Integrity

I have been attending an educational technology conference this week.  Yesterday I went to a session on Virtual Integrity.  The speaker was pretty good as he talked about honesty, morality, and being authentic with your online presence.  However, I was thinking – why?  If I am not a Christian, why would I want to do that?  What is integrity based on if it is not based on the absolute truth of God’s Word.

With that in mind, I decided to look at what Biblical integrity looks like.

I think integrity comes from obedience to God’s Word.  If I am obedient to the principles of the Word, then I will be honest, truthful, and reliable.  I will keep my word even when it isn’t convenient.  I will do my best even when no one is looking.  I will be honest even when it hurts.

Psalm 15

“Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?

2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;

3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;

4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;

5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.”

Integrity is the application of character.  It is the demonstration of who we are in Christ and that our faith is real because it is backed up with our attitudes, actions, and words.  The absence of integrity is an indication that our faith may not be genuine.  It is essential that as we grow in our relationship with the Lord that we allow Him to transform us.  (Romans 12)

We are called to live lives of integrity.  We are to be true to our word.  We are to guard our tongues.  We are to be truthful and honest.  We are to represent Christ – after all He is living in us! 

So, are you a person of integrity? If we claim to follow Christ, then it is imperative that our lives reflect Him.  Are you living out what you say you believe?

Zechariah 8:16-17

“These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.”

As Christians, we are held to a higher standard than others.  A standard of truth, love, honesty, and excellence.  We are to place character above ambition.  We are to focus on glorifying God and not ourselves.  We are to do the right thing all the time without fear.  We are put into practice everything we learned from the Word.  We are to be willing to do this without first considering our own comfort, convenience, or challenges. 

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

We become a Christian by faith.  Our maturity in our faith is somewhat determined by the choices that we make.  Do we choose to spend time in the Word?  Do we choose to get involved in a local body of believers?  Do we choose to live our lives consistent to what we have been taught? 

When we make bad choices there is grace and forgiveness but there are also consequences. God doesn’t spare us from the consequences of our sin.  Beware of anyone who tells you to just do it now and confess it later.  That is not what God desires for us.  (Romans 6)

Look out for people who try to convince you to put aside your integrity and character.  They may have really appealing arguments.  They may put pressure on you.  They may rationalize their actions.  They may say - Oh, just this one time won’t hurt anything.  Just say no and walk away.

Do not worry when others come up against you when you stand for the truth.  Keep standing firm and do the right thing.

1 Corinthians 15:58

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Without regret or apologies, live your life in way to please the Lord. 

Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

How do we do that? Know who you are in Christ.  Remember what He did for you on the cross.  Know that he gives you everything you need.  Trust Him to take care of you.

Be willing to model Christ’s character.  God wants authentic Christians.  Non-Christians look at our lives and it may be our silent testimony that either draws them to the Savior or causes them to reject Him.

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Proverbs 10:9  “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

Proverbs 20:7  “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.”

1 Chronicles 29:17   “I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent.”

James 1:22  “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Where does God want me to be …

I have been recently wondering (as I sometimes do), if I am where God wants me to be.  Opportunities to minister in my current school are limited.  I struggle seeing that I am having any impact here at all. 

As I prayed through these thoughts this week, I was reminded how I got this position.  To make a long story short – I sent out dozens of resumes prior to our move to PA.  I got one interview.  It was for a position that didn’t currently exist and I got the job.  God completely provided this position. 

I needed reminded of these facts.  I needed reminded that God provided.  I needed reminded that I am where He called me to be. 

God reminded me of something I wrote a while back – Don’t leave the front line of the battle I’ve placed you in just because you want to fight somewhere else.

When we know we are where God wants us to be, then simply be satisfied serving Him there.  Don’t look at other people’s ministries and wish you were there.  Don’t be jealous that God isn’t using you the way he is using someone else.  When you make your life a living sacrifice then you are willing to be used anywhere, in any way, at any time.

We don’t see the battle the way God does.  We don’t see the impact we have on those we come in contact with.  God sees the beginning and the end.  God sees the hearts of people.  We may never reap the harvest from all the seeds we’ve sown, but God knows. 

If God has placed you in a specific place to minster then it is because he believes you are the correct person for that particular time and place.  God doesn’t make mistakes.  Just trust Him and serve Him.

And so I continue to do my best to live the way Christ would want me to live - to live out my faith through my actions at work (I’m not allowed to talk about it).  After all, James tell us that faith without works is dead. 

I do what I can to encourage others.  I got an email from one lady that simply started with, “I know you pray and wanted to know if you would pray for me”  and then she went on to tell me what she needed prayer for.  I had another instance where I was asked to help sponsor a student prayer group.  The person who asked me said she knew I was interested in that stuff.  What you do and how you live your life matters.  It speaks louder than words sometimes. 

