KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Saturday, June 17, 2017
Chapters: Proverbs 25-26
Message: Holding On To Integrity
Hello My Friend,
Integrity; Moral soundness or Purity; genuine, unadulterated, unimpaired state. Moral; Relating to the practice, manners or conduct of mankind as social beings in relation to each other with reference to divine law, such as being good, virtuous, and just in the eyes of God. Integrity is the moral character of a person, it is living in a way that respects the body, especially our own, as how we present our body often reflects upon others perception of us. In this day and age it is hard to find people with integrity, the world paints the picture that it is beautiful to defile our bodies with words and deeds that are, in fact, immoral, but it is quite deceptive and only leads to a life of regret instead of purpose. “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” – Titus 1:15-16.
I watched a couple of young girls, who were quite cute, taking selfies, you could tell that they like to be in front of the camera. You know, we may not realize it, but we are in front of a camera every day, people watching, observing, some encouraged, influenced, or even disgusted by what we are doing. As Christians, it is important that we take pride in how we conduct ourselves, not that we become self centered, conceded, and arrogant, but that we become a reflection of Christ in us. We want to live in a way that gives glory to God, not ourselves.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.” – Proverbs 25:2-5,27.
“so for men to search their own glory is not glory.” Glory; Honor; praise; fame; renown; celebrity. If we are saved, born again Christians then we represent Jesus Christ, everything we do ought to give glory to Him in us. While we are all precious to God, and yes, He wants us to have an amazing and prosperous life here, and He wants us to be the best that we can be, but He also wants the honor and praise for getting us there. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – I Peter 5:6-7.
I was passed up the opportunity to become a lead for my team because my boss prefers me to be at the job that I have been assigned to for the past six months, but this past week got me thinking otherwise. How often are we qualified to do something because we do become the best at what we do, but are held back only due to the fact they do not want to lose us? Fool; A wicked or depraved person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral character. In this world it is much too common for glory to be given to fools, those who are unworthy and unfit to even be in the positions they are in, but somehow are preferred over the qualified.
“As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.” – Proverbs 26:1-6.
“so honour is not seemly for a fool.” The fool has no shame, it will sell its soul for the right price. The fool is compared to the untamed horse that needs a whip for correction and the unruly ass that needs a restraint for guidance. The fool will often get corrected for their actions, and yet remain unruly, often becoming a snare rather than an asset to those who put their trust in them, but those who put their faith in Christ will have their reward. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” – Hebrews 10:35-36.
Have you heard the way some people talk when they try to justify their reason for doing the horrible things they do? They sound down right foolish. I had a client that was so irritate with me that she resorted to screaming and spreading lies about me, she did not want a solution to the problem, she wanted to make me look bad because she felt bad. What it all came down to was that she lost her son and used that loss as a way to manipulate people into doing things for her, and nothing I said was going to make her happy so all I could do was be nice and walk away. This happened several years ago, but it still affects me, and my heart is no longer in the work. Lies hurt, not the ones who tell them, but the ones who they tell them about, which is why we are to choose our words wisely, and not listen to everything that has been said about someone ourselves.
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” – Proverbs 26:22-28.
“it will return upon him.” We have all been fools about something, but you learn, you move on, and you grow, but the real fool never learns and keeps doing the same thing over and over again. Never let a fool have rule over you, and never let them knock you down, if they do, never let them keep you down, get back up, you are better than that, you have a lot going for yourself, you belong to Jesus, and He knows the truth about you, He will take care of you, but you cannot let fools define who you are. They are the fools, and it does no good to talk to a fool who does not want to listen, it only makes things worse and you become just as foolish. We just need to hand it over to God and He will show us what to do. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” – I Corinthians 3:13-15.
Jesus Christ Magnified: Today, Jesus is revealed as the one who reward the fool and transgressor (Pro 26:10). Jesus shed His blood and died to save all, but He only saves those who believe in and receive Him. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” – Romans 10:9.
Today’s Prayer: God, You do not keep us in the world to be a part of it, but to be a reflection of Your Son as we learn and grow into His likeness. With the world full of deception we are challenged every day to hold on to our integrity, but You are our strength and guide to remain honorable and just. Lord, lead us and guide us, give us Your power, strength, mercy, and grace to be present in the world and not become a part of them. Help us to be cordial and friendly to all, even our enemies, while sometimes we must stand up and fight other times we must humble ourselves as You did and not say anything to them. Walk with us, protect us, and keep us faithful so all our prayers are heard. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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