Q: Which wing of a plane is more important? Both are important, because how can it fly when missing one wing? So which is more important, being a witness or verbally giving witness for Jesus along with tellin' your story? Being, or accurately sharing His Gospel? Both!
What's it about, the acquisition, the obedience, the appropriating by faith, the maintaining of your testimony with character and godly integrity?
Man, several things come to mind. When Christ comes in He empowers each of us to glorify the Father. He calls each of us to be denying our flesh (those demands of your old nature) and die to self. Yes, die to all the old destructive pleasure hobbies if ya will (the gettin'-drunk-partyin'-away, the wrong R/X misuse or illegal drug use, the piggin' out gorging on grub, the hoarding, the gambling etc. You know those destructive habits of our old life). We die to what pulls us down--to what's NOT God's good will for us, as we each sow to the Spirit instead of to the world or to the flesh.
Good character with godly integrity -- those are byproducts of obedient biblical discipline, disciple!
Become a disciplined decuple by His power. I challenge you towards this abundant life. Yes, I exhort and implore you today to come to Christ just as you are, but willing to be changed by Him.
Regeneration is for you and your generation! What are you waiting for?
Ever seen.. blessed Americans become so uptight, mad..and divided before? Ever seen a culture go whack, so jacked up like this? I haven’t. Some so called US leaders foment and profit from this hate and violent sentiment.
OPT TO LIVE FOR THEE BLESSER.. INSTEAD OF FOR THE GOOD BLESSING HE GIVES, OTHERWISE IT’LL MESS UP YOUR CHARACTER WHEN YOU’RE CALLED TO BE HIS PEACEMAKER IN THIS CRAZY WORLD GONE SIDEWAYS!HE IS WAY GOOD, INTEGROUS AND BLESSES YOU CUZ HE LOVES YOU! GOD WANTS TO MAKE YOU A PURE WORSHIPER AS WELL AS A BLESSING FOR OTHERS SO THEY’LL ALSO CHOOSE TO WORSHIP ACCEPTABLY!
What is the definition of idolatry? How does that choice rob people of God’s blessings?
I exhort you to turn and trust (Him, not trust in yourself), to repent and be filled, or to be refilled with God’s Spirit when needed. Live filled up to overflowing!
Why? Simple, cuz we "leak" said D.L. Moody.
Need 25 Character Traits of a Godly Man (from 1 Timothy 3 and the book of Titus Chapters 1–3)?
Need some more? - 49 character qualities.
Therefore appropriate and re-appropriate by faith all that you need goin' the distance with Jesus. Looking to Him to meet all your needs (He promised to, but do your good work too), not lookin' half to Him and half to the world to meet needs! Yes, even the power of God to be a witness.. to live the righteous life before a watching world. We're focusing on Christ here, and on one of the wings of the plane, being a bright light. Be empower to follow closely, to fully trust Him, to obey making the right choices, to telling it crystal clear (His Message) with JOY. This come as the overflow of the Spirit was we are obediently sowin' to the Spirit.
What did Jesus do? How did Jesus do what He did. What would He do if he was here now? He is here now, but not physically. What did he say? What did he not say? What is His will for you? Ask, and re-ask Him until you get the specifics of how to. Livin' the life, that's one wing of the plane so to speak, and you can add in a verbal witness of the Gospel when the time is right!
Live righteous by the power of God. Sure you can in Him. He can show you how.
The power and sufficiency of God's Word
The Witness of the Body -- or should I say of the Bride.
The Faith That Doesn't Fail .. you and I want to grow in this.
You can be kept by His Power.
Every Believer Is a Witness. We are to be and give an accurate witness of the truth.
The refreshing power of sharing your story coming to faith.
How can I live a holy life to represent the Lord with godly integrity?
What does it mean to walk worthy?
What is the meaning of living for Jesus?
What does it mean that neither death nor life separates us from the love of God (Romans 8:38)?
What are "the five love languages"?
What does it mean that we are not to love the world?
