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What are your values? (1)

“The integrity of the upright guides them.” Pr 11:3 NIV

Here are some values based on Scripture: (1) God’s sovereignty. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Ps 139:16 NLT). You can rest in knowing that God has the last word on everything that concerns you (See Ps 138:8). When all is said and done, you have an ordered destiny. When you know that, you don’t have to try and manipulate people and circumstances to your advantage. You simply have to walk through the doors God opens and be at peace with the doors He closes, knowing He always has your best interests at heart. (2) Integrity. “The integrity of the upright guides them.” As you walk in integrity, you will experience God’s peace because you know you have done the right thing in His sight. Integrity is not only being honest or telling the truth, but also ensuring what you say is the truth. In other words, you make your word your bond. Psalm 15:4 says that one of the traits of a person who abides in God’s presence and does His will is that they “keep their promises even when it hurts” (NLT). (3) Humility. “Humility precedes honor” (Pr 15:33 NLT). Humility is not a sense of worthlessness, but instead an acceptance of your God-given strengths and God-allowed limitations. Your strengths should not make you arrogant, and your limitations should not make you apprehensive, for God has promised, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2Co 12:9 NKJV).

Stay blessed
Jesus is Lord!

Intimacy vs. activity

“Few things are needed…Mary has chosen what is better.” Lk 10:42 NIV

When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, their individual responses to Him were very different. Martha’s focus was on the meal. Her aim was to please Jesus. But she made a common mistake; her work became more important than her Lord. What began as a serving experience became a self-serving one. She forgot the meal was to honor Jesus, not her. She said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (v. 40 NIV). And what did Jesus say? “Martha, Martha…you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed…Mary has chosen what is better” (vv. 41-42 NIV). And what had Mary chosen? Intimacy with Jesus! The danger of religious activity is that sometimes it’s designed to make us feel good about ourselves and look good in front of others. Choosing activity over intimacy also happens to people who love the Lord and aren’t necessarily involved in church work. It’s amazing how many bright, successful people reach the point of burnout because they have neglected their relationship with God. They never intended to; it’s just that they have learned to make it on their own and haven’t been forced to rely on Him. Or they have bought into a “religious compartmentalization” of God—like He is just another weekly appointment on Sunday mornings. The fact that Jesus chose intimacy over activity teaches us a very important lesson: Until you put your relationship with God at the center of your life, you will struggle to find your true purpose, enjoy the fruit of your labors, and experience God’s peace and joy.

Stay blessed
Jesus is Lord!