2 Timothy 2:15-17, The Message

Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they're not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul.

This is another good passage on living authentically. Authenticity and integrity are very similar, I think I prefer the word authentic because it doesn't sound as formal or rigid. I'm a more laid-back, casual, simple thinker and I like the thought of living true to me in that informal way, and not feeling like I need to conform to a stale word like "integrity." I can't seem to help it, but if someone talks about "living with integrity," I tend to think of an unpleasant stereotype of Christians who are afraid to get dirty or say what they really think or do something out of the ordinary. On a different note, I like using the word "integrity" when it comes to a specific instance of using time well, making an agreement with someone, etc. But an overall umbrella instruction of "have integrity" has never been easy for me to follow. If you get too far off track, you'll find that you've become what these verses say to avoid becoming. You need to pursue a godly life and let your efforts (with God's help of course) manifest themselves in visible ways, from the inside out, so that people know you have integrity and are living authentically.

Luke 1:76-79, New Living Translation

“And you, my little son,
will be called the prophet of the Most High,
because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
You will tell his people how to find salvation
through forgiveness of their sins.
Because of God’s tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace.”

This is the end of Zechariah's prophecy for his newborn child. I wonder if many parents pray this same prayer for their children today. If I were a parent right now, I would want my child to be a servant and prophet of the Lord, someone who speaks truth and oozes with God's love. Kind of in the same way, I think God the Father sees us as His sons and daughters and wants us to tell the rest of His people how to find salvation and that God offers everyone mercy. Because I'm blessed with a wonderful earthly father, I don't usually struggle with the idea of God as a Father. In fact, I can only imagine how Awesome my God the Father is comared to my earthly dad. But also, I need to be careful to not forget that God is three in One and the Father is equal to the others in this threesome. I need to remember to obey my heavenly Father and bring honor to Him as a loving daughter would do.

Job 19:25-27, New Living Translation

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he will stand upon the earth at last.
And after my body has decayed,
yet in my body I will see God!
I will see him for myself.
Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
I am overwhelmed at the thought!"

My mind is easily overwhelmed by God and thoughts of His coming, His grace, His love. I was talking with a friend tonight about my quest and calling to live authentically. "Full disclosure" is another term I used to describe my personality, I don't have a whole lot of secrets and don't mind my life being a fairly open (and interesting) book. That said, I still can't fathom the feeling of knowing that someone could every know everything about me. Asking questions that no one else things to ask, know the inner dark thoughts that I may not even know exist, reading every expression on my face... it's intimidating and makes me feel exposed and vulnerable to think about. But here is the kicker, God sees me. God allows me to see Him. It's the most beautiful and intimate relationship in my world's existence. But it blows my mind. Just when I think I have it all figured out, God surprises me and shows me more of Him and, as a result of seeing more of Him, I see and know more of me. And, Lord willing, the more of me I discover, the more Christ will take over.

Philippians 4:8-9, The Message

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

I was thinking of these verses today because I felt like I wasn't doing a good job of controlling my mind today. Following Christ in obedience, I should be putting my head knowledge into practice.

I waited until late tonight to write this and now I'm very sleepy and can't think of much else to add on, although if I had the energy and another hour or two I might be able to think of a new thought to share. Maybe as I fall asleep...

1 Timothy 6:6-8, The Message

A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough.

I might have blogged on these verses already, I'm not sure. But Gabe spoke on these verses tonight when speaking about contentment and desire. Another translation says "But godliness with contentment is great gain (wealth)." I find it fascinating that our God is the source of true gain/success/wealth. We seek it in other ways, but God (among all else that he is) is still the answer to every question.

This world has nothing for me, and this world has everything. All that I could want and nothing that I need.