  3. I must "put on" the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits.

    4. "... put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph 4:24 NIV)
Here's the problem - I cannot reproduce the character of Jesus on my own strength. New Years resolutions, willpower and best intentions are not enough. Christlikeness is produced by inhabitation, not imitation. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives. It doesn't happen overnight, and it's not automatic. I need to choose to listen... and obey.
God waits for me to act first. Don't wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in my weakness, doing the right thing in spite of my fears and feelings. This is how I cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and it is how character develops.
Regarding your character development, on what is God waiting?
PRAYER:
"Gracious Father, I confess that I tend to seek my own comfort instead of concerning myself with Your character. Help me to pay attention to the ways You are working to develop Your character in me today and help me respond in ways that please You. Amen
FOR MY CONSIDERATION:
    What happens when I forget that character development is one of God's purposes for my life??
This week's Memory verse: 
 	"... Your attitude should be the same as that
	of Christ Jesus..."	 Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
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