Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
I didn't have a blog post planned until I read a message on Facebook this evening. The messenger, Ms. D.B., stated, among other things, that GOD is angry. Her message struck me strongly because our Lord had shared similar information with me. Prior to going to Facebook to read, our Lord led me to read two chapters from the Holy Bible and then to pray.
GOD has been dealing with the matter of integrity and credibility. He shared that He's weary of the lack of integrity, especially relative to those who claim to be His followers. Our Lord emphasized that it's a major issue with Him. After I read the Bible and prayed, the Spirit led me to look up the word integrity.
I asked our Lord whether I'm wrong for not respecting people who don't keep their words, especially those who profess Christ as Savior. He assured me that I'm not wrong; He expressed that He doesn't respect them either. Of course, He loves and forgives. It's mandatory that Bible doers love and forgive, as well. Certainly, we all need forgiveness when we falter. But increasingly, I'm less inclined to engage with people who lack integrity, and those who give lip service but their actions don't support what's expressed.
Indeed, we're all works in progress but we need to change and focus more on what pleases our Lord and less on what pleases our flesh. We have unique challenges and struggles but we cannot afford to keep making excuses rather than positive changes. Our Lord is longsuffering but His longsuffering does have expiration dates. Daily in my prayer times, I ask our Lord to help me to change. He doesn't desire that we resign ourselves to holding on to sin. We must steadfastly aim to keep our flesh under subjection. Making vain excuses does not result in victories in the Spirit.
We can examine ourselves and ask, "Are we steadfastly giving our Lord what He expects of us?" Do we need to grow up and stop milk diets? Has our Lord told us to be meat eaters and we resist?
Hebrews 5:12 states, "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." Do we want master degree results with kindergarten conduct?
This morning I watched Bishop T.D. Jakes. His message was "Betrayal always leaves clues." That spoke volumes!
Tonight, the Spirit had these passages to leap off the pages to me:
Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Proverbs 11:6
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
Proverbs 11:18
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:25
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered himself.
Also, our Lord gave me Proverbs 19:22, "...and a poor man is better than a liar."
Prayer:
Lord please forgive us for our lack of steadfastness and for making vain excuses. We need to be righteous and credible and people of honor. When we're above reproach, we glorify You. Help us to submit to You, Lord so that we can resist the devil. Yokes are destroyed because of Your anointing. The Holy Bible says in Psalm 66:18, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" We need to be righteous to successfully impact and to be about Your full gospel business and the advancement of Your kingdom. We need to obey how You lead us to change for Your good pleasure. We must decrease and allow You to increase within us - John 3:30.
Thank You, Lord - Amen
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CHANGE AND INTEGRITY
ReplyDeleteSister, now that was just Powerful and so true. I have been talking about Integrity and Character for a minute. In the body and out of the body. WE MUST line UP with the Word of God and not bring SHAME to the Body of Christ.
DeleteThank you for sharing such a powerful Word of Wisdom and being obedient. Also, thank you for my birthday card, once again. It was truly a pleasant surprise. I pray you are well. I will call you when I can breathe and have time to hear what the spirit is saying W/O interruption. I have been busy on the road with ministry.
Know that you are loved even if you don't hear from me.
D. Benton
Greetings -
ReplyDeleteI received the comment below from Rick, via e-mail. He granted his permission for me to post it here. Thank you, Rick.
From Rick:
10:48 PM (36 minutes ago)
Great Word!! I agree whole heartily' I have always been uncomfortable with those that do not do what they say. God puts his Word above His name. If we are dead to self and Christ is living in and through us we should have the same fruit. I have always told others..don't give your word unless you intend to back it up. To me it becomes like the one that kept yelling fire fire..with no fire. Then when there was a real fire, no one believed him. I also do not enjoy being around others that practice not doing what they say. Of course we are not to put our trust in men, but if they are of God, then they will keep their word.
I just published my book "The Fruit of the Spirit". Trying to fix a few glitches but interesting timing.
Thanks for the words..
Blessings
Rick
My family and I love being by the ocean. I love watching those surfers knowing it takes a tremendous amount of strength to go against the waves at first before they spot the big one that will take them back to shore. It reminds me of our spiritual walk with the Lord. Integrity is a must that we have to be able to go against the flow of this world. And as we endure or persevere, His Big Wave will take us safely back to shore (Home). Not our glory but His! I had trouble leaving under comments sister so I tried clicking on "Reply". God bless and thank you for sharing His Word!
DeleteGreetings -
ReplyDeleteThank you all for commenting. Certainly, I value what you express. It's indeed beneficial when we help one another as our Lord leads.
We're all students and teachers - that's for sure.
We've got to say what we mean and mean what we say. Your post reminds me of Romans 8 which I read yesterday and realized how vital it is to walk in the spirit not the flesh.
ReplyDelete