Psalm 127:1 (NLT) 1 Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
I’ve been in some sort of ministry my whole life. I grew up in a pastor’s home and for 43 years it has also been my full time vocation. I’ve seen it all – good, bad and ugly.
I’ve been a Janitor, Youth Pastor, Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Pastor and a Senior Pastor.
I watched ministries come and go and I’ve watched leaders rise to unbelievable pinnacles only to fall on their own sword.
I’ve seen ministry workers build upon their own personalities and talent only to see it all burn away when life is difficult and hard.
On the other hand – I’ve seen people with no real talent of speaking or singing who are filled with the Holy Spirit’s anointing - touching and ministering to people’s lives.
It begs the question of all of us – “Who and what fills your life?” Are you lead by your personality and talent and good looks or are you led by the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?
To be honest…I spent far too many years laboring in vain, trying to build the Lord's house. Trying to build the Lord's church. I used every gimmick that came down the pike, and there's a lot of them.
There are people that are cranking out programs every day, sending them out to churches. You can buy all kinds of programs: church growth programs, and financial programs.
We get letters all the time of some new program that they've devised for church growth or whatever.
I’ve done all of that to no avail. I was laboring in vein. I was spinning my wheels. It was just a futile effort.
There comes a day when all that we do will be burned with fire to do determine their real worth.
Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NLT)
Unless God keeps our house. Unless the Lord build our house, you know, you're just worrying in vain. You can't do anything. We've got to just trust the Lord. We must be filled with God and with the Holy Spirit. I can’t trust my own abilities or talents but must wholly lean totally upon God.
I am hungry for more of God – for more of His Holy Spirit. I want to empty myself of myself and see more of God in me. I want to be full of Him and totally trusting in Him. I am ready to be used of God to touch a dying world. How about you? Are you full of it today?
Psalm 138:8 (NLT) 8 The LORD will work out his plans for my life--for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.
Have you ever wondered if God really has your situation under control? I know I have – many times.
I have been praying some very big and specific prayers lately for myself, my family and the church that I serve. And yes, I tend to worry sometimes. I’m so glad that God is patient with me and continues to remind me that He’s “got this.”
This passage of scripture is not for everyone but it is for those who have experienced God’s mercy and have placed their lives in God’s hands.
“The LORD will work out his plans for my life…” The God who created the universe is my case manager. I’ve got the very best person working on my situation.
The Bible states that He is the “author and finisher of my faith.” It also says “that he who began a good work in you shall continue to do so until the day of Jesus Christ.”
We never arrive at a place in life where we are given full control of our lives. God never says, “take it from here – it’s yours now.”
The fact that we are dependent on Him distinguishes us from the people of the world. We are fully dependent on Him for all our needs – always.
I must always trust Him because “He is able.” He knows my life better than anyone else. In fact, He is the designer and creator. He’s the master planner. The Bible He will work out HIS plans for my life.
The last part of this verse states, “Don’t abandon me for you made me.” Wow. I am HIS creation. He has already wired me with my personality and body shape. He has gifted me and I am now to be His vessel in blessing other people.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)
My life now should be the expression of His design. I am His “workmanship” His “Poema” I am His poem.
God is still writing the lines of my life and He’s not done with me (or you) yet. The best is yet to come.
I pray that everyone reading these words today will be reminded of this fact – “God loves you and God has a plan for your life and it is good.” (Jeremiah 29:9) Trust Him with every detail and season that He is going to bring you through and bring great blessing to your life.
Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV) 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
The last few weeks in the High Desert has been like the middle of winter all over again. High winds and cold temps. My motivation to work in my yard has been very low.
Storms happen in life. In fact, they can arise quickly and turn a beautiful day upside down.
Have you ever been through a life storm?
The doctor calls. The divorce papers arrive. A policeman shows up to your door. Your teenager calls and asks you if the car insurance covers the other guy’s car.
This is where Jesus’ disciples found themselves one night. The wind began to whip the waves into a storm.
These men are seasoned fisherman and are used to rough seas. But this storm was more than they could bear. They were afraid. On top of that…Jesus is sleeping in the boat while the storm was going on.
The disciples had a fear and they needed peace. Jesus speaks and says, “Why are you afraid, ye of little faith.”
Everyone of us deals with anxiety and worry and storms.. Someone said, “I have so many troubles that if anything happens to me today it will be two weeks before I can get around to worrying about it.” Someone else said, “Worrying about the past is like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.”
We worry about everything - Health/ family time/ children/ jobs/ money/ aging/ marriage, etc.
It is interesting… I read about fog the other day… A dense fog - covering 7 city blocks, 100 feet deep, contains less than one full glass of water.
