Character Connections

Sometimes we turn the car around because we're lost; other times it's because there's a better road. God told both the wisemen and Joseph to change their route to keep safe. God's plans are better than our own!

Surprise! Of all the people that God could have chosen to be the mother of Jeus, he picked a poor peasant woman. Instead of a clean crib, the son of God slept in a food dish for barn animals. God often works through the unpopular and the underdogs. His love is unlimited!

How many names do you have? The Bible uses different names to describe the Son of God; each has significance. Through faith, we are safe in the powerful name of Jesus!

Esther could have kept her identity as a child of God a secret from the king. God gave her the courage to stand up for what was right and stop injustice. When the Lord calls us to action, we don't stand alone!

When you feel alone in the fire, remember there's someone standing next to you – and He won't burn.

God promised his prophet Jeremiah that he would bring life out of death. He kept his promise and sent his son to make all things new. In Jesus we are a new creation!

The Throne Room - God Calls Isaiah Can you imagine standing in the throne room of a king? It would be terrifying unless you knew he was a good king. Isaiah's vision of God on a throne convicted Isaiah of his sin. Despite Isaiah's sin, his good king offered forgiveness and a call to share his love. Through Christ we are given the same!

God uses his people to share and show his love with the world. Jonah didn't want the job, but God's love doesn't stop!

Sometimes it's hard to know what God wants us to do; but often the choice between right and wrong is clear as day. Jonah knew what he should do, but he ran away from it. God didn't leave him alone. He followed Jonah and put him back on the right path.  

God made all things; visible and invisible. There is a spiritual world around us that is just as real as the one we see. We can't see God with our eyes, but we can see the ways in which he provides for us!

Some children dread baths like Naaman did. Sometimes God works in ways that don't make sense, but he can make us clean!

In the Old Testament, God's voice could be loud like thunder or heard through a burning bush. When he spoke to Elijah, his voice wasn't what Elijah expected. Sometimes God whispers.

Elijah faced incredible odds to turn the people's hearts to the Lord instead of a counterfeit god. It appeared impossible, but the Lord worked a miracle. Nothing is impossible for God!

God provided for a widow and her son, even though they were outcasts. Sin has made us outcasts as well, but Jesus has given us life!

Moses saw fire in a bush and a voice told him to take off his shoes. God called Moses to be a servant-leader in order to save the Israelites from slavery. God has given our lives purpose as well. We are called to point to Jesus, the ultimate servant-leader!

Our identity is found in our relationship with God. He is the great creator and we are his creation! His identity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a divine mystery, but he has shown us his character in Jesus!

Paul and Silas were arrested and put in jail for sharing God's love in Jesus. While they sat in a dark prison, their feet chained in shackles, they sang songs to the Lord. Their witness changed the lives of those around them. The Lord used them, even in the face of hardship, to help others. God can use you too, no matter the situation in which you find yourself.

The Holy Spirit led Paul to answer the call and share the gospel in a new city. We are often put in situations that we didn't expect. We can trust that God will use us to share his love no matter where we are.

Disagreements are inevitable, but fights aren't. The way we handle conflict shows our character and steers our relationships. When the early church disagreed, the Holy Spirit guided them to act in love. God's love surpasses disagreements.

The crowd in the city of Lystra thought Paul and Barnabas were Greek gods. Paul and Barnabas made sure they knew the truth, even though it put their lives at risk. It is tempting to selfishly put ourselves first. Our Lord Jesus is the servant-king whose self-sacrifice made a way for our forgiveness. 

When Jesus ascended into heaven, he didn't say goodbye. He told his friends that he would always be with them. That promise is true for us as well. Jesus is always with you. Take courage, you don't have to face life alone!

When the dead body of Jesus was put into a grave his disciples hid with fear and despair. God's power doesn't depend on the faithfulness of his followers, even death couldn't hold Jesus!

Jesus spent his life teaching and healing. He noticed the forgotten and showed love to the shunned. He died in the same way in which he had lived; reaching out to those who didn't deserve it. His death was painful and public...but that's not the end of the story!

Out of fear, Peter lied about being Jesus' friend. After Jesus forgave him, Peter went on to be a courageous leader in the early church. God's power can enable us to be too brave to lie, and his forgiveness can empower us to serve without fear.

The disciples stopped parents who were bringing their kids to Jesus. It made sense, Jesus was busy teaching and healing. He surprised his followers by stopping to take time and hug the children and bless them. He showed that God is never too busy to see and hear us!