In neighborhood after neighborhood across America, the rows of rooftops conceal people whose lives in one way or another have experienced the impact of family disunity or divorce. Perhaps they grew up in a fractured home themselves. Perhaps they’ve watched a grown brother or sister’s marriage fail, ending in awkward custody battles. We all live in close proximity to the divisive effects of marital problems, whether happening under others’ rooftops or under our own. But under many of those same rooftops today, husbands and wives who have lived for years at emotional distance are reaching back to find the love that first knit them together. Words of accusation and disapproval are being silenced by a true desire to serve and uplift each other. Some of the same hands that once were so quick to point out mistakes are now being clasped together in prayer as they rush into the presence of God. We can know that a Christ Awakening is being ushered in upon us when we see a decrease in divorces and renewed commitment to marriage between a man and a woman in covenant relationship as God intends. In centuries past, young men and women found strength to stand up for what they believed, even in the face of pressure and persecution. Joseph stood strong against an Egyptian temptress, because giving in “would be a great sin against God.” (Gen. 39:9) Daniel refused to compromise his convictions in the face of an antagonistic Babylonian culture. Peter and John chose to obey God rather than men: those doing so invited persecution. Others throughout history have done the same, becoming modern-day parallels of those who “shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire…became strong in battle…were mocked…chained…killed.” (Hebrews 11:33-34, 36-37) Marriage in the twenty-first century could well be our battleground, our “lion’s den,” as we are challenged to live out a conviction of marriage as a God-given covenant as the world watches to observe our faithfulness. Our task will be to present the Christian faith to our families, to our young people, and to the world in ways that demonstrate that believing is an intelligent exercise of knowing what is both objectively true and relationally meaningful. Having convictions, then, can be defined as being so thoroughly convinced that Christ and His Word are both objectively and relationally meaningful that you act of your beliefs regardless of the consequences—but how will holding to such convictions be possible in a “wicked and adulterous generation?” (Matthew 16:4) How can our marriages remain secure in their covenant commitment? First, we must remain secure in our identity as His Beloved. Because Jesus Christ entered our world to redeem us and make us God’s children, we are connected and bonded to God’s family. The means God used to reconnect with you is the means by which He defines your identity. Because of the Incarnation, you, your children, students, youth group members, or church members are now in God’s family. You can realize your true identity as son or daughter of your Father God, who relationally accepts you unconditionally, loves you sacrificially, understands you intimately and relates to you continuously. Excerpt from Beyond Belief to Conviction by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler; Wheaton, Il., Tindale House Publishers, 2002. Used by permission. Praying for a Christ-Awakening, Marriage CoMission, pp. 33.

Share 0 Much of the Word applies specifically to the battles we face. However, the Bible consists of sixty-six books. My point? The Bible has much to say about fighting the good fight of faith and becoming well-trained soldiers . . . but it also has far more to say about the pure pursuit of God, His righteousness, and His plan for us. I believe a wise conclusion to draw from the emphases in the Word of God is: give much time and thought to becoming well-equipped victors in the battle that rages, but give more time to the pursuit of the heart of God and all things concerning Him. Much about warfare. More about God Himself. I think sometimes God must listen to our pitifully small acclamations and expectations of Him in prayer and want to say, “Are you talking to Me? I’m not recognizing Myself in this conversation. Are you sure you have the right God?” According to the prophet, “There is no one like You. You are great: Your name is great in power. Who should not fear You, King of the nations? It is what You deserve. For among all the wise people of the nations and among all their kingdoms, there is no one like You” (Jer. 10:6-7). Believe it or not, the ultimate goal God has for us is not power but personal intimacy with Him. Yes, He wants to bring us healing, but more than anything, He wants us to know our Healer. The prophet, Jeremiah, said, “I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord. They will be My people, and I will be their God because they will return to Me with all their heart” (Jer. 24:7). Prayers to Offer Today: Thanksgiving: Thank You, Jesus that You’ve given us “authority to overcome all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). Jesus, we rejoice in our victories over evil and that our “names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). Dear God, we are grateful that “the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4). Confession: We have not completely overcome the enemy. Lord, forgive us for allowing the enemy to maintain strongholds in our lives. We do not always walk in truth. Cleanse us, God, for submitting ourselves to deception and wickedness rather than Your miraculous power. Our churches often do not pursue God’s heart. Jesus, we repent of not making You the focus. Petition: Lord, may we see sinners repent and witness dramatic conversions, according to Your Word: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32) Dear God, as we seek victory over evil, might we sing with the psalmist: “I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame” (Ps. 44:6-7). Jesus, as we pursue victories over evil might we discipline ourselves: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded” (James 4:7-8). Praying for A Christ-Awakening: Relationship Press, p. 65-66. http://www.marriagecomission.com