The truth is this: Worry is much like fog… there’s not as much in as we thought.
Worry causes our perspective to be clouded, it causes difficulty in maneuvering the roads of life, it slows us down to get where we really want to go in life.
Doctors tell us that worry affects our Health... High Blood Pressure/ Heart Disease/ Headaches/ Makes us Nauseous/ Gives us Insomnia/ Lack of Energy.
Worry strains our relationships. They say that financial stress is the #1 marriage killer. It disrupts our productivity. It destroys careers, etc.
Proverbs 12:25 - "An anxious heart weighs a man down." (NLT)
1 Pet 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. (NLT)
Anxiety is a direct attack from Satan. It paralyzes us from being effective Christians.
A recent study found out…
40% of worries are about things that never happen
30% are about past things or things that cannot be change
22% were over petty, needless things
Only 8% were legitimate concerns.
I’ve come to give you good news this morning – Whatever it is that has you stressed this morning hasn’t surprised and knocked God off His throne!
I love this story from the book of Matthew. (Actually it is in all the gospels). It is a great example about how we respond to situations and circumstances in our lives and how God seems them.
The good news today is that despite the stress factors we face in our lives - God has a plan to help us face those stressful times with a peace that passes all understanding!
1. DON’T WORRY – Jesus Is In Your Boat – Vs. 23
Matthew 8:23 (ESV) 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.
This is important - notice that Jesus was in the boat with the disciples. Here’s a truth for all of us… when Jesus in your boat it doesn’t matter what comes your way!
For the disciples… this is the best place for them to be right now. Not because they are in a storm. Not because it is a terrible storm. Not because their lives are at stake. BUT BECAUSE OF WHO IS IN THE BOAT!
Look what God’s Word declares…
1 John 4:4 (ESV) 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Psalm 46:1 (ESV) 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Jesus was in their boat!
Just because Jesus was in their boat – it didn’t exempt them from the storms. Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have problems or have things to worry about.
Psalm 34:19 (ESV) 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
But on the other hand - Just because Jesus was in their boat – it didn’t exclude them from His intervention.
In the same way Jesus’ presence didn’t exempt them from troubles neither did it exclude them from His intervention.
This is important for you to hear…Jesus is ready and willing to deliver you – to set you free – to come to your aid in the storm that you face today!
Psalm 37:25 (ESV) 25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
2. DON’T WORRY – Storms Are Normal – Vs. 24-25
Matthew 8:24-25 (ESV) 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”
So here they are - out in the boat. They are out on the lake and this terrible storm comes up. The waves are crashing into the boat and they are fearful for their lives.
Yet as I stated before, storms out on the lake are common occurrences.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV) 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
3. DON’T WORRY – Jesus Has All Authority – Vs. 26
Matthew 8:26 (ESV) 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
In this storm… Jesus arises from his nap and speaks. He then rebukes the wind and waves and suddenly things calm down.
God’s got this. He’s in charge. He has authority to deal with any storm you are facing today.
You’ve got authority to. God has empowered you and He has commissioned you – therefore you should be overcoming!
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18 ESV)
Go to God with whatever storm you might be facing today. Trust God to see you through. Put your worries in His hands and begin to give thanks with praise and thanksgiving to our creator who has all power and authority and God will come through for you.
2 Samuel 22:26 (NLT) 26 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.
Last week I journaled on integrity (Living A Life Of Integrity) and got a lot of positive responses. Please indulge me as I continue to speak to this subject as it is something still gnawing on my heart.
Joseph, in the Bible is a perfect example of character.
There are 4 things we can learn from the life of Joseph:
1. Integrity
2. Forgiving spirit
3. Total trust in God
4. Faithful to God’s promise
Integrity
The clearest example of Joseph’s ability to maintain a highest degree of integrity was when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Gen 39:6-20).
Consider Joseph’s situation: bought as a slave by Potiphar, evaluated to the top of the household, seduced by the master’s wife, not once, twice but continuously, lesser characters would have succumbed, rather went to jail than to betray his master and his integrity. Note his response to Potiphar’s wife: “how can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
He considered if he succumbed to the temptation of his mistress, he would betray not only his master but also God.
The second example of Joseph’s integrity is - He told good news and bad news: in jail, he told the good news to the cupbearer and the bad news to the baker (Gen 40:1-19). He relayed what he received from God and passed on as is. He did not put any spin on the message.
Forgiving spirit
This is probably the most obvious of Joseph’s virtue.
He forgave his brothers. He looked back and understood his brothers’ crime to sell him into slavery was in fact part of God’s plan to save lives (Gen 45:4-8a).
