Building Character That Is Strong and Enduring

character: traits that combine to make up the total of one's personality.
.	Integrity
.	Honesty
	Loyalty
.	Faithfulness
.	Right Thinking How, where, and when does a "Good Character" develop? The home is most likely the first place where the building block foundations of great character is developed. The Bible tells us that to 'spare the rod' will spoil the child. What, exactly does this mean? The 'rod' of the Bible was used to gently guide and  prod one in the right direction. To admonish in the Lord, in( Ephesians 6:4) is quoted as the way to 'bring up a child in the Way he should go' as quoted in Proverbs 22:6. How then should we teach our children how to build CHARACTER? First, we must show them good Character traits in our own personal life, walk with God, and be true to our faith. We teach them, by our own example....we show by our actions, not by words alone, we must be 'doers of the Word and not hearers only' (James 1:22). We teach them that WE must build our own Character by reading, studying, and applying God's Word in our lives. We teach them that it is OUR OWN responsibility to ADD all these things to our way of living: The Fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. We further build Character by Honesty, Forgiveness, Obedience to those in authority, Respect for one another, Honor, Loyalty, Generosity, and Hard Work, Discipline, and of course, SELF-DISCIPLINE! God will not build your good Character FOR you, but He has certainly given you all the tools you need to build your own Character! God does not FORCE anything upon us. We must learn to seek Him, seek wisdom, seek to do His will, and ask Him for strength, to intervene for us, and He will see that all things work together for good, for those who love God. (Romans 8:28) We must learn to think good, lovely, and true thoughts. To have FAITH and it WILL be done according to our faith......as Jesus said, "be it according to your faith!" (Matthew 8:25 and 9:29) Start your own CHARACTER-BUILDING TODAY! Don't wait until someone else forces your personality to go the way of chance.... (Satan goes about like a ROARING lion, seeking whom he may DEVOUR! I Peter 5:8......if we don't develop our Character....he certainly will!) We are given a life of CHOICES......Choose GOOD........Choose Blessings! Choose to Obey God. God says: "I set before you this day, LIFE and DEATH, Blessings or Cursings.....CHOOSE LIFE! (Deuteronomy 30:19)   "As a man thinks, so he is, or so he becomes!" (King Solomon)