The commandment of absolute truthfulness is really only another name for the fullness of discipleship.
From Proverbs 10:9: “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.”
Integrity makes my job easier. It’s deception and dishonesty that requires so much diligent effort.
I’ve never felt like you could develop character without adversity.
American football coach Bobby Bowden (1929-2021) coached the Florida State Seminoles from 1976 to 2009. He is considered to be one of college football’s greatest coaches. Being a Christian, Bowden credited his success in coaching to his faith.
Some people’s thinking
Prosperity’s wealth
Filled with gold’s treasures
Money brings good health
Overflowing grift
Falsehoods flooding minds
Filled with finances
Greed poisons and blinds
Almighty dollars
Ignoring true cost
Riches tumble down
Future fills with frost
Character flounders
Integrity fades
Growing evil breathes
Lifetime’s failing grade
Imagination is the only key to the future. Without it none exists–with it all things are possible.
We were raising our standard of living a the expense of our standard of character.
Ida Tarbell (1857-1944) was an American writer and investigative journalist. She was one of the leading muckrakers during the progressive era during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “God understands our struggle to resist temptation and choose righteousness, and He has sent His Holy Spirit to help us live with integrity.”
Walking blamelessly
Speaking truth from heart
Holding back thy tongue
Integrity starts
Drafting one’s beliefs
Adopting God’s Word
Standing by His oath
Integrity heard
Living in God’s light
Honoring Him here
Accepting His grace
Integrity steers
Submitting to God
Following His lead
Choosing righteousness
Integrity feeds
Carrying thy cross
Standing on God’s rock
Forsaking evil
Integrity walks
From Psalm 15:1-5: “O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.”
The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anybody has, is his personal dignity.
A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.
From Mark 8:34-35: “He called the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.'”
Speaking the truth, God places high value
Encouraging righteous and honest ways
Teaching us to guard our integrity
Honoring our Father, each word He says
Accepting our Lord’s lasting gift of Grace
Seeing the Messiah, a blood-stained Cross
Taking a knee, He breathes new life in us
Cleansing souls, we are taken across
Denying ourselves with unselfishness
Taking up our own cross, following Him
Committing ourselves to Jesus, the Christ
Standing against temptation, life not dim
Acknowledging our mistaken moments
Confessing unrighteousness to the Lord
Repenting for unholy thoughts, words, and deeds
Turning away, sin no longer ignored
Believing the truth of our Father’s Word
Abiding with our Lord’s Holy commands
Walking between the lines, never blurry
Following Christ’s faithful steps, in the sands
Filling our lives with righteous character
Dwelling with the Father, avoiding strife
Knowing life will bring daily challenges
Guarding our integrity, in new life
From Psalm 15:1-4: “O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt.”
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Maintaining your integrity in a world of sham is no small accomplishment.
From Proverbs 10:9: “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.”
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Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost; all is lost.
From Titus 2:7-8: “Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.”
Big Sky Buckeye 