Category: Consistency

Categories
Consistency Honesty Integrity

Keep Your Word

“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” Matthew 5:37 (ESV) Decide to live a life of integrity. My favorite description of integrity is when the tongue in your mouth lines up with the tongue in your shoe. Moses demonstrated integrity by refusing to succumb to the gravitational pull of instant gratification. King David shepherded his people with integrity of heart. Jesus is the model of integrity. Living a life of integrity includes keeping your word. There’s no need to prop up your words by swearing or making a verbal promise. Simply let your “yes” be “yes,” and your “no” be “no.” Be a person of your word. When you give your word on something it should be validated by a lifestyle of credibility. You build your credibility through honesty, consistency, and transparency. “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” Heb. 11:24-25 (ESV) “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” Ps. 78:72 (ESV) Don’t give the devil a foothold. Don’t give the devil an entry point to dilute your devotion to the Lord or to compromise your integrity. Guard your heart. Protect your mind. Seek to become more and more like Christ each day. The clarity of your integrity will be elevated through Christlikeness. When Jesus reigns in your life, you will reign with integrity in this life. Refuse to be mixed in your motives. Keep your motives pure before God. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Christ-Centered Living Consistency Example

Exemplify

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) The Apostle Paul was so passionate in his love relationship with Jesus that he could exhort the church of Corinth to follow his example. By following his example, they would be following the example of Christ because Paul was in alignment with the example of Christ. If others followed your example, would they be following the example of Christ? “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Tim. 4:12 (NIV) “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Pet. 2:21 (NIV) Exemplify Christ. Spend time reading through the Gospels to learn how Jesus allocated His time. Focus on the interactions Jesus had with others and notice how He treated them. Seek to ascertain what Jesus valued by examining His lifestyle. You can also detect how Jesus responded to opposition and how He stayed on mission with God. The goal of the Christian life is to be Christlike. Exemplify Christ by doing what Jesus did. Seek to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Allow Jesus to live His life through you to impact others. Ask yourself, “Am I living in such a way that those who don’t know the Lord will be drawn to Him?” Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Consistency Integrity Paul

Integrity

“For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” 1 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV) Hypocrisy corrodes the connection we make with a lost and dying world. Our influence for Christ is inhibited when there is a discrepancy between our words and our actions. Being an irresistible influence for Christ mandates integrity. Paul invested in Timothy’s life and was instrumental in Timothy’s coming to faith in Christ. Timothy had shadowed Paul and had insight into both Paul’s public and private life. Paul was now sending Timothy to the church at Corinth to remind them of Paul’s way of life in Christ Jesus. Timothy was positioned to give firsthand testimony to Paul’s integrity as a fully devoted follower of Christ. Paul’s way of life in Christ agreed with what he taught everywhere in every church. His faith and his practice were in sync. Paul’s lifestyle was in alignment with his loyalty to Christ. When you examined Paul’s behavior, it was in-tune with his beliefs. Paul’s conduct was consistent with his convictions. Let me share with you one of the most engaging definitions of integrity that I have ever heard. Integrity is when the tongue in your mouth lines up with the tongue in your shoe. When your speech matches your path on the street, then integrity is exhibited. When there is misalignment between our talk and our walk, hypocrisy erupts. Does your way of life in Christ line up with your convictions and conversations? Is there any area of your life that is out of sync with your true identity in Christ? Ask the Lord to reveal inconsistencies and choose to live a life of integrity that brings glory to God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Christ-Centered Living Consistency Example

Exemplify

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Cor 11:1 (NIV) One of my mentors is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Dr. Johnny Hunt. He often says, “The people in your community may not read the Bible, but they will read the gospel according to your life.” That statement connects with me on a deep level. It makes me contemplate what others see when they view my life. Am I living in such a way that those who don’t know the Lord will be drawn to Him? The Apostle Paul was so passionate in his love relationship with Jesus that he could exhort the church of Corinth to follow his example. By following his example, they would be following the example of Christ because Paul was in alignment with the example of Christ. If others followed your example, would they be following the example of Christ? “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Tim 4:12 (NIV) “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 (NIV) Exemplify Christ. Spend time reading through the Gospels to learn how Jesus allocated His time. Focus on the interactions Jesus had with others and notice how He treated them. Seek to ascertain what Jesus valued by examining His lifestyle. You can also detect how Jesus responded to opposition and how He stayed on mission with God. The goal of the Christian life is to be Christlike. Exemplify Christ by doing what Jesus did. Seek to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Allow Jesus to live His life through you to impact others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Consistency Integrity Paul

Integrity

“For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” 1 Cor 4:17 (NIV) Hypocrisy corrodes the connection we make with a lost and dying world. Our influence for Christ is inhibited when there is a discrepancy between our words and our actions. Being an irresistible influence for Christ mandates integrity. Paul invested in Timothy’s life and was instrumental in Timothy’s coming to faith in Christ. Timothy had shadowed Paul and had insight into both Paul’s public and private life. Paul was now sending Timothy to the church at Corinth to remind them of Paul’s way of life in Christ Jesus. Timothy was positioned to give firsthand testimony to Paul’s integrity as a fully devoted follower of Christ. Paul’s way of life in Christ agreed with what he taught everywhere in every church. His faith and his practice were in sync. Paul’s lifestyle was in alignment with his loyalty to Christ. When you examined Paul’s behavior, it was in-tune with his beliefs. Paul’s conduct was consistent with his convictions. Let me share with you one of the most engaging definitions of integrity that I have ever heard. Integrity is when the tongue in your mouth lines up with the tongue in your shoe. When your speech matches your path on the street, then integrity is exhibited. When there is misalignment between our talk and our walk, hypocrisy erupts. Does your way of life in Christ line up with your convictions and conversations? Is there any area of your life that is out of sync with your true identity in Christ? Ask the Lord to reveal inconsistencies and choose to live a life of integrity that brings glory to God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Consistency Honesty Integrity

Keep Your Word

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matt 5:37 (NIV) Decide to live a life of integrity. My favorite description of integrity is when the tongue in your mouth lines up with the tongue in your shoe. Moses demonstrated integrity by refusing to succumb to the gravitational pull of instant gratification. King David shepherded his people with integrity of heart. Jesus is the model of integrity. Living a life of integrity includes keeping your word. There’s no need to prop up your words by swearing or making a verbal promise. Simply let your “yes” be “yes,” and your “no” be “no.” Be a person of your word. When you give your word on something it should be validated by a lifestyle of credibility. You build your credibility through honesty, consistency, and transparency. “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.” Heb 11:25 (NIV) “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” Psalm 78:72 (NIV) Don’t give the devil a foothold. Don’t give the devil an entry point to dilute your devotion to the Lord or to compromise your integrity. Guard your heart. Protect your mind. Seek to become more and more like Christ each day. The clarity of your integrity will be elevated through Christlikeness. When Jesus reigns in your life, you will reign with integrity in this life. Refuse to be mixed in your motives. Keep your motives pure before God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell