Integrity, Honesty, and Sincerity ~ Psalm 15

Only those who are innocent and who do what is right. Such people speak the truth from their hearts and so not tell lies about others. They do no wrong to their neighbors and do not gossip. They do not respect hateful people but honor those who honor the LORD. They keep their promises to their neighbors, even when it hurts. They do not charge interest on money they lend and do not take money to hurt innocent people. Whoever does all these things will never be destroyed. Psalm 15:3-5 NCV 

Christians demonstrate their relationship and fellowship with God in the everyday, ordinary, getting-up, going-to-work, having-lunch, sitting-in-car line, helping-with-homework, cleaning-the-kitchen-again activities. Worshiping God is not confined to the church building. When our inner integrity merges with our outward sincerity, the heart reveals its true intimacy with Jesus. Desiring to serve or wanting to love, wishing for faith or longing for hope, simply is not enough. Behavior becomes the thermometer for our worship. Integrity exceeds doing what is right by doing it for the right reason. Sincerity has only room for truth, honor, and love. Are you lukewarm?

"In the stillness, our false, busy selves are unmasked and seen for the imposter they truly are." Richard Foster, Prayer, Finding the Heart's True Home 

 If we take inventory of our behavior, what will we find? What happens when we remove our masks: control, busyness, apathy, carelessness, greed, prejudice, rationalization, self-consciousness, comfort? Can we find justice without truth? Can we know completeness without mercy? The simplicity of Psalm 15 lays out the characteristics for a Believer who desires to abide in God's presence. So,take off the masks. Live with honesty. Work, speak, and think, making Christ the center of your intentions.

"He who does these things will never be shaken." NASB

This phrase, a promise of a faithful God, appears at least 8 times in Psalms and Proverbs.The Hebrew word mot describes something that "falters, falls, shakes, slips, or staggers." In these last words, God reminds us our completeness in Him; He is our sure foundation. While we are certain to falter, likely to fall, sometimes shake, and frequently stagger, God embraces our frailty and failures with mercy. God calls us, first, into His holiness to restore our inward integrity, then reveals Himself to others through our outward sincerity. If we walk among the bruised and broken, sit beside the outcasts and overlooked, encourage the frail and fallen, and do this in the name of Jesus, we will never be shaken. ~dho

Consider This:
- Identify the masks you wear that keep you from finding completeness in Christ.
- Will you take off the masks and enter God's holy space?

When our inner integrity merges with our outward sincerity, the heart reveals its true intimacy with Jesus. Donna Oswalt

God calls us, first, into His holiness to restore our inward life, then reveals Himself to others through our outward tasks. Donna Oswalt

Who's Invited? ~ Psalm 15

GOD, who gets invited to dinner at Your place?
How do we get on Your guest list? Psalm 15:1-2 The Message

In considering the qualities that God desires of His children, the heart could feel overwhelmed. After all, by the very nature of our humanity, we struggle with sin, daily recognizing our inability to be love, to show kindness, to offer forgiveness. Yet, God's unconditional love for us reaches down into our brokenness. Without such extravagant love, we remain in constant need of rescuing, both restless and reckless. The truth is that no one can enter His holy space without an invitation, but the greatest truth is that God is inviting all of us to be His guest! Jesus personally seals each invitation. Will you leave behind the fractured places and worn-out spaces of life?Will you allow God's grace to cover you, to renew your soul? Will your RSVP to God's heavenly dinner feast be YES? "Be my Savior, be my lifeline, be my everything..." - dho

I Can Just Be Me by Laura Story

Consider This:
- LISTEN to this song (also can be heard by clicking the song title "I Can Just Be Me")
- In what ways does this song describe your life? Give you hope? Bring you peace?

After all, by the very nature of our humanity, we struggle with sin, daily recognizing our inability to be love, to show kindness, to offer forgiveness. Donna Oswalt

The truth is that no one can enter His holy space without an invitation, but the greatest truth is that God is inviting all of us to be His guest! Donna Oswalt

Inner Character ~ Psalm 15

He who walks uprightly,
and works righteousness,
and speaks truth in his heart...Psalm 15:2 NKJV

Continuing our study of ethical integrity outlined in Psalm 15, one can find 10 standards of character that reflect a lifestyle pleasing to God. These standards parallel the Ten Commandments and offer examples of visible, outward behavior that goes beyond what is required. Integrity exceeds head knowledge by calling for a heart response. In the New Testament, James 1:22-25 emphasizes the need to obey, not just listen. Our inner character writes the story our living tells others.

These words in Psalm 15 paint positive pictures that represent sincerity, completeness, and trustworthiness. Actions disclose the inner character of a person, describe their true relationship with God and distinguish authenticity of the heart. Being in fellowship with God positions the Christian to breakdown barriers and construct communities that together share the Gospel of Christ. Ethical integrity is spiritual faithfulness in a faithful God lived out loud!

Blackaby says, "Righteousness is the key to intimacy with God." As we draw near to God in study and prayer, let us take inventory of our outward behavior. What story do my actions tell others about my fellowship with God? How have I given a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves, or am I simply satisfied with my abundance? When did I last wash the feet of another, or is my humility missing? Where could my hands have held another's pain, or am I too busy to stop? The heart's most sincere desire must be to have an intimate relationship with God; only then we can walk and work and speak with pure expressions of grace. -dho

Consider This:
- Read James 1:22-25 (click on verse for link to Bible Gateway)
- What does the inventory of your outward behavior reveal about your inner character? Journal these observations.

Our inner character writes the story our living tells others. Donna Oswalt

Ethical integrity is spiritual faithfulness in a faithful God lived out loud! Donna Oswalt

Ethical Integrity ~ Psalm 15

Who may worship in Your sanctuary, LORD?
Who may enter Your presence on Your holy hill? Psalm 15:1 NLT

photo by: Becky Clark

Even though God loves us first and chooses us to be a part of His family, there are some expectations of moral behavior that are markers for us. If we claim to belong to the family of God, our lives should demonstrate integrity, should reflect consistent ethical and moral actions. While earth-bound, we cannot attain perfect character, but we should always be striving to become more like Christ. The world's ethical standards, which define equality and justice in legal terms, are not necessarily the standards of God. 

This psalm, often called the "entrance liturgy" by scholars, reflects the qualities the worshiper should possess when coming into the presence of the Lord. Spiritual virtues in Psalm 15 gives us guidelines for living so that we are prepared to enter the presence of God. Not just lessons on moral responsibility, these ancient words also respond to the believer's need to worship God, to the heart's desire to find rest in the presence of the Jehovah. Whether in worship or prayer, God's presence is a holy space.

Over the next few weeks let's explore the standards of Christian integrity God's word provides. The last verse offers the outcome for Christian ethics: He who does these things will never be shaken. Trusting the Lord and embracing the promises of God sustain us as we live in the world. God's assurance stands in direct contrast to world's uncertainty. How will you enter God's Holy Space? ~dho

Consider This:
- Read Psalm 15 (click on verse for link to Bible Gateway) 
- Using a Thesaurus (link here), find words that mean "integrity"

Spiritual virtues in Psalm 15 gives us guidelines for living so that we are prepared to enter the presence of God. Donna Oswalt

God's assurance stands in direct contrast to world's uncertainty. How will you enter God's Holy Space? Donna Oswalt

Got a moment to watch a real miracle? (my nephew, Thomas) - click this link:
http://www.helpmakemiracles.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=244028