Integrity

Life is full of "good" people and "bad" people.  I've known many people who use to sell illegal drugs for a living.  It was a lucrative business.  They had money going in and out of their house everyday.  Nice cars, fancy clothes, pretty girls, I mean they had everything.  We see on tv how all these high profile celebrities in these crazy shows get the big deals, new movie parts, big houses and luxurious lifestyles.  I know sometimes I wonder why does everything seem to be working out for them?  How come I can't seem to "hit the big lick"?  If we had the money we would of course use it for good, to glorify the LORD and further North American and International missions. But when we look do we stop to think what the ends to all these means are in these peoples lives?

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way:  but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.  The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.  Proverbs 11:4-5

I read these verses this morning and thought "they" will always get whats coming to them. We see countless people getting caught up in their own naughtiness (i like how Solomon uses that word).  The drug dealer always winds up in jail if he continues in his way.  It is an old saying that you never retire from the game you only end up in jails institutions or death.  For the drug dealer this is his fate.  Yes the money is fast but the time is not.  And the celebrity (of course not all celebrities are living evil lifestyles) where do we always see them, doing dumb stuff and getting their face plastered all over tv.  Acting a fool then getting made fun of on SNL.  Take Charlie Sheen for example.  Now I do not know what is going on in his situation but I do know most of it is stupid and his sins are on front street.  Or Lindsey Lohan and she is in a like manner.  When we wait we find that sin finds its way.  With the righteous truth is always with him or her.  In righteousness he or she walks therefore he or she is always trusted.  Trust is a hard thing to gain but easy to lose.  How much is trust worth?  When a problem comes along the upright follow the rules. This makes him or her right before God and man.  If someone is to yell or make an offence at the "good" guy or gal then the good guy or gal has his or her integrity that he or she can stand upon.  Like many people say word is bond for him or her.

I charge you today to make your word your bond.  I charge you to see the ends to the means, to remember that what is now will not always be.  Let us walk in righteousness with the integrity of our Father and eternity in front of us than in deceitfulness with pleasure all around.

Dangerous Sin

Women are wonderful creatures.  God has made them as a companion with man, to bear children, and to love us with all affection.  I am very glad they are in this world.  However, as I read I find that though they are very precious beautiful creatures they are also dangerous and cunning beings.  I bring this up because I am reading Proverbs.  The first few chapters are characterized with obeying parents, listening to wisdom, not being lazy or walking with the wicked, and women.  I think we forget these early chapters.  We often go to the verses about alcohol or the path of the LORD or having a vision for the future.  But as I began reading this it reminded me of a time when I felt God was speaking to me through this scripture.  I had first started walking with the LORD and I guess that when I was reading this God was telling me I should break up with little Suzy (not in those particular words of course).  I asked many times to my pastor and others about the verse, none gave me any answers because they new ultimately it was up to me to listen to the Father.

I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh aloes and cinnamon.  Come let us take our fill of love until the morning:  Let us solace ourselves with loves...With her much fair speech she caused him to yeild with the flattering of her lips she forces him.  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;...For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.  Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:16-18;21-22;26-27

 Initially these verses are talking about a women lusting for sex and she is married.  Yet the applications can apply to those who are not married or even pornography.  Lust is a sin that all men struggle with.  It is a key sin that Satan uses to attack us with.  Many men fall victim to it who are weak but also those who are strong for she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Men don't fall because she is married (you would think they would not fall because of that)  but they fall because of her smooth words and their (not sinful in itself) sinful desires.  I write this not so much to say what to do, because I struggle with this, but I write more as a warning of the danger because it will come. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. 


 But about what to do I can say one thing with two examples.  When Joseph was tempted by his master's wife he ran Genesis 39:11-12.  And Paul says to the church in Corinth "Flee fornication." Corinthians 6:18. I know that it hurts to run (Men are strong and can handle anything) but take it from me if the Bible says run then thats what we gotta do.  So I charge you men out there (and women) that if temptation comes run so that victory may come to you with sin through the Word of God.

And finally I say if this has already happened to you then freedom is available from sin through Jesus Christ who forgives all.  He didn't just die on the cross but payed our punishment for sin. This is to say He took on God's wrath for us.  We should put this in God's hands.  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1John 1:9 So I charge you not to let past sin hold you back.  Do not let past sin bring you down, but I say to confess your sin to the Father and live life anew with Him. And live life how God intended it.  In freedom.