This is the secret of Joseph’s ability to forgive. He looked back and he understood that God allowed him to be sold into slavery was because he had a plan for him – a plan for him to rescue Israel’s household from famine.
When he looked back, he understood God allowed the injustice for him to be wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife was because he had a plan for him – a plan to allow him to meet with the cupbearer in prison.
When he looked back, he understood why God allowed the cupbearer to forget about him and left him in prison when the cupbearer was restored to his former position, it was because God had a plan for him – a plan for the cupbearer to finally introduce him to Pharaoh.
In prison or in slavery, he did not bear any grudge against those who had wronged him because he knew these injustices and misfortunes can only happen under the will of God, he may not understand right now but he will understand one day.
Over a decade ago there was an attempt on the life of Pope John Paul. Fortunately, the Pope lived. After he recovered, he shocked the world when he made a visit to Rome’s Rabbibia Prison to see the man who had attempted to assassinate him on Christmas day.
Millions watched on television as the Pope visited with Mehmet Ali Agca, who only two years before had tried to assassinate him. The Pope and terrorist huddled in Agca’s cell for 20 minutes, talking in low voices that could not be heard. When he emerged John Paul explained, "I spoke to a brother whom I have pardoned."
Through this incident Pope John Paul clearly demonstrated the spirit of Christian forgiveness.
Joseph’s forgiveness extended to outside the family, we do not hear Joseph pay back Potiphar’s wife, or Potiphar, or the cupbearer for forgetting him in prison. The argument from silence may not be convincing but it is consistent with Joseph’s character.
Total trust in God
There are many ups and downs in his life.
Joseph was brought up as a favored son of his father, because of that he was envied by his brothers and sold into slavery.
He is then bought into household of Potiphar, tempted by his mistress and as a consequence thrown into prison.
In prison, he was evaluated to a position of responsibility in prison, he interpreted the dream of the cupbearer (and the baker), but forgotten and left behind in the dungeon.
Lesser person would have complained and given up. Joseph continued to put his faith and trust in God.
Faithful to God’s promise
We often only celebrate Joseph’s achievements and success without realizing they are only transient and temporary.
Josephs’s first big test is over the temptation with Potiphar’s wife.
Second comes when he was evaluated to be the prime minister of Egypt (Gen 41:44-45).
Pharaoh gave name a new name, a new identity. Sapnat-Paneah can mean: “hiding discoverer” (Josephus) or “the god has said: he will live” or “the man he knows”, all with a strong religious overture.
Then Pharaoh gave him a wife from the priestly family (he did not ask for that and not up to him to refuse).
It would be very easy for Joseph to be totally assimilated to the Egyptian upper class society and forget the faith of his fathers.
We have every reason to believe that Joseph maintained his faith and witness throughout his long tenure as the PM of Egypt.
Indeed, according to the Jewish legend, Joseph not only maintained his faith, he even converted his wife Asenath from idolatry to true faith to worship the God of Israel.
When the author of Hebrews in the NT commended the heroes of faith in the Old Testament, when he came to Joseph, he did not praise him for his achievements, nor his ability to discern dream, nor his administrative skills, not even his ability to forgive his brothers.
In the entire life of Joseph, the single incident that he singled out is the last act of Joseph, his instruction to the sons of Israel that they should bring his bones out of Egypt and the prophesy that God will bring His people out of Egypt.
It is very easy when we become successful in our career, when we move up the social ladder, when we get recognition, we lose sight of our calling, we lose sight that our permanent citizenship belongs to the kingdom of God.
At the end, the greatest success of Joseph is not so much his secular achievements, impressive as they are, but his single-mindedness to follow, to trust and to obey God, no matter what consequences and under what situation.
Joseph has been an inspiration me of Building A Life Of Character and I pray and trust through studying his life story that he also may be an inspiration to you.
Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. (Psalms 5:1-3 NKJV)
I grew up in the “Hippy Era” as a teenager “free love”, “flower power”, “peace”, etc. It was an interesting time as young people were rebelling against society and tradition and wanted every thing to be “groovy.” (I’m almost embarrassed to admit all of this but it is the reality of my upbringing.)
Out of this era spawned another great revival that came into many of the churches during this time. Young people by the thousands were realizing that there was still an emptiness in their lives as they were needing spiritual direction.
Not all churches received them but many (like the one I attended) embraced these precious young people with open arms.
During that season we saw hundreds of young people come to the Lord and eventually many found their way into ministry all across the United States. Recently I sat down and counted how many people came out of that ministry and were serving Jesus and the number I came up with was 79. They became pastors, youth leaders, worship leaders, missionaries, etc.
