Keeping the Foundation Strong OUR MORAL FOUNDATION BENEFITS OF INTEGRITY PERSONAL REFLECTION

Keeping the Foundation Strong OUR MORAL FOUNDATION BENEFITS OF INTEGRITY PERSONAL REFLECTION

"The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him." (Proverbs 20:7, NKJV). Home repairs are one of my least favorite tasks. I am seriously lacking in handyman skills. If the repair is even slightly complex, it means calling a repairman, setting an appointment, and then paying an unexpected bill. A few years ago, I noticed some water around a small foundation crack. It was small and I could have ignored it. Instead, I chose to be proactive and called a repair company. The fix was simple and the cost relatively small. End of story. Had I ignored the situation, however, the problem could have become a much bigger, and more costly, leak. The same principle applies to our daily lives. A small chip or broken spot may threaten to weaken our moral foundation. It may seem minor — just a little misrepresentation or a broken promise. Yet even something small may develop into a hidden danger. Little things over time can become bigger things. Proverbs 11:3 cautions that, "The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them" (NKJV). What is integrity? We can describe it as honesty, strong moral principles, uprightness, or good character. In everyday language, integrity means always doing the right thing even when no one is looking (or will ever find out). This is opposite the philosophy that boasts, "The end justifies the means." At some point in life, all of us will be tempted to compromise our integrity. The pressure may come from outside, such as a boss instructing us to lie about a business matter. Or the challenge may come from inside to escape the consequences of an action. We can soothe our conscience by saying, "It's not that big a deal. I'm not hurting anyone else." That argument doesn't hold up. Our lack of integrity will always affect others. Why is integrity so important? We can list many reasons, but let's just look at three. Integrity gives us peace. We don't have to live with the guilt of knowing we settled for the easy way instead of living by our principles. We will have a clear conscience. (Read Hebrews 13:18). Integrity brings trust. If we are a person of honesty and character, others will trust us. Even those who attempt to discredit us won't be able to find anything evil to say about us. (Read I Peter 3:16). A person of integrity becomes a role model. We exhibit honesty and uprightness to a world that often lacks these important characteristics. Little compromises, little omissions, little untruths soon erode character. By paying attention to these things, we affect those around us. (Read Titus 2:7-8 and I Corinthians 11:1.) It is vital that we keep the foundations strong. Repair any chips or small breaks now. Remember, we are preserving integrity for the next generation (Proverbs 20:7). "A person is not given integrity. It results from the relentless pursuit of honesty at all times." –Unknown Was there a time when something small tempted you to compromise your integrity? Have you lost trust in a person because of their lack of integrity? Were they able to regain your trust? Can one person make a difference by choosing integrity? Devotion by Mary Loudermilk

Reinforcements THE KING'S PLAN PRAYING ELISHA'S PRAYER

So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." (II Kings 6:16, NKJV) When God is on your side, the enemy doesn't have a chance. Sometimes He responds in very unexpected ways when we pray for His help. Let me tell you one such story from the Old Testament. It may make you smile. The king of Syria was frustrated. None of the plans he made against Israel, ever worked. The enemy always seemed one step ahead. Puzzled, the king suspected a traitor among his servants. How else could the Israelites anticipate his every move? It wasn't a traitor, the king's men explained. It was Elisha, the prophet of the Lord. "Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom." (II Kings 6:12, NKJV) The king ordered his men to find Elisha and to bring the prophet to him. Here is where the king's logic broke down. If God revealed the king's every move to Elisha, wouldn't He reveal this plan as well? But that night the army moved out as ordered and surrounded Dothan, where they heard Elisha could be found. Early the next morning, Elisha's servant panicked when he saw the city surrounded by the horses and chariots of the Syrian army. In his fear, the servant asked, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" Elisha did not panic. Instead, he prayed for the Lord to open his servant's eyes to what was really happening that morning. Heavenly reinforcements had arrived! "Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (Verse 17) There was no battle that morning. Instead, after a simple prayer by Elisha, the enemy army was blinded to their location. They did not realize the man who offered to show them the way was the very man they were seeking. When the Lord opened their eyes, they discovered they were standing in Samaria. Now they were the ones surrounded. Instead of killing their enemies, as one would expect in war, Elisha told the king of Israel to feed them and send them on their way home. They were treated like guests, not the enemy. "Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel." (II Kings 6:23, NKJV) Sometimes God orchestrates victory in unusual ways. This was one of those times. Have you ever felt outnumbered and overwhelmed by situations in your life? Do you wonder where God is and if He cares about the battle you are facing? We do not always recognize that God is at work in ways we do not see or understand. Like Elisha's servant, we are blind to the heavenly reinforcements that surround us. Rather than panic, we need to pray Elisha's prayer. "Lord, open my eyes to see the work that You are doing in my behalf." Psalm 34:7 says, "The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (NKJV). We are not facing the battle alone. Reinforcements have arrived. God is on our side and promises He will never forsake us in times of trouble. ". . . For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6, NKJV) "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6, NKJV) (Take time to read the entire story in II Kings 6:8-23.) Devotion by Mary Loudermilk

