God's Thought on Integrity - Today's Proverb

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."
Proverbs 22:1

Are We Pleasing Man or God?

"Is it my master ambition to please Him and be acceptable to Him or is it something less, no matter how noble?"
- Oswald Chambers

"So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Hope and Victory in the His Great Name, the Name of Jesus

This Easter season, desire to look to our conquering King for our hope. Let us give praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. (excerpts from 1 Peter 1:3) No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you. (excerpts from Jeremiah 10:6-7) And because of what Jesus has done, He has been given the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (excerpts from Philippians 2:9-11). This morning, let give Him honor and glory as we praise His Great Name!

Your Great Name - Natalie Grant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zpLPh6LibE

Reality in Christ

What we perceive as reality in our own lives is really only a shadow of eternity (2 Chronicles 29:15; Psalm 144:4; Colossians 2:17; James 4:14; 1 John 2:17). What we can see is never the full picture, it is only a distorted representation. Faith looks to the eternal, to that which we cannot see (Matthew 6:19-21; Romans 1:20; 2 Corinthians 4:8, 5:7; Hebrews 11:1). And truth looks to the Author of eternity (Jude 1:25; Revelation 22:13). So, our true reality can only come from the Creator himself (Colossians 1:16, 2:17; 1 John 5:20). So let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is the Way, Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). And he has already claimed the victory! (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Looking at the Big Picture: Confessions of a Sinner

"Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."
Psalm 116:7 NIV

At work, I have really been struggling to see the big picture. I have seen my ethic challenged, but unlike Christ, I rose to defend myself. Each night, I have kept this burden on my mind without releasing it. I have let it affect the way I presented myself at work, when another co-worker even questioned me that something about me was different. I did not turn it over to Christ, instead letting it change even my testimony. And, in this, I have sinned.

"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:7 NIV

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." I Peter 5:7 NIV

Today, I felt relieved to make it through yet another route evaluation in hopes of somehow earning their mark of approval. It has been about me the entire time. And, again, I failed to realize, I have sinned, in my pride.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." I Peter 2:23 NIV

Last night, as Nikki read Hope's devotional, we both realized it was not for her. The Holy Spirit instead had us in mind. It was entitled "Big Picture". As children, we accept things so simply. As adults, we strive for the mark, but miss it because we often do not see God in the big picture.

"And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 NIV

This is an excerpt from the Veggietales "Growing Day by Day" 365 Daily Devos for Girls:
"Remembering all the great things God has done for you can change how you look at the not-so-good things that can happen sometimes. It's what we call "perspective" - a big word that really means looking at the "big picture." Here are a few things to think about today:
#1 God made you and loves you forever
#2 God sent His Son, Jesus, to give you eternal life.
#2 God has a great plan for your life.
#4 God has given you talents and abilities so you can grow and do amazing things.
If you remember God's blessings and keep your eyes on the big picture, it is easy to relax and trust God."

Sin is not just the bad things we do in our lives; it is simply falling short of the mark God has made for us. Falling short of His righteousness, His perfection, His holiness, His Son's example. And that is what I did. And, I pray that even though I missed the mark this past week, that I can take hold of the following promise, then next time, remember to sit back, relax, and trust God.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9 NIV

Thank you God for forgiveness, and thank you that you gave yourself for us regardless of our shortcomings. Thank you for the cross, and thank you especially this Easter week, for your victory over sin and death.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV

Thought of the Day from Oswald Chambers

From today's reading in My Utmost from His Highest

"Yielding to Jesus will break every form of slavery in any human life."
Oswald Chambers

Thought of the Day from Oswald Chambers

From today's reading in My Utmost for His Highest

"The bedrock of our Christian faith is the unmerited fathomless marvel of the love of God exhibited on the cross of Calvary, a love we never can and never shall merit."
- Oswald Chambers