We’ve been spending some time talking about integrity. This virtue is about living wholeheartedly for God no matter the situation. Not only does your integrity honour God, but it blesses the people around you. Proverbs 11:30 says: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life…” When someone lives in a way that is … Continue reading Integrity blesses others
Podcast
Integrity is a trajectory
If you are increasing in spiritual maturity you are going to have an increasingly honest understanding of yourself. Yes, you will grow in confidence that you are a child of God. But at the same time you will become increasingly aware of your own sin. This is one of the things that makes you more … Continue reading Integrity is a trajectory
The protection integrity provides
How do we protect ourselves? How do we stay safe, not only for ourselves but for those we care about? Some answer by describing door locks, safety bunkers, strong fences, surveillance cameras, or first-aid kits. All of these things are external; they exist outside of us. Depending on the situation they can be very helpful. … Continue reading The protection integrity provides
Christ of the Abyss
I recently came across a series of amazing pictures from around the world. Most of them depicted nature or works of art. One in particular grabbed my attention. It had both. It was a bronze statue called “Christ of the Abyss.” You can see it in the graphic that goes along with today’s devotional. It … Continue reading Christ of the Abyss
The one in whom God delights
Do you ever come across a verse in the Bible and wonder, 'How has that not jumped out at me before?!' That happened to me recently with Isaiah 66:2: "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." The prophet had spent time speaking about future judgement … Continue reading The one in whom God delights
As a counterculture
I was talking with some of my classmates at seminary. One of them said something like this: “Constantine messed everything up.” He was referring to the Roman Emperor Constantine. The Emperor’s conversion in the early fourth century was a significant step in the legalization of Christianity. It was increasingly safe and acceptable to be a … Continue reading As a counterculture
Slander is an old-fashioned weapon
In Psalm 27, David feels under attack. In verse 12 he writes: “Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.” In short, David was subject to slander and false accusation. In the ancient world there was no such thing as video cameras … Continue reading Slander is an old-fashioned weapon
Laughter—through the tough times too
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). “Laughter is the best medicine.” We’ve probably all heard that expression. It may be based on the proverb quoted above. I’m not sure. Either way, the expression (and proverb) resonates because (a) we know it to be true from … Continue reading Laughter—through the tough times too
The right kind of order
“The precepts of the LORD are right,giving joy to the heart.The commands of the LORD are radiant,giving light to the eyes” (Psalm 19:8) In our day, the idea of “order” has increasingly come under suspicion. It stinks, some people say, of authoritarianism, control, drill sergeants, and people who are allergic to smiling. But that’s a … Continue reading The right kind of order
Seeking his face
You’re probably going to be more courageous if you know that God is close to you. When I was in elementary school, there was a mean kid on the playground. But I had two older brothers. The mean kid was less scary when my brothers were around. You probably see the connection. ‘But,’ you ask, … Continue reading Seeking his face