Reaching a pain-filled world with the relevant message of the gospel requires the compassionate heart of the Savior. Jesus’ ministry in the Gospels is an example to every believer. While others around Him responded to situations out of fear, judgment, or legalism, Jesus was moved with compassion and acted out of love. The Pharisees saw the disciples picking grain on the Sabbath and condemned them for breaking the law, but Jesus was moved with compassion because His men were hungry. Christ’s exhortation to the Pharisees seems applicable to the twenty-first century church: “If you had know what this means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent’ (Matthew 12:7 NASB) Like Jesus, a Great Commandment church is as concerned about the pain and aloneness people suffer as it is about thier sin and fallenness. Unbelievers who enter our doors as seekers, who occupy the office or work bench next to ours, or who live near enough to borrow eggs and sugar often live pain-filled lives. Multitudes of the men, women, teens and children we enounter during the week are victims of one or more of the “plagues” of twentieth-century culture: broken homes, physical violence, sexual abuse, addictions in the home. Yes, these people must eventually deal with their own sin issues in order to receive God’s forgiveness and experience new birth. But will they be drawn to the Savior more effectively by our condemnation of their sin or our compassion for their pain? Christ’s example compels us to share the Good News with these people through the doorway of compassion for them.

On my evening commute the other day, I was amused by a motorcyclist who passed, wearing a club vest bearing the name “Loners”. Hmm! A club for loners? The club is evidently big enough and wide-spread enough that there is even a Tucson chapter. Maybe there is only one member per chapter? A whole raft of equally plausible organizations ran through my mind like “The International Fellowship of Introverts” and “The Hermit Consortium”. Or how about “The American Association for the Promotion of Apathy” or “The Procrastinator’s Action Committee”? Despite my amusement at a social club for loners, it reminds me that even the most independent of us still crave relationship. It is a basic need and a motivating force (for better or worse) in much of what we do. Because we are created for fellowship, with God and others, we are completed through relationships in ways that possessions, accomplishments, and experiences never will. The need is so strong that I will tolerate selfish abuse, duplicity, or even apathy. When I have had enough I may withdraw to prevent others from taking advantage of my need for relationship. (Probably why there is a club for loners in the first place!) Witness the prevalence of “support groups” in our society. We know that we can survive almost anything as long as we can be in relationship with others who understand our losses or weaknesses. We will risk vulnerability in order to belong. Many are willing to endure humiliating, and sometimes painful rituals to be “initiated” into an organization such as a fraternity, sorority, or other social group. The need for relationship keeps a battered wife tethered to her abusive husband because she believes he is the only person on earth who would want a relationship with her. The desire for relationship is not a learned response; we come wired that way from the womb. It is part of who we are as humans. God said, on the sixth day of creation, “It is not good for man to be alone.” The rest of the Bible shows us how this need drives us into all sorts of sinful behavior, trying to fill that relational void left when we fell from grace. Need for relationship may even underlie the “love of money.” I rationalize, “If I have enough money, people will like me.” But as the prodigal son learned, their attention is as fickle as mine. Because relationship is such a critical need, it is also often a source of pain and grief. My sinful nature makes it virtually impossible for me to satisfy that need in someone else’s life in a way that does not often disappoint or damage. I am so focused on my own need, that it is only by the grace of God that I can ever give something of lasting value to someone else. But something in me makes me want to try, even at great risk. The Triune God says, in Genesis 2, “Let us create man in our own image.” The desire for relationship is one aspect of that image that we reflect. It is also one attribute that was deeply damaged and distorted by the fall into sin. Rather than being dominated by the desire to give in relationship, we have been deceived into thinking happiness comes from what we receive from our relationships. A while back I was thinking about eternity, and what it might be like. I became excited at the thought of living in perfect relationships – relationships uncontaminated by duplicity, fear, disinterest, or exploitation. Imagine what it might be like to live and work with others in transparent relationships that only strengthen and energize each other, and draw us into closer relationship with God – no secrets, no hidden agendas, no mistrust… no pain! I am grateful that I have experienced glimpses of such relationship in this temporal part of eternity. I have been ministered to by some wonderfully grace-filled believers that reflected just enough of God’s love and kindness that I got a taste of what heaven might be like. I pray that I too, may be that to some others, and that where I lack, God will more than adequately make up.