I will never forget being at church on a Wednesday night when about 100 young people just walked in and sat in the service. They were part of a cult and realized that something was missing. One of the young men said that his grandmother went to church so they all decided to go to where his grandmother went (our church). My dad and mom opened their arms to these young people and a great revival broke out touching hundreds of young people.
During this time Calvary Chapel was exploding on the youth and music scene. Maranatha Music was making inroads to this cultural uprising and having huge impacts. They had tent meetings where thousands of young people were flocking to and receiving Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
There was this singer who was name “Big Bill” (I believe his name was Bill Sprouse, Jr.) who I really enjoyed listening to. We was a really BIG DUDE (very overweight) with long black curly hair.
One night I went to one of the Calvary Chapel meetings and we were told that Bill had died in his sleep that past week. But here’s the cool part of this story. Before he died, he woke up in the middle of the night not feeling well but Psalm 5 was on his heart (our above scripture). There was a tape recorder by his bed. He picked it up sang Psalm 5 into it and then died.
After he died, someone pushed play on the recorder and heard this song that he sang. They played it to their friends and it became a hit across the Christian music scene over the next few years. (Look it up on You Tube – Psalm 5 – Give Ear To My Words/ Maranatha Music). It became one of my all time favorite worship songs.
So, as I reflect and reminince this morning I am so thankful that God “listens” to us when we pray and meditate. I am so glad that He still hears us in the morning and that He is always with us. I’ve had a good life and am so blessed with all that God has done for me over the years and how He has used me.
How about you?
For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV)
People tell me often that they have or had a dream for something big in life. If they are young - it is something that is still in the future. If they are old, the look back with a sigh, realizing that their dream has yet to come.
The fact is that more people will look back on their life and wish they had done more with their life than they did.
I heard someone once say something like, “If you’re not careful, your “hope to do’s” will become your “wish I had’s.”
I have many of those areas in my life. I want the next phase of my life to be different.
Here are seven reasons you may not be achieving your dreams: (Ron Edmundson)
1- You have no dreams—You may have some, but you’ve never recorded them. You never set some tangible goals that get you closer to your dreams. Only then can you analyze them and organize them into reachable and attainable dreams.
2- You have no plan—A dream without a plan is just a dream. A dream with a plan is an avenue to success. You can’t “work the plan” if you never wrote one.
3- You need accountability—We were designed for relationships. Sometimes knowing someone is going to hold you accountable is enough incentive to follow through. Give a few people the freedom to challenge you to work the plan.
4- You are afraid to share the load—If you are trying alone for fear of sharing your dream, you’ll also have no one with whom you can really share the victory. Sharing the load builds synergy, makes a stronger effort and keeps your ego from sidelining your progress.
5- You’ve given up—You may have had a setback and now you’re afraid to try again. Successful dreamers are willing to get up after a fall, knowing they will be stronger and better equipped the next time.
6- You aren’t willing to take a risk—Fear can sometimes be a powerful motivator, but most of the time it’s one of our biggest stumbling blocks. Some of the best moments of your life are hidden in your fears. Risk-taking and dreaming go hand-in-hand. If the dream requires no risk, it isn’t much of a dream.
7- You never got started—Every road to success begins with one step. If you don’t start, you’ll certainly never finish. What step do you need to take?
Are any of these your reason for not achieving your dreams? What would you add to this list?
But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. (Psalms 26:11 NKJV)
There has been something gnawing at me over the past few weeks and it is about the word integrity.
But it goes deeper than that. This is not just a word that you look up in a dictionary to get a nice definition but it’s a word that is lived out in a lifestyle of consistent living. It’s about living a life “above reproach” that can be examined and scrutinized if called upon.
Integrity could be about our words whether they are true or not. It could be about our promises whether they are kept or not. It’s about keeping your word and doing what is expected of you.
Early on in ministry I began to learn the importance of this word and the affect it had on people. I might not be a “10” in all categories of talent but I must be a “10” when it comes to living a life of integrity. I cannot compromise in this whatsoever.
Becoming a person of integrity means: "Deciding to integrate my heart’s value into my daily actions" ~ John Maxwell
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. (John 10:25 NKJV)
Jesus is telling us that what I say and what I do testify as to who I am.
A person of integrity is validated by their words and their deeds. If we are pure in heart we can be pure in action. Integrity is making my daily actions line up with my heart’s values.
