By Mark Jackson [ MJ in my PJ's]

Today I have a few thoughts running through my head as I try to share a meaningful devotional with you. One of course is the people in Haiti. May the Father hear all our prayers. But also is the thought of doing the right thing at all times. When there is tragedy some see it as opportunity for unethical gain. The rest is food for our collective thoughts.

Some online dictionaries report each year on what words were looked up the most on their site. For 2005, some of the most popular words were refugee, pandemic, tsunami, and levee. Because of worldwide catastrophic events that year, we can readily understand why those words were checked.

The most popular lookup for the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary for 2005r was the word integrity. The definition given is: “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.” It’s used to describe those who are unwilling to be bribed or morally corrupted. Why was that word on the top of the list? Could it be because integrity is so lacking that many don’t know what it looks like in someone’s life?

The word God gave us has an example of integrity in the life of Joseph. Potiphar had put Joseph in charge of overseeing “his house and all that he had” (Gen. 39:5). When he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph refused, saying, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (v.9). Potiphar knew what God’s standards were, and he chose to stand for the right—at the cost of his freedom.

Integrity, look it up in Genesis 39. Then live it out in God’s strength. Consider, in what ways have you been a person of integrity when it was tough? When have you failed? Whose standards do you live by? What do you need to change?

I have asked my self these same questions. This sinner needs a lot of work. As the phrase goes, I fall short of the glory of God. Let’s all go live a life where our legacy is rich with integrity.

See you next Sunday,

MJ

by Mark Jackson [MJ in my PJ's]

Up to a point a mans life is shaped by environment, heredity, and movements and changes in the world about him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say, ‘this I am today; that I will be tomorrow. “Louis l’amour”

by Mark Jackson [MJ in my PJ's]

Let’s be honest even today life looks rosy for a great many people. Their work is fulfilling, the house, condo, second home or apartment doesn’t need repair. Their bank account shows a surplus, family members are enjoying good health, and lastly, their friends are loyal and true.We must be mindful however, good times can be dangerous. The comforts and pleasures of this world can become so important that we give God little or no place in our thoughts. If we are not careful Prosperity can quickly lead to serious complacency.

I always say God has a sense of humor and he knows His stiff neck people well. God knew the complacency of Prosperity would happen to His people when they entered the Promised Land. So He warned them not to forget the source of their blessings (Deut. 6:12). He instructed them:

• Fear the Lord (v.13).
• Serve Him (v.13).
• Do not go after other gods (v.14).
• Do not tempt the Lord (v.16).
• Keep the commandments (v.17).
• Do what is right and good (v.18).

Truthful, the Father has blessed me, my family, numerous friends and business partners wonderfully over the last few years. These blessings have come in spite of the news on CNN and Fox. But, history has shown that religious and spiritual commitment usually declines during prosperous times. But if we will learn from Israel’s experience and heed the Lord’s instruction, this need not happen to you or me.

Let’s be careful that we do not forget the Lord especially when all looks bright! Remember the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21? Just know we have no good apart from God.

See you next Sunday, 

MJ

PS Prosperity may be a greater test of character than poverty.