This is what is missing on most CV's

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) can give us a good idea of someone's skills, experience and general life context. However, there is something that is often overlooked, but should be an important criteria in appointing any person to a job... that is integrity! 

For me, this would the defining difference between 2 equal candidates (on paper). What is the underlying character of this person? When Nehemiah was appointing people to help rebuild Jerusalem he was very clear on who he was looking for:

"I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do." - Nehemiah 7:2

For the moment, we will overlook the obvious nepotism in Nehemiah's appointment of his brother, but his choice of commander of the citadel was based on 'INTEGRITY' and 'GODLINESS'. 

What do you feel about this? Is this important for you or not?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Walking with Integrity

<sup>One of the "attractive" attributes of Jesus was that he was a person of INTEGRITY. He was totally upright and fully faithful to the mission his Father gave him. People knew that Jesus was always being sincere and genuine - there was nothing deceitful about him at all. And through his life, Jesus 'turned many from their sins,' just as Levi had done years before.




"</sup>True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts" - Malachi 2:7-8 

As we journey towards the heart of Jesus this Christmas, may we allow him to turn us back to his ways.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Lent #2 - Job and Proverbs

Over the course of the next 6 weeks I have committed to read and reflect on both the books of Job and Proverbs (with the Gospel of Matthew). As one digs deeper into the Scriptures there are so many things that stand out in these pages. In fact, it is not only that these messages stand out, but that they are also so practical for our lives today.

Take the opening lines of Job 1:
"There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil."

Imagine coming across a man of 'complete integrity' in a land of evil people. Job was a man who stood out from his peers, because he chose to avoid evil. This may seem like an easy thing to do, but we all know that temptation comes from all corners of the world.

Even when he was dealt the severe blow of losing his family, livestock and material possessions, Job still remained faithful to God. He is a remarkable human being.

Perhaps Solomon was writing of people like Job when he wrote these words in Proverbs 2:

 "For the Lord grants wisdom!
    From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
⁷ He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
    He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
⁸ He guards the paths of the just
    and protects those who are faithful to him."

May the Lord enable us to walk with integrity today and to avoid temptation when it comes our way.

"Wisdom is knowing the right path to take. Integrity is taking it." - Unknown

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Job's prayer:

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
    and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
    and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”