The Integrity Edge 

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Proverbs 11:3

_____

Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?   Job 4:6

_____

But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.  Psalm 41:12

Integrity is usually defined as firmly living a code of conduct. For a Christ-follower, this means one is clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. One adheres to HIS character. One is allowing HIS Spirit to influence their thoughts and actions. One then is learning to live under the integrity of Jesus.

Why is this important?

Because as we draw closer to God, HE draws closer to us (James 4:8). When we practice HIS ways, HE notices. HE is rooting for us. We have the examples of people in the Bible. God mentions them and calls them blameless. You have Noah, Abraham, and Job. In the New Testament, us saints are instructed to live similar blameless lives. When one lives with integrity, one lives in the freedom of the Lord.

We live with confidence HE is our protector, provider, and peace monger. We walk in faith trusting HIM to go before us and clean up our meshes after us. Yes, we are constantly repenting. Yes, we are adjusting our ways as we align ourself with HIM. Yet HE is always faithful. HE knows our human condition. HE understands the pull of the flesh. But HE also knows the power of the Holy Spirit. HE also knows as we learn to yield ourselves to HIM, the Spirit will work with us. The Spirit will help us to build the virtuous character we need to fully walk with HIM.

Yes, integrity gives you the edge in your relationships. In business, community, and family affairs you will be on display. People with integrity are noticed by those in leadership positions. We look at how Daniel, a foreigner, served under three different kings as a governor of the land. They and Daniel’s enemies recognized his integrity. God protected him and gave him favor throughout his life. Daniel was thankful. He praised his God in prayer three times per day. Even when his life was in jeopardy, he didn’t succumb to the powers but trusted God. As a youth and again as an aged senior, he was willing to die for his beliefs. He never wavered.

Yes, integrity gives you an edge in life. It may cost you your life. But if you haven’t found anything worth dying for, then you haven’t found anything worth living for. That is what Martin Luther King stated and how he lived. That is also how every convicted believer lives.

Learn and live under the integrity of Jesus. Let HIM be your code of conduct.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats: (* indicates audio version now available
at Apple Books)

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!


Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Deceitful Lovers

“I called to my lovers, but they deceived me;” Lamentations 1:19 ESV.

deceit2

We typically recognize them after the facts. In the beginning, we are infatuated, memorized, and blinded. However, if fortunate enough to break off the relationship before severe harm is perpetuated, we can look back to realize the deceitfulness of the affair and hopefully grow more mature from the experience. We have all witnessed lives destroyed by the false illusion of deceitful lovers.

For some people the lover is money. For others power, drugs, sex, pleasure, or food. Some people become involved with others who claim to love them but use them for their manipulative purpose. Over time, no matter the means, real love is distorted; the heart becomes severely wounded; and the beauty of life disappears. To find someone who truly loves you as you love them becomes a child book fantasy. You may eventually ask, “Is there anyone in this world made for me?” “How many more wounds to the heart must I take before true love is discovered?”

For most of us in search of real love, we look in all the wrong places. We have Hollywood fantasy in our minds. Or erotic fiction as our guide. Or an educational system which has polluted reality by removing the Source of all-reality. When truth of the matter is distorted, we fail to capture the best solution to the problem. Instead, we major in the minors thinking this may be the best there is.

It takes time to learn what is truly important. It takes time to mature. It also takes time and experience to truly recognize a good thing from a deceitful one. One way to speed up the process is to learn from those who have gone before us. Those who have no hidden agenda, but a shared life of love, passion, and adventure.

That is one reason to read and study the Christian Bible. There is nothing new under the sun when it comes to the human experience. The primary difference between someone living 2,000 years ago and today is technology and fashion. Otherwise, the desires, hopes, and challenges are the same.

As one studies the Book, one is introduced to the Author of Life. One quickly discovers His desire for an intimate relationship with you. By committing oneself to Him, one discovers the Source of real love, truth, and justice. Through His Words and contagious Spirit, one also learns to live, flourish, and prosper without harming others in the process. Through this abiding relationship, one comes to easily recognize lies, phony lovers, and make believe fantasies. As you listen and grow together, He leads you to people who will truly love you as you love them.

Yes fairy tales do come true when one is walking with the Author of Life who turns visions into reality. So the real question is, “why waste time with deceitful lovers when real Love awaits you?”

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!


Copyright 2016 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved