Showing posts with label Integrity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Integrity. Show all posts
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Divine Covenant - Part One
Understanding the concept of covenant is critical to the order of a society.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Run Romney, Run - Or Not.
Let me state that I have several LDS (Mormon) friends and love and respect them. I have no bone to pick with the Mormon Church, even though there is a mile-wide gap between my understanding of Christianity and their definition of it.
Although I would love it if my friends could see the difference between the Mormon Jesus and the one the Bible reveals, this is what makes America, America.
The recent position released by the leadership of the Mormon Church is, to me, a tragic mistake to prepare the political field for another Romney run; a run I am completely opposed to.
"Why?" you might ask. It is the simple fact that the man, and his wife, said, over and over again, that he would not run again. Now, he has changed his mind; I'm sure before the pressure of his Church. But, pressure not-withstanding, if a man cannot stand for what he says, he is not fit to be President; recent examples not withstanding. A man's word is his bond.
The Bible is my rule and guide for life and godliness and the final determination of everything. Two scriptures come to mind when considering what is unfolding in Mr. Romney's proposed run.
- But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your "Yes," be "Yes," and your "No," "No," lest you fall into judgment. James 5:12 (NKJV)
- a double-minded man, [is] unstable in all his ways. James 1:8 (NKJV)
- The Mormon Church today announced that it will support national and local anti-discrimination laws for gays and lesbians, provided such laws also respect the rights of religious groups.
- Church leaders called the offer a new "way forward" to balance religious freedom and legal protection for people in the LGBT community.
- With nearly 6.5 million members in the United States, the Mormon Church is now one of the largest in this country to back equal rights laws.
- The announcement, however, does not change church doctrine or alter the church's opposition to same-sex marriage, Mormon leaders said.
My advice to the Mormon Church is this: Don't let go of what you do have that is both biblical and right.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Where are the Davids?
Where are the young men who are passionate about the cause of Christ?
It seems that the only Giants that are of interest to most of them is the football team.
The devil is going about seeking whom he may devour and most don't seem to care. Football, Baseball, Soccer, or some other spectator sport has taken them captive.
I call it the spirit of voyeurism. Yes, we are a nation of watchers rather than a nation of innovators, leaders, and spiritual Christian activists.
The spirit has even invaded the Church. Even where pews are filled, most just come for the "show" only to go and watch another "show."
The Church, instead of being a social transformation center, has become a microcosm of society. The Church has always been a cross section of the community that it is in, but this is entirely a different thing. Society is changing the Church rather than the Church changing society.
Is it hopeless? I think not. I believe that the Spirit of God is going to come in convicting power like has never been experienced before. I believe that this present spiritual darkness is going to be pierced with the Light of the World. I believe that there is arising a company of young David's that will challenge the Giants of apathy, fear and doubt and run them through with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of the Living God.
What do you think?
It seems that the only Giants that are of interest to most of them is the football team.
The devil is going about seeking whom he may devour and most don't seem to care. Football, Baseball, Soccer, or some other spectator sport has taken them captive.
I call it the spirit of voyeurism. Yes, we are a nation of watchers rather than a nation of innovators, leaders, and spiritual Christian activists.
The spirit has even invaded the Church. Even where pews are filled, most just come for the "show" only to go and watch another "show."
The Church, instead of being a social transformation center, has become a microcosm of society. The Church has always been a cross section of the community that it is in, but this is entirely a different thing. Society is changing the Church rather than the Church changing society.
Is it hopeless? I think not. I believe that the Spirit of God is going to come in convicting power like has never been experienced before. I believe that this present spiritual darkness is going to be pierced with the Light of the World. I believe that there is arising a company of young David's that will challenge the Giants of apathy, fear and doubt and run them through with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of the Living God.
What do you think?
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Truth is fallen in the street.
Lies, lies, and more lies
That's all I hear coming out of the camp on the Left.
Isaiah 59:14 (KJV) And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
Oh, I know, there are some that say that they are on the Right but are masquerading as Conservatives and living like Liberals.
What does the Bible have to say about these double tongued deceivers?
Numbers 32:23 (KJV) But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
No one likes to be demonized but sometimes actions and words reveal the source of their problem:
John 8:44 (KJV) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Lies are the work of "the father" of lies, who is the devil himself. People are played upon by demons and devils whether they acknowledge them or not.
I realize that we are not fighting against flesh and blood. Our fight is with the spirits of wickedness behind the actions of men.
Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The problem is, that men yield to demonic forces because of their own propensity to sin. That is, their greed for power, notoriety, status, and money have blinded them to the truth of who they are before God.
James 1:14, 15 (KJV) 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
My prayer is that men will repent and cry out to God for forgiveness so that the Nation can be healed:
Proverbs 29:2 (KJV) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Listen, you who call yourselves public servants. The people are mourning.
That's all I hear coming out of the camp on the Left.
Isaiah 59:14 (KJV) And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
Oh, I know, there are some that say that they are on the Right but are masquerading as Conservatives and living like Liberals.
What does the Bible have to say about these double tongued deceivers?
Numbers 32:23 (KJV) But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
No one likes to be demonized but sometimes actions and words reveal the source of their problem:
John 8:44 (KJV) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Lies are the work of "the father" of lies, who is the devil himself. People are played upon by demons and devils whether they acknowledge them or not.
I realize that we are not fighting against flesh and blood. Our fight is with the spirits of wickedness behind the actions of men.
Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
James 1:14, 15 (KJV) 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
My prayer is that men will repent and cry out to God for forgiveness so that the Nation can be healed:
Proverbs 29:2 (KJV) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Listen, you who call yourselves public servants. The people are mourning.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Shout of A King
He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. Numbers 23:21 (KJV)
For those who live a life cleansed by the blood of Jesus, for those who shun iniquity and perverseness, there is the promise of the LORD’s continual presence. This makes them more than conquerors and over-comers in His sight. The shout of the King is among them.
Much of the Christian community has thrown off the idea of holiness as an attainable life style, yet, this is still the call of heaven to those that are the King’s.
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 20:7 (KJV)
And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. Leviticus 20:26 (KJV)
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV)
As you can see, the call to holiness is both in the Old Testament and the New. Our God is holy and His Spirit within us is holy.
If we are born-again Christians we are new creations, our spirit is new, pure and holy, and co-mingled together with the Holy Spirit of God Himself. He superimposed Himself upon our spirit. We are one with Him.
The Victor of the Cross, the King of Glory, is within us and He utters “the shout of a king” to declare the victory over sin is won and that those that are His own are cleansed from all unrighteousness by His blood. Every enemy arrayed against us trembles in terror at the sound of His voice.
Darkness has fled and light has come. The iniquity of the old man [Jacob] is not seen any more and perverseness is not found in the princes [Israel] of God. - Selah
For those who live a life cleansed by the blood of Jesus, for those who shun iniquity and perverseness, there is the promise of the LORD’s continual presence. This makes them more than conquerors and over-comers in His sight. The shout of the King is among them.
Much of the Christian community has thrown off the idea of holiness as an attainable life style, yet, this is still the call of heaven to those that are the King’s.
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 20:7 (KJV)
And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. Leviticus 20:26 (KJV)
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV)
As you can see, the call to holiness is both in the Old Testament and the New. Our God is holy and His Spirit within us is holy.
If we are born-again Christians we are new creations, our spirit is new, pure and holy, and co-mingled together with the Holy Spirit of God Himself. He superimposed Himself upon our spirit. We are one with Him.
The Victor of the Cross, the King of Glory, is within us and He utters “the shout of a king” to declare the victory over sin is won and that those that are His own are cleansed from all unrighteousness by His blood. Every enemy arrayed against us trembles in terror at the sound of His voice.
Darkness has fled and light has come. The iniquity of the old man [Jacob] is not seen any more and perverseness is not found in the princes [Israel] of God. - Selah
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Man of Integrity
LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? Psalms 15:1 (KJV)
The man of integrity is the man who will find a continual abode in which to rest in the tabernacle of God that is upon His holy hill.
If this is so, then, what kind of man is a man of integrity? The beginning of the answer to this question can be found in Psalm One:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1:1-3 (KJV)
The man of integrity does not need the affirmation of the ungodly because he is affirmed by his covenant with God Almighty in Christ Jesus. He loves the Word of God and holds it as the absolute rule and guide for life. He will be found searching the scripture and thinking about its precepts day and night.
Because of his love for the Word of God, he will be stable in all his ways and will not be uprooted by the storms of life. He will have the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to navigate through seasons of slow business climates as well as those times of great plenty. As a consequence, he will prosper at all times and will not suffer lack.