Share 0 The Bible has a great deal to say about hope. In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter writes “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Peter assumes that inquiries will come, not because unbelievers are curious about why we’re Christians, but because they sense a quality about our lifestyle. The question is, “What is the reason for your optimism? How can you be so certain about life?” We answer with a positive declaration of why we trust Christ. Be hopeful. This is how faith and hope relate. We have hope because of our faith in Christ who always keeps His Word. When I submit myself to Christ’s control and lordship, I place my confidence in His ability to manage the affairs of my life. And that brings hope! I now have an assured expectation that Jesus will fulfill His plan for me. The deeper my relationship with Jesus, the greater my hope. As I come to know Him better, I get a clearer view of His qualities and qualifications. Remember, having hope depends upon the qualities of the person I trust. There are five misconceptions that keep us from truly knowing God in an intimate way. The first is that Christianity is a system of beliefs, another religion with no intimate connection with Jesus. The truth is, He is my Lord, my Shepherd. Because of His God-nature, His loving sacrifice for me, I follow Him. Secondly, many people believe that Christianity is a subjective faith. They do not understand how powerful and holy God is, and that right standing with God is based upon their own feelings and perceptions. The truth is, nothing can change our standing with God when we know Christ. He is the One who gave us righteousness, the approval of God the Father. I come to God through Jesus, and I never have to doubt God’s love for me again. Third, many non-Christians believe that Christianity is a “blind faith.” Just like Alice in Wonderland claimed, “I try to believe several impossible things every day.” Our faith is not a stab in the dark. God’s universal truths never change. Jesus Himself is the logos, the embodiment of all of God’s nature and ways. Therefore, I can trust His will and can freely obey Him. Fourth, those who challenge Christianity say that the Christian faith has no historical basis. In my book, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, I relate the innumerable ways Christ and His work is validated through history. So I can trust His wisdom and perceive all of life through Him. Finally, many critics say that Christianity is a set of convoluted ideas that do not make sense and cannot be proven. The facts and truths of history, science and personal experience substantiate the validity of the Christian faith. Jesus is my ultimate resource. In reality, my intimate walk with God and the indwelling Holy Spirit also testify of His reality. My response to all these misconceptions is that complete surrender to Jesus allows me to live a satisfying, abundant life with an absolute assurance of an eternal home with Christ. No fear. Just faith. Hope in Him. The world will want to know this Jesus whom you love! Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict Growth Guide, pp. 12-15.

