Talent versus Character

Posted By on January 27, 2012

Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue… —2 Peter 1:5

PRINCIPLE: Everyone rises or falls to their own character level.

A person’s talent or abilities may take them so far, but they will eventually regress to the level of their character. A basketball player’s talents will get him a good salary, but if he doesn’t have the character to match his talent, he’ll lose it in the end. A football player may have a lot of ability, but it takes character for him to be a great football player. Talent alone will never make a man great. Only character can do that. A preacher’s charisma and oratory ability will gain him an audience, but if he doesn’t have character, it will come to naught, and he’ll fall.  Sadly, it happens all too often.

Never mistake your talents or abilities for character. Character, virtue, integrity, and principles will take you farther and keep you there, more than talent or ability alone.  Therefore, allow God to develop character in your life.

“Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” —Proverbs 19:1

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YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Posted By on January 26, 2012

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” —Romans 14:12

Too often we think it is our responsibility to change people or straighten them out.  You cannot change anyone. You can warn them. You can pray for them. You can help them. But you can’t change them.  You can only change yourself.

I read about a preacher who quit the ministry after more than 20 years of faithful, dedicated service and became a funeral director. When asked why he changed vocations, he said: “I spent 10 years trying to straighten out John and he’s still an alcoholic. Then I spent three and one-half years trying to straighten out Harold and Susan’s marriage problems and they ended up getting a divorce. Later I tried for two years to help Bob kick his drug habit and he is still an addict. Now, at the funeral home, when I straighten them out, they stay straight!”

When you stand before God, you will not give account for anyone except yourself. Make sure you are right with God.

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HE SPARED NOT

Posted By on January 24, 2012

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all…” —Romans 8:323 crosses on a hill

The well-known slogan of Hallmark Cards is, “When You Care Enough To Send The Very Best.”  God sent more than a greeting card when He gave us His own dear Son to die for our sins.  Even when we were sinners, God gave us His best (Rom. 5:8).  God held nothing anything back when He “spared not his own Son.”

Even though God knew beforehand what this wicked world would do to His Son, He “spared not.”  It would be as if you would take your own child and cast him into a pit of rattlesnakes. You wouldn’t think of doing such a thing.  Yet, this is exactly what God the Father did when he sent His Son into the midst of a “generation of vipers.”

  • God spared not, knowing the lies, betrayal, humiliation, and the mockery His Son would endure.
  • God spared not, knowing the scourging, the spitting, and the smiting that would be inflicted upon His own dear Son.
  • God spared not, knowing the nails that would pierce the sinless hands and feet of His beloved Son upon a cruel cross.

Why did God do it?  Because He loved us and knew this would be the only way to provide a way of salvation for us.

If God spared not giving His best to make a way for us to be saved, how can we withhold anything from Him that would help make salvation available to others who are lost?

Do you care enough to give God your very best?

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My Attorney

Posted By on January 23, 2012

And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. —1 John 2:1justice

Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10; Job 1:9-11).  He stands to accuse me before God.  He sees me when I mess up and lays his charge against me before God: “God, Did you just see o’ Al Hughes? Did you see what he just did? Did you see his anger flare up? Did you notice those wicked thoughts that just passed through his mind? Did you see him covet that new Mustang?”

Then my Advocate, the Lord Jesus, simply lifts His nail pierced hand and says, “But Father, I paid for those sins when I shed my blood for Al Hughes at Calvary.” Then God declares, “Justified!”  And Satan’s allegations fall silent.

Dear friend, if you are saved, you have Someone standing at the throne of God pleading for you, and He’s never lost a case. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom. 8:31-32). Hallelujah!

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God Listens!

Posted By on January 20, 2012

“…his ears are open unto their prayers” — 1 Peter 3:12

God hears us when we pray. God told both Solomon and Hezekiah, “I have heard thy prayer.”  David testified, “God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.”  God heard and answered the prayers of the unsaved Cornelius (Acts 10:4). Your praying is not in vain.

While some are amazed that God answers their prayers, I’m amazed He would even listen to my prayers. Yet, wonder of wonders, He does!  What condescension!

No wonder David sang, “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come” (Ps. 65:2).  Do you need any greater incentive than that to pray?

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"Tidbit of Information"

Bible Baptist Church is the oldest Independent Baptist church in our county, and we are still seeking to win and train people for the Savior. Visit our web page, and stop in our services when you can! You'll find friendly faces and make new friends.


About our Pastor

Pastor Al Hughes

Pastor to Bible Baptist Church since June 1986, Pastor Hughes seeks to win the lost and build believers up in the Word of God. He is constantly striving to "feed the sheep" under his care with fresh information to help them succeed in their spiritual life and families.