God's Perfect Plan

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105 Psalm 119 stresses some aspect of God's Word in every verse. It is important that we read and study His Word. The Bible portrays God's plan for mankind. From the creation in the Book of Genesis to the New Earth described in Revelation, we see that plan unfolding. In the Old Testament we follow God's dealings with His chosen people, Israel. They were abundantly blessed and yet repeatedly, they turned to pagan gods. His patience and longsuffering delivered them. They served Him again for a time, then soon returned to their idol worship. Throughout it all, we know that God was in control and was working out His perfect plan. The New Testament begins with Jesus coming to earth to bring the plan of salvation not only to the Jews but to all nations, which had always been His plan. In the Gospels we learn about Jesus' life on earth, and His death, burial, and resurrection. His ascension into heaven left a promise that He would return. The writings of the Apostles and other early Christians teach us how we are to live to be ready for that event. II Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." The Book of Revelation reveals some of what will happen as God's plan comes to completion. What a hope we have! Eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ and with the saints who have gone on before us. No tears, pain, or sickness. God's plan of salvation is offered freely to all who will accept it. The choice we make to accept or reject it will determine our destiny. His Word gives us all we need to know to make the right decision. Psalm 119:11"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Thought For Today: Things that are happening in our world today, remind us that the time of Christ's return is near. We need to ensure that we are ready. Devotion by: Anne Johnston

Questioning God's Plan

"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Hebrews 11:7 Last week we had a severe storm in our area. For almost three hours, we had thunderstorms, high winds, heavy rain and even hail. It caused a lot of problems as streets filled with water and basements flooded. Power was cut for safety reasons. What a relief when the rain ended. The story of Noah is a familiar one. God was disappointed in the people who lived on earth at that time. Noah was the only one who had not followed the wicked ways of others. So God said that He was going to destroy the world, but that He would save Noah and his family. Specific instructions were given to build the Ark. Think about it. Noah did not possess power tools. He could not go to Home Depot and purchase all the materials he would need. YouTube was not available, to find instructions for the task. Noah had probably never even built a small boat, let alone one large enough to fit God's plan. To the natural mind, the plan did not make sense. The task was large. But God's plan was explicit, and Noah's faith was strong. God gave Noah the abilities that were needed to build. Can you imagine the opposition he faced as he and his sons worked on the boat. Rain had never fallen before so no one believed him. Yet, he completed the task God had given him. II Peter 2:5 "And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly." The Lord may never ask us to do something as demanding as what He asked of Noah. But there may be times when He speaks to us to do something that to us does not make sense. We may question whether it is really the Lord speaking. But as we walk in faith and do our best to obey, He will provide the necessary talent and ability. All He asks, is that we be willing to trust, He knows what He is doing. Thought For Today: Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;" Devotion by: Anne Johnston

Obeying God's Plan

"And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount." Exodus 25:40 When God instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, specific instructions were given for every part of it. He told them what kind of wood and what materials should be used in the coverings. He gave him dimensions for each piece of furniture and specified the type of metal they were to be made from. Craftsmen were provided who were able to create the different articles. And he told Moses to follow the pattern exactly. Why was the Lord so detailed about every part? Because the tabernacle was to be a type and foreshadowing of the plan of salvation to be revealed later to the world. It is interesting to note that every article involved in the Tabernacle directs us to Jesus and His plan for mankind. Every sacrifice offered on the alter points us to Calvary. Jesus coming to earth and giving His life on Calvary, changed everything. When He died, the veil in the temple was rent in two and access opened to the presence of God. There would no longer be a need for animal sacrifices. God's new plan brings grace and salvation to all who will accept Jesus as their Saviour. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Hebrews 4:16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Just as Moses was told to follow the pattern God had given for the Tabernacle, so there are instructions for us to follow. When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, the people asked him what they should do. His answer still works: Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." God's plan for us is perfect. We each must decide to accept His plan and obey the instructions He has given in His Word. Thought For Today: Have you accepted God's plan and obeyed Acts 2:38? Devotion by: Anne Johnston