Can you protect your child? As parents we often want what’s best for our children – I love what Psychologist Jonathon Haidt suggest about hardships and how they shape us ~ he gives this hypothetical exercise: Imagine that you have a child, and for five minutes you’re given a script of what will be that child’s life. You get an eraser. You can edit it. You can take out whatever you want. You read that your child will have a learning disability in grade school. Reading, which comes easily for some kids, will be laborious for yours. In high school, your kid will make a great circle of friends; then one of them will die of cancer. After high school this child will actually get into the college they wanted to attend. While there, there will be a car crash, and your child will lose a leg and go through a difficult depression. A few years later, your child will get a great job—then lose that job in an economic downturn. Your child will get married, but then go through the grief of separation. You get this script for your child’s life and have five minutes to edit it. What would you erase? Wouldn’t you want to take out all the stuff that would cause them pain? If you could wave a wand, if you could erase every failure, setback, suffering, and pain—are you sure it would be a good idea? Would it cause your child to grow up to be a better, stronger, more generous person? Is it possible that in some way people actually need adversity, setbacks, maybe even something like trauma to reach the fullest level of development & growth? *Condensed from Leadership Journal, © 2009 Christianity Today International. (article author: John Ortberg) So, may you and I be reminded of God’s proximity in the midst of our moments of calamity. May you open yourself to what those moments can produce within you, how they can sweeten you and how it can increase your trust in him! 1 Peter 3:7; James 1:2-4 ~Jack (I’ll leave you with this thought)… “Christianity does not so much offer solutions to the problems of suffering, but rather provides the promise of a God who is completely present with us in suffering. Only Christians believe in a God who says, “Here I am alongside you. I have experienced the same suffering you have. I know what it is like.” No other religion even begins to offer that assurance.” ~Timothy Keller, author & pastor

Sometimes we don’t realize how “far down” Jesus had to go to save sinful man. I guess it’s because we really can’t get a handle on the holiness of God. A story I read really gave me a picture of what Jesus sacrificed to come from heaven’s glory to “earth’s dungeon” and be born a tiny, helpless infant. On June 5, 1978, a seven-year old boy named Martin Turgeon slipped off a wharf and fell into the Prairie River in Canada. At least a dozen adults saw him struggle for a few moments before he sank & drowned. Why didn’t anyone dive in to save him? Just upstream, a plant used to dump raw sewage right into the river. The water was dirty—dangerous to your health. So, nobody jumped in to save Martin Turgeon. SomeONE did jump in for YOU! God thought you were worth jumping in after…that’s what the Nativity proves…unwrap the wonder of that again. John 3:16 / Ephesians 2 Frederick Buechner said “Those who believe in God can never in a way be sure of Him again. Once they have seen him in a stable, they can never be sure where he will appear or to what lengths he will go or to what ludicrous depths of self-humiliation he will descend in his wild pursuit of man… And, this means that we are not safe, that there is no place where we can hide from God, no place where we are safe from his power to break into and recreate the human heart because it is where he seems most helpless that he is most strong and just where we least expect Him that he comes most fully.” The Nativity – is the profound picture of God – the ONE that notices & responds. As you see a Nativity this CHRISTmas season – PAUSE… Take a moment to thank God for being willing to ‘jump in’ for you. Take a moment to pray & ask Him to show up unexpectedly again into your life. Take a moment to make sure you’re not missing His already unannounced entrances… What did Jesus jump in & save you from? What might he be wanting to save you from now?… ~ Jack

