Integrity & The Lack Thereof In America

George Washington along with many Christians prized integrity for several centuries in both colonial and republican (our cconstitutional rrepublic) America.  That does not need mean that these men were perfect nor does it mean that America is without blemish, for she has many.  However, when someone took an oath or vow in which integrity was on the line, it was serious because that vow or oath was in the name of The God of the Bible. They were not made rashly, and they were not made on unBiblical grounds. 

However, integrity is an after thought today. Why?

As America has left its Christian base, its moral compass has been abandoned for relativism and situational ethics.  For this reason, integrity means very little to most people, and the results are enormous.  Not only does this affect the court system in cases of perjury, but it affects everyday life, especially marriage.  American citizenry looks for ways out of honesty instead of binding its conscience to that which is honorable.  Ironically, to be honorable today is to be outdated and old-fashioned. 

How shall we then live?

As Christians, we are held to a higher standard no matter the era or culture we live in.  We must not let the wiles of the world, the flesh, and the Devil deter us from that which good, loving, holy, and just.  We are to honor parents, spouses, etc., and we must do this with great fervor in the realm of integrity. 

Therefore, let us walk in Biblical honesty and be circumcised of heart that our praise maycome from God and not merely men from religiosity and a culture that is steeped in dishonesty.

New Year Scripture Reading

With the beginning of the new calendar year, I especially encourage you to read the Scriptures regularly.  Instead of simply reading through the Bible, meditate on the texts that you are reading throughout the day, and apply them to your life.  Don't just read it and forget it. 

Also, take time to memorize scripture, for this is actually one of the best ways to meditate upon God's Word.  If you know it, you will be far more likely to apply it.  Memorize a whole chapter or several verses in context.  Not only does this prevent interpretation out of context, but it helps in gaining the full picture surrounding the punchline of a text.

To Him be the glory!

The Praise of Man: What will people think?

Have you ever heard the question "What will people think?" or something to that effect. Do we strive to receive praise from God or man? We consume ourselves with what other people think about us yet give little thought to what God thinks. This is because we want the approval of man and not God. It is hard to have a backbone in a godless age where false accusations run rampant. The truth is that the Apostle Paul dealt with the same thing, for his 2nd letter to the Corinthians is dealing with just that. There is nothing new under sun.

Our response flows from our heart. We are not to be fake on the hand, yet we are not to act rudely on the other. Blessing those that curse us and who make false accusations about us is quite difficult. Every fiber of our being wants to lash out, yet we must let the strength of the Lord keep us calm. For many years, I always gave a retort when falsely accused, yet now I leave room for the vengeance of God, for He will always enact a better judgment than I could ever conjure up.

As painful as such gossip may be, in time you really find out who is trustworthy and who is not. You begin to notice who has your back and who doesn't. At times, those who become the most trustworthy are those that you may even once had a serious beef with before. I have seen this is on my own life. Biblically, we are not to be doormats but rather confront those with whom we have a difficulty with. When both sides acknowledge their sin, then an incredible reconciliation occurs to the point where both people think highly of each other and become true friends and/or comrades.

Some refuse to admit their sin, and reconciliation becomes bleak, yet we must not harbor bitterness towards such people. That does not mean we have to act as if we have not been wronged, and it does not mean that we are to regard the person with a high level of trust. However, we are to still love the person, which means that we are willing to come to their aid should aid be needed. In doing so, we heap burning coals upon their head (Rom 12). I have been on both ends of that as the Lord's vengeance is given. Verily, it is far better to repent and seek reconciliation if at all possible, for it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the Living God when we live with bitterness and resentment! Amen!

More Than Luck: Consistency In Disciplining Your Children

Disciplining children can get old rather quickly, but it is a critical element of parenting.  Though it may not seem to bear immediate fruit, you will notice changes over time Lord willing.  For example, our oldest one is much quicker to obey than the younger ones, and both of the older ones can usually sit and behave in Church.  Wow, aren't we lucky! No, it's called work!

The Scripture is adamant that we neither provoke our children to wrath nor exercise too much leniency.  It does take time to discern when and how to be gracious, yet it can be done.  For example, when the child is seriously ill, we are quick to be gracious, though not condoning any particular sin.  However, when there is nothing provoking the child, the rod is always quick to its work. 

Will my children be afraid of me if I use the paddle?  No, if you do it right.  It actually builds respect, and children are out playing and hugging again in just a few minutes after a spanking.  It gets to the point quickly, and then the day goes on.  Bottoms were made for sitting and spanking; that's why they're padded.

Therefore, love your children by disciplining them when it is needed, and, remember, delayed obedience is disobedience.

To Him be the glory! Amen!

Gossip: A Deadly Sin

Gossip is a despicable sin that each of us succumbs to. The human heart is deceitfully wicked, and we are constantly attempting to build ourselves up by tearing others down. Even if we are not the ones speaking the gossip, our ears often perk up just to listen to it, and, by attentively listening, we endorse it.

Ironically, the same measure we use to judge others (done quite a bit through gossip) is the same measure others will judge us. In this way, if one gossips about someone to another, that same person is most likely to then gossip about the gossiper. In a vain attempt to build oneself up through demeaning another, one has actually torn oneself down even further as the next man gossips to others about the gossiper!

Prayer gossip is a more subtle form, for, we often make a prayer request about someone not because we care but because we want to tear someone down. "Please pray for such and such; they have a bad marriage, and I heard that Jim's been drinking again." Now if the person asks for prayer and also asks that it be made known to others, then that's legitimate, but we must be careful in handling such sensitive matters.

When confronted with gossip, it is important at once to immediately change the conversation to something more fruitful. If tempted to gossip, then take that thought captive to Christ, and think upon Him and His glory and refuse to gossip.

To Him be the glory! Amen!