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living honestly

Honesty

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Focus: Living honestly

Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV) He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.

There is a simple but complex little story I learned as a young child that makes an important point where honesty is concerned. It is called, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, adapted by Hans Christian Anderson. I will paraphrase it.

There once was an Emperor who was all caught up in himself and his power. He loved fine things and always wanted to appear wiser than anyone. He hired two swindlers posing as tailors, who promised to create for him the finest, best suit of clothes, from a fabric that was supposedly only visible to people who were truly wise. In other words, anyone who couldn’t see the fabric would be considered unfit for his position or ‘hopelessly stupid’.

Of course, the Emperor couldn’t see the cloth, but pretended he could because he was afraid of appearing as though he was not wise enough to be worthy of his position.  Naturally, his court advisors did the same.

Now, you can listen and/or read!

God is able to give unmerited favor to people who are humbly willing to admit their weaknesses and errors. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
Link to New Strength Devotional, Audio Version.
God is able to give unmerited favor to people who are humbly willing to admit their weaknesses and errors. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day

As the story progresses, the day finally arrives when the swindler/tailors announce that the Emperor’s suit is finished. They arrive at the palace and pretend to dress him for a very important procession before his subjects, who also play along as though the Emperor’s new clothes are amazingly beautiful.

During the presentation, a child in the crowd who is too young to understand the willingness of adults to participate with pretense innocently declares that the Emperor is wearing nothing at all. Others in the crowd begin to speak out, agreeing with the child.

The Emperor secretly fears that what is being said is true, yet he continues with the procession.

This story, though not taken from the Bible, carries several profound truths. Probably the most obvious lesson to be learned is that when our intentions are not honest—we are only fooling ourselves by passionately trying to appear wise.

One spiritual application could be that through selfish motives we allow ourselves to become comfortable with worldly ways and worldly people. Our own willful deception causes us to want to impress the wrong ones.

James 4:1-6 (NKJV),  makes a worthy statement: “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

In the Emperor’s attempt to appear wise, he became a fool. Even though others readily recognized his error, he was still unwilling to admit the truth because of his pride.

Another application of The Emperor’s New Clothes could be made in the area of our desire for acceptance. Sad to say, we often forget what is important and become deceived by our own thoughts and intents. We compromise the standards of righteousness—for fear of being rejected by people we want to impress.

Acceptance by God is the most important consideration in this life. He is displeased with people who operate in pride. He is able to give unmerited favor to people who are humbly willing to admit their weaknesses and errors.

Proverbs 3:7 (NKJV) says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”

Declaration: I will find new strength by admitting my weaknesses and errors. I will stop trying to impress people.

If you subscribe to New Strength, a new segment will come to your email each day.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Honesty

By Leave a Comment

Now, you can listen and/or read!

God is able to give unmerited favor to people who are humbly willing to admit their weaknesses and errors. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
Link to New Strength Devotional, Audio Version.
God is able to give unmerited favor to people who are humbly willing to admit their weaknesses and errors. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day

 

Focus: Living honestly

Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV) He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.

There is a simple but complex little story I learned as a young child that makes an important point where honesty is concerned. It is called, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, adapted by Hans Christian Anderson. I will paraphrase it.

There once was an Emperor who was all caught up in himself and his power. He loved fine things and always wanted to appear wiser than anyone. He hired two swindlers posing as tailors, who promised to create for him the finest, best suit of clothes, from a fabric that was supposedly only visible to people who were truly wise. In other words, anyone who couldn’t see the fabric would be considered unfit for his position or ‘hopelessly stupid’.

Of course, the Emperor couldn’t see the cloth, but pretended he could because he was afraid of appearing as though he was not wise enough to be worthy of his position.  Naturally, his court advisors did the same.

As the story progresses, the day finally arrives when the swindler/tailors announce that the Emperor’s suit is finished. They arrive at the palace and pretend to dress him for a very important procession before his subjects, who also play along as though the Emperor’s new clothes are amazingly beautiful.

During the presentation, a child in the crowd who is too young to understand the willingness of adults to participate with pretense innocently declares that the Emperor is wearing nothing at all. Others in the crowd begin to speak out, agreeing with the child.

The Emperor secretly fears that what is being said is true, yet he continues with the procession.

This story, though not taken from the Bible, carries several profound truths. Probably the most obvious lesson to be learned is that when our intentions are not honest—we are only fooling ourselves by passionately trying to appear wise.

One spiritual application could be that through selfish motives we allow ourselves to become comfortable with worldly ways and worldly people. Our own willful deception causes us to want to impress the wrong ones.

James 4:1-6 (NKJV),  makes a worthy statement: “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

In the Emperor’s attempt to appear wise, he became a fool. Even though others readily recognized his error, he was still unwilling to admit the truth because of his pride.

Another application of The Emperor’s New Clothes could be made in the area of our desire for acceptance. Sad to say, we often forget what is important and become deceived by our own thoughts and intents. We compromise the standards of righteousness—for fear of being rejected by people we want to impress.

Acceptance by God is the most important consideration in this life. He is displeased with people who operate in pride. He is able to give unmerited favor to people who are humbly willing to admit their weaknesses and errors.