I am sure we have all been asked, or pondered the question on our own, “What would you do differently, if you knew you only had 6 months to live?” A truly contented person might respond, “Nothing, I’m already doing what I would do under those circumstances.” But then there are the rest of us. How I respond to that question probably reveals the internal conflict that rages inside me between selfishness and selflessness. Even my most “spiritual” responses would probably be tinged with a little selfishness – doing good things to bulk-up my heavenly savings account, or wanting to be remembered positively. “What would you do differently if you knew you were going to live forever?” It’s like the senior who quips, “If I had known I was going to live this long, I would’ve taken better care of myself!” Living life for the long run might, at first glance, appears to be inconsistent with burning brightly to win the sprint. But, in a thoroughly integrated world-view, the answer to both questions might be the same. The writer of Hebrews says: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebr. 12:1-2) Nowhere in this passage does it state whether the race is a sprint or a marathon. In fact, I know not if the race before me is a sprint or a marathon. Nevertheless, I need to run it in the same way, with the same world view. The passage tells me what kind of world-view I need to finish strong. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… Jesus must be at the center of my world-view. Only then am I going to run the race successfully. He is the finish line, and by keeping my focus upon Him, I will stay on course and not be distracted from the task at hand. Only then will I be able to …throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles… I often forget that there is an adversary that would love to see me fail, and so rob God of the glory He intends to reveal in me. The enemy will throw enticements into my path to distract my attention, or obstacles to trip me up, or obstructions to discourage me. If he can get me to dwell on my meager strength, he will convince me that I am not able to finish, nor even worthy to compete. But if my focus is on Christ, I will continue to move towards Him, no matter the enticements offered. I will hurdle over obstacles in my path. If I stumble, I will be able to pick myself up and continue in the right direction. And if I find my way blocked, I will wait upon Him to reveal the way around, over, under, or through the obstruction, because I will know that I am running in the right direction. If I am focused on Christ, I will also know that it is by His strength that I run, not my own. I will not limit myself to what I have accomplished in the past, but I will look forward with confident expectation (hope) for the miracles He will perform in my behalf as I run in obedience to His call. Have you ever seen an Olympic runner race with his previous medals around his neck. Often, my past achievements can be my biggest “hindrance.” I can also learn something from the way Jesus ran His race. …who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. What stops most from completing a footrace is the discomfort involved in running. When my sides ache from the build-up of metabolic waste products in my muscles, my legs feel like rubber, and it seems I cannot suck in enough air to keep going, it is easy to give up and drop out of the race. What many runners have learned, is that they can push beyond that “wall” and get their “second wind.” The difference comes in having a good reason to push past the pain and discomfort, to …run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Jesus knew to what He had to look forward, so He was able to push past the pain of Galilee, Gethsemane and Golgotha to take hold of the glory that was His. In the same way, if my eyes are fixed upon Him, I will know enough about my reward that I will be motivated to push past the pain and finish strong. And, as if that isn’t enough by itself, I also have a cloud of witnesses cheering me on in this race. Some of those witnesses are identified in the preceding chapter of Hebrews (what the “therefore” is there for!). They have run the race, and know that I can too. The Apostle Paul tells us that our goal is worth the hard work of sanctification. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1Cor. 9:24-27) He stresses the importance of focus, discipline and single-mindedness. Every four years we are reminded of the hard work that precedes the stellar performances in the Olympic games. We hear and read stories of years spent in physical and psychological training – all for a medal. How much greater is the reward towards which we strive, and how much more permanent. Even the best Olympic performances are eventually outdone, and that medal may buy me temporary notoriety, but it will not sustain me for the rest of my life, much less for eternity. If my world-view is centered on Christ, is intentional and educates my entire being, I will have the will to do the hard work of sanctification. I will have confidence in the reward. And I will be encouraged by the great cloud of witnesses as I run this race.