BENEFITS OF INTEGRITY
1. Integrity Will Preserve Me
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You. (Psalms 25:21 NKJV)
Mark Twain said: “Speaking honestly is better. It takes a lot of stress out of our lives. If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything, but if you don’t tell the truth you have to remember what you said.”
2. Integrity Brings Protection
When I have integrity I have protection. I have less fear and less stress because I do not have to look over my shoulder all of the time.
He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known. (Proverbs 10:9 NKJV)
I can be confident that what I do is right and that it will prosper (though it may not prosper financially at times, it can prosper in other ways!)
If you walk with integrity you do not have to worry about having a shaky foundation for what you do, it provides a firm foundation.
3. Integrity Provides Guidance
Integrity provides me with guidance. It helps me make better decisions.
The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. (Proverbs 11:3 NKJV)
In a society without moral absolutes anything goes. When people can choose what is right and wrong without having a standard, how do you decide which way to go? Eventually you will get caught in your duplicity. It will come back to bite you. If you live in integrity then your decisions are easier to make – your integrity guides you.
4. Integrity Provides Me With Hope
Is not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope? (Job 4:6 NKJV)
Hope for what? Hope that some day when I stand before God I will not be ashamed of how I lived and what He will say to me. Hope that I will be commended and not rebuked for my lifestyle and the testimony that I had while alive.
I must elevate myself to model integrity
SO how do we do it? How can we become people of integrity? What can I do or change in my life so that I can experience the benefits of integrity and the blessing of God?
HOW DO WE BECOME PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY?
1. Ask God To Test My Heart
Have any of you ever had an EKG? What is the purpose of it? It is to determine the health of the heart. To help find potential problems and to help diagnose future problems. It is a test of the condition of the heart.
This physical testing of the heart is what God needs to do to us in a spiritual sense. He needs to come in and find out the condition of our heart and fix it before major problems take over!
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. (1 Chronicles 29:17 NIV)
You see, God is pleased with integrity and examines the heart to see if a person is full of integrity or full of baloney!
What you believe in your heart will determine how you act when placed in a tempting situation.
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. (Psalms 26:2 NKJV)
So, how does God show us what is questionable and also what is characteristic of integrity. One way is through the Bible. That is why the next point is so vital.
2. Study To Know What Is True
Throughout the Bible you will find the words: honesty, purity, truth, upright and complete all translated from the same words meaning integrity – they are all synonymous.
If, therefore, we are going to live lives of integrity we must know what integrity looks like. That comes from spending time in the Bible with God.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15 NKJV)
If we take the time to read and study the Bible and apply the truths that we read to our lives, then we can live lives of integrity. Why? Because the Bible is the only standard for living that is true and unchanging.
Living the Christian life without studying the Bible is like trying to fix a car without reading the instructions… it just doesn’t work. Period.
3. Apply God’s Word To Your Daily Activities
GOD, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list? “Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. (Psalm 15:1-2 MSG)
Walking in integrity means integrating all of what God’s Word says into our daily activities. It means that I become a doer of the word.
4. Remain Faithful In Spite Of Circumstances
Have you ever gone through one of those times in your life where it feels like your whole world is caving in? It seems like you will not be able to handle another day of calamity! “If one more thing goes wrong I’m gonna lose it!”
I have a word for you today – don’t ever give up. Don’t ever, ever, ever, give up. Do whatever you can to remain faithful.
Job was a man who went through an awful lot but remained faithful.
Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.” (Job 2:3 NLT)
His character was good. The fact that he kept his character in tack in spite of the best efforts of Satan made him a man of integrity.
Think about this: He lost his home, his kids, his wealth, and his health.
But he never gave up on God. If you feel like you are about ready to give up on God, take time today to pray and ask God to renew your strength. Find a friend, a brother or sister from church, and ask them to pray with you.
Remain faithful to God… he remains faithful to you.
5. Refuse To Be Persuaded By Others
They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? (Mark 12:14 NIV)
Job had 3 friends that that were not the kind of friends you want to have. They kept trying to convince Job that he had sinned against God and needed to get right with God. Job knew better.
And, if they aren’t enough, even Job’s wife gets in on the act and tells Job:
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:9-10 NIV)
We must never let others dictate what we do. They must never come between us and what is right; what is full of integrity. To become a person of integrity I must do what is right and refuse to be persuaded by others.
Notice what David says in the Psalms about integrity:
I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; (Psalm 101:2 ESV)
If it doesn’t work at home, it doesn’t work. It means making sure that what we say and what we do – no matter what the circumstances – line up with each other. It means making our actions line up with our heart and making sure our heart is in tune with God.
May God speak to all our hearts today as we examine ourselves closely as to whether we are walking in integrity or not.