What can I do when I don’t feel any love for God or His people?
What is the Christian life really supposed to be like? A life of pure love. The fruit of the Spirit is love...
- Living this Christian life of love can happen for me! Cuz God first loved me and still does (He loves you too).
- What is agape love?
- What is phileo love?
- What is eros love?
- What is storge love?What does it mean that love is the fulfillment of the law in Romans 13:8?
What does the Bible say about Christian character?
What are some verses about dishonesty?
What’s not always easy? Making some of life’s decisions.
What are some Bible verses about cheating?
What does the Bible say about Christian behavior?
What does God say about cheating in school?
Need some verses about cheating (am talkin' to the DNC, GOP-RINOS and other cheaters)?
What does God in the Bible say about honesty?
Walking in victory with character has a lot to do with proper submission to the Word, to His Spirit, to the Father, and it's also about denying your flesh that tells ya to do what it demands you do. I say choose to die to self and to those old destructive habits of your old life. I'm talkin' about appropriating the power of God by faith for being a witness, and sharing the Gospel--yes, to living a holy life that makes an impact.
Here I'm mainly talking about one of the important wings of the plane so to speak -- being a light for Christ. Reflecting His light outward. The clear telling and explaining will indeed come when the time is right. Be prepared to give an answer for the hope inside. The fellowship, praying, praise and all out worship upwards to God seem to bring down the blessings too. Live empowered by the Word to be, to do, to not do, to say, to not say what the Lord wants of you!
Be filled and refilled, because "we leak" said Moody. What did Jesus do? How did Jesus do what He. What would He do if he was here now? He is, but not physically. What did he say? What did he not say? Livin' the life, that's one wing of the plane that you can add a verbal witness of the gospel in with. We live in a world of excess today, and must live as people of self-control in order to make an impact.
Lots of brawls over nothin' breaking out these days in the USA. Listen, some steaks just take a little bit longer to cook, but one American gets pretty upset about the cooking time recently and then “all pandakeeeerium” broke out in an excessive way (I think they meant full-on pandemonium) at the Golden Corral.
"Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well. She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind. Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder." Proverbs 23:19-32
In this chapter we hear repeated “do not”s that remind us that there are some things God REALLY DOES NOT WANT HIS BELOVED CHILDREN TO DO. It’s cuz He has your best interests at heart, and for protection-sake.
1. Do not lust after or even desire luxuries (Prov. 23:1–3), even when the rich offer them to you. You may get an appetite for such things and start living to get rich (vv. 4–5). But riches fly away, while character remains for eternity. At the same time, do not want to become close friends with miserly people (vv. 6–8). No matter how much they offer you, their hearts are not with you. Grow in fellowship upwards and outwards with close Christian friends. It is not the food on the table but the love in the heart that makes fellowship real and lasting.
For the believer, the holy fear of God (a good but negative sounding aspect) is something much different than the dread unbelievers experience (See Lk 12:5; Heb. 10:31). The believer’s fear of God (like in times of worship) is very healthy and is daily needed. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This respect, reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for us Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to and obey the Creator of the Universe. Confession and repentance are to become a habit of life.
2. Do not speak carelessly around fools (Prov. 23:9), for they will misunderstand and misquote you and get you into trouble. People get triggered too easy in this last days culture now and they'll try to hurt you. Do not change the boundaries that men and God have made (vv. 10–11; 22:28; Deut. 19:14). This is robbery and oppression, and God will judge it.
3. Do not fail to appropriately discipline your child, dad and mom (vv. 13–14), so that he or she might have wisdom and bring you joy (vv. 15–16). No guarantee, but obey the Word anyway. No matter what other families may do, obey, and do not envy sinners (vv. 17–18), but trust the Lord and obey Him by the power of His Spirit. Always set a good example by respecting your flawed parents (v. 22).
4. Do not mix with drunkards or other addicts like druggies or gluttons lest you become like them (vv. 19–21). Do not even look at the wine. Turn the channel away from alcohol commercials (vv. 29–35) lest you end up embarrassed and bruised cuz that's what happens. Three types of drunkards: 1. Wanna fight ya types, 2. Love ya man types and 3. Mere drunks. Ever watch Cops?
5. Do not sell the truth at any price (v. 23)! Read, study, spend some bucks on good books! It costs time and more to live by the truth, but it costs even more to bail from God while abandoning His truth.
We are to always respect the living word (Jesus), Bible truth, and godly character.
“Buy the truth, and do not sell it” is the advice of God in Proverbs 23:23. Take the time, purchase sound information, then meditate upon and memorize Bible truth often. Lot sold the truth for a home in the city (Gen. 13:1–13), and Esau sold the truth for a mess of pottage worth next to nothing (Gen. 25:29–34). Religious King Saul sold the truth for the support of the people wanting to look good (1 Sam. 15:24–35). Judas sold the truth for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus said he's the way, the truth, and the life (Matt. 26:14–16), and Pilate like many politicians today sold the truth for the approval of the crowd (Mark 15:15). It cost him dearly -- it's not worth it!
What does the Bible say regarding character? Much. "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients], When it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you. Do not devise evil against your neighbor, Who lives securely beside you. Do not quarrel with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. For the devious are repulsive to the Lord; But His private counsel is with the upright [those with spiritual integrity and moral courage]." Proverbs 3:27-32 amp
In this chapter you the believer with integrity are to righteously consider...
1. Your heart (Prov. 3:1–8). What the person of good character and godly integrity does with their thoughts and heart determines what they do with their life (Prov. 4:23). Therefore cultivate an obedient heart (v. 1) that receives God’s Word (v. 3; 2 Cor. 3:1–3) and a trusting heart that wisely applies the Word (that obeys the Word) (vv. 5–6). Verse 5 DOES NOT suggest that you ignore your mind or sanctified common sense, but simply that you NOT lean only on them and reject God’s way for you. His word is His will for you!
2. Your possessions (9–20). Put God first in the way you use His wealth (Matt. 6:33) and major on the things that money cannot buy (vv. 13–18). When God corrects you, accept it as an evidence of His love for you (Heb. 12:5–6).
3. Your conduct (21–26). LBe filled and refilled with His Spirit--pray in, and walk in the Spirit. Let every part of your person be controlled by God’s Spirit of wisdom (Rom. 12:1–2). Even sleep is one of the tests of faith and true surrender to God (Ps. 4).
4. Your neighbors (27–35). If you want God’s blessing on your home, be a blessing to those around you. Christianity starts at home. Share what you have and never plan evil against others (Rom. 12:9–21).
So.. do you have good character and godly integrity or have you been running away from your Father? Are you a prodigal lacking humble character and godly integrity? Get home before dark. The loving Father is watching for you to return. Change (turn and trust Him).
Yes, I say "choose life" early, even now prayerfully. God will do the changing from the inside out. Pray and get some inner convictions with the Essentials and non-essentials, yeah with character and those so-called gray areas of life.
It's not the time to get caught up in the addictions of worldly excesses like gambling, alcohol, drugs, sensual porn etc. Remember that over indulgent little boy into prodigal-living? The prodigal son lived like that until he got hungry but returned to his senses and to his dear father in humble repentance with confession.
Let's put our eyes off of the circumstances and primarily onto Christ who lovingly leads. Ya, with eyes deadbolted onto Jesus all the way!
Let's get up, suit up, and get on the highway of holiness. No more detours, dirt paths, or lame access roads. We want the needle of our integrity meter to go up a notch regularly rather than down notches. Let your witness grow in credibility, integrity and godly character. I mean in your ability to be be and give witness effectively showing love for others. Let's be growing in our capacity to effectively encourage, to pray for, and to edify other people that need that. And so many do. Jesus has changed my life, not in a means of ridiculous ways, but in reasonable ways to shine. He loves me and you. Jesus has changed my life and so I now say NO to some things ..even to some good things ..so that I can say YES to Him as Lord everyday.. in the very best things He’s chosen for me in His will. You know how the good can sort of become the enemy of the best.
