Jesus is “the Word” (John 1:1). He has explained (1:18) the Father, the invisible God, to us. When the Word became flesh and dwelt among men, He taught “as one having authority” (Matt. 7:29), for He authored the very message He spoke. That makes what Jesus said important.

I “rendered to Caesar” today. Our property taxes are late after January 31, so I sent in the payment to avoid the penalty. I didn’t enjoy watching the mailman take that check away, but there are some things in life you just do out of necessity. I suppose paying your taxes is one of them.

Sadly, some people see their service to God in the same way. It’s a matter of “have to” instead of “want to.” There is no joy or happiness involved in it, only a mere going through the motions. To them, discipleship itself has become a tax or a burden rather than a blessing.

Character is the accumulation of qualities that distinguishes one person from another. Character is not just one single trait, but the accumulation of all a person is, the sum total of all his traits.

Someone has suggested that reputation is what others think us to be, character is what God knows us to be.

How does a person develop and maintain a good character?

Each of the gospels is unique. God did not give us just one story of the life of Christ, although that would have been sufficient. He chose to tell it from four perspectives, through the eyes of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Though they all worked from the same information and through the same medium of inspiration, each author had their own purpose and appeal.

Prayer is such a privilege, such an exalted advantage. It implies connection to the Almighty, an adjoining to our Creator. What joy to pray and know we will be heard. What unspeakable joy! “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if ye ask anything according to His will, He heareth us” (I John 5:15). I doubt there could be a better or more blessed assurance than to know that God not only knows who we are, but hears what we say.