Proverbs 3:7 (NKJV) says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”

Declaration: I will find new strength by admitting my weaknesses and errors. I will stop trying to impress people.

If you subscribe to New Strength, a new segment will come to your email each day.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

 

Honesty

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New Strength, September 1SEPTEMBER 1 

Focus: Living honestly

Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV) He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.

There is a simple but complex little story I learned as a young child that makes an important point where honesty is concerned. It is called, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, adapted by Hans Christian Anderson. I will paraphrase it.

There once was an Emperor who was all caught up in himself and his power. He loved fine things and always wanted to appear wiser than anyone. He hired two swindlers posing as tailors, who promised to create for him the finest, best suit of clothes, from a fabric that was supposedly only visible to people who were truly wise. In other words, anyone who couldn’t see the fabric would be considered unfit for his position or ‘hopelessly stupid’.

Of course, the Emperor couldn’t see the cloth, but pretended he could because he was afraid of appearing as though he was not wise enough to be worthy of his position.  Naturally, his court advisors did the same.

As the story progresses, the day finally arrives when the swindler/tailors announce that the Emperor’s suit is finished. They arrive at the palace and pretend to dress him for a very important procession before his subjects, who also play along as though the Emperor’s new clothes are amazingly beautiful.

During the presentation, a child in the crowd who is too young to understand the willingness of adults to participate with pretense innocently declares that the Emperor is wearing nothing at all. Others in the crowd begin to speak out, agreeing with the child.

The Emperor secretly fears that what is being said is true, yet he continues with the procession.

This story, though not taken from the Bible, carries several profound truths. Probably the most obvious lesson to be learned is that when our intentions are not honest—we are only fooling ourselves by passionately trying to appear wise.

One spiritual application could be that through selfish motives we allow ourselves to become comfortable with worldly ways and worldly people. Our own willful deception causes us to want to impress the wrong ones.

James 4:1-6,  makes a worthy statement: Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?’ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’

In the Emperor’s attempt to appear wise, he became a fool. Even though others readily recognized his error, he was still unwilling to admit the truth because of his pride.

Another application of The Emperor’s New Clothes could be made in the area of our desire for acceptance. Sad to say, we often forget what is important and become deceived by our own thoughts and intents. We compromise the standards of righteousness—for fear of being rejected by people we want to impress.

Acceptance by God is the most important consideration in this life. He is displeased with people who operate in pride. He is able to give unmerited favor to people who are humbly willing to admit their weaknesses and errors.

Proverbs 3:7 says, Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

Declaration: I will find new strength by admitting my weaknesses and errors. I will stop trying to impress people.

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee as of the date they were written and posted. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog. This material will be published as a book in 2014, by the grace of God. To subscribe to New Strength, select ‘follow’ in the upper left corner of this page.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, browse:http://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/videos?view=1&flow=grid

 

Honesty

By Leave a Comment

SEPTEMBER 1 

Focus: Living honestly

Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV) He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.

There is a simple but complex little story I learned as a young child that makes an important point where honesty is concerned. It is called, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, adapted by Hans Christian Anderson. I will paraphrase it.

There once was an Emperor who was all caught up in himself and his power. He loved fine things and always wanted to appear wiser than anyone. He hired two swindlers posing as tailors, who promised to create for him the finest, best suit of clothes, from a fabric that was supposedly only visible to people who were truly wise. In other words, anyone who couldn’t see the fabric would be considered unfit for his position or ‘hopelessly stupid’.

Of course, the Emperor couldn’t see the cloth, but pretended he could because he was afraid of appearing as though he was not wise enough to be worthy of his position.  Naturally, his court advisors did the same.

As the story progresses, the day finally arrives when the swindler/tailors announce that the Emperor’s suit is finished. They arrive at the palace and pretend to dress him for a very important procession before his subjects, who also play along as though the Emperor’s new clothes are amazingly beautiful.

During the presentation, a child in the crowd who is too young to understand the willingness of adults to participate with pretense innocently declares that the Emperor is wearing nothing at all. Others in the crowd begin to speak out, agreeing with the child.

The Emperor secretly fears that what is being said is true, yet he continues with the procession.

This story, though not taken from the Bible, carries several profound truths. Probably the most obvious lesson to be learned is that when our intentions are not honest—we are only fooling ourselves by passionately trying to appear wise.

One spiritual application could be that through selfish motives we allow ourselves to become comfortable with worldly ways and worldly people. Our own willful deception causes us to want to impress the wrong ones.

James 4:1-6,  makes a worthy statement: Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?’ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’

In the Emperor’s attempt to appear wise, he became a fool. Even though others readily recognized his error, he was still unwilling to admit the truth because of his pride.

Another application of The Emperor’s New Clothes could be made in the area of our desire for acceptance. Sad to say, we often forget what is important and become deceived by our own thoughts and intents. We compromise the standards of righteousness—for fear of being rejected by people we want to impress.

Acceptance by God is the most important consideration in this life. He is displeased with people who operate in pride. He is able to give unmerited favor to people who are humbly willing to admit their weaknesses and errors.

