RESTORE THE SIX PILLARS
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT:
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Matthew 22: 29
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye DO ERR NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPUTURES, NOR THE POWER OF GOD.
Prov.22:28 REMOVE NOT THE ANCIENT LANDMARK, WHICH THY FATHERS HAVE SET.
I ponder today: CHARACTER.
Prov.22:28 REMOVE NOT THE ANCIENT LANDMARK, WHICH THY FATHERS HAVE SET.
We live in a sick society. It is high time we arise and return to God’s plan. Sickly oaks from sickly acorns grow.
God focuses very much on CHARACTER. Without individual accountability we will suffer.
We want to blame our character problems on the school systems and on the church, but the real character problems arise from the lack of
CHARACTER EDUCATION WITHIN THE HOME.
Parents must repent and arise to the high standard of the Bible.
Some notes on Character:
**Character is the real me.
**Good Character will always be remembered.
**Some adopt the character of the CHAMELEON,
it changes its color as needed.
** How we receive praise shows ones real character.
**The same energy that it takes to DEVELOP a
villain’s character, could have rendered a person
useful to society
**Character is higher than intellect.
**No one can climb above the limitations OF their
character.
**Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a
habit. Sow a habit, reap CHARACTER.
#1 THE 10 COMMANDMENTS MUST BE THE BASES FOR ALL CHARACTER BUILDING.
( Psa. 111:10; Prov. 12:13; 1 John 5:2-3 )
We must inoculate EVERY child with VALUES AND
CHARACTER BUILDING.
Test 10 children and see if they know the Ten
Commandments?
How can our children keep what they do not know?
IT IS NOT THE LACK OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS HANGING
ON THE WALLS AT SCHOOL, IT IS THE LACK OF THE WORD
OF GOD IN OUR CHILDRENS’ HEARTS THAT IS KILLING THIS
NATION AND CAUSING WEAK CHURCHES AND SICK FAMILIES.
It is the lack of the Ten Commandments hanging in
our homes and the childrens bedrooms that is killing
this nation. It is the lack of the Word of God in
the hearts and minds of our children that make us
anemic.
Traps are set, well it can’t hurt me? It may hurt someone else, but that character problem can not hurt me?
Are you sure?
THIS IS A GOOD PARABLE WORTH SHARING WHEN WE PONDER CHARACTER.
writter unknown
Simple Lesson, but don’t expect everyone to get the same thing from it as you.
A rat looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package. What food might it contain? He was aghast to discover that it was a rat trap.
Retreating to the farmyard the rat proclaimed the
warning; "There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said,"Excuse me, Mr. Rat, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence
to me. I cannot be bothered by it."
The rat turned to the pig and told him, "There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!"
"I am so very sorry Mr.Rat," sympathized the pig,
"but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured that you are in my prayers."
The rat turned to the cow. She said, "Like wow, Mr. Rat. A rat trap. Wow, I am in grave danger. Duh!!.
So the rat returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s rat trap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the
house, like the sound of a rat trap catching its prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught.
In the darkness, she did not see that it was
a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer’s wife.
The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever. Now everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer
took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient.
His wife’s sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them the farmer butchered the pig.
The farmer’s wife did not get well. She died, and so many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all
of them to eat.
So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when there is a rat trap in the house, the whole farmyard is at risk.
THE WORD OF GOD DOES THE WORK OF GOD.
Matthew 22: 29
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye DO ERR NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPUTURES, NOR THE POWER OF GOD.
The goal of building character can only be accomplished with team work:
Family/Parents <--->
Church (Pastors and teachers) <-->
Schools<-->
Peers/Friends.
#2We must recognize the TOOLS FOR CHARACTER BUILDING and methods to accomplish growth.
We need the Bible, rules, discipline.
We must develop a system of rewards and punishments
to cause a return to Character building.
This must start early in life.
While we need to recognize tools to enhance
development, we must realize there are enemies to
character building...
TV, Satellite dishes, VCR, drugs, illicit sex.
We must teach self and others the DANGER ZONES THAT
WILL DESTROY THE FAMILY AND THE INDIVIDUAL.
We must again teach God’s Law of sowing and reaping,
and thus make wise decisions that will build better
character in our families, churches, and society.
We must identify PILLARS OF CHARACTER, THE FIRM SUPPORT STRUCTURES THAT UNDERGIRD THE FAMILY AND THE CHURCH.
As we identify these PILLARS, we must focus LOVE and
lessons to strengthen what remains and then restore
health to the weaker areas.
Where are our values?
What efforts are we applying to raise personal
character building?
CHARACTER PILLAR #1 HONOR SYSTEM.
We must see the need of TRUSTWORTHINESS.
