Craig T. Owens

This is a weekly series with things I’m reading and pondering from Oswald Chambers. You can read the original seed thought here, or type “Thursdays With Oswald” in the search box to read more entries.

God Builds My Character 

     Character is the whole trend of a man’s life, not isolated acts here and there, and God deals with us on the line of character building. 

     Remember, then, that we have the power to fix the form of our choice. “Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” [Psalm 37:4]. Desire embraces both determination and design. Some people when they read this verse, behave before God as people do over a wishing-bone at a Christmas dinner. They say, “Now I have read this verse, I wonder what I shall wish for?” That is not desire. Desire is what we determine in outline in our minds and plan and settle in our hearts; that is the desire which God will fulfill as we delight ourselves in Him. 

From Biblical Psychology

God is not a cosmic slot machine, where I drop in the coins of Bible reading, prayer time, church attendance, and a few good deeds here and there, and then I can select which reward I would like God to dispense for me. But I’ve met way too many people who feel that it should work that way!

The Holy Spirit changes me from the inside out. He builds my character piece by piece, conforming me to the image of Jesus Christ. There are certainly blessings along the way, but I shouldn’t go into this character-building process with the goal of getting rewarded for my efforts.

When I determine to fix my thoughts on God’s Word, to tune into the Spirit’s direction, then I will experience the reward of God’s approval. And there is no greater reward than knowing my Master says, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

My prayer: Father, I want to delight only in You. I am determined to allow Your Spirit to build the character of Jesus in my heart and mind. I am committed. I am ready.