Tag: integrity

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Choose the High Road

Proverbs 3:29-30 (VOICE) Make no plans that could result in injury to your neighbor; after all, he should be more secure because he lives near you. Avoid fighting with anyone without good reason, especially when no one has hurt you; you have nothing to fight about.

Beloved, refuse to be drawn into petty arguments that are fruitless and divisive. You are My child, and therefore you reflect My character, which is love. So be full of that love, and allow it to overflow.

So choose the high road. There’s no need to defend your pride or your opinion – even your reputation, for all those can be safely trusted to My care. Rather focus on being a person known for your love, known for your grace – for in doing so, you best reflect Me.

Proverbs 3:27-35 (VOICE) Do not withhold what is good from those who deserve it; if it is within your power to give it, do it. Do not send your neighbor away, saying, “Get back with me tomorrow. I can give it to you then,” when what he needs is already in your hand. Make no plans that could result in injury to your neighbor; after all, he should be more secure because he lives near you. Avoid fighting with anyone without good reason, especially when no one has hurt you; you have nothing to fight about. Do not envy someone who profits at the expense of others or copy any of his tyrannical ways, For crooked people are detestable to the Eternal, but those with integrity receive His counsel. His curse lingers over the wicked and their families, but He forever favors residence of those who do what is right. God treats the arrogant as they treat others, mocking the mockers, scorning the scornful, but He pours out His grace on the humble. In the end, the wise will receive honor, but fools will face humiliation.

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Be Unburdened

Proverbs 3:28 (VOICE) Do not send your neighbor away, saying, “Get back with me tomorrow. I can give it to you then,” when what he needs is already in your hand.

Beloved, resist the urge to withhold what is owed simply because you “can.” If it is within your power to do so, be unburdened by obligation that you might owe no man, but simply be a vessel of love.

For owing – even when you have the means to repay, leaves your focus divided. So instead, close the door by completing the transaction and moving wisely on. In doing so, you make room for your undivided attention to be on Me, which is the wisest choice.

Proverbs 3:27-35 (VOICE) Do not withhold what is good from those who deserve it; if it is within your power to give it, do it. Do not send your neighbor away, saying, “Get back with me tomorrow. I can give it to you then,” when what he needs is already in your hand. Make no plans that could result in injury to your neighbor; after all, he should be more secure because he lives near you. Avoid fighting with anyone without good reason, especially when no one has hurt you; you have nothing to fight about. Do not envy someone who profits at the expense of others or copy any of his tyrannical ways, For crooked people are detestable to the Eternal, but those with integrity receive His counsel. His curse lingers over the wicked and their families, but He forever favors residence of those who do what is right. God treats the arrogant as they treat others, mocking the mockers, scorning the scornful, but He pours out His grace on the humble. In the end, the wise will receive honor, but fools will face humiliation.

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Choose Wisely What Your Character Reflects

Matthew 5:44-45 (VOICE) …Pray for those who torment you and persecute you— in so doing, you become children of your Father in heaven…

Beloved, when someone wrongs you, you do not have to return it in kind. Instead of stooping to their negative behavior, respond with a heart that reflects Me. One filled with compassion and mercy. For any ill they’ve done or said against you is a greater reflection of them and their character than it is of yours.

Choose wisely what you want your character to reflect. If you want to reflect Me, respond to those who wrong you with forgiveness (even if they haven’t asked) and love (even if they don’t want it). For in reflecting godly behavior, you bless and honor Me, so let that be enough encouragement and resist the urge to rely on any human response.

Matthew 5:44-48 (VOICE) But I tell you this: love your enemies. Pray for those who torment you and persecute you— in so doing, you become children of your Father in heaven. He, after all, loves each of us—good and evil, kind and cruel. He causes the sun to rise and shine on evil and good alike. He causes the rain to water the fields of the righteous and the fields of the sinner. It is easy to love those who love you—even a tax collector can love those who love him. And it is easy to greet your friends—even outsiders do that! But you are called to something higher: “Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

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Godly Character {Moments with God}

{Praying} Father, help me to choose wisely those I connect myself to. May I choose those who walk in love, righteousness, and humility. May they be people of grace and compassion. And may I reflect that godly character as well.

{Praying and declaring} Help me to resist all wickedness and not be drawn in by greed. Help me resist being so focused on myself and my own interests that I miss the opportunity to love and bless others. Help guard my tongue – keep me from foolish chatter. Let my words speak life and may they reflect the condition of my heart (and may it be beautiful). Help me to accurately reflect You and bring You glory.

