"Many jokes are made about the devil, but the devil is no joke. He is called a deceiver. In order to accomplish his purpose, the devil BLINDS people to their need for CHRIST. Two forces are at work in our world - the forces of Christ and the forces of the devil - and you are asked to choose."
- Billy Graham
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you."
Matthew 6:33 Holman CSB
Let's face the facts: your life is a series of choices. From the instant you wake up in the morning until the moment you nod off to sleep at night, you make countless decisions - decisions about the things you do, decisions about the words you speak, and decisions about the way that you choose to direct your thoughts. As a believer who has been transformed by the love of Jesus, you have every reason to make wise choices. But sometimes, when the daily grind threatens to grind you up and spit you out, you may make choices that are displeasing to God. When you do, you'll pay a price because you'll forfeit the happiness and the peace that might otherwise have been yours.
Consider the kind of Christian you are - and the kind of Christian you want to become - and ask yourself whether you're sitting on the fence or standing in the light. The choice is yours ... and so are the consequences.
Showing posts with label integrity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label integrity. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
God's Clock
"His sovereign rule lasts and lasts, his kingdom never declines and falls. Life on this earth doesn't add up to much, but God's heavenly army keeps everything going. No one can interrupt his work, no one can call his rule into question ... Everything he does is right, and he does it the right way. He knows how to turn a proud person into a humble man or woman." Daniel 4: 35,37 (MSG)
In my devotion this morning I was reading the account of King Nebuchadnezzar and how he became prideful and deceited in all his ways when that he should have been giving glory to God for all that had prospered him to the position that he was in. I often wonder if we get ahead of God and decide that we got to where we are by being deligent "in works" and forget that we even breath because of the mercy of an Almighty God.
God turned Neb from a person of influence with a great following and an established reign to a grass eating, long haired, fingernail fungus infested, animal minded nothing.
The bible says that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov. 16:18) Neb got pridefull and it caused him to be brought down for seven years eating and living among the beast of the field, literally.
I was visited by someone this week, sent from the Lord, and the reason the Lord sent them was to remind me that He is the "King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." (Daniel 4: 37 KJV) I don't want to lose the anointing that God has put on me because of some prideful attitude that has slipped in because of some scheme of the devil. I want to be fully aware of the strength that is within me and that strength is the power of the Holy Ghost! No man will shut me down!
Sometimes we need a wake up call! God is setting the clock!
In my devotion this morning I was reading the account of King Nebuchadnezzar and how he became prideful and deceited in all his ways when that he should have been giving glory to God for all that had prospered him to the position that he was in. I often wonder if we get ahead of God and decide that we got to where we are by being deligent "in works" and forget that we even breath because of the mercy of an Almighty God.
God turned Neb from a person of influence with a great following and an established reign to a grass eating, long haired, fingernail fungus infested, animal minded nothing.
The bible says that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov. 16:18) Neb got pridefull and it caused him to be brought down for seven years eating and living among the beast of the field, literally.
I was visited by someone this week, sent from the Lord, and the reason the Lord sent them was to remind me that He is the "King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." (Daniel 4: 37 KJV) I don't want to lose the anointing that God has put on me because of some prideful attitude that has slipped in because of some scheme of the devil. I want to be fully aware of the strength that is within me and that strength is the power of the Holy Ghost! No man will shut me down!
Sometimes we need a wake up call! God is setting the clock!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Men of Integrity, part 2
As noted in the previous post, I was privileged to attend a men's retreat this past weekend in Dickson, Tn. I wanted to share with you some of the highlights of the event.
We were blessed to receive one of the finest steak meals that you could possibly have. The cooking ministry of Empowered Ministries went beyond the normal links to satisfy the appetites of a bunch of hungry men. After the meal we gathered in the chapel for some worship that was lead by a group of men that are from the "Celebrate Recovery" ministry. These men lead us in worship at the beginning of each session. It's good to know that God is still in the "recovery" business. I think AA, and the like, is good, but let Jesus and the Holy Spirit loose in their lives and He makes worship leaders out of them. God is awesome!
Friday nights session gave us Chaplain J.B. Smith, from the The Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. He preached to us about having the "right stuff"! About having "Personal Integrity". God used this man of God to convict a room full of men about having what it takes to have the right relationship with God, your spouse, and others. He spoke about having the right principles, soundness of moral character, honesty being the best policy, and shared with us this message: Integrity depends on our relationship with God. We must be identified with Christ!
