What happened to…
integrity?
There is an epidemic spreading through the world. It claims new victims every day. This epidemic is not an organic disease. Its “Patient Zero” died long ago. This epidemic has multiple symptoms that can appear in groups, appear randomly, or be concentrated in only one or two.
The epidemic is spiritual in origin though it affects the physical world. Patient Zero died in a place outside of Eden. The symptoms are evident in our homes, on the news, at work, even in church. They include but are not limited to lawlessness, greed, disobedience, selfishness, indulgence, arrogance, and more.
Know this: Where there is a disease, there is a cure to balance it. The cure is beginning to be revealed, though I believe it will become more and more prevalent until it overcomes the disease.
I am speaking of the outpourings (revivals) beginning in isolated places around the world. Why do I call them ‘outpourings’? There is an obscure prophesy in Joel 2:28-29: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
An outpouring is, very simply, a pouring out. Are these outpourings THE fulfillment of Joel 2:28-29? I do not know. I only know that there is a pattern. The good thing is that you and I do not have to know. We only have to follow what God has for us to do. This too is simple.
Today’s Scripture passage is from Psalm 119, one of my favorites. The Psalm speaks of God’s law throughout. It is not about the law given through Moses. It is about THE law–God’s system of justice and balance–that has always existed and will always exist. (Psalm 119:160: “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”)
Once you begin to see it, you realize that it is truly as wonderful as David describes. (FYI: He is assumed to be the author of Psalm 119.) You could literally ponder on it for your lifetime and not understand but the smallest part of it. It is life-giving, as he so eloquently writes.
Integrity, discipline, love, balance, respect, peace, security, and more are components of it, or perhaps better said, results of it. In the world today, we see an increase in the lack of it, expressed as all those symptoms I listed above.
How can the tide of evil in the world be turned and overcome? Only one way: by the outpouring of God’s Spirit in the way He chooses and through whom He chooses. It cannot be controlled, dictated, contained, or even fully understood. It can only be allowed.
Do you want to see the downward descent toward evil turned and the equilibrium of rightness in the world restored? Then begin praying NOW for God to pour out His Spirit as He promised in Joel 2:28-29. Again, this may not be THE fulfillment of that prophesy, but it can be A fulfillment of it (in the pattern and type of it).
It is important to know how we got here. I believe people quit praying and seeking God because they were overly concerned for their own situations. This is why the slide will continue until we (Believers) come to the end of ourselves and begin to do what God has for us to do–which is to seek Him in sincerity and abandonment of self to His purpose.
How will the restoration happen? I do not know. This much I do know : God is the solution–the ONLY solution–for the problems we face in the world today.
Will you pray for God’s intervention, outpouring, and restoration? This I also believe: If we do not pray, it will not happen. No pressure here… just the winning or losing of everything. So, will you pray?
Today’s Seed™ Scripture and Prayer for Mar. 1, 2023:
I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands. I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you. (Psa 119:163-168 NIV)
Prayer: LORD, integrity, discipline, and respect is too often displaced by disobedience, indulgence, and selfishness. Help me commit the way I live to You and Your law. Teach me to love it and draw on Your power, authority, strength, and protection in everything that concerns my life. Once my commitment to You is restored, help me pray for Your intervention in the lives of others. Do whatever You need to do to make it so. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(c) 2023 Randall Vaughn • All Rights Reserved • http://www.e-min.org
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“Today’s Seed” from E-MIN • Mar. 1, 2023
About Randall Vaughn:
With 40+ years as pastor, author, teacher, worship leader, and songwriter, Randall pioneered E-MIN in 1997–one of the earliest online ministries and today the longest operating. His passion is leading people to deeper, genuine relationship with God. He lives in Alabama with his lovely wife, Karen, and their dogs, Hadi and Casi. He enjoys hiking, exploring new tech, and “prayer walks”.
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