(Prov. 20:11; Prov. 22:11)
How many times do we teach trust is earned? Merited?
There was a time when one’s word was a bond, is this
still true?
How reliable are you?
What kind of reputation is whispered behind your
words?
We accept cheating, as a way to elude and outwit
others.
We call White Lies acceptable, Exo. 20:16?
We practice deceit --- causing others to accept as
true and valid what is false or invalid.
Preachers practice deceit at home and church, yet
expect members and children to tell truth?
We lead by example first.
Taking things that are not ours is called stealing
(Exo, 20:15)?
We need the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin. We
need to return the PILLAR of GOOD HONOR SYSTEMS.
CHARACTER PILLAR #2 RESPECT.
Read Rom. 12:10.
Long gossip tongues and BIG EARS have destroyed
many, after listening to the gossip, there is a lose
of thinking well of our coworkers.
We need this PILLAR returned where there is a high
regard for others, even the weaker vessels.
The children admire no one, because they have heard
the parents put everyone down.
We need to respect the AGED...
(Prov. 23:22; 1Tim. 5:1),
There would be a rebirth of resthome ministry if we
saw old people as we should.
We need a healthy fear and respect of parents
(Mt.15:4, Eph. 6:1) in our homes.
Where is the respect for District leaders? Pastors?
(1 Thes. 5:13: 1 Tim. 5:17)
Where is the respect of leaders?
(Rom.13:1; 1 Pet. 2:17)
We need a good healthy respect as we interact with
our peers.
No man is an island to himself.
God teach us again to tolerate differences and build
on common ground not shooting based on differences.
I have seen Sunday school teachers be mean and
disrespectful to students?
Pastors attacking differences that are so trivial?
We must start PRIZING each other, and quit this
spiritual abortion.
May we relearn a great respect for the brethren?
CHARACTER PILLAR # 3 COOPERATION & FAIR PLAY.
Read: Rom.12:9; Eph. 4:32; 2 Pet 1:7.
Friends SHARE.
We have many troubles growing today because we let
love dissimulate, and break down into CLIQUES,
SMALL EXCLUSIVE GROUPS.
Shame on us.
We must eliminate prejudices and tear down the walls
that separate us into small groups.
We argue and debate the same old same old.
Avoid foolish questions that gender strife.
May the same rules be applied to all the same way?
Rules are for our protection.
Don’t love your crowd more and others less, this is
divisive.
We need well balanced input, negative and positive
input often can bear the truth.
Allow others to blossom.
When we have a dinner at church,my wife, Linda sets
5 minutes, then moves, she wants to be "TOGETHER."
Often the kids can’t get along, they are like their
parents. The selfish I, does not want to share?
CHARACTER PILLAR #4 WORK ETHICS.
Read 2 Thes. 3:10-11; 1 Tim. 5:13; Luk 16:2.
If you don’t work, you don’t eat.
This rule belongs in the church and the family.
Idleness is a learned behavior, and it is hard to
UNLEARN.
Idleness has several cousins: Busybody, Long-Tongue,
Sorrow.
You are going to give an account of your works.
Every church has a few overworked, underapplauded
workers and many takers.
Feed me so I can run and have recreation.
We need workers. God send in workers, and please
raise up workers from within.
1 Cor. 4:2, says God requires faithfulness, this is
a lost pillar in our society.
Where is the singing, I’ll skip today?
Do more than anyone ever expected!
Remember quitters never win.
Laziness will kill any family or church?
Say the words often ..."HERE, LET ME..."
CHARACTER PILLAR #5 I LOVE/ I CARE.
1 Cor. 13:8 Love never FAILS.
Col. 3:13, Phil 4:6.
I hate to hear a Christian say, " I DON’T CARE!"
That is an oxymoron?
We need to pay attention to others.
We should listen.
We should cry with those crying, and laugh with
those laughing.
We should listen long enough, then pray even longer.
We must share one another’s burdens. We must see
needs and then take action.
Our love must be more than words, we must offer
action.
You can quiet the negative tongue with good works.
I care comes easy where there is a heart of
thanksgiving. Thanks gives, it never takes.
Jesus cares and so must we.
Sometimes it hurts real bad to care, but caring/
loving is an eternal investment.
Try forgiveness... it releases a prisoner, the
prisoner released is you.
CHARACTER PILLAR #6 GOOD CITIZENSHIP.
Read Hebs. 13:17.
We need to obey the laws of the land.
We should vote informed.
Other people watch Christians and we must remember
that fact.
We must guard the PILLARS of Character for the are the pilllars upon which the family and the church depend.
Can you help teach others to guard these pillars.
Can you pass to to others? I have invested much study and you can enlarge my hands.
His servant,
Wade martin Hughes, Sr.
Kyfingers@aol.com
Could you pass this on?