And so I continue to keep my eyes focused on Jesus and the battle before me.  Should He want me to fight somewhere else, He’ll let me know and if He does I need to be ready to move on.  Until then, I will bloom where I am planted.  I will be satisfied.  I will rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. 

I needed to be reminded.  I needed this pep talk.  What about you ….  Will you be salt and light?  Will you fight with all your heart the battle that the Lord has placed you in?

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Thoughts for worship leaders

I had some feedback from a few people on my last post about worship.  This post addresses some of their ideas and concerns about the leading of worship.

I firmly believe that you cannot be an effective worship leader if your heart isn’t right with the Lord.  However, does it take more than a committed heart?

1 Chronicles 15:22 tells us that David chose Kenaniah to be in charge of the singing “because he was skillful at it.”

Psalm 33:3 tells us that musicians are to “play skillfully”.

Where does the skill come from?

God gives us each our own unique set of gifts and abilities.  Is that enough?

1 Chronicles 25:7 talks about musicians who ministered in the tabernacle were trained in singing to the Lord.

We must be diligent in developing our skills. It is our responsibility to develop our God given talents so they can be used to worship Him.  We should practice and know our music – that means everyone – choir, instrumentalists, soloists, etc.

Now with that in mind, remember that God isn’t listening to the sound of our music or the quality of our performance.  He’s listening to our hearts.  What impresses God is a broken and contrite spirit.  (Psalm 51:17)  Never take pride in your polished performance.  Rather be humbled that God has gifted you and allowed you to privilege of leading worship. 

So which is it?  Skillful performer or broken heart.

I think effective worship leaders are both.

The more comfortable you are with the music, the more you can focus on God.  You can’t focus on God if you don’t know your music and you are struggling with the notes and the words. 

Also, you can’t lead people into worship if they are confused with which words to sing or what verse are they are on.  The leaders need to give clarity to the worship and minimize distractions. 

Worship leaders need to possess a calm and joyful countenance.  Your face needs to communicate peace and hope.  If you are well rehearsed, know your music, and know the order of worship, you can relax while you lead and your face will radiate your worship. 

Good leaders help draw attention to what and who is important.  They help people focus.

Leading worship requires a sincere heart that is fully committed to God but it also also requires skill and preparation.   Remembering the goal is not the perfect performance.  The goal is causing people to see Jesus and come to him in humble adoration and praise. 

It’s really all about Jesus.

Ideas on worship

We’ve been making some changes in our worship service at church.  Yes – we touched a sacred cow.  How dare we do things differently.  Some people aren’t happy. 

Our goal in worship should be to connect the people with God Almighty.  Worship is a verb and it needs an object.  Only something worthy of being worshipped should be that object.  Don’t worship “the church”.  Don’t worship the “service”.  Don’t worship the “worship”.  Worship the King of kings and the Lord of Lords.

Worshipping God is the reason for which we were created.

I was reading in Isaiah 6 this morning.  It gives a great example of worship.  Isaiah was mourning the death of his friend, King Uzziah.  Then he had a vision and in that vision he found himself in the middle of a heavenly worship service. 

He says, “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne”. 

He goes on to describe the seraphim and he says that they call out
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Their voices were loud and shook the whole place and then the temple filled with smoke – symbolizing the presence of God.  I can’t imagine what that would have been like.  I think I would have fainted. 

Go back to what Isaiah said.  He said, “ I saw the Lord.”  He was seeing the worship service but not really participating in the worship service.  Do we have people like that in our church?  They attend the service but they watch others worship.  They don’t actually participate in it themselves. 

How do we move people into worship?  We don’t.  How did Isaiah get moved into worship.  God showed up.  Isaiah moved into worship when he saw God. 

Look at verses 5 – 8.

““Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.  With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

When God showed up, the first thing that happened was Isaiah recognized his sin.  When we come into the presence of a holy God, our sin is more than we can bear.  God doesn’t point out our sin to condemn us but he shows it to us so we can be forgiven. 

Look at what happens to Isaiah next.  He goes from a sideline spectator of worship into a participant of worship.  In the matter of a moment, he was suddenly ready to do whatever God wanted him to do.  (and he was enthusiastic about it)  That's the amazing change that God can make in a person’s life when they see Him for who He is.  They repent and then worship.

This can happen in our worship services but we need to pray for it.  Pray that people see God.  Don’t pray that the music goes well.  Don’t pray that there aren’t any mistakes.  Pray that people come into contact with God.  The God that loved them so much He sent His Son to die for them. 

2 Chronicles 16 tells us that God is searching the earth not to support those who can sing the best or shout the loudest.  Rather, he seeks for people whose hearts are fully committed to him.  As worshippers, that must be our foremost goal.