Saturday morning came early, 6am breakfast! The next session was worth getting up early! Pastor Jamie Allen from the Oak Grove Church in Charlotte, Tn. ministered to us in the 2nd session of the event, and man was he used by the Holy Spirit to break a bunch of men! He spoke about being a "Husband and Father of Integrity". Jamie's message was full of scripture and conviction. He shared with us his own personal testamony about an event that happened in his life and through the love and prayers of some friends in his local congregation, God saw him through. His message was: Don't play with fire! At the end of this session there was men kneeling at the altar and at their seats and all around the room in prayer and repentance.
The finale of the event came from Bishop E.C. McKinley, TN Presbyter, COGOP. Bro. McKinley presented a top knotch message with media clips from "We were soldiers" that spoke to us about "Leadership Integrity". Integrity is WHO you are. Character is HOW you live. Character is also how you live out your integrity. Maturity is learning WHAT is important in life. Integrity tells us that preparation is important in everything that we do. Integrity tells us that we must lead by example. We must take integrity personal. (And this is just the highlights).
Through these three men of God, I have realized that in my own life, I must make every effort to have this most important quality: Integrity. "God, give every man the integrity that he needs to win the lost, to sustain his family, and to reach the goal."
We were blessed to receive one of the finest steak meals that you could possibly have. The cooking ministry of Empowered Ministries went beyond the normal links to satisfy the appetites of a bunch of hungry men. After the meal we gathered in the chapel for some worship that was lead by a group of men that are from the "Celebrate Recovery" ministry. These men lead us in worship at the beginning of each session. It's good to know that God is still in the "recovery" business. I think AA, and the like, is good, but let Jesus and the Holy Spirit loose in their lives and He makes worship leaders out of them. God is awesome!
Friday nights session gave us Chaplain J.B. Smith, from the The Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. He preached to us about having the "right stuff"! About having "Personal Integrity". God used this man of God to convict a room full of men about having what it takes to have the right relationship with God, your spouse, and others. He spoke about having the right principles, soundness of moral character, honesty being the best policy, and shared with us this message: Integrity depends on our relationship with God. We must be identified with Christ!
Saturday morning came early, 6am breakfast! The next session was worth getting up early! Pastor Jamie Allen from the Oak Grove Church in Charlotte, Tn. ministered to us in the 2nd session of the event, and man was he used by the Holy Spirit to break a bunch of men! He spoke about being a "Husband and Father of Integrity". Jamie's message was full of scripture and conviction. He shared with us his own personal testamony about an event that happened in his life and through the love and prayers of some friends in his local congregation, God saw him through. His message was: Don't play with fire! At the end of this session there was men kneeling at the altar and at their seats and all around the room in prayer and repentance.
The finale of the event came from Bishop E.C. McKinley, TN Presbyter, COGOP. Bro. McKinley presented a top knotch message with media clips from "We were soldiers" that spoke to us about "Leadership Integrity". Integrity is WHO you are. Character is HOW you live. Character is also how you live out your integrity. Maturity is learning WHAT is important in life. Integrity tells us that preparation is important in everything that we do. Integrity tells us that we must lead by example. We must take integrity personal. (And this is just the highlights).
Through these three men of God, I have realized that in my own life, I must make every effort to have this most important quality: Integrity. "God, give every man the integrity that he needs to win the lost, to sustain his family, and to reach the goal."
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Men of Integrity
Just a short comment for now on this past weekends COGOP men's retreat:
J.B. - You started the ball rolling with ministering what God had put on you for OUR CONVICTION!
Jamie Allen - YOU TOTALLY ALLOWED GOD TO USE YOU TO POUR INTO A ROOM FULL OF MEN THAT NEEDED TO HEAR THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR OWN LIVES BY TELLING YOUR STORY! Through your message the Holy Spirit totally broke me!
Bishop McKinley - Top knotch! Fantastic message on integrity in leadership. CHALLENGING PRESENTATION! SEPARATED THE MEN (OF GOD) FROM THE BOYS!
To Be Continued...
J.B. - You started the ball rolling with ministering what God had put on you for OUR CONVICTION!
Jamie Allen - YOU TOTALLY ALLOWED GOD TO USE YOU TO POUR INTO A ROOM FULL OF MEN THAT NEEDED TO HEAR THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR OWN LIVES BY TELLING YOUR STORY! Through your message the Holy Spirit totally broke me!
Bishop McKinley - Top knotch! Fantastic message on integrity in leadership. CHALLENGING PRESENTATION! SEPARATED THE MEN (OF GOD) FROM THE BOYS!
To Be Continued...
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