Category: Biblical Hope

Background Check on David

How can leaders adapt without compromise? The Bible answers this question time after time. The God of Heaven will help us.

Bizarre atmospheres are counteracted by integrity. Having a whole and undivided heart for God in faith is what Jesus looks for in every man or woman.

Whole hearted devotion creates righteousness and fullness. Fullness is abundant life and the result is blessing.

Division comes from a divided heart. Make no mistake, a divided heart will not and does not commit fully to God. When that happens unrighteousness is the result.

The way the world sees people is polar opposite of how God sees people.

When God rejected King Saul he sent Samuel the prophet to anoint the new king. He didn’t tell him which one in advance. He said anoint the one I indicate to you.

1Samuel 16:6-7 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord. But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or his height, I have rejected him.

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

The prophet Samuel needed this word from the Lord to anoint the right leader. He was looking at outward appearance. He needed to learn to look at the heart.

V10 -12 Jessie has seven sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “ the Lord has not chosen these. So he asked Jessie, are these all the sons you have?

There is still the youngest but he is attending the sheep. Samuel said, Send for him. We will not sit down until he arrives. So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, anoint him; he is the one.

We must look for integrity, wholeness of heart as it is a good way to evaluate and align with anyone in the place of leadership.

Many times I’ve seen that happen. People are chosen for leadership because of talent, looks, how much influence they seem to have, even because they are faithful to show up. None of these things, though they are noteworthy, was how God chose leaders.

When someone is chosen for anyone reason other than integrity the results are always unfavorable.

Lord help us to judge rightly.

1 Peter 4:17 It is time for the judgement to begin with the family of God., and if it begins with us, what is the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel?

Leaders and prophets in the church are especially accountable to walk with integrity of heart. They should also seek leaders and associations whom have integrity and love God.

The signs of integrity that will show on the outward appearance:

1. A Faithfulness to Gods word.

2. Perseverance in walking in the light with God, promoting righteousness.

3. A true saving faith that wholeheartedly expresses devotion to Jesus Christ.

Faith alone gets you into the Kingdom of God and following Christ proves the faith that resides in each heart after salvation.

We really need to mediate on the book of James in Bizarre Times. Too many people attempting to live by feelings rather than faith.

James 2:22 You see faith and action were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

The above scripture is referencing Abraham as a man considered righteous for his act of faith. Yet his act of faith and action worked together.

A man who claims to have faith but no deeds is foolish and useless.

The question James presents itself in James 2:14 : What good is it, my brothers if a man claims to have faith but had no deeds? Can such faith save him?

No, even demons believe there is a God—shudder.

Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead. 2:17 James

True saving faith is vital in all times, it is especially vital in times of evaluation.

Favoritism is forbidden. Do not judge by appearance. Look at the heart and choose men and women of integrity to entrust and associate with in life, ministry, and business.

Some really bizarre things are happening all around us!

Honestly, the Corona virus is just another reason since 2020, we keep hearing the term, “ That’s Bizarre.”

Synonyms for the word are odd ball ,off the wall, outrageous, strange and unusual. These accurately describe the times we are currently navigating.

I’m sure we all have our circumstances that fall under the description, Bizarre! It’s more or less a ‘given,’ for what we have been encountering this year.

Times are changing and we will have to adapt rapidly. The one thing that will keep us upright and standing is integrity.

Integrity is a state of being whole and undivided.

We must ask ourselves today are we in position to adapt and stay upright in times of great change and chaos?

Why don’t we run our own background check?

Background Check Questions:

1. Do I have integrity?

This is the only question I am going to elaborate with my thoughts. You do if you are a child of God operating under the New Covenant.

The Old Covenant was fulfilled in the New Covenant. It’s whole and undivided. Under Jesus who is the first born of many brethren, we are of the same womb. The Bible says it like this; “ If the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; so are the branches.” We are reconciled to God. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

When we think about the branches, the words of Jesus comes to mind in John 15: 1-8.

It is a passage that describes Jesus as the true vine, and those who have become disciples as the branches. By remaining attached to him, the Source of life, they produce fruit. God is the gardener. The gardener inspects the branches to insure they are bearing fruit.

There are 2 types of branches in this passage, fruitless and fruitful.

The fruitless are those who do not maintain union with Christ, through enduring faith and love. These branches are cut off. That means separated from the vital union needed to live.

Jesus says in verse 4, “ Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

You must be in vital union with Christ to live as his disciples.

Integrity is a fruit. It shows you are fruitful.

Being fruitful means maintaining integrity.

I hope you answer yes, I have integrity as you do a background check on your life.

Next, we can ask ourselves; “ Am I determined to choose honesty in all things?”

