Integrity

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January 13

Monday, January 13th, 2025

If there was ever an example in the Bible that would and should blow apart that whole idea that God wants you health and wealthy and if you do good only good things will happen, it is the life of Joseph. For those who may not know perhaps a short recap is in order:

  • “Favored son status”- His father, Jacob, loved Rachel. After years of infertility she was able to give birth to Joseph.
  • Jacob showed his favoritism toward Joseph by giving him a coat of many colors, which became a sore spot for his brothers.
  • Jacob seemed to have used Joseph to “tattle” on his brothers.
  • Joseph was a dreamer and he didn’t keep those dreams to himself. Oh no. When he had a dream about the sheaves of wheat bowing down to him, he infuriated his brothers. When he had a dream about the sun and moon (including his father) bowing down to him, he drove the dagger deeper.
  • Sold into slavery.
  • Chosen by Potiphar to be his servant and he was so successful Potiphar soon promoted him to the steward of his household. He was in charge of everything…
  • …Except Potiphar’s wife. She didn’t care and decided Joseph was too good looking to pass up. But Joseph maintained his integrity even in the midst of powerful temptation.
  • Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife of attempted rape, he would wind up in prison (where he would soon impress the head of the prison who put him in charge).
  • Joseph interprets two dreams and they both come true but the chief’s cupbearer, even though restored to his former position as Joseph predicted, forgot Joseph existed. More time languishing in prison.

Joseph’s life was neither easy nor comfortable. In fact, we might yell out “it is unfair!” because here was a man who maintained his integrity and fear (reverence) for God, but suffered injustice, false accusations, and being forgotten. So much for God’s people enjoying favored status and all the creature comforts.

God’s people today are never promised ease, comfort and smooth sailing. What we are promised is the presence of a faithful God who doesn’t forget us. In case you don’t know, Joseph is eventually vindicated when Pharaoh has a dream and no one can interpret it. The cupbearer remembers Joseph, recommends him and when he not only interprets the dream but gives a solution to it, he is promoted to second in command only to Pharaoh. Will everything always turn out like that for the Christ-follower? We are not promised that. We are promised God’s love and presence-past, present and future. Joseph’s hardships were not the end of his story. Nor are ours. Trust Him to work out all things for your good.

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May 2

Thursday, May 2nd, 2024

“You are getting too big for your britches.”

Back when I was young (and yes, that was a long time ago), one of the favorite expressions of people-and my parents were no exception- was the above statement. It usually preceded some type of discipline- a spanking when I was younger, an exclusion from an activity, a grounding, or something else. It’s not hard to know what it means.

I’ve been reading a book by Katelyn Beaty entitled Celebrities for Jesus. It is subtitled “How Personas, Platforms, and Profits are hurting the church.” I’m two years past when it was first published and first hit crashed on the scene.  I’m just under halfway through and it has exposed the ugly underbelly of the “celebrity culture” the church has found itself in, particularly in the megachurch world. Sadly, we have embraced (and enabled)-wittingly or unwittingly- the whole “the pastor is a celebrity and can do no wrong” thought process. Walking hand in hand with that idea is the inability to confront, challenge, or question said celebrity pastor. Ms. Beaty speaks highly of Billy Graham and his attempts to safeguard himself from any moral scandal by his complete transparency. (It was known as the “Billy Graham Rule” which simply said he would never be alone with a woman who was not his wife). His Modesto Manifesto called for complete honesty, accountability, and transparency. Ms. Beaty contrasts that with the shortfalls of some megachurch personalities. 

I was reminded of my reading of the book when I read the following from I Timothy 4:11-13 this morning: “Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.”  That highlighted section is important to remember.

No way would Paul embrace or be on board the “celebrity culture train.” Read his words-not just here, but elsewhere. Integrity, transparency and HUMILITY were big in his eyes.  But here is an important fact to remember- Megachurch Pastor, CEO, Owner, Manager, Worker- integrity, honesty and humility are essential to all and cannot/should not be dismissed.

