Walking With Integrity

Walking with Integrity

“9 People with integrity walk safely,
but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.”
- Proverbs 10:9

Integrity has been simply defined to me as “what you do when no one is looking.” In Merriam’s Dictionary, you will see it defined as adhering to a strict code of moral or artistic values, as to be incorruptible. You can be integrous to different ideas, beliefs, and morals. But the integrity that is portrayed here is an integrity that follows God.

How am I walking a path of integrity with what I know and believe in God? Or at the least how should it look, so that I know when I am not and am susceptible to “slip and fall?” It looks like spending time with God everyday through doing devotions, focusing and using my time wisely for the things that God has called me to grow (whether new skills acquired, old ones tuned, school, growing right relationships, or anything else God puts on my heart). When I listen to God, I am under his protection and from here I know that I can move safely and effectively. But when I start to do my own things, not listening to what I know I should do, breaking focus to try to bring my own sense of fulfillment into my life, and go on to sinning, eventually it is inevitable that I will find myself in trouble and flat on my face.

To walk with integrity is to walk with God, and with that said, the opposite is true as well: to walk without God is to walk a selfish path – one that leads to danger and harm. I must be a person who walks with God, to use the time I have wisely and do and focus on what God asked and asks me to do. There is no way around this truth, because we are either for God or against Him. I choose integrity; I choose to walk with my God.

Father God, please help me to be focused, to walk with integrity in this world that has so many distractions and worries. I know that I lack in many areas and I need your help to make it through this life not by the skin of my teeth, but in victory and success. I want to be close to you, I want to be a man of God that has the maturity to be a good father and a good husband. Please help me to move to the next stepping stones, so that I may be these things, able to provide more than just for myself but for a family, and perhaps even for a congregation. You already know this, but I care ... May your will be done, and may my heart follow it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Let God Penetrate Deep Into Your Heart

"My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body."

- Proverbs 4:21-22

I know that this is King Solomon who wrote these proverbs, but it feels as if God is speaking to me. Telling me to focus on what he has taught me, keeping to it and remembering them to the point that it has taken root in my heart. Because God's words when followed brings about a life that is truly alive - vibrant and dynamic, moving with the power and force of God with inspiring awe and edifying truth. Nothing, no feeling, or adrenaline rush, can compare to a life that lives for Him who created the heavens and the earth. It certainly does not happen in a night, but a life built on such truth and understanding of God's word will bring a life that overflows with God's grace and love not only in their own heart, but to those around such a person too.

I'm not perfect, or anywhere near such a state of being. But I once was close to God...I would pray with friends and see results and hear results that could only have been God. I have not been that close for several years now, and there are multiple reasons for that, but in the end they're all just excuses - part of it anger, and the other is mistrust. But I do remember and want that closeness and relationship back, but it will come with the cost of changes in my life, comforts that I must let go of, and the choice to stand in loving firmness, not bending to others wills.

Father God, I ask that my heart would hold to your words of wisdom and life. More than just the life with breathing, eating, and sleeping (as we all do). But a life with meaning and purpose far beyond that of our families and friends, but a life that has the power to be part of transforming lives and seeing even the miraculous. Thank you for your wisdom, for correcting my mistakes and helping me to see what I need to change. I just need the strength to hold to the changes and allow your spirit to guide me as it did before. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

The smallest things can affect our relationship with God

"That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction."

- Joshua 7:12

The Israelites took and held on to things, objects, and representations that defiled their relationship with God.

These objects and representations took away and hurt the Israelites relationship with God because 1. God said not to take the objects, and 2. It showed for whatever reason they grabbed it, whether for financial or superstitious, meant that in someway or another they did not trust God. When we decide not to trust God, when we do what were not supposed to do, we affect or belief in God (and this translates to our faith in him, consequently affecting what we allow him to do in our lives).

Obedience to God is key, so we must be willing to ask God what is in our lives that he doesn't want there. Whether it's some type of thing, object, or representation. As God said, "I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction." Ask God what is interfering with your relationship with him (is it porn, drugs, a person perhaps, your job, another belief, a type of music, poster, or picture). Don't allow your relationship with God to be hindered or weakened in anyway.

Don't allow yourself to think that we can get away with this little thing, or that it's so small that God won't care, because he does. Look what happened to the Israelites. They went to conquer their enemies but lost. Even the littlest sin is still a sin. However, God is forgiving, just read on the same passage to see what happens next.

So let's be obedient to God. We have nothing of true value to lose and everything that is good to gain. It starts with trust and obedience. Remember, most of God's promises requires our obedience first. Truly live, and let the one and only true God be by your side this life and the next.

"Storm" by Lifehouse

how long have I
been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
water's getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I'd see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright

I know you didn't
bring me out here to drown
so why am I 10 feet under and upside down
barely surviving has become my purpose
cause I'm so used to living underneath the surface

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright

and I will walk on water
you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
I know everything is alright
everything's alright

- Father God, my life is going through a storm, but I know that you have a purpose and plan for me. Please let me see you, a glimpse that you are still there. I know that you are, but loneliness at times takes its toll and I must admit that doubt begins to set in. I cling to your word, your truth, and the promise of life anew, but the pain hits straight at the heart and my eyes lose focus. I become dizzy and begin to feel lifeless. But through it all I will hold on, because of your hope and truth you have long ago set in my broken heart. You are God and I am not. Please have your way with me.

Do not let go of what God gives

" So day after day she nagged him until he couldn't stand it any longer. Finally, Samson told her his secret. 'My hair has never been cut,' he confessed, 'for I was dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else."

- Judges 16:16-17

I do not know why Samson was obsessed with the Philistines o much that he would put up with Delilahs obvious nagging attempts to find out the secret of his strength. I'm sure Samson knew that she couldn't be trusted, since she was trying so hard to unveil the secret that would ultimately destroy him (if he were to give it up).

Delilah asked, and asked, and nagged, and complained so much that he go tired of it and just gave in to her stubborn evil consistency. Now Samson didn't sin in telling her. It was worse, because ultimately the Lord, who gave him his special strength, left him. And this could have all been avoided if he had just left Delilah who was constantly nagging him, 'tempting' him really, to give up something precious...

Not everything we desire is good for us. Samson desired to be with Delilah, but she did not desire him, but only the money she would receive from the Philistines if she would find out and reveal Samson's secret - his weakness. Sadly Samson had to of seen this, but continued to be with her, and probably thought that he was strong enough to handle her constant and persistent barrage of attempts to get, to take, what precious gift God had bestowed on Samson. I'm not sure what Samson was thinking, but he just stayed around until one day he finally gave in to her constant nagging...this led to him being captured, having his eyes gorged out, and then becoming a prisoner to the Philistines.

Reading this I know that I must be wise in how I deal with what precious things and people God places in my life and that I must not be foolish to 'gamble' with them in anyway. If a person tempts me to do otherwise with what is precious, then I must reprimand that person. If they persist and nag for me to give up what God has given me, I need to leave and not allow that person, people, or evil one to wear me down. What God gives us is too important, and letting it go could cost us everything - your future, family, friends, and even our precious gift of salvation.