Integrity is developed in the privacy of our quiet time with the Lord

“Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord.” Psalm 119:1

Integrity to me is something you can’t put on when you walk out in public, just like you can’t pretend to know the law of the Lord and use it when it is necessary.

Integrity is something God clothes us in when we study His law and make it a part of our everyday life. It is done in the privacy of our quiet time with Him.  

Jesus is seen through those who are clothed in the integrity of His word! Their lives display honesty, and they do not compromise with evil, the world, or sin. They are full of Jesus and not the corruption of lies, gossip, deceit, anger, jealousy, pride, greed, or self.

Prayer: Lord silence our lips and let our real integrity show.  Amen

Tiny men of integrity!

"Happy are people of Integrity, who follow the law of the Lord." Psalm 119:1

Right now I am sitting on the floor in our bathroom watching my two precious boys play in the tub. From where I am sitting all I can see are there sweet little heads peeking at me from over the top of the tub and it makes my heart leap with joy-truly leap in a way that only Jesus could make it leap. Thank You Jesus!

You know what else makes my heart leap? Knowing that one day these two babies now 4 and 2 will one day grow up to be men of integrity who follow the law of the Lord. I know that because I believe it! I believe they are His right now! 

I hear the passion they have for Jesus through their prayers and at night when they listen as we read the Bible together! I see it in their actions and it reassures me Jesus is alive within them.

I believe it because I pray it over them and I know that if G and I are living our lives with integrity and following His laws-so will they! 

I also believe when we make Jesus and His word seem like a food, drug, or drink we can't live without, so will they!

I just believe God is going to use these two boys to do some really, really amazing things for His glory!

I told you my view was great!

Prayer: Lord control every area of their lives. Fill them with a type of hunger for You that goes way beyond the occasional feeding of Your word. Let it be a hunger that lasts forever, never growing old, or getting full. Amen

Until then

“Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord. “ Psalm 119:1

We are sitting in the motel tonight and our two year old so far has done everything he has been told NOT to do. Finally after the millionth time (yes should have stopped at one) Garrett grabbed him and got his attention and then made the following comment.

“He is the perfect example of living in the flesh. He does everything he is not supposed to.”

That comment was so true, not because he was being bad but because as of right now our two boys are living in the flesh and will continue until they ask Jesus to come live in their hearts and be their personal Lord and Savior.

I must say I do believe our 4 year old has sincerely done that and when the time is right the Lord will impress upon his heart to follow him in baptism. And I know “bubba” will follow!

It is a hard realization but one that is very real. I know this fleshly living will not last long because I already see their love and need for Jesus developing and I also believe that a child is never too young to grasp and understand the importance of Jesus.

Until then we will continue to teach them the word of God, we will continue to teach them the importance of pleasing Jesus and living for Him and in His timing it will all be perfect and they will sense Him calling!

Prayer: Lord Jesus hasten the day! Amen

The Oxygen in my blood

"Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord." Psalm 119:1

How do you live out this verse? How do you actually apply it to your life and make it become an action?

How do you apply any of God’s word to your life? By obeying it, right, well that is easier said than done, and for the life of me I don’t get it, especially when you love Jesus so much. Just maybe it is because we are in a constant spiritual warfare, or maybe because we try to be in control and do it ourselves, of which I am also realizing is another big struggle of mine.

I know right now, at this very moment that if I want to apply Psalm 119:1 to my life then I need every word to penetrate to the core of my bones and all throughout my mind. In order to get God’s word to those places I have to say it over and over and over and over. One time will not suffice.

God’s word needs to become the oxygen in my blood.

I want to be full of Him and His word so much, yet I, at times pick and choose the things I want from His word to be full of.  Does that even make sense?

Do you know what else needs to be done? I need to get out of the way and let the Holy Spirit take control-which is SO HARD at times!

Prayer: Jesus teach me to put mySELF aside so the great Counselor can take control. Keep Your word constantly on the forefront of my mind. Thank You that Your word never comes back void. Amen

Clean Slate

“Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD.” Psalm 119:1

The Press: “You must have a lot of money Garrett.”

Garrett: chuckling, “Why is that?”

