|
We should always carry ourselves with respect, integrity and honor. There
are so many people in this world who don't appreciate these values and
instead of leading a pure and honorable life, they do whatever they deem
necessary to get ahead in life. Whether that means lying, cheating or
stealing, it doesn't matter as long as they get what they want. What they
fail to realize is that they are cutting themselves short in the long
run. The shortcuts they are taking to get ahead will not lead them to the
promised land, but it will shorten their life's path and lead them towards
destruction. Many people don't realize the slippery slope of sin while
they are in it. They can't see the dangers, the pitfalls and the setbacks
that will ultimately steal from them the blessed future that God had for them.
It is a sad shame that a life that was full of potential was robbed of its
promises because shortcuts were taken. Let's not let that happen to us.
Let us lead our life in a manner that is pleasing to both man and God.
Let us do the things that are right even when no one else is looking. Let
us leave a legacy that will live on long after we are gone. Let us lead
our life so that it is a shining beacon of hope showing that goodness,
integrity, honesty and love not only exists, but abounds. Forsaking the
temptations that this world continually brings before us will ultimately
bring blessing and honor to our life. To see what a dishonest life brings
to humanity, one need only to watch what is happening around the world.
It is evident that a sinful life brings destruction, but an honorable life
brings blessings beyond measure.
Be encouraged to lead a good and honorable life no matter how tempted you
are to take a shortcut. Taking the long road builds our character and
blesses our future. The Lord promises to perfect that which concerns us.
He will make a way for us when we walk with integrity. The Lord promised
never to leave the righteous. He will protect us, guide us, encourage and
inspire us. The Bible says that no good thing will He withhold from those
who walk uprightly. We can walk in confidence knowing that our life will
be blessed in the end. We don't need to deal dishonestly with others, we
don't need to lie, cheat or steal to get ahead in life. When we walk
uprightly, the Lord will give us all things. The Bible says I have not
seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread. Be encouraged
again to always do the right thing. Your life will be blessed beyond
measure and your name will be remembered long after you are gone.
(Psalm 138:8) (Psalm 84:11) (Psalm 37:25)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to see that a life
lived with integrity will be honored and blessed beyond what we can even
think or imagine.
SEARCH FOR AN HONEST MAN
I love this story which reportedly came from Sports Illustrated:
The game was played in Wellington, Florida. In it, a seven-year-old first
baseman, Tanner Munsey, fielded a ground ball and tried to tag a runner
going from first to second base.
The umpire, Laura Benson, called the runner out, but young Tanner
immediately ran to her side and said, “Ma'am, I didn't tag the runner.”
Umpire Benson reversed herself, sent the runner to second base, and
Tanner's coach gave him the game ball for his honesty.
Two weeks later, Laura Benson was again the umpire and Tanner was playing
shortstop when a similar play occurred. This time Benson ruled that Tanner
had missed the tag on a runner going to third base, and she called the
runner safe. Tanner looked at Benson and without saying a word, tossed the
ball to the catcher and returned to his position.
Benson sensed something was wrong. “Did you tag the runner?” She asked Tanner.
His reply: “Yes.”
Benson then called the runner out. The opposing coaches protested until
she explained what had happened two weeks earlier. “If a kid is that
honest,” she said, “I have to give it to him.”
It may be that no Christian characteristic has suffered more in our
society than honesty. It's lacking in the workplace, it's lacking in many
of our marriages, it's lacking in our government, and sometimes it's even
lacking in our churches. Like Diogenes of ancient Greece, we sometimes
feel the urge to take our lantern and begin our search for an honest man.
There is something about Christians that should stand out like a neon sign
on a dark night. Jesus wants his people to be known as a people of truth.
We should establish a reputation, like Tanner, for speaking the truth even
when it would benefit us to do otherwise. Then, and only then, will those
around us trust what we say without hesitation, without wondering whether
we really mean what we say or not.
“Therefore, putting away lying, each one speak truth with his neighbor,
for we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25)
May God help you to be that person of truth that Diogenes was looking for
(and God still is, too).
By Alan Smith
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 37:23-27 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am
old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging
bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart
from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.”
Psalm 37:7-9 “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not
thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who
bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret
not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but
those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.”
Psalm 34:11-16 “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the
fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days,
that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from
speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto
their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off
the remembrance of them from the earth.”
Psalm 37:16-20 “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the
riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the
LORD upholdeth the righteous. The LORD knoweth the days of the upright:
and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the
evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the
wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of
lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.”
1 Peter 3:8-11 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye
are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will
love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his
lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him
seek peace, and ensue it.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: YOU STILL HAVE HOPE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem62.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: TESTIMONY OF GOD'S LOVE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony150.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
