Theme For Daily Hope by Rick Warren May 19 2023 – How Integrity Blesses You
“A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children after he is gone.”
Proverbs 20:7 (GW)
The Bible says that God blesses those who have integrity—those who have pure hearts. As Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart” (Matthew 5:8 NIV).
So what blessings can you expect when you live your life with authenticity and a pure heart?
You’ll have the blessing of personal confidence.
When you have integrity, you become the kind of person that other people like to be around because you know who you are and where you’re going.
Proverbs 10:9 says, “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed” (NLT).
When you don’t have integrity, it’s like walking on an icy path after a snowstorm. You’re putting every bit of your energy into trying not to fall. But when you have integrity, you’re standing on solid ground.
You’ll have the blessing of a lasting legacy.
Your greatest legacy is your integrity because it will last from generation to generation. Everything else you do gets lost. When you’re gone, your money will be divided and spent among your family. Your work will be given to somebody else. All the trophies you’ve earned will be thrown in the trash and taken to the dump.
But your character is going to influence the lives of the people around you and even the lives of the next generation. It is a lasting legacy.
The Bible says in Proverbs 20:7, “A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children after he is gone” (GW).
You’ll have the blessing of rewards in eternity.
Matthew 25:21 says, “You are a good and loyal servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I will let you care for much greater things” (NCV).
We tend to think that rewards come from the big moments of life, when everybody is watching. But it’s the small moments that reveal real integrity. Every small word of encouragement you give this week will be rewarded in eternity. Every small act of kindness will be rewarded in eternity. Every time you reject a temptation, you will be rewarded in eternity.
Integrity is powerful. It makes a difference not just now but for eternity!
Talk It Over
- Think of a time when you should have had integrity but didn’t. How were you affected emotionally, spiritually, and physically?
- How does your integrity make a difference in the next generation?
- What small acts can you do this week that no one will notice but will demonstrate your integrity to God?
Where will you spend eternity?
The Bible says you can only get to heaven by trusting in God through his Son, Jesus Christ. You cannot earn your way into heaven: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, start with this prayer:
“Dear God, you have promised that if I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
“I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.
Credit For Daily Hope by Rick Warren May 19 2023 – Rick Warren Ministries