The Press: “Because we called tons of people and dug around to try and find something on you, but we never found anything, nor did we ever hear one negative thing about you. You must have had to pay a lot of people.”  The press laughing

Garrett: speechless

That was a recent conversation my husband had at the School Board meeting upon waiting to be hired as the new Athletic Director/Head Football Coach in Jasper TX.

It was a conversation that has lingered in my mind and one that has made our passage come alive in a way that could be seen and heard. It is always wonderful to hear people say good things about your husband, but this good thing surpassed them all.

My husband whom I have always thought of as a man of great integrity was literally clothed in it. He is a man of honesty who does not compromise with evil or corruption. He is that “person” who is happy because he follows the law of the Lord. And all people who meet him and know him see that within him and that my brethren is something I admire and hope to be clothed in as well. Not for the sake of praise from man, but because of the happiness that comes from it, and because of the pleasure it brings to our Heavenly Father.  

Prayer: Lord Jesus thank You for clothing my husband in integrity and for the happiness that falls off of him because of it. May we all strive to live lives that are full of integrity because we follow Your law. Lord we love You and we want to show You our love by living out Your word. Help us to do so. Amen

The longest book…bring it on!

      

"Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord." Psalm 119:1

Awhile back the Lord impressed upon me to study Psalm 119 and to store it. So I have been doing just that and have challenged my precious college babies to join me. 

Just today I was texting them to see how they were coming along when it dawned on me to challenge all my brothers and sisters to study and memorize Psalm 119.

I know so many of us already have verses out of this book memorized which will make it even more special, fun, and exciting when you come to it. Also we will do one verse a week, that way we have enough time to really study it, store it, and live it out.

So join us, the more the merry and the better the accountability. If you are up for it shoot us a comment. We would love to hear from you and also it will help us all keep one another accountable.

If you want we would also love to hear what God teaches you from each verse. You can email me and I will copy and paste it, or place it in the comments section. 

I am super excited, there is nothing I love more than basking in the word of God with others.  

Prayer: Lord we are so excited to store Your word. But we are even more excited to see how quickly it spreads from one end of the earth to the other. Make this become contagious for Your glory! Amen

Midlife Crisis…not really

"Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Exodus 33:11

Okay I feel like I have hit my midlife crisis at 30! I know that sounds ridiculous, it sounds ridiculous to me as well. To be honest I am not even sure what a midlife crisis is nor am I sure if I even believe there is such a thing. But today I love the saying because I have no other way to express the confusion I feel.

Do this or do that, will I be happy doing this, will I hate doing that? Will this be best for my family or would this be better? These are just a few of the thoughts running through my mind. I am sure it makes no sense whatsoever and I am sure it would help if I was a lot more specific but at the moment I just am not ready to be specific. I am laughing because I don’t think those thoughts would even be considered a midlife crisis, and like I said I don’t even know what a midlife crisis is. I just like it because it makes me laugh.

I can tell you that I love the conversations God and I are having about all of this. Today this was one of them.

Kristi: Lord You made it so clear to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Paul what You wanted them to do. I mean seriously You stopped Paul in his tracks and then You spent almost three years with him teaching him one on one. You made it specific to Abraham exactly what he needed to do in order to be the Father of many nations, You even gave him the exact instruction on who to sacrifice and where. Then Noah, wow, Father You were so specific with Noah. You laid out for him exactly what material to use and exactly how to build, design and fill the Ark. And Moses, You came and met with him, talked directly to him, Your presence was so real with Moses he would walk off the mountain and be glowing from Your presence. Can You be that specific with me, I mean You even made it clear to Mary exactly how the conception of Christ would happen and the reason for doing so. There are just so many stories throughout Your word where You have made it so clear to those whom You wanted to use in a specific way. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John knew exactly what to write because You spoke with power through them. I am not asking to be more than what Your will is for me, I am just asking that You show me what You want me to do and what is best for my family. You know my desire Lord, You created that desire within me, and because of that I know I need to continue to be patient and wait for You to act. Please just help me see the path You are laying out before me and keep me from taking a path I am trying to create on my own.

God: Kristi be still and know that I AM GOD.

So brethren I am going to be still-the best that I can!

