Integrity

Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him

Day by day walking in integrity takes maximum effort.  Lying, cheating, stealing and getting-over is all so easy and so easily justified.  Ill gotten gain is indeed sweet at first but I want the blessed end.  I strive so that my children and children’s children will know and love you God.  I strive so my children will choose to follow my footsteps on the difficult path of integrity; one foot infront of the other, step by step, day by day; making the right choice, no matter how difficult. 

The payoff of integrity may not always be cashed by me, but I pray that my children will always reap the benefit.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

Plans vs Purpose

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Father, you have a plan for me and you know it well.  I trust you completely.  In the midst of the  of  the bemusement of life, the ebb and flow  of situations and circumstance, may I always find myself anchored in you.  When the torrential winds whip and the rain runs all to shelter, may I always run to you.  Let me always take delight in your purpose and plan for my life.  Let me always take delight in your word.  Help me to be planted in your purpose, unshakeable, unmovable, unstoppable.  I want your purpose for my life, that’s why I strive.

 

Just so angry

Proverbs 16:32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

The greatest war that I have ever fought is the war within me.  Its challenging not to let anger rage and words of flames incinerate those who offend me.  It’s easy to fell offended when its time for promotion and my name is not called.  I so easily feel taken advantage of by others, but its anger that tries to manipulate me.  Anger shouts and fills my head with noise so I can not hear reason.  Anger floods my veins with fire and so consumes my compassion.  Anger’s proud voice tries to mimic my own and says you have a right and they have none.  But who am I but ash and dust?

Father, I thank you for the gift of anger and the understanding that anger is for danger; not for me to become a danger to those undeserving.  Help me to become mighty in self-control and great in perseverance.  May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be ever filtered by your great grace and your mighty mercy towards me.  Amen

 

When the ox returns

Proverbs 14:4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

Thank you Father for leading me into and through the pain of the last season.  It often felt like I would lose everything, even the function of my mind.  Frankly, in the midst of my testing, I could only think, I want out!  In the midst of the pain I could only cry out for mercy.  You brought an ox in my life, a set of circumstances that were strong enough to upset the soil of my faith.  That ox pulled a tiller that dug deep. The tilling  broke apart the soil of my hardening heart.  The tilling made it easy for me to receive and retain your word more deeply than I ever had before.  In the midst of the pain, it felt like your ox was causing my death; it was dirty, ugly, devastating.  Now I know your ox was making preparation for me to live.  In the midst of the draught of doubt, you were preparing me to prosper in my soul.  I love you and thank you so much.  You are my joy. 

Father, when the ox returns, help me to remember that you work all things for my good and your plans for me are sure.  Amen

 

Nothing held back

Proverbs 11:24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

It’s so easy to be a taker, selfish and unconcerned, to excuse myself from giving and pretend that I don’t see the need or simply that I’m under too much personal obligation to do anything about anything.  It is so easy to focus on my wants, my feelings, my dreams, my passion, my ministry even.  Father you have called me to give freely, to give intelligently, to give relationally.  I will give of my time, I will not be so busy that I don’t care to say hello or ask, how are you doing today?  I will give of my talent, lending it towards the great chorus of witnesses, singing from the highest place I can, telling others our story. I will give money, my money, wisely and as a good manager of the wealth you have given me.   Help me Lord to give all that you’ve called me to give.  In Jesus name, amen.