The speakers in the mall are playing sleigh-bell songs, Santa is in his grotto with a long line of children waiting to stroke his whiskers and the media is full of adverts for the latest ’must-have’ toys. Grocery trolleys are piled high with calories, and the glossy magazines are enticing you to throw away last year’s decorations and go with a whole new theme. And maybe, if you hunt for it, you will find a tiny manger filled with hay huddled in a dark corner, covered with dust. It may even be empty. 2000 years later there is still no room for Jesus amongst the crowds of people who have forgotten why they celebrate. As Christians we think we understand something of the true meaning of Christmas. But what would you say was the real meaning of Christmas? Peace, love, good news for all people, God with us, God saving us, equality, humility, giving generously, hospitality, acceptance, courage, caring for the homeless…? The Advent story has many facets. If we want to make Christmas spiritually significant for our children, we need to understand the spiritual significance it has for us. Discover the aspects of Christmas you are most passionate about, and then find ways to share your passion with your children. The story of Jesus’ birth has been carefully constructed with us and our children in mind. The Bible could simply say that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but the story takes on added dimensions when there are political upheavals; a young, homeless, pregnant mother gives birth in a stable; angels sing to shepherds and stars guide wise men across distant deserts. This has been choreographed by God himself. The action unfolds with Bethlehem center stage in the Universe, and a story is created to be retold and re-enacted. It is carefully balanced. Poor shepherds visit the baby as well as rich men. There are plots and subplots and an evil villain of a king. Danger lurks around dark corners, but the Light of the World cannot be extinguished, tiny and vulnerable though He is. The story has been told to inspire a sense of wonder and mystery. It captures our imagination and it is especially appealing to children. Take some time out to immerse yourselves in the story. Read it from different books. Ask each other, ‘which part of the story do you like the best? Which part is the most important to you? Where do you see yourself in the story?’ And then ask yourself which aspect you most want to celebrate with your children and family this year? And why this aspect now? Maybe your family needs to experience peace after a time of confusion and pain, or a sense of God being with you (Immanuel) during a time of uncertainty. The best antidote to all the commercialism is to keep the real story alive in your own mind. Keep telling it to your children in different ways. Bring it to life. Talk about what you are going to give other people, rather than what you want to get. Keep plans and decorations simple, and focus on the needs of your children and the people around you who are struggling. Find ways to share what you have and involve your children in the projects. Help them to see, feel, smell, hear and taste what the real story is all about. Maybe you can camp in a stable for one night, play choral music that sounds like angels, and share a sense of wonder about God’s amazing love that would give his only son to be born as a fragile human being, just for you. In the margins there are some ideas to help you bring Christmas alive and make it more meaningful for you and your children. Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire your season; to help you put Jesus at the very center of everything you do; and to give you God’s perspective on all your plans. Then your children will have a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance of this amazing event, and you will help them to live in a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Believing the best is a challenge. It is so easy to focus on what’s wrong with someone rather than on what’s right about them. It’s the natural human response. But when we do this, we risk discouraging others and damaging relationships. Even when it is necessary to point out a mistake, appreciation for the effort is needed in generous proportions to the necessary correction. Ten parts affirmation to one part correction is about right, the experts say. if you can’t think of then good things to say, then just affirm what you can and forget the correction this time. We all become skilled through practice, and with each repetition, there’s opportunity for improvement. In the meantime, even a small dose of gratitude and affirmation keeps people motivated to good works. Even more importantly, it helps them feel good about who they are and the contribution they are making to the family enterprise. The secret is simple. Celebrate the kinds of behaviors you want to see more often. Appreciation is never wasted. You may even share in the rewards! From Jumpstart Connections, Karen Holford and Ron Flowers, p. 15.

