Blog-votional: God’s Grace — Wow!

Max Lucado has said: “Grace doesn’t have to be logical.  If it did, it wouldn’t be grace.”  Think about that!  Although the Lord has made us to be strong and responsible, the foundational issues of forgiveness and salvation are His gift to us!  It is so cool to comprehend the fact that God favors us.  Not because we are the smartest; not because we are the strongest; not because we have lots of talents; not because we are so handsome or beautiful; not because we do a lot of good deeds — though all of these characteristics may be abundant in our lives.  The Lord favors us out of His deep, abiding, and pursuing love for us, a love that is not contingent upon any effort we put forth! 

We are all in need of this superlative grace.  Why?  Because:

<> The Lord’s grace means He loves us and even knew us before we were born.  “Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you.  Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work” (Jeremiah 1:5).

<> The Lord’s grace provides the gift of salvation, a gift that can’t be earned.  “You have been saved by grace through believing.  You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God” (Ephesians 2:8). 

<> The Lord’s grace is available to us when we are weak.  “In my weaknesses, Christ’s power lives in me” (II Corinthians 12:9). 

<> The Lord’s grace is sufficient for absolutely any need we have — whether health, finances, relationships, temptations, etc.  “My grace is sufficient for you” (II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV).

<> The Lord’s grace provides us with strength we need to overcome temptation and live a victorious Christian life.  “Jesus has the power of God, by which He has given us everything we need to live and serve God.  We have these things because we know Him” (II Peter 1:3).

Need we say more?  The Lord is on our side.  He is ready and willing to help us as we respond to Him with faith.  

Scripture to reflect on:  “Even though you are evil, you know how to give good gifts to your kids.  How much more willing is your Heavenly Father to give good things to those who ask”  (Matthew 7:11).

How to practice grace today:  Do something for someone out of pure grace. In doing it, thank the Lord for doing so much for you out of pure grace!  Ideas: Buy lunch.  Give a Java City coffee coupon.  Better, buy someone a coffee and give a few minutes of conversation.  Make a card and give it to someone with a note of “thanks for being you!”  Get creative and present it with a smile.  All the while, make sure you reflect on how God must feel about blessing you and me and them!  Wow!

Prayer:  Lord, You are so very good and Your love endures forever.  Thank You for my life and your grace being active in it.  Help me to share Your grace with those I come in contact with today.  Amen.

Dr. Stan Parker

Blog-votional: Rules of Engagement: For Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime

The end is here with this series on Rules of Engagement.  We have been looking at some ideas or general rules that will help us to be successful in our daily living as we live through not-so-good times.  We have underscored the fact that we believe Jesus Christ is the Source for life.  That being true, what principles, ideas, or rules will help us live successfully and purposefully in times of adversity?  Answering that question has been the goal of this blog series.  Today let’s look at the final rule.

RULE # 8: HONESTY AND INTEGRITY – It goes without saying that we should be positively consistent in what we say, think, and do.  That occurs when we are living an integrated life.  What is inside is lived outside.  That sends a clear picture to people of who we are.  The result is that people will believe us and want us to succeed.  Many will do what they can to assist in our success.  Main point: “If you have integrity, nothing else matters.  If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters” (seen & noted). 

Deuteronomy 25:15 says, “You must always use true and honest weights and measures so that you will live a long time in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”  The Lord wants us to live honestly and treat each other fairly (see Proverbs 16:11 also).  Additionally:

~ Integrity is giving your word and keeping it.  “Don’t say things that are false” (Proverbs 24:28).  We must not default to “saying what they want to hear.”  Let’s learn to be direct and honest up front so we do not have to backtrack and apologize.

~ Integrity is more valuable than wealth.  “Riches gotten by doing wrong have no value, but right living will save you from death” (Proverbs 10:2).  Think of the billions of dollars made and lost through irregular accounting practices.  Think of the thousands of lives destroyed and communities ruined by unethical practices.  Here is a statement worth pondering: “True wealth comes from true character.” 

~ Integrity is an example.  “In every way be an example of doing good deeds” (Titus 2:7).  As Christians, we are to show those around us that integrity is always the best policy.

~ Integrity can be compromised by bad influences.  “Bad friends will ruin good habits” (I Corinthians 15:33).  Regardless of what other people may be doing and getting by with (always short-term), we have no need to become cheaters ourselves.  When we work in a culture of dishonesty, we should address it, and if that doesn’t work, we should move on to protect our own reputation (influence) and spiritual wellbeing.

~ Integrity gains the support of the Lord.  “Because I am innocent, You support me and will let me be with You forever” (Psalm 41:12).  Main point: Hang tough with integrity of heart and actions.  The ultimate goal is His reward, not man’s.

~ A lack of integrity is looked down on by the Lord.  “Do not make plans to hurt your neighbors, and don’t love false promises.  I hate all these things” (Zechariah 8:16-17). 

How to hang tough with integrity: (1) Do not give in to pressure to cut corners and “fudge” just a little of your word; (2) Develop a set of personal values that will guide you when the pressure is on; (3) Determine now what cannot be compromised in your life.  Make it into a personal statement of ethics.  Laminate it and put it in your purse, billfold, checkbook, or frame it and put it on your work desk.

Think for just a moment: Remember running into that person whose life spoke louder than their words?  They walked their talk; they practiced what they preached.  They lived for what they believed.  We, just like them, can choose whether or not we live up to our potential.  Our world is looking for people like you and me who will demonstrate His way of living, who will live out of conviction and inspire through our actions.  Let us be weary of those who say one thing and do another.  Let us remember that our word is our honor and our actions are its demonstration.  Let’s be honest in all our dealings in good times and bad.  Not only will we sleep with a clear conscience every night, but that wonderful, inexplicable law of the universe will go into effect for us: Blessing follows integrity as surely as spring follows the winter’s chill. 

Kathleen and I have a friend who worked for Mary Kay Ash, CEO of Mary Kay Cosmetics.  Mary Kay (who recently died at the age of 83) has said: “Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.” 

Prayer: Dear Lord, You demand integrity because You are good and righteous.  Thank You for Your goodness.  Lord, please continue to perfect my character and make me a person of complete integrity.  Amen.

Dr. Stan Parker