Psalm 28:3 (ESV) Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.

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Sincerity and Truth

Psalm 1:1 (VOICE) God’s blessings follow you and await you at every turn…When you avoid sin’s highway, when judgment and sarcasm beckon you, but you refuse.

Beloved, resist the urge to indulge in sarcasm regardless of how seemingly innocuous it may be. For careless words may wound as surely as the fiercest blade, and woe be to the one who uttered them.

Let your yes be yes, and your no be no, and let sincerity and truth ring from your mouth. For the heart and wellbeing of another far outweigh a moment’s thoughtless indulgence – when carefree becomes careless to another’s heart.

Psalm 1:1-3 (VOICE) God’s blessings follow you and await you at every turn: when you don’t follow the advice of those who delight in wicked schemes, When you avoid sin’s highway, when judgment and sarcasm beckon you, but you refuse. For you, the Eternal’s Word is your happiness. It is your focus—from dusk to dawn. You are like a tree, planted by flowing, cool streams of water that never run dry. Your fruit ripens in its time; your leaves never fade or curl in the summer sun . No matter what you do, you prosper.

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Heart After Him {Moments with God}

{my heart whispers} Lord, I want to walk in integrity – to be known as one of Your own. I want for my life to reflect Your ways, Your heart, Your Word. Teach me Your truth. May Your Holy Spirit lead and guide me, and may I be sensitive to Your voice. I want to hear You. I want to know You. I want to make choices that please You. I want to make You proud.

{I can sense Him smiling as He looks at me with love. And though we both know only too well I’ll fall short, He loves me just the same. He loves my desire to please Him even as He knows I won’t always make choices that do so. And yet His love remains steadfast – like a patient father, He believes in me and will always encourage me toward good. May my heart always pursue Him.}

Psalm 119:1 (VOICE) Happy are the people who walk with integrity, who live according to the teachings of the Eternal.

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Opportunities to Grow in Character

Proverbs 3:3 (TPT) Hold on to loyal love and don’t let go, and be faithful to all that you’ve been taught. Let your life be shaped by integrity, with truth written upon your heart.

Beloved, be steadfast in integrity. Be loyal in your love. Be faithful with all you’ve learned, and be one who leads by example. You have been equipped for that which lies ahead. 

Give weight to that which has been learned, for every experience of life gives opportunity to grow in character. Do so wisely. Stay focused on Me. Mirror your behavior to Mine. Be full of grace and rich in mercy, slow to anger and not easily offended, and love deeply and without judgment. Trust Me to move in others’ lives even as I move in yours.  Continue reading “Opportunities to Grow in Character”

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Brave, Constant, and Disciplined

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

Beloved, refuse to allow what your eyes see to sway what your heart believes. Stand fast in the knowledge of who I AM and who I’ve made you. Remind yourself of My faithfulness. Recall to mind the countless times I’ve acted on your behalf. 

Then when troubles come, they will not shake you nor cause you to quake in fear, for you will steadfastly know I AM God, and you have nothing to fear. Be brave, constant, and disciplined, beloved, for I AM the One who sustains you.

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True Fulfillment

Proverbs 25:14 (VOICE) Like clouds and wind that bring no rain, so is one who boasts of gifts promised but never delivered.

Beloved, be known as a person of your word. Resist the urge to indulge in the rush of joy that giving a happy promise brings, and simply do what you are led to do. Do it without fanfare or a desire for praise. Simply do it because it’s what is right and good. 

The heady feel of the praise of men can quickly become an addiction which enslaves you. Resist being drawn in. Instead focus on walking in integrity and following My leadings. For that is where true fulfillment is found.

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Walk with Me in Righteousness

Ecclesiastes 12:14 (GW) God will certainly judge everything that is done. This includes every secret thing, whether it is good or bad.

Beloved, I’m not hovering, waiting for you to mess up so I can smite you. Nor am I eagerly awaiting seeing you stumble or fall. But the fact remains, I see all and I AM righteous. I AM the righteous judge and I don’t grade on a curve. Yet I AM slow to anger and rich in mercy. 

What this means is don’t simply do your best – deciding for yourself what seems right or wrong, but rather know My Word that you might understand what is expected and the measure by which all is judged. Then look to Me to help you walk out My will. 

I AM a good father. I AM patient and kind. Let Me help and let My Spirit teach you. And in the moments you fall short, don’t delay in repenting and realigning with My heart. Put your hand in Mine and walk with Me in righteousness.