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* A final note – I am not making excuses for lousy worship leaders.  We should practice and do our best.  There are plenty of references in the New Testament that talk about whatever we do, to do it as unto the Lord.  We are to bring our finest offerings unto God.  I’m merely saying that our hearts are the most important element in our worship.  So, yes – you can pray that God will help you do your best as a worship leader but more importantly ask Him to take your best and use it for His glory.  If our heart isn’t right, nothing else matters.

Mustard Seed

 

“Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”  Matthew 13:31-32

Mustard seeds are tiny.  A mustard seed is so small that if you dropped it on the ground, you would probably have a hard time finding it.  Yet it grows into a plant so large that birds can perch on its branches.

What does that have to do with the kingdom of God?

When Jesus started his ministry, he had no followers.  It was just him.  Think how lonely that would have been.  Then he saw two fisherman, Peter and Andrew, and he called out to them, “Come and follow me,”  They immediately followed Jesus.  One by one, Jesus called more disciples until there were twelve of them.  That is a pretty small beginning.  Jesus sent out the twelve and they brought others to Jesus and the kingdom grew.  From a small beginning, the kingdom has grown until it has spread throughout the entire world.

As I think about this parable, I am reminded of the fact that planting mustard seeds in a garden was actually forbidden in Jewish Palestine.  Having spent 25 years of my life in the Atlanta area, I relate well to the analogy that mustard was the “kudzu” of the ancient world. It would grow and spread and take over anything in its path.  So, by planting mustard seed, the farmer would eventually be left with a garden that was overrun by the weed and it would eventually take over the entire garden plot.  Nothing could kill it.  This is similar to the Christian faith – despite persecution it grew on. 

The small beginning of the kingdom was not what the Jews were expecting.  They were looking for a Messiah that would lead the Jewish nation to a military victory over the Romans.  They were hoping to become a powerful independent nation.  That wasn’t what God had planned. 

God’s intent is for the kingdom of heaven was to start small and then to permeate the entire world.  And, like the mustard plant that grows and spreads from one seed, so does the kingdom of God. 

So take the seed and spread it everywhere you go.

They made me think …

I met with some girls at a prayer meeting this week and they read:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”  Matthew 13:45-46

I really had to think about this parable before I really came up with what I thought it meant.

At first I thought the merchant was the people. That we were seeking the pearl (Christ) and that we would give all we had for Him.  While this made sense to me at first, I soon realized that we don’t have anything to give.  Romans 3:23 says we’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  There’s nothing we can do on our own to get to God.  (For it’s by grace you have been saved through faith.  Ephesians 2:8)

What makes more sense to me is that the merchant represents Christ.  He is seeking the pearl.  The pearl represents the church.  Eventually he gave His life (all he had) to purchase that pearl.  (1 Corinthians 6:20 “for you were bought with a price.”) 

The one pearl represents the idea that the universal church is the family of all believers.  (no denominations, no groups)   (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)  He didn’t look for a pearl necklace with multiple different pearls on it.  We are one body in Christ.

Now on to think about the second question.  How is the kingdom of God like a mustard seed….

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

Goals

A friend recently asked my why I haven’t posted my New Year’s resolutions.  I’m not a big fan of waiting until January 1 to make changes in my life.  I try to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and if I need to change something in my life, I do it then. 

With that said, I do think that it is a good idea to take some time and review where you are in life and where you want to be and then make some goals that will lead you on that path.  You know the old saying, “If you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” 

And so, I did set forth some goals for the coming year.  Here you go ….

1. Make prayer a priority.  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalm 145:18; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2)

2. Believe God for the impossible.  (See #1)  (Ephesians 3:20)

3. Pray for my marriage and try to love and appreciate my husband in real tangible ways.   (See #1)  

4. Pray that I will be a living sacrifice …. totally surrendered to the Lord.  (See #1)  (Romans 12:1)

5. Listen more for the Holy Spirit’s voice and then obey.  (See #1)  (John 16:13)

6. Be bolder in sharing my faith with others.   (Not without #1)  (Acts 4:12)

7. Whole heartedly seek God.  (See #1)   (Matt. 22:37)

8. Laugh loud and often.   (Proverbs 17:22; Psalm 126:2)

9. Protect my personal time and be sure to have quiet time every day.  (See #1)  (James 4:8; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 46:10)

10. Memorize a Bible verse a week.   (Psalm 119:9 –11; Joshua 1:8)

Some of these are going to be easier than others.  Many relate back to #1.  I am committed to working hard towards these goals but know that my accountability for accomplishing these lies with God.  God sees my heart and knows what I deepest desire. 

I didn’t make any goals about blogging.  I have not blogged as much recently.  This is partially due to busyness but also to the fact that I haven’t felt the freedom to share over the internet some of what God has been teaching me.  And so going into this next year, I don’t have a blogging goal but I will share as I feel led from the Lord to do so.

What are your goals?  How did you come up with them?