"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool." Proverbs 19:1

No matter how much we try to accomplish in the world, if our inner man has a character issue we will only go so far, and nothing we accomplish will have any lasting effect. Worrying more about how our life is and develops on the outside instead of concerning ourselves how we are and develop on the inside can cause serious problems. God has called us to shine as a light in this world, but we can't do that until the light is shining inside of us. If our character is not shining inside of us, it will not shine on the outside of us.

Our character inside of us will always make its way out, and influence and guide the way our life unfolds on the outside. Our inner character guides the way we respond to those around us, our family, co-workers; it guides our work ethic, and our attitude towards the Word of God. What goes on inside of us shapes the world around us. Life's failures and successes will be led by our inner character. What we do or neglect to do in the privacy of our daily lives impacts who we are and who we are becoming, for we are never truly standing still, we are always changing, whether good or bad. If our inner character is rotten it will eventually show up. If we don't take care of who we are inside it will make its way out for all to see, and it will keep us from all God has for us!

As our inner man prosper so will we! That means as our character, that is our integrity, with God and man grows our soul will be prosperous, and it will over-flow into our material life! Continual growth in Christ and lasting success in life is a result of aligning the inside and outside of our lives. Getting our inside right must come first! We must experience inner success if we ever expect to see it outwardly!

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45