3. Do I put a premium on my life and the life of others?

4. Do I consistently practice kindness and reliability in my actions?

5. Do I practicing doing the next right thing daily?

These questions are a good jump start to keeping the integrity given to us upon salvation by the Grace of God.

Integrity is vital in navigating through bizarre circumstances.

I will write more soon on how we as believers must show up in times of chaos.

Integrity does not give you favor with man. Integrity gives you favor with God.

I recently did a background check on some of Gods faith filled servants. One in particular stood out to me. A entire book in the Old Testament will benefit us concerning how to remain faith filled in bizarre times. It is in the book of Job.

The book of Job begins by telling us that this man Job was blameless and upright and shunned evil.

The word blameless refers to moral integrity. It paints the picture of Job having a whole hearted, undivided commitment to God.

That’s what the word integrity means, whole and undivided.

I find the book of Job a very present help in the bizarre times we are now experiencing.

Note: Please, read and meditate on this scripture with the view point that Job was a ‘type of Christ.’

I have preached on this subject with the title being, “ Stay Gold.”

Like Job when the enemy undermines us , we should mine for nuggets of truth.

Job said in 23:10 “ He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as pure gold.

It’s hard, these trials. I admit reading the suffering Job endured, tough. But, thanks be to God, we can now see how the enemy works unseen by us, to destroy our commitment to God.

There is a concern in our time, mankind is failing to see the beauty of the creation of God. Man not realizing the power of the God given will to choose life.

Even those believing and trusting God may use the power of their will to choose to prioritize their own agenda.

Job teaches us that Gods word is above all. We often do not see the truth. Also, when we don’t believe the truth of Gods word. That can only be the pride of life operating in our lives.

True believers will have integrity and that draws a target on our backs. However… we have spiritual armor that protects and preserves our lives. We have all we need to live for God. Jesus is our Messiah!

Integrity is whole hearted and undivided focus that exhibits the character of God.

When you have integrity you are going to attract the observation of others. Job did! Some people will want what we have and seek us out. Some see the pattern our lives to the glory of God.

Unfortunately, some want what we have but do not want the cost of maintaining integrity.

Many want the glory without the worship of Jesus Christ, the son of God.

The cost for Job was the worst, extreme, bizarre attack possible.

The cost for believers today for this type of integrity?

Believe in the son of God. Believe in the birth, the death, the resurrection of Jesus. We must accept it all and worship Jesus. He paid it all, once for all.

What Job saw in the future in Job 19:25 he said: “ I know my redeemer lives and one day he will stand upon the earth.”

What Job saw, we can have.

Our redeemer lives! We have been given the ability to exemplify his character by the choice of our will. He gave us the righteousness of God through the cross,

1 Peter 2:24 -25 He, Himself bore our sin in his body on the tree so that we might dies to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray but now you have been returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul.

Praise God! We did a background check on Job! We know the background of our redeemer! We know the gospel! All that remains then is to do a background check on yourself!

Are you maintaining your inheritance? Are you maintaining your gift of salvation?

If a background check was done by satan today on you, will you maintain your integrity.

Will God say, “Well done my good and faithful servant?”

Theses crazy times are a test, but not for God. He knows! He is for you, not against you!

Do you know when Jesus comes he will find faith alive and well in you?

That’s Bizarre

https://livingthedream17org.wordpress.com/2020/03/25/thats-bizarre-2/
— Read on livingthedream17org.wordpress.com/2020/03/25/thats-bizarre-2/

Some really bizarre things are happening all around us! Honestly, the Corona virus is just another reason since 2020, we keep hearing the term, “ …

That’s Bizarre

That title hurts. I didn’t want to write it. And yet, it’s true that following Christ hurts at times.

Having read the sayings of Christ that begin with, ” He who has a ear let him hear,” I researched to find what it means in the Hebrew language. It means we should hear to obey.

When we read a scripture why don’t we obey it?

I can only speak to my experiences and what I observe around me concerning this subject. We suffer hurt when we fully follow Christ.

When we read the scripture and hear to obey, it can put us in the cross-hairs of others. It can put us on the front line in a war zone.

Many of us fear man more than we fear God. And when that happens we find ourselves in the atmosphere of unbelief. Let’s just call it what it is. Because if we believed what the word of God is truth, then we would do it.

Standing in the light fully, makes us transparent. That’s hard for mankind. We want to fade to black, get out of the limelight. Hide in the bushes.

God though, isn’t into hiding. He calls us out of darkness into light. He does roll call.

Where are you? Who have you been talking to? Whose garden, and what tree are you eating from?

Following Christ cost us our lives. When we surrender, many choices are no longer ours to make.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m good with that. My will not thine is my prayer.

If aligning with his word cost me friends, family, popularity, I’m good with that too! His love is greater than life!

To follow Jesus, you unfollow the world.