Proverbs 3:7 says, Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

Declaration: I will find new strength by admitting my weaknesses and errors. I will stop trying to impress people.

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee as of the date they were written and posted. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog. This material will be published as a book in 2013, by the grace of God. To subscribe to New Strength, select ‘follow’ in the upper left corner of this page.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, browse: http://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/videos?view=1&flow=grid

SEPTEMBER 6

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Focus: Taking control of my future

Matthew 28:20 (NKJV) …And surely I am with you to the end of the age.

There are times when I wonder what the future holds. In everything we see and hear, we have to know scripture is being fulfilled and that perilous times are upon us.

We see nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Even within our own nation, we see people turning against each other in defense of what they believe is right.

When you’re discouraged for other reasons–and feeling lonely and alienated, the conditions of the world can make you feel like a lost child. You look around yourself and wonder why people can’t just get along. Why does there have to be so much turmoil and debate?

You wonder where it’s all leading and just how bad it’s going to get. It’s not easy to brush it off and try to forget about it. But, thinking about it doesn’t seem to help much, either.

It’s hard to get away from the negative, desperate sounding reports we are faced with on every side. If it’s not the economy, then it’s the weather. If it’s not the weather, then it’s politics. All of the conversation leads nowhere.

There is only one answer, as we see all of these situations just looking worse and worse. The answer, is Jesus. He’s our only hope.

Some things aren’t going to change. We’ve been warned in the Word of God—so, why are we surprised? Things have been ‘bad’ for one reason or another, for as long as I can remember. Throughout history, there has always been a reason to worry and probably until the end of time, there will always will be a reason to worry…if you’re prone to worry.

Centuries ago, the prophet Isaiah recorded a word for such a time as this. The Lord spoke through him and said, ‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  (Isaiah 41:10)’

It has been a timeless word. People throughout the ages thought it was written ‘just for them’, as their times seemed to be worse than any other. There have been many times when it looked like the world was coming to an end for one reason or another.

I’m not saying the times we are living in are the end of all things–and I’m not saying that the times we’re living in are not the end of all things. I’m just saying that times are bad, but they’ve been bad all along. Times haven’t really changed.

Another thing that hasn’t changed is the Word of God. It has given us hope in the past, and it can give us hope now, and in the future.

God, Himself, doesn’t change, either. His love and power are just as strong and real today as in times past. The love and power of God will be just as strong in the future as it is now.

So, what do we have to fear? God has promised to be with us to the end of the age and for all eternity. If He is with us, then we are not alone. If He is with us and we are not alone, then we should have nothing to fear.

What if our future was determined according to our faith? For instance, if we chose not to fear–then we would never face a reason to fear. If we chose to fear–then we would have to face a reason to fear.

When Jesus healed some people, He said, ‘Be it done unto you according to your faith.’ So, what if our lack of faith caused us to have negative consequences? If you knew that a fearful attitude was going to bring you a reason to fear in your future, would you try harder to be filled with faith instead of fear?

If you’re currently afraid–and you know that the Bible is filled with stories and prophecies that will help your faith in God to grow to the point that you wouldn’t have to fear for any reason–shouldn’t you try to be totally absorbed in the Word of God?

Sometimes we have a choice to make. Maybe the conditions in our world will continue to get worse and worse–as scripture says they will. Maybe we can’t really do anything about that fact. But there is something we do have control over–and that’s how we will face the future…and how much faith we will have in the future. That choice is completely up to us.

We can choose fear–or we can choose faith. I choose faith. I choose to be hidden in Christ and covered with His Blood and the Word of God.

Declaration: I will find new strength by choosing not to worry or fear. I will choose faith, instead.

 

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee as of the date they were written and posted. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog. This material will be published as a book at the end of 2012, by the grace of God.To subscribe to New Strength, select ‘follow’ in the upper left corner of this page.

 

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, browse:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW5unzXXC0k

 

 

SEPTEMBER 5

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Focus: Having confidence in the Lord

Proverbs 3:7-8 (NKJV) Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

The opposite of fear is confidence. When we put our confidence in ourselves and our abilities—we reap fear and failure. When we put our confidence  in the Lord and in the power of His Word, we will rest in His strength. The more we meditate on His Word, the more confidence we will have in Him.

Psalm 118:8-9 (NKJV) It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

Proverbs 3:25-26 (NKJV) Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.

Proverbs 14:26 (NKJV) In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.

Philippians 3:3 (NKJV) For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

1 John 5:14 (NKJV) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

1 John 3:21 (NKJV) Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Psalm 71:5 (NIV) For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.

Psalm 40:4 (NKJV) Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV) This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight’, declares the Lord.

Romans 8:37 (NKJV) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Psalm 31:24 (NKJV) Be of good courage , and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; thought its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 91:2 (NKJV) I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’

Proverbs 3:3-4 (NKJV) Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write the on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 4:20-21 (NKJV) My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.

Declaration: I will put my confidence in the Lord and in the power of His Word. I will rest in His strength.

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee as of the date they were written and posted. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog. This material will be published as a book at the end of 2012, by the grace of God.To subscribe to New Strength, select ‘follow’ in the upper left corner of this page.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, browse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW5unzXXC0k