Prayer: Lord thank You for meeting with me today. Help me to be still and wait patiently for You to act. Amen

A better kind of rich

“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11

I came across this passage today and it struck something within me that made me realize the importance of investing in my relationship with the Lord more and investing less in my relationship with the world, and when I say that I mean materialistic things that are of no value.

In Luke 12:21 it says, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

God is telling me something here and I don’t want to miss it. In order to better my relationship with Him and become rich, I have to put more into Him. His word needs to become my savings account. I need to deposit into my spiritual bank account and stop depositing into my earthly bank account that is benefiting only me.

I need to be writing checks to those who are need of Christ’s love. I need to become more concerned with how wealthy I am in Christ and not here on earth.

I want to be so rich in my relationship with God that my bank account overflows with His love, joy, peace, mercy, kindness, hope, and complete contentment in what we have together.

Prayer: Lord thank You for Your word and for filling me with the hunger to become rich in my relationship with You. Forgive me for the times I have wanted earthly richness. Amen

Just stay awhile

“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11

Every time I reflect on this passage, I can’t help but to wonder what these times were like for Moses. I just envision him being so peaceful, so relaxed, happy, but also full of questions, and the urge to look at God and say, “Please let me just stay here with You a little longer.”

I have those moments with the Lord when I never want to leave His presence. In those times I just wish I could  stay forever.

Do you have moments like that with Lord?

Prayer: Jesus thank You for making the time I spend with You so amazing that I never want to leave. Amen

Catching up

“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11

I am sitting in the lobby of our hotel surrounded by men and women laughing and talking. I am assuming it is a big family reunion. I am tucked away over in a little corner and I can’t help but to watch them as they mingle with family they haven’t seen in a while.

Isn’t it fun to visit family you haven’t seen in a while and catch up on what’s going on? I enjoy it so much; the only bad part about my last couple get together’s has been because of death. But even so, it is still nice to catch up and invest a little more into your relationship.

Just like when we slow down enough to catch up with Jesus and invest some time into our relationship with Him. There is never a time we don’t walk away loving every minute that we spend with Him.

We should really do that more, you know, invest quality time with Jesus like Moses did.  He met with God a lot. We should meet with Jesus a lot.

There is so much joy and laughter in this room, it just feels good, and sounds inviting. That is how I want my relationship with Jesus to be. When we meet I want there to be joy, laughter, and feel and sound so wonderful that I leave wanting to invite others to join us next time.

God is good brethren and I know He is in this room tonight, mingling!

Prayer: Jesus thank You for this huge family. Thank You for bringing them together to catch up and spend quality time with one another in joy and love. I pray that You are the center of each life and that every day they will invest their time in You. Amen

Friendship

 “Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11

Moses’ relationship with God is one I desire to have with Jesus. Listen to this conversation Moses and God had.

“Moses said to the Lord, You have been telling me. Take these people up to the Promised Land. But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You call me by name and tell me I have found favor with you. Please, if this is really so, show me your intentions so I will understand you more fully and do exactly what you want me to do. Besides, don’t forget that this nation is your very own people.

And the Lord replied, ‘I will personally go with you, Moses. I will give you rest-everything will be fine for you.’

Then Moses said, ‘If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place. If you don’t go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with you? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on earth?’

And the Lord replied to Moses, ‘I will indeed do what you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and you are my friend.’ Exodus 33:12-17

Did you notice what God called Moses, His friend! I want Jesus to call me His friend. I want to carry on a full blown conversation with Jesus just like Moses did with God.

In order for that to happen I have to become a better friend. One that gets to know Jesus more, one that talks less and listens more, one that spends time each day checking on my friend.

I also need to become the friend that wants Jesus to be more glorified than me. I need to give more and expect less! I need to serve Him more, devote the time we spend together getting to know Him instead of always making it about me.

Not only do I need to be a better friend to Jesus but I need to be a better friend to my husband. I need to listen more and talk less, I need to give more and expect less. I need to be a better friend so I can become a better wife.

Studying the relationship between Moses and God has taught me a lot about how my relationship with Christ and my husband should be. They both need time, nurturing, trust, intimacy and a lot less of “me, me, me.”

Prayer: Jesus develop within me the type of friend You desire me to be. First and foremost with You and secondly with my husband whom You have blessed me to be with here on earth. I am so thankful to have him as my best friend. Amen

Visit with Jesus first

"Inside the Tent of Meeting,the Lord would speak to Moses face to face,as a man speaks to his friend." Exodus 33:11

When was the last time you met with Jesus face to face and spoke with Him as you would your best friend?

We find it so much easier to speak with a friend than we do with the very one who created us.

How can we get to the point where we would die if we didn't get to talk to Jesus at some point in our day, just to tell Him all that is going on and what all has happened.

I mean isn't that how we feel when we don't get to talk to someone we are really close to? So why not God?

Let's make a point to visit with Jesus first-face to face!

Prayer: Lord strengthen our relationship with You. Amen

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy

Two of our favorite people! Today is our precious "adopted" sons birthday-Weldon.

Prayer: Lord God thank You so much for this amazing young man. He has been such a wonderful godly example to so many, including us and his two baby brothers. Lord thank You for the love he has for all of Your creation. I pray you bless him beyond what he could ever imagine. Fill him with wisdom beyond his years. Guide him and direct him in the way You want him to go. May he always walk in Your footsteps and stick to the path You have set before him. 

Lord He is so special to us and we love him more than he will ever know. Thank You for blessing us with such a sweet young man. We are truly a better family because You brought him into our lives. Amen

Weldon, we love you more than we could ever express in words. You have been such a blessing to our family and we could  not have asked for a better "adopted" son! Thank you for loving our boys and us. We pray God's richest blessings to fall upon you sweet boy. 

Claiming the truth...we are precious to God

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2

Does your condemnation on others come from the sins that have taken root in you?

Does your condemnation on yourself come from the lack of faith you have in Christ?

Do you listen more to the lies of Satan than you do the promises of God?

Do you spend more time pondering on the negative than you do the positive?

Are you always comparing yourself to others and then pointing out the negative in them because of your own insecurity?

If so, the next time we begin to condemn ourselves or someone else; we need to stop and claim this following verse over ourselves and over them.

“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!” Psalm 139:17

Claim the truth that God’s thoughts about you and me, His very own children, are not that of condemnation, but are precious, loving, forgiving, merciful, and full of joy.

Prayer: Lord thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Thank You that I am made in Your image, loved by You, adored by You, of value to You, and of worth to You. Amen

Switch out the ammo

  “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2

The law condemns us and reveals our sinfulness. Let me say that one more time more for my sake than anything else. The law condemns us and reveals our sinfulness.

When you look at the life of the Pharisees they were law followers to the max, especially one in specific, Paul. Maybe that is why I relate to Paul so much, because I often find myself being a hard core law follower, even perfectionist.

In doing so, I have carried around a large gun loaded with condemnation as my ammo. I have pointed this gun at myself and at others. It is really a crazy analogy I know but if you think about it, condemnation can be very wounding. Believe me I know from experience, I have pointed it at myself and felt the impact, plus I have pointed it at others pulled the trigger and watched as the condemnation hit and pierced their hearts.

All because I have strived to follow the law and do it perfectly, when I should be walking in faith and love and doing so because my amazing Savior has drenched me with grace and love to do so.

Oh, the amazing realization’s God brings us to. I always love it when God switches out my ammo and loads it with humbleness, insight, and love. More than anything, I love that when Christ’s ammo hits me, it is less painful, more helpful, encouraging, and it brings healing and hope instead of death, disappointment, failure, sadness, and pain.

Prayer: Lord switch out my ammo of condemnation and replace it with the ammo of Your love, faith, and grace. Amen

False Advertisement

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2

If we are following the ways of the Lord, then let’s cling tightly to this verse.

“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” John 3:17

God did not send us into this world to condemn it, ourselves or others, but to glorify Him, worship Him, and to bring others to know Him.

God is full of more love than any of us could ever wrap our minds around. And when His Son is living in us, we too are filled with more love than we ourselves can contain. So let’s start letting that love pour out of us like a river flooding the lives of those around us.

We want all people to see how wonderful our God is and Savior is, and if we are always condemning others, or condemning ourselves in the presence of others, than we are putting off the wrong image of who our Merciful and loving God is.

Just look at it as false advertisement. 

Prayer: Lord forgive me for the times I have advertised You in a false manner, whether through my words, actions, and even thoughts. I want all people to see how amazing, holy, merciful, and loving You are. Amen

Through One Man

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2

Through one man came death and condemnation, but through another man came life, life that allows us to live over sin and death and to be found right in the sight of God.  This man, Jesus Christ!

Because of His obedience, His action, and His love, you and I can walk in the kindness of God. We can also walk with confidence knowing that no matter what we are loved, adored, beautiful, accepted, forgiven, wanted, of value, purpose, meaning, and saved by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Brethren God does not condemn His children. Nor should we condemn our brothers and sisters or ourselves. We should esteem one another the way Christ esteems us, His very own children. Let’s start being more like our Father and less like the man who brought death and condemnation because of his sin.

Prayer: Jesus thank You for obeying God and going all the way to the cross. Help us to focus more on Your goodness. Amen

Let's flood the Throne Room for our sister-Joanne

Brothers and Sisters I want you to meet one of our sisters in Christ, Joanne. Joanne is an amazing woman of God who is in MAJOR need of our prayers. Joanne has just recently suffered a stroke that has become life-threatening.

She is a mother to, two beautiful children and a wife to her husband Toben. I do not know Joanne personally, only through her amazing blog thesimplewife.typepad.com/. Which makes me feel as though I have known her forever and that we have a lot in common.

I ask of you today to pray for her and her family as she fights for her life. I also encourage you to check out her blog. Toben, her husband is keeping us all up to date on her condition and is encouraged daily by the floods of comments, emails, and tweets by his brothers and sisters around the world who are praying for his precious wife.

Please, I am asking each of you to stop and take a minute (or however long you feel lead) out of your day, bow your head, and lift this sister and her family up in prayer. Brethren let's flood the throne room today with prayers for Joanne.

Prayer: Jesus You know the very need Joanne, Toben and their two precious babies need for today. I ask that You go way beyond just meeting that need and that You bring healing in such a way that shocks the hospital, the staff, and people around the world. Lord I also ask that in these critical moments You fill Toben with the strength, comfort, and guidance he needs to make decisions. Lord we know You work all things out for the good of those who love You. So with that I ask boldly in Your name that You work healing into Joanne today. Jesus we believe in Your powerful healing, name and love. Be her personal Physician and perform a miracle within her today. I ask this in Your name that brings healing Jesus. Amen

I no longer live under it…I live over it!

 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2

Have you ever lived under condemnation? So have I for way too long. Do you know what happens to us when we allow condemnation to consume our thoughts, whether from ourselves, or from others? It robs us from Christ’s joy?

Do you know how hard it is to have joy and live under condemnation at the same time? It is EXTREMELEY hard and impossible.

Do you know what else condemnation does to us? It takes control of our actions because it convinces us we are not worthy, loved, or adored. It convinces us that we are wrong, too sinful, and way to unworthy to ever be accepted by Christ. It also leads us to believe we can and will never do anything right. Therefore our actions and our attitude begin to reflect that condemnation that is controlling us.

Do you ever feel like you will live under condemnation the rest of your life? Well don’t feel that way anymore because that is from Satan himself and he wants you to believe that. He even wants to rob you from ever having the joy of Christ. He will use anyone and anything especially yourself to convince you.

BUT…

There is hope, there is victory, and there is that unimaginable amount of joy awaiting you that comes from Christ Jesus within you.

Because we belong to Christ Jesus, we no longer have to live under condemnation ever again. “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

Through Christ we have been set free from the power of sin that leads to death. (Romans 8:2)

Because of Christ WE are worthy, we are loved, we are adored, and when we serve Him and search for Him with all our hearts we are able to do the right things.

 If you, like me have lived under the condemnation of yourself and others than let Romans 8:1-5 consume your every being.  Let Christ show you and lavish you with His love for you. Let this passage reassure you every time condemnation creeps up. And remember that you are free from the power of sin that leads to death because of Christ Jesus!

Prayer: Jesus freedom never felt so good. Thank You for overcoming death and sin so I no longer have to live captive to it or under the condemnation of it. Amen

The Jesus in him

"Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principals." Psalm 119:5

This is our future generation brothers and sisters, and I am a proud sister in Christ upon hearing of the passion that our God fills within this brother of ours.