Develop Your Character

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas) . . .” (Acts 9:36a)     
     Passage: 1Peter 3:1-7

        A lot of attention is given in people’s lives to outward appearance. One study found that, on average, women spend about 22.5 minutes getting ready each morning. (I was surprised to read that the average man spends 17 minutes – I’m about 5). Another study added up how much total time people spend working on their physical appearance when you include doing make-up, fixing hair, picking clothes, exercise, and dietary habits. It found that people spend about 1/6th of their lifetime on all those.
      There is nothing inherently wrong with any of that, but the question comes to a believer. With all the time spend on the outside appearance and condition of the body, how much time do you spend developing your inward spiritual life? Luke specifically called Dorcas a disciple, which means she was a disciplined follower of Jesus. She had put her faith in Jesus and became a believer, but she then wanted to grow in her faith and follow the example of Jesus. That showed in her character. We don’t know what she looked like on the outside, but by the love people had for her, it is obvious that she had a beautiful character on the inside. Take care of your body and appearance, but put an even higher priority on taking care to develop your heart.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)