,

Moral Fiber....

,

The standard dictionary definition of moral fiber is "strength of character, firmness of purpose, resolution or toughness of spirit."I think what surprises me most in how people, even Christians compromise themselves on a daily basis.  Now before you turn off this post and think, "oh no, here goes another hypocrite" - wait!  I want to explain something to you:  Lance, Gary and myself sin every day.  None of us can sit here and tell you the success of our lives and that would be it, because for us to do that, then we would have to times that by a multiplicity of some factor for all the wrongs we do on a daily basis (ask our wives).

Before I sit there and pontificate on delicate matters let's agree to disagree here  and still be friends.  I mean we can agree that we have different values and ethics and belief structures, but if we are real about our faith and trust in God then we can say no "one person" on earth can encapsulate God's moral fiber.  That would require to keep God's moral law (the 10 commandments) that were before Jesus's sacrifice on the cross for all of our sins.  Before this hope, we had to abide and live by God's moral law.  In James 2:10 we read that if we break just one of God's commandments, then we are guilty of them all.

So let's put this in perspective, let's again agree on the fact that God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit (all three in one are the Triune God).  That being said, then he gave us his Holy Word (the Bible).  Presupposing that we can use that for reference to God's precepts and values, then let's take a look at some things that may make us guilty:

  • Anger
  • Sexual Immorality (pornography, lust, tv shows that compromise, cable, internet, and fill in your "blank"
  • Impurity
  • Sensuality
  • Idolatry, Sorcery
  • Enmity, Strife, Jealousy and Fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy
  • drunkenness, orgies and the like
What are you filling your heart, mind, soul and body with that would lead you to a path of immoral fiber and away from God's moral fiber.  Call it what you will, but the world's definition of moral law versus God's definition are nowhere close.  God is a holy God.  God is not mocked.  In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.  If you do not know him, then you are at odds with God, that is = you reject Jesus then God rejects you - simple as that.
The point that I am trying to make here is at what point in our life do we want to let go and let God - have it all.  Does he control our mind, body, soul and strength?  Do we seek his counsel and his lead in all that we do?

Some Scripture on Moral Fiber:Matthew 15:18–20 (ESV) But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does ...

Job 2:3 (ESV) And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” ..Proverbs 17:3 (ESV) The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.

Romans 5:3–4 (ESV) Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

1 Chronicles 29:17 (ESV) I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you

2 Peter 1:5–6 (ESV) For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godlinessTitus 2:7–8 (ESV) 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

 

So what can we do about it?

Get serious, don't compromise and read his word daily and pray continually - see what you here?  Here what you read and listen!

Blessings,

Dante

,

You gotta have FAITH, BOY!!!

,

This past weekend my dad flew up to Chicago and spent a long weekend with my family and I.  Needless to say, I had other commitments that I had to find a sub as some family events had to trump what would have been my "fun".  So I asked my good friend Dave (from Faith Boy) to stand in for me and play a round of charity golf.I was so surprised by the course of his day that I asked him to do a guest blog for all of us...here it is:

Dante called me to ask if I would be able to take his place at a golf outing since he was unable to make it.  I thanked him for thinking of me and inviting me but kindly declined because I had never golfed before.  Dante encouraged me to go so I could try out the sport and to enjoy fellowship with the other guys in the group.  So, I decided to go not knowing what to expect or whether I would have any talent at golfing.  I enjoyed the time on the green with my 3 Christian brothers from Men of Faith and enjoyed God's beauty around me.  I think I'm taking a liking to golf; I pleasantly enjoyed it after my much encouragement from my fellow players who also encourage me to be strong in Jesus Christ.  It is brothers like them that make my walk stronger with my Savior.  After the 18 holes, the golf outing was over.  By the way, this was not a Christian golf outing.  The four of us decided to eat dinner in the country club's restaurant.  After getting our food and before eating, we prayed together.  We really enjoyed one another's company and Christ was the center of the conversation.  After an hour an a half, most of the other golfers who were at the outing left.  There was a verbal altercation at the bar in the restaurant and one of the guys in our group kindly asked them to take it outside.  They didn't take kindly to our request but after a few minutes, they calmed down.  One part of our conversation was about brokeness and how Jesus helps us through our hurts and trials.  Soon after, the waitress brought coffee to our table.  Here's the great part of the story: the waitress turns to me and the other guys and says, "I was drawn to your conversation and I'm looking for God in my life."  Of course, I was blown away how the Holy Spirit works and the opportunities He presents to us.  I had a chance to tell her that what she said was awesome before she walked away.  Christ was tugging at my heart to say more to her later.  In the meantime, all of the commotion at the bar stopped and at least 4 guys who were at the bar, came to our table and said they were so sorry about what happened at the bar.  I was also blown away by this - before leaving for the night, I got a chance to tell the waitress that one of our church locations was across from the country club.  I encouraged her to attend.  She said that  she already heard about it and was thinking about going.  She couldn't believe that we were from that same Church.  Wow - that's just how the Holy Spirit works.  Maybe that's the confirmation she needs to start going to Church and having a relationship with Jesus and that's our confirmation that Jesus' light was shining through us!  What a great time it was to be with like minded brothers in Christ.  Always bring Christ with you no matter where you go and His grace and glory will always show up.

Thanks Dave, great testimony!

-----

Sometimes we just have to live it to show it to get it in order to share it!

Our role is to encourage, comfort and encourage others to live a life worthy of Jesus Christ!

Blessings,

Dante

Cart (0)