The man of integrity is one who recognizes that all he has belongs to God and that he is only a steward of the riches of the kingdom of God. As such, he receives great reward for being a good steward of his Master’s goods. He abides in the Master’s house and is fed at His table. There is no lack to the faithful.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (KJV)
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Psalms 34:10 (KJV)
The man of integrity is the man who will find a continual abode in which to rest in the tabernacle of God that is upon His holy hill.
If this is so, then, what kind of man is a man of integrity? The beginning of the answer to this question can be found in Psalm One:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1:1-3 (KJV)
The man of integrity does not need the affirmation of the ungodly because he is affirmed by his covenant with God Almighty in Christ Jesus. He loves the Word of God and holds it as the absolute rule and guide for life. He will be found searching the scripture and thinking about its precepts day and night.
Because of his love for the Word of God, he will be stable in all his ways and will not be uprooted by the storms of life. He will have the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to navigate through seasons of slow business climates as well as those times of great plenty. As a consequence, he will prosper at all times and will not suffer lack.
The man of integrity is one who recognizes that all he has belongs to God and that he is only a steward of the riches of the kingdom of God. As such, he receives great reward for being a good steward of his Master’s goods. He abides in the Master’s house and is fed at His table. There is no lack to the faithful.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (KJV)
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Psalms 34:10 (KJV)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Integrity of the Upright
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Proverbs 11:3 (KJV)
The integrity (tummah), quality of being honest and morally upright and the state of being whole or unified, of the upright (yashar), straight, upright, straightforward, just, fitting, proper and righteous, shall guide them. . .
Integrity, for the Christian, is living in a state of agreement with God concerning His will for that which is spirit, soul and body. In other words, for a Christian to be a person of “integrity” they would need to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (Jam. 1:22 KJV), applying the Word of God to every area of life. All of the Christian’s dealings with others would be honest and straight forward. These principles of character are fitting, proper and righteous.
To be otherwise would leave such a one in a state of deceiving themselves and not knowing what manner of person he actually is (Jam. 1:22, 24 KJV). Sadly, many of the beloved of God are wilfully self-deceived in the quest for immediate personal gratification and, so, drift into thinking and the resultant behaviors that secular society has imprinted upon their lives.
Our verse goes on to say, the perverseness (Plo celeph = crookedness and crooked dealing) of transgressors (bagad = the unfaithful man who acts or deals treacherously, faithlessly and deceitfully), shall destroy (shadad), utterly ruin, them.
Wouldn’t it be prudent to read, study, meditate on, and commit to memory, the Word of God and yield to its wisdom, insight and instruction? Being the Word is profitable (2 Tim. 3:16), would it not make sense to embrace its dictates and reap the benefit of Gods will for our lives?
Is anything more important than finding and fulfilling the plan and purpose of God for every area of one’s life? I think not.
May this year find each of us prospering and in good health, even as . . . (3 John 1:2).
The integrity (tummah), quality of being honest and morally upright and the state of being whole or unified, of the upright (yashar), straight, upright, straightforward, just, fitting, proper and righteous, shall guide them. . .
Integrity, for the Christian, is living in a state of agreement with God concerning His will for that which is spirit, soul and body. In other words, for a Christian to be a person of “integrity” they would need to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (Jam. 1:22 KJV), applying the Word of God to every area of life. All of the Christian’s dealings with others would be honest and straight forward. These principles of character are fitting, proper and righteous.
To be otherwise would leave such a one in a state of deceiving themselves and not knowing what manner of person he actually is (Jam. 1:22, 24 KJV). Sadly, many of the beloved of God are wilfully self-deceived in the quest for immediate personal gratification and, so, drift into thinking and the resultant behaviors that secular society has imprinted upon their lives.
Our verse goes on to say, the perverseness (Plo celeph = crookedness and crooked dealing) of transgressors (bagad = the unfaithful man who acts or deals treacherously, faithlessly and deceitfully), shall destroy (shadad), utterly ruin, them.
Wouldn’t it be prudent to read, study, meditate on, and commit to memory, the Word of God and yield to its wisdom, insight and instruction? Being the Word is profitable (2 Tim. 3:16), would it not make sense to embrace its dictates and reap the benefit of Gods will for our lives?
Is anything more important than finding and fulfilling the plan and purpose of God for every area of one’s life? I think not.
May this year find each of us prospering and in good health, even as . . . (3 John 1:2).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)