Author: Jim Poitras

If I could choose to be any Bible character it would be Barnabas. I desire to be an encourager in my writing, speaking, and living.

The Day “It” Died

Guest Post by Nick Sisco – UPCI Missionary to Ghana, West Africa

No one remembers the day, or for that matter the year, “It” died, but we all experienced the emptiness “It” left within society. “It” was not loud or bossy. He was not arrogant or proud. “It” was honest, faithful, blameless, dignified and honorable. “It” lived according to the strictest code of conduct and could be depended on to do the right thing, even when no one else was looking. Yes, “It” was complete within himself. He had nothing to fear, nothing to hide and nothing to prove. He was always just himself. “It” had a wholeness that few, if any, could match.

You will remember “It” when I use his full name, “Integrity.” In a world of relativity, integrity has become passé, old fashioned, and unpopular. Get to the top at all cost seems to be the order of the day. Yet the Bible has a lot to say about “It”.

God told Solomon, “And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.” (1 Kings 9:4-5)

Job, when answering one of his so called counselor friends in Job 27:5 declared, “God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.” David invited God in Psalm 7:8 to judge him according to his righteousness, and “according to mine integrity that is in me.” “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.” (Proverbs 10:9) The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” (Proverbs 11:3) I like what Proverbs 20:7 has to say, “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “If my life was carefully investigated, would I be embarrassed by what was discovered?” What would be revealed if God set up a big screen that would display our lives… our integrity? A person of integrity has nothing to fear because of the consistency in his life; examinations are not an embarrassment. Integrity does not mean one is perfect but it assures consistent movement in the right direction. A person of integrity has the desire to live an honest, complete life that avoids deception and is sincere in thought, word and deed (Psalm 19:14).

“It” lives in you but can die overnight. The pressures of life, the pain of reality or the case for compromise can all assassinate “It.” We have to decide in advance to protect “It”. Integrity is not something you hope to have it is a choice you make. The choices made today determine the future experienced tomorrow.

Charles Swindoll wrote five things integrity produces.  First, “It” produces lasting character.  Integrity is long obedience in the same direction.  Living in the midst of a society that cannot tell the difference between good and evil, we need to cultivate reliable integrity. “It” produces a character that will last.

Second, integrity offers a clear conscience. You can go to bed every night with a totally free and relaxed conscience.

Third, integrity provides intimacy with God. Living a life of integrity will allow you to live a life free from guilt and sin because when you do something wrong your integrity will tell you, Hey! You need to repent of that and make things right immediately. When this is done it clears the way for a close, daily walk with the Lord.

Fourth, integrity produces a lasting legacy. What will you be remembered for?  People will remember you more for who you are than what you have said. People will remember how you lived faster than they will remember what you did. What they will remember is your lifestyle of integrity.

The fifth and final benefit from integrity is ending well, with no regrets.  May I remind you that over half of the people who failed in the Bible failed in the last half of their lives (Sampson, Saul, Solomon)! I want to go to heaven without embarrassment.

Let me leave you with a few questions to ponder as we reflect on integrity. What does integrity look like in my life? If my friends were questioned, would they affirm that I am a man or woman of integrity? In the end, will my children or those who walk with me be blessed after me?

Let’s protect integrity in a world that has removed “It” from everyday life. Let’s remain committed to living “It” so we can teach “It” and then reap the benefits of “It” within our lives and ministries. Integrity, you cannot effectively minister without “It”.

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Time To Stop, Drop, and Obey God’s Word

A story is told from Japan of a man who inherited a sacred stone from his father. His father had received the stone from his father and his father before him. The sacred stone had been in the family for many years. It was kept in a place of honor and highly valued. Even though the man did not really understand the reason for the stone, he believed in the tradition.

One day the man was taking a trip across the ocean in a boat. A storm arose. The boat began to toss and then sink. The man had several belongings with him and had to choose which he would try to save. He chose the sacred stone. However, as soon as he entered the water, he began to sink. He could not swim hard enough to get his head above the water. He sank deeper and deeper and knew he was about to drown. A decision had to be made. He thought, “Do I hold onto the stone and die, or do I let go and live?” He quickly concluded that living was more important than the sacred stone. The man dropped the stone into the deep and quickly swam to the surface. As he broke through the surface, he breathed in deeply and knew that he had made the right choice. Life is more important than a tradition that will only weigh you down and finally bring death. We must be careful that we never hold traditions more sacred than the Word of God.

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1)

Is there anything in my life that I hold as sacred that the Bible tells me to drop and walk away from?

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The Tragedy of Misdirecting Souls

A story is told of a terrible storm that was raging across the eastern part of the United States, making the progress of the train difficult. Among the passengers was a woman with a child, who was concerned lest she get off at the wrong station. A gentleman, seeing her anxiety, said: “Do not worry, I know the road well, and I will tell you when you come to your station.”

In due course the train stopped at the station before the one at which the woman wanted to get off.

“The next station will be yours,” said the gentleman.

As they went on, in a few minutes the train stopped.

“Now is your turn, Madam. Get out quickly!”

The woman took up the child and thanking the man, she left the train.  At the next stop, the brakeman called out the name of the station where the woman had wished to get off.

“You have already stopped at this station,” called the man to the brakeman.

“No sir,” he replied, “something was wrong with the engine, and we stopped for a few moments to repair it!”

“Oh, no” cried the other man, “I put that woman off in the storm when the train stopped between stations.

As they went back they found the lady dead (frozen to death in the storm) with the child lifeless in her arms.  It was the mistake of wrong directions being given.

Still more terrible is the result of misdirecting souls.  We must preach the original salvation message given to Peter in Acts 2:38:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

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The Tragedy of Ignoring the Alarm

Howard Hendricks in Color Outside the Lines gives an excellent illustration of what can happen to those who refuse to heed advice. A boat made its way toward its destination. On board were 1,358 people enjoying an afternoon outing. Thirty minutes after leaving the shore, a fire broke out. People started shouting, fearing their lives would be lost. Although the ship was close to shore, the captain steadily kept his course. No one knows why he did not return to land for help. Some say he did not understand the severity of what was taking place. Others say he thought the crew could take care of the situation. He refused to pay attention to the fire alarms, the screaming people, or the smoke and flames. The tragedy resulted in the loss of over a thousand lives. Investigations revealed the crew was unskillful and inspectors had been bribed. Fire buckets had been filled with garbage, and life vests had rotted.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:3).

  • God sees sin.
  • God sees the sinner.
  • God judges sin and sinners.
  • He provides only one way of escape (salvation).

The Bible is very clear that there are only two kinds of people (both in life and in death). (See Romans 3:9-31; 6.) They are

  • Saved
  • Lost

“Instead of worrying about how limited it sounds to have only one way, we should be saying, “Thank you, God, for providing a sure way to get to you!”
(Acts Commentary)

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The Question Hasn’t Changed Why Should The Answer?

The Question Asked:

“Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

The Answer Given:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

If someone in your church were to ask this same question, would he receive the same answer?

If the question hasn’t changed why should the answer?

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