Do you find all that as a frustration? I find it as a JOY in Jesus who loves me, yes, it's cuz of my joyous relationship with Jesus not cuz of me. It’s cuz of His grace and blessing.
When you get stuck with access to gobs of excess, your eyes are not going to be fixed on the Author and Perfecter of your faith. You're going to be dwelling on the narcissism of all your desires. You're going to be serving the will of your old fleshly nature. You are not going to be thinking about following Jesus close. Listen you can't have it both ways, Buckeroo.
“For whoever is not against us is for us.“ Mark 9:40
"Do not stop him," Jesus replied, "for whoever is not against you is for you." Luke 9:50
Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.“ Matthew 12:30
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
You really cannot serve two masters, none here can -- NOPE. You're cannot be or remain divided in your heart. In fact, it won't be a happy time if you're a mugwump (mug on one side of the fence and wump on the other). Is that you with too much of the world in you to be happy in the Kingdom, and yet too much of the Kingdom in you to live happy in the world. You will serve one or the other. Do you want to serve the excess of the world fellas or do you want to walk close with Jesus? Walking with Jesus means there's some things to deny yourself of, some things to overcome and all out praise his name about. But by myself apart from His empowering inside how much Can I really overcome. He taught: without Me you can do nothing.
Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." John 15:5-6
Hey, I'm free in Christ now. So I walk in the goodness, blessing, favor, grace, anointing and JOYOUS FREEDOM in Him -- He helps this sinner (me) daily as I remember to wait on, and call out to Him (Matt. 6:33). But listen, poverty on multiple levels awaits the stubborn, bullheaded, rebellious prodigal lacking humble character and godly integrity.
How will you enjoy life? Choose life now--knowing Christ is real life. Do not get caught up in the addictions of worldly excesses like gambling, alcohol, drugs, sensual porn etc. Remember that over indulgent little boy into prodigal-living? The prodigal son lived like that until he got hungry but returned to his senses and to his dear father in humble repentance with confession.
There was the younger son in "a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." Luke 15:13-20 nkjv
Listen to your Father and to your biological father too.. if you're privileged to still have one around here. You and I want to live blameless and above reproach not below or even far below reproach. Prayerfully embrace good character, discipline, the whole armor and godly integrity with consistency. I'm not talking about earning His grace or about legalism here. I'm just saying that there can be fallout when we don't embrace Him and His grace. We live in a world of excess today where you can become consumed by all your reckless consumption. Billions of dollars are spent in the USA alone on drugs, alcohol and other illicit excesses yearly.
We live in this broken and fallen world before depraved sinners as worshipers, as praying witnesses cuz we were that way at one time too! God, please save the elect and then elect some more!
The exclusivity of the call to follow Jesus is a strong nod to the need for us to make Him Lord moment by moment 24/7/365. But is the Gospel any bit inclusive? All are invited to come to Jesus so respond now!
What is the key to living a victorious Christian life?
Is your ministry experiencing.. are you experiencing torrents of living water flowing in and through to others?
How will rivers of living water flow from believers (John 7:38)?
Christian communication — what are the keys if there are any?
Good character and integrity is about daily choices so that question: "What would Jesus do?" (WWJD) something we should really seek to live by? Is it even possible to know for sure what Jesus would do?
How can I experience joy in my Christian life?
To what extent should we strive to be like Jesus?
To what extent should we strive to be like Jesus? Is it even possible for us to become like Jesus in His character during this life?
Got questions about character and the Christian Life? What is a Christian? How can I overcome sin in my Christian life? How can I experience joy in my Christ?
Questions about Life Decisions?
How can I overcome ministry burnout?
Need some Christian Character so others will want to listen?
What does it mean to walk in the Spirit daily?
How do you know if you really have the Holy Spirit inside?
Got some questions about the Holy Spirit?
