Character Prepares Us for Crisis
Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.
Reading: Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 11:3
Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.
Before the angel ever appeared to Joseph, Scripture describes him as “a just man” who was unwilling to put Mary to shame. His response to crisis was shaped by the character he had already cultivated. Joseph didn’t suddenly become righteous when life fell apart—his integrity had been formed long before the moment of testing. Crisis doesn’t create character; it reveals it. The quiet choices you make today—honesty when it’s inconvenient, obedience when it’s unseen, kindness when it’s undeserved—are shaping the foundation you’ll stand on tomorrow. When devastation came, Joseph’s integrity guided him, steadied him, and positioned him to hear God’s voice clearly. Faithfulness in the ordinary prepares us for obedience in the extraordinary.
What areas of my daily life is God using to form my character right now?
Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…
Take Action:
Reading: Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 11:3
Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.
Before the angel ever appeared to Joseph, Scripture describes him as “a just man” who was unwilling to put Mary to shame. His response to crisis was shaped by the character he had already cultivated. Joseph didn’t suddenly become righteous when life fell apart—his integrity had been formed long before the moment of testing. Crisis doesn’t create character; it reveals it. The quiet choices you make today—honesty when it’s inconvenient, obedience when it’s unseen, kindness when it’s undeserved—are shaping the foundation you’ll stand on tomorrow. When devastation came, Joseph’s integrity guided him, steadied him, and positioned him to hear God’s voice clearly. Faithfulness in the ordinary prepares us for obedience in the extraordinary.
What areas of my daily life is God using to form my character right now?
Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…
- Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
- Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Lord, help me walk in integrity when no one is watching. Shape my character today so I will stand firm when trials come.
- Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.
Take Action:
- Identify one area where God is calling you to greater integrity and take a concrete step toward obedience.
- Ask God to reveal any compromises you’ve justified and repent of them intentionally.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Don’t Stop Short of JesusThe Cross Is God’s Invitation to YouRemembering the OwnerThe OwnerThe Illusion of Self-Made SuccessActs 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with JesusActs 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants PermissionInvited From The OutsideSurrender Creates PeaceWhen Blessing Becomes ForgetfulnessWhat A Pastor Means When They Say... | The Branch Living as Stewards, Not OwnersCreated for RelationshipThe Heart Behind the GiftSurrender GainsThe StewardFaithful StewardsOne Percent BetterEverything Belongs to GodThe Evaluation Is ComingActs 26:24-32 | Agrippa Parries Paul's ChallengeRedefining Success | The Branch The EvaluationHow You View God Determines EverythingThe Economy of Kingdom InvestmentChoose Your Category WiselyAnchored in Steadfast LoveActs 27:1-3 | Paul Sails for RomeDiscerning Between Good And Evil | The BranchLoved Enough to Be DisciplinedThe Steadfast Love of GodReturning to God’s WayCrying Out from the DepthsLiving with Wise Awareness
February
Partnering with God’s MissionBuilding Kingdom FruitTHE GIVER | PASTOR ANTHONY LOMBARDIWorship Through SacrificeNavigating God's Calling Within MarriageTrusting God’s ProvisionActs 27: 13-20 | The Storm at Sea | TCBSActs 27: 4-12 | From Caesarea to Fair HavensFrom Self-Focus to Kingdom-FocusFrom Death to LifeThe Answer Is a PersonEmpowered for MissionActs 27:21–26 | TCBSTHE CHURCH | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONDesigned for CommunityAnger, Justice and Psalms of Judgment | The BranchHeaven Invading EarthBetter Together PURPOSED RELATIONSHIPS | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONLifted When You FallWarmth in the ColdProtected by the CordWhen to Wait, When to Work | The BranchOne Body, One MissionWhere Your Treasure IsThe Antidote to AnxietyINVEST HEARTS AND FINANCES | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONActs 27: 39-44 | The Shipwreck | TCBSReturn to MeTreasures That LastThe Heaps of Hezekiah
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
No Comments