No one has any business getting too big for their britches.

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March 11

Monday, March 11th, 2024

You made the promise. Keep it!!

One cannot underestimate the importance of keeping a promise.  Keeping your word-being a person of integrity- is so vital to relationships that one cannot fathom its impact.

In the life of David, there is a phenomenal story that shows his character. He had a best friend-Jonathan-who had David promise he would take care of his family after his death. In all the shuffle involving David becoming king (he waited 7 years after King Saul’s death), there came a time when David remembered his promise to Jonathan. As he asked and they investigated, David was made aware of Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth (M). M had been dropped as a child in his nurse’s haste to get him to safety, resulting in him being a cripple. He was called into King David’s presence and bowed before him. I’m sure he was petrified. “What does the king want with me?” David told him, “Don’t be afraid! I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan.” David ended up restoring all the land of King Saul to M; enlisted his servant, Ziba (and his sons), who had been with M for quite a long time, to take care of the land; AND M was to eat at King David’s table as long as he lived. (You can read the whole story in 2 Samuel 9).

WOW! Talk about a promise made and a promise kept! Proverbs 11:20 says, “The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but He delights in those with integrity.” For all of David’s faults (and ours as well), David’s heart was one of integrity. He made a promise and kept it. M’s life was richer because of it.

Follow the Father’s example. Keep your promises.  He showed us the way in that department. He has made promises and has kept His every word. I can think of one huge one. One word: Jesus.

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September 5

Tuesday, September 5th, 2023

There is one word-in leadership and in life-that never has and never will go out of style.

That one word? I.N.T.E.G.R.I.T.Y.

Integrity has been defined as “who you are when no one’s looking.” That is a pretty spot on definition but in some ways it is almost incomplete.  I get what the definition is saying. Many people are one way in public and another in private. The “up front” persona picture people see is no where near the “in secret” persona. I’ll let you pursue that thought on your own.

But I also think that saying might be a tad bit short on meaning. Being who we are behind the scenes as we are up front is vital. But…what do people see up front? It is someone worth emulating? Is it someone worth following?

I was reminded of that this morning as I read Titus 2:7-8- “Show yourself in all respects  to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Do you see the word “model?” Do you see the words “integrity, dignity, and sound speech?” Those are some serious words! And they come with some meaning and challenge. My translation of that verse is “Live in such a way that when someone says something bad about you people will know they are lying.”

I thought of the Apostle Peter’s words in I Peter 3:16-17- “Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

Integrity means being who we say we are-in private and in public.

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February 13

Monday, February 13th, 2023

Have you ever read the story of Esther? If you have you know there are some major players in the book: Esther (obviously); Mordecai (her cousin); Ahasuerus (the King); and Haman (the protagonist and anti-Semite). In all the people in the story, there is one who gets left out in the shuffle.

Her name is Vashti. Queen Vashti. The queen who place Esther takes.

Her story is worth mentioning. In chapter one, the king throws a huge shindig. But not just a party, a seven day hoedown. Trust me when I say there was lots of drinking. But lots of that led the king to want to make a spectacle of his Queen (v.11). But Vashti refused to be a piece of meat for the king and his lackeys. At her refusal, the king not only got angry, he became vindictive. After all, according to his “friends and advisers” her refusal would set a bad precedent for the other women to follow (v.17). So he banished Vashti from her being queen and from his presence.  Queen Vashti lost everything…or did she?

She lost everything except her self-respect.

She teaches us there are some things more important than fame, fortune, and status. What good are any of those without self-respect and integrity? I realize the world has other ideas., but I’d rather know who I am and be able to look in the mirror and be proud of the reflection, than to know I compromised my soul, my family, my health, my integrity, but most importantly, my God, to get something illicitly.

Are you able to look into a mirror and be happy with the inner reflection? And while you are introspecting, do you view others with respect, especially those who have made the tough decision not to compromise?

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