Sine cera was a term in ancient Israel that guaranteed a clay pot was “without wax.” Wax was used by salesmen to cover imperfections that occurred during the firing. The retailer was passing off a defective product by deceiving the buyer. When we pretend to live a life “without wax,” we are demonstrating “insincerity.” Integrity means completeness, no duality in what you say and what you do. The opposite of integrity then is hypocrisy. It’s been said that integrity is not only the way one thinks but the way one acts. Integrity is not wearing a cross around your neck, then coming to church, acting like a Christian, and then going home and being a mean (verbally cutting, hateful) or abusive husband, a disrespectful wife, or an uninterested parent. That’s duality, that’s hypocrisy, but not integrity. Integrity means that you don’t hold or profess you’re a Christian, but in your job you do a bad product, you’re rebellious against your boss, you gossip, you act unethically, and you lie…that’s hypocrisy. Integrity is what you are, reputation is what people think you are. You cannot be truly successful in life when you are disrespected by the living here because you lack integrity. Integrity was so important to Jesus that He made sure He paid the temple tax and Peter’s portion as well even though He didn’t have to (Matt. 17:24-27). Integrity was so important to Paul that he made sure he had two other people with him when he was collecting money from the churches for the poor Christians back in Jerusalem. He wanted to make sure that no one could discredit him so it says he ‘took precaution’ (2 Cor. 8:16-20). Paul protected his integrity because it is that important. Samuel stood before the people he led for decades, and now at the end of his life, he asked that if he had taken anything from anybody, or cheated anybody, oppressed anybody, or taken a bribe from anybody, for them to let him know and he would make it right. It says that no one stood to say anything. In other words, no one had an ought against him because honesty, and integrity had permeated every area of his life. He held himself accountable to the people he led, and opened himself up to the scrutiny of everyone with whom he had ever had dealings, and no one had anything against him. Wow, that’s a life of integrity! We need leaders in the church like that today. If you don’t have integrity it will affect you and your ability to lead and minister. If you don’t have integrity it will affect those closest to you. It is awfully difficult for a woman to respect a man who will profess to be a Christian on Sunday, but live abusively the other 6 days. It is hard for a child to live in a home where there is duality. If you don’t have integrity you’re also going to affect what you can do for God. God cannot truly use a man or woman who lacks integrity (see also Samson). What do you do ? You get your life straight. You reconcile if you need to with those you hurt do to your duality. You look at yourself in the mirror, and don’t leave unchanged. You start crossing your T’s and dotting your I’s. You start ‘taking precaution’ so no one can discredit you. You’ll never be perfect but you work on never letting your life have holes poked in it due to a lack of integrity. Always remember that having lived a life of integrity is one of the greatest statements that can be made about you at the end of your life. It’s also one of greatest evangelistic tools you have in your arsenal because people will be open to receiving the Gospel from a man or woman who lives a true life of integrity. “A good name is to be desired more than great wealth.” Proverbs 22:1 I hope this has challenged and helped you in your walk with Christ.

In my own admittedly limited experience, I’ve found that one of the most important aspects in my walk with God is keeping my mind grounded in the truth of Christ. When I neglect to spend time with Him or begin to place my energy and focus elsewhere, I slowly begin to believe things about God, myself, and others that are not true. For whatever reason, I very easily forget the reality of God’s grace, where I stand in light of that grace, and the calling on my life to love those around me. Perhaps this is partly due to the fact that God’s grace and its implications are completely counterintuitive truths – seemingly too good to be true, especially as I continue to struggle with sin. Nevertheless, the truth of His love endures, shining through our imperfections and shortcomings. In order to grow, we must be relentless in our fight against the father of all lies (Jn 8:44), while continually desiring a deeper knowledge of our Savior. In the media-saturated, self-centered culture that many of us find ourselves in, we are literally bombarded by lies throughout the course our daily lives. A few years ago, I had the privilege of going to a one-year Bible school in scenic Estes Park, Colorado. One of the Bible professors was an advocate of an activity he called “Spot the Lie.” He would play a song or show us an advertisement and ask us to identify what false presupposition (i.e. assumed truth) lay beneath the given piece of media. It’s amazing what happens when you step back and examine what we are being spoon-fed as a culture. Listen to a radio commercial break next time you are in your car and see how many lies you can glean from the string of ads that play between the music. You need to buy our pre-packaged meal system in order to lose enough weight to be acceptably thin. You need to buy these car stereo speakers to get noticed. If you care about her, you’ll buy your engagement ring from us… In addition to being aware the lies of culture and media, we as Christians must consistently be on guard against the schemes of the devil. Jesus asserts in John 10 that “the thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Having been saved by grace and secured in Christ, Satan and the forces of darkness aim to steal away the rest and joy that is found in Christ’s salvation. I find that I must constantly step back and ask myself if the thoughts that I harbor are true to the reality of God’s Word, while resting in the truth of Jesus words which immediately followed those quoted above: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Let’s continue to seek after the fullness of life in Christ while taking captive the lies that will most certainly be thrown at us. Let’s rest in the liberating truth of what He has already done! For further reading on Satan, demons, and the battle of the mind, check out The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis