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A Life of Integrity
The integrity of the upright will guide them.
The righteous man walks in his integrity.
(Proverbs 11:3, 20:7).
Note: A person is righteous not based on good works but based only on the finished work of Christ through the cross. Righteousness is a gift from God. Righteousness is Christ Himself indwelling a person (1 Corinthians 1:30)!
I am thankful for the new missionary journey the Lord Jesus has me on with Him. I have so much to learn of Him.
There is so much to do. I've been tempted to find a balance between how, how much, what, when, and why to do things. The word balance, however, sounds precarious and tempts me to hear that it's up to me all by myself to find that balance.
This Rest Stop has been an opportunity for me to reflect on the integrity of a life that is truly free and joyful. The word integrity means "undivided completeness," i.e., there are no divided interests to balance.
There is a delightful unity of a life of integrity, reflected upon as follows.
Means versus Message
It's tempting to focus on the many things I have to do, i.e., to focus on the means. This focus, however, encourages self-effort that always results in discouragement.
I am growing to see that temptations to focus on means are opportunities to choose to re-focus on the message of the gospel. The gospel is truly good news.
2 Corinthians 3:18 says that "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord transforms us to the image of Christ." This is the message. We are called to intentionally behold Christ face-to-face and to reflect upon our unity with Him through His cross and resurrection. He is the message.
The transformation that comes from beholding Christ includes Him revealing the means needed for my life and enabling me to develop and implement these means!
And it is not a passive waiting for Christ to reveal my needed means. I am actively walking each step trusting Christ is unfolding (transforming) the means even when I cannot yet see them yet.
The end doesn't justify the means. The means are the end...moment by moment in Christ!
Goal versus Motive
Goals are good. I need goals for sending out newsletters, for securing funds by a certain date to pay for health insurance, for learning how to minister to people with specific issues, for exercising, etc, etc.
However, when goals are my focus, they become expectations I strive to achieve by self-effort. And there is no real joy in that.
I am growing to see that temptations to focus on selfish goals are opportunities to choose to re-focus on unselfish motives.
What is my true motive? Christ in me! The love of Christ in me motivates me (2 Corinthians 5:14). Christ gives me His desires (Psalm 37:4)!
Knowing Christ is my motive and my goal. My motive and goal are one! All of the other goals of my life are still good, but are to be received through Christ in His perfect ways and timing for His glory, and not achieved by my imperfect ways and timing.
Closing
This newsletter is not something I feel obligated to do. That would make it another thing for me to balance. This newsletter is something I really want to do for you. It is not only from my heart, it is my heart. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!
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LINKS AND MESSAGES |
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Your friends can subscribe to
Gregg's Weekly Rest Stop
at the above websites.
I am a missionary
with Journey in Christ, Inc.,
a discipleship counseling
and training ministry.
Please contact me if you would like to know more about being a ministry partner with me.
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
JOURNEY IN CHRIST
Attn: Gregg Gibbons
926 NE Main Street
Suite F-155
Simpsonville, SC 29681
Click here for
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Opening prayer
at the Boys Home of the South Thanksgiving fellowship meal on November 18.
George Washington
praying at Valley Forge 1777
Note: Like many of the boys at the Boys Home, George Washington grew up most of his boyhood without a father. Like George Washington, today's boys are growing in prayer to become men.
Note: In 1789, George Washington issued the first proclamation for Thanksgiving Day, "A day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many favors of Almighty God."
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything
by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known
to God.
And the peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
PS, The past several months have truly been overwhelming. And that is a good thing!
I've heard it said "God never gives you more than you can handle." The truth is that God always gives me more than I can handle!
He does this so I will experience real relationship with Him as I grow to depend on Christ as my very life and my sole sufficiency! He does this because He loves me.
And He loves you, too, with a love that says "I will do only what is most constructive and redemptive for you right where you are." |
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