Integrity Archives - Page 2 of 3 -

“Life Vs. Fake”

Date: 05-17-15

Today’s fake flowers are pretty real looking aren’t they? Some are made with silk; others with a variety a materials. But they are truly life-like, yet upon closer inspection, it is clear they are fake: No fragrance; no life.

When our Awana Club started back up after Christmas, I had noticed something rather disturbing on our “A Place for Your Things” Table. I saw a little baby just lying there amid all the coats and bags and books!!! Aghast, I moved quickly to ‘rescue’ the baby. Getting closer, I noticed the baby still look real, but its skin was rather odd—rubbery like. Duh, it was a very life-like baby. (The operative word is “like” —not truly alive.) Later, I spoke with the father of the daughter, whose baby it was, and he noted how he, too, would forget it was merely a doll….

Lifestyle worshiper, is there Life in your worship? In your walk with Jesus? Or is it merely “life-like”? Upon closer examination what will we find?

Main Text: — Galatians 2:20-21 — ²⁰I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”— John 14:6 (NIV84)

When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you, too, will be revealed with him in glory. —Colossians 3:4 (ISV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. — John 10:10 (NASB95)

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:9-14). Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Perfect Families?”

Date: 05-12-15

My Thoughts:

I like us to take a few moments and describe the perfect family. Maybe the Cleavers or Huxtables will come to mind? What descriptions or characteristics would you give them?

Now take a few moments and describe a healthy family. How do these qualities or characteristics differ from the perfect family? Or is there no difference to you?

Which would you rather be a perfect family or a healthy family? Explain…

Main Text: — Proverbs 17:1 —Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.— Proverbs 15:17 (NIV84)

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. —Ephesians 5:33 (NIV84)

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife — Proverbs 21:9 (NIV84)

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:14-19) In the Precious Name of the Spotless Lamb, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Restoring the Sacred in Our Culture”

Date: 04-21-15

The Big Idea: Keeping anything sacred in our culture requires personal determination and dedication.

My Thoughts: Have you notice that our culture is becoming more and more common and, well, quite frankly, vulgar? s have broken the decency barrier. What was once rated X and R is now PG-13, or —and it is on prime time TV for anyone to see, let alone young impressionable minds!

What does it mean to hold something sacred? Good question. If I may, I believe keeping anything sacred in our culture requires personal determination and dedication. And this determination and dedication follows at least five guidelines.

Allow me to present at least these five guidelines for regarding something sacred: First off, to hold something sacred it to separate it from common use. Secondly, to hold something sacred is to treat “it” with respect and dignity. Thirdly, that which is sacred is used only for special occasions. Fourthly, to hold something sacred is to limit its use to the “few”. And the last guideline for regarding something sacred I like to consider is to actively guard or protect “it” from being violated or soiled…. (Of course, there are many more guidelines that can be noted, but let us focus on these few.)

As an example, let us apply these five guidelines to a wedding dress. How can we hold this wedding dress sacred? (1) The dress is separated from common use; (2) The dress is treated with respect and dignity; (3) It is used only for the “day”, that special occasion; (4) This dress is limited to just the bride, and, if she chooses, afterwards she may pass it on to a daughter or granddaughter; and lastly (5) The dress is placed in a protective garment bag and/or a sealed box. This dress is considered sacred by the bride. She most definitely would not let her 4 year old play with it in the sandbox….

Okay, how about that special fishing rod or that lever action Winchester 32? Are these not used only on special occasions, and then kept in a case protected for that moment when you pass them along to your son or grandson? (or daughter, etc.?) Yes, these items are sacred, too, for the same guidelines that deem something sacred are followed—as it is treated with respect and dignity….

So, lifestyle worshipers, what can we do to restore the sacred in our culture, especially when it comes to marriage, sex, and human life? How would you apply these five guidelines to institutions, events, and people like these? Your thoughts?

Main Text: — Nehemiah 13:6b-9 — ⁶ … Some time later I [Nehemiah] asked his [the king’s] permission ⁷ and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God. ⁸ I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah’s household goods out of the room. ⁹ I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense. [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. — 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV84)

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. —1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV84)

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure. — Hebrews 13:4a (NIV84)

Heavenly Father, forgive me for treating common those things which You have deemed holy and sacred. Lord Jesus Christ, empower me to restore the sacred in my life. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“No Earthly Good?”

Date: 04-07-15

The Big Idea: A discussion on “you’re so heavenly minded you’re no earthly good.”

My Thoughts: Lifestyle worshiper, have you ever been accused of being so heavenly minded you’re no earthly good? I have, but I never really understood the charge. What does it mean to others for someone to be “so heavenly minded”? And how does this result in being “no earthly good”?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these two parts of this one idea.

Main Text: — Colossians 3:1-2 — ¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. — Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV84)

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. —Ephesians 3:17b-19 (NIV84)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. — 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father, grant me a proper perspective of balancing this life with the one to come. In Your Son’s Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“If we kept our promises…”

Date: 03-29-15

The Big Idea: Would keeping our commitments, promises and convents really change the world around us?

My Thoughts: Would your life be any different if people in your life kept their promises? How different would it be?

This is a question that I find fascinating. I know that I would be less tired. How about you? Who would benefit if I kept all my promises, commitments and covenants? How much different would their lives be?

What are your thoughts? As we discussion these questions, let’s add one more: How much different would the world be if believers in Jesus kept their commitments, promises, and covenants?

What do you see? What do you think the answers might be?

Main Text: — Nehemiah 9:38— ³⁸“In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.” [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. — 2 Corinthians 8:10-12 (NIV84)

Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. For ten days you will undergo suffering. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the victor’s crown of life. —Revelation 2:10 (ISV)

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. — 2 Timothy 1:5-7 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me for the promises I have forgotten and/or failed to keep. Forgive me for those commitments and covenants I have casually made with little or no intention of keeping. Create in me a pure heart that I might walk in the Light as You are in the Light. Rekindle the fire in my soul as You become my Strength & Integrity empowering me to keep my promises, commitments and covenants. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Suspenders, Belts, & Handshakes”

Date: 03-28-15

The Big Idea: It is like wearing suspenders and a belt. Just in case one fails, there is a back up.

My Thoughts: Have you ever seen someone wear suspenders and a belt? Some make fun of them; while others laud them. Of the former, it is said they are pessimistic; of the latter: they are prepared. What do you say?

I guess you’re wondering what I’m using this as an illustration for? A handshake with a written covenant. Our word is our bond so all we need is to “shake on it!” But, alas, now-a-days we have to have everything in writing. Really, though, is this so different from yesteryear? Notice in the main text below: They made a verbal agreement, put it in writing and then signed and sealed it! Why? I guess it is like wearing suspenders and a belt. Just in case one fails, there is a back up. Or it could be that they were pretty serious about keeping this covenant?

What are your thoughts? Should our word be our bond only sealed by a handshake? Or should we also put it in writing? You know, the suspenders and belt routine….

I truly value your input.

Main Text: — Nehemiah 9:38—“In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.” [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God. — Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 (NIV84)

Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. —Matthew 5:37 (NIV84)

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:62 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, be my Strength & Integrity as I keep my promises, a commitments and a covenants. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Is There A Difference”

Date: 03-26-15

The Big Idea: I’d like to have a discussion on what you think the difference is between a commitment, a promise and a covenant.

My Thoughts: As I prepare for this message I have been pondering the difference between a promise, a commitment and a covenant. Do they vary in degree or are the virtually the same, just synonyms? Does one involve a ceremony, and the others just a handshake or a spoken word?

I’d like to have a discussion on this. What do you think is the difference between a commitment, a promise and a covenant?

And does it matter that we distinguish between the three words?

I truly value your input.

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. —Matthew 5:37 (NIV84)

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:62 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, enlighten me as to the difference between a promise, a commitment and a covenant. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Explanation of the Word & Becoming a People of the Book”

Date: 03-14-15

The Big Idea: If the Word is indeed the Word of God (and I most assuredly believe it is), then I must do everything I can to accurately interpret the Word so that I will not be putting words in His mouth, right?.

My Thoughts: Even the Apostle Peter had some difficulties with some of the Apostle Paul’s writings (2 Peter 3:16). Even when he literally walked with Jesus, Peter had to ask the Lord, “Explain the parable to us” (see Matthew 15:15). The Ethiopian Eunuch was reading Isaiah 53 and asked Philip to explain it to him (Acts 8:31ff). Dare I supposed I need not to ask for explanation of the Word?

I have found that to become a People of the Book, I need to rightly interpret the Word of God. In order to do this, I need to interpret its meaning in the proper context: Literary, historical and cultural context. Sometimes I need to read a good commentary or ask one who has study the Word longer than I have or who has a particular expertise in a language or given area of history…. I try to surround myself with people like this.

If the Word is indeed the Word of God (and I most assuredly believe it is), then I must do everything I can to accurately interpret the Word so that I will not be putting words in His mouth, right?

If our God is sovereign over time, and if He has breathed Life into the Words of this Book, then it follows that His Words can span time and culture. His Words go beyond any ‘first century worldview’ or 21^st century deconstruction attempts. His Word is eternal and valid for all cultures and times….

On my journey becoming a People of the Book, I have learned some simple guidelines of interpretation: First, I make observations of the text prior to reading any commentaries. I focus on the verbs and participles in their original language, moving to key nouns and adjectives. Then I move to interpretation, asking such questions as what was the context of the original audience, what is the context of the passage in the Bible, and how does the author use these particular words. Once I come up with some contextual interpretation of the Word, I move to application. I have found that following both of the first two steps avoids any misapplication and putting words in the Holy One’s mouth. What I have also learned is, much of the time this is hard and sacred work. Sometimes I have discovered that what I thought the passage said actually was my bias taking it out of context. …. Have you found this to be so, too? Has the Word presently come alive to you in ways that it has not in the past? Share your story about your journey becoming a People of the Book as you get explanations of the Word.

Main Text: — Nehemiah 8:8— They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read. [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. — 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

The disciples came to [Jesus] and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” —Matthew 13:10-12 (NIV84)

Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar. — Proverbs 30:5-6 (NIV84)

Pastor Mike

“Remain at Your Post”

Date: 02-14–15

Text: — Nehemiah 6:10-13 — ¹⁰One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.” ¹¹ But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” ¹² I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. ¹³ He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: When faced with opposition, stand strong and stay at your post.

My Thoughts:

Truly, there are those times we need to withdraw and regroup, but there are also those times when we stand strong and stay at our post. We do this for several reasons. Nehemiah shows us that one reason is being a strong leader, one must demonstrate integrity by remaining strong at our post. V. 11 above teaches me this: “should a man like me.” Nehemiah was a man of integrity, and as a wise and strong leader, he did what he expected those he led to do: Do not be intimidated by the enemy’s lies; stand strong at your post!

Lifestyle worshiper, right now you may be enduring lies and misinformation about you or your circumstances. You may be encountering those who are trying to intimidate you into ‘leaving your post’. Stand strong! Remain at your post. And do this not just for your own integrity’s sake, but also for the sake of those you are posted to protect! You are building walls from the debris of broken relationships. Your success may not be as evident to you as it is to others, but many are looking to you. They see your courage, your integrity, and your faithfulness. Stand strong! Remain at your post!

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. — Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV84)

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. — Gal. 6:9 (NASB95)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 (NASB95)

Lord Jesus Christ, be my strength as I stand against the schemes of the wicked one. You desire to rebuild! He has come to tear down. You restore. He scatters. You heal. He wounds. Blessed be Your Name for You are greater in and through me than he that is in the world. Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Start with the Obvious”

Date: 02-05-15

Text: — Nehemiah 3:10 —Adjoining this, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house, and Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs next to him. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Maybe it is time to address this and start with the obvious.

My Thoughts:

As the people of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day began to rebuild the wall, they did something rather obvious and simple: The started with the obvious. This “obvious” was right outside their front door (see v. 10 above). When rebuilding the wall, they all worked together doing their part, and many started in the obvious place….

Lifestyle worshipers, many want to serve the Lord in distant lands, and this is very good. We need many, many more to capture this mission. But most of us do not have this burden. And what I have noticed is we will distract ourselves with all sorts of ‘distant’ busyness, and not really repair the walls of relationships just outside our front doors. For whatever fear we distract ourselves, the irony is the rejection has already happened; the hope of ever repairing the relationship eludes us. So what do we have to lose in attempting to fix those relationships that are right outside our front door?

Yes, maybe it is time to address this and start with the obvious? What do you think? Care to share your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

— Mark 5:18-19 (NIV84)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

— Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, instill in me a courage that will overcome my fears of rebuilding the relationships that are nearest to me. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike