Doing What's Right

It was a dream come true. Robert Gonzales had practiced hard and worked long hours to become the racquetball champion. Finally, the day came when he made it to the pro circuit and had an opportunity to play for the championship.  

At match point, he made a powerful shot into the front wall. The referee and linesman said it was good, and he was declared the winner. However, he stunned the crowd. He shook his head back and forth while talking to the referee and said, “That shot hit the floor first, and therefore I am not the winner.”  

Sitting quietly after the match, a reporter asked, “Why? Why did you admit that the ball hit the floor first?” 

“Because it was the only thing I could do to maintain my integrity,” came the answer. “I can win another match, but I could never regain my integrity.” 

Few things in life are as fragile as our integrity. It is our code of conduct, the very standard by which we live our lives and maintain our reputation.  

However, there is more. Our reputation is who others think we are. But our character is who God knows us to be. Others may never realize that we have compromised our integrity. But God knows. And, ultimately, finally, He is our judge and the one who keeps our record. 

 Prayer:  Father, may we maintain our integrity by remaining close to You by reading Your Word and spending time in prayer. Help us guard our integrity for Your sake. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today: Psalm 119:121  Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right. 

Doing What's Right

It was a dream come true. Robert Gonzales had practiced hard and worked long hours to become the racquetball champion. Finally, the day came when he made it to the pro circuit and had an opportunity to play for the championship.  

At match point, he made a powerful shot into the front wall. The referee and linesman said it was good, and he was declared the winner. However, he stunned the crowd. He shook his head back and forth while talking to the referee and said, “That shot hit the floor first, and therefore I am not the winner.”  

Sitting quietly after the match, a reporter asked, “Why? Why did you admit that the ball hit the floor first?” 

“Because it was the only thing I could do to maintain my integrity,” came the answer. “I can win another match, but I could never regain my integrity.” 

Few things in life are as fragile as our integrity. It is our code of conduct, the very standard by which we live our lives and maintain our reputation.  

However, there is more. Our reputation is who others think we are. But our character is who God knows us to be. Others may never realize that we have compromised our integrity. But God knows. And, ultimately, finally, He is our judge and the one who keeps our record. 

 Prayer:  Father, may we maintain our integrity by remaining close to You by reading Your Word and spending time in prayer. Help us guard our integrity for Your sake. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today: Psalm 119:121  Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right. 

Why Live A Life Of Integrity?

“Why” is a question that most of us try to avoid. It usually makes us focus on what we are doing, demands careful thinking, choice responses, and clear reasoning. It makes us refine our thoughts to give us the assurance that what we are doing or thinking is right.

Solomon makes a profound statement when he says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

It is normal to want to feel “secure” as we go about life. “Secure” implies that we are able to face life as it comes, knowing that God is present in our lives and will provide whatever we need. Being “secure” eliminates fear and the anxiety that accompany it. And, if we want that feeling of security that only comes from God, Solomon says that we must “walk in integrity” or “live without compromise or corruption.”

For some, that sounds impossible. We think about our past attempts to honor God in all things. We want to be an example to others as Jesus was: a witness of God’s grace, a helper to those in need, a friend to the lonely, and an encourager to the sick and suffering. But we allow things to get in our way and we “fall short” of who God wants us to be and who we, in fact, want to be. And, therein lies the secret: it’s all about what we desire.

If our innermost desire is to bring all of our life into harmony with God’s Word, His will, and His ways, and if we consciously submit our lives to Him and live for Him, He will give us His security. We have nothing to fear if our deepest desire is to know Him and make Him known.

Prayer: Father, the world makes many promises it cannot keep. But we have Your Word that never fails. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

Why Live A Life Of Integrity?

“Why” is a question that most of us try to avoid. It usually makes us focus on what we are doing, demands careful thinking, choice responses, and clear reasoning. It makes us refine our thoughts to give us the assurance that what we are doing or thinking is right.

Solomon makes a profound statement when he says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

It is normal to want to feel “secure” as we go about life. “Secure” implies that we are able to face life as it comes, knowing that God is present in our lives and will provide whatever we need. Being “secure” eliminates fear and the anxiety that accompany it. And, if we want that feeling of security that only comes from God, Solomon says that we must “walk in integrity” or “live without compromise or corruption.”

For some, that sounds impossible. We think about our past attempts to honor God in all things. We want to be an example to others as Jesus was: a witness of God’s grace, a helper to those in need, a friend to the lonely, and an encourager to the sick and suffering. But we allow things to get in our way and we “fall short” of who God wants us to be and who we, in fact, want to be. And, therein lies the secret: it’s all about what we desire.

If our innermost desire is to bring all of our life into harmony with God’s Word, His will, and His ways, and if we consciously submit our lives to Him and live for Him, He will give us His security. We have nothing to fear if our deepest desire is to know Him and make Him known.

Prayer: Father, the world makes many promises it cannot keep. But we have Your Word that never fails. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

Head, Heart And Hands

Justin came home from school with a note from his teacher. After handing it to his father he stood quietly as he read it out loud. “Mr. Brady, Justin started a fight during recess today and was sent to the principal’s office. Please discuss this matter with him and decide what punishment he should receive.”

After reading the note, his father looked him in the eyes and said, “Justin, I’m really disappointed in you. I never thought you would do something like that!”

“Dad,” cried Justin, “it wasn’t my fault. It was Danny’s. He hit me first. Cross my heart and hope to die if I am not telling the truth!”

No one enjoys being judged for wrong doing. We all want to believe that we live a life that reflects clean hands, a pure heart and a mind free of evil thoughts. But if we were to be questioned and asked if we lived up to those character traits, not many of us would “cross our hearts and hope to die” if challenged.

David knew that his hands were not clean, nor his heart pure or his mind free of evil thoughts. So, he appealed to the mercy and grace of God and cried out to Him and said, “Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, O Most High.”

That wonderful declaration of David was finally and fully answered in Christ. When he called for the righteousness of God to declare him innocent, he knew that it was in God’s nature to forgive him for his sins and to deliver him from his sinful behaviors.

Prayer: How grateful we are, Father, for Your grace that saves us and for Your presence that protects us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 7:8 Let the LORD judge the peoples. Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.

Doing What's Right!

It was a dream come true. Robert Gonzales had practiced hard and worked long hours to become the racquetball champion. Finally the day came when he made it to the pro circuit and had an opportunity to play for the championship. 

At match point he made a powerful shot into the front wall. The referee and linesman said it was good and he was declared the winner. However, he stunned the crowd. He shook his head back and forth while talking to the referee and said, “That shot hit the floor first and therefore I am not the winner.” 

Sitting quietly after the match a reporter asked, “Why? Why did you admit that the ball hit the floor first?”

“Because it was the only thing I could do to maintain my integrity,” came the answer. “I can win another match, but I could never regain my integrity.”

Few things in life are as fragile as our integrity. It is our code of conduct, the very standard by which we live our lives and maintain our reputation. 

However, there is more. Our reputation is who others think we are. But our character is who God knows us to be. Others may never realize that we have compromised our integrity. But God knows. And ultimately, finally, He is our judge and keeps our record.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we remain close to You by reading Your Word, spending time in prayer and in fellowship with others as we guard our integrity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:121 I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors.