“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” (Prov. 12:22 ESV)

When I was a little boy, my dad told me that a man is only as good as his word. It was at a time when deals were still made verbally and sealed with a handshake—honesty and integrity were important, and most people sincerely believed it to be true.

How times have changed!

It’s difficult to hear anyone speak the absolute truth on any news platform anymore. Everyone lies boldly. You have been trained to be skeptical of everyone. And no more verbal deals sealed with a handshake—they must be in writing, verified, notarized, and electronically recorded! Even then, there are lawyers available who specialize in breaking just about any contract.

Have we lost sight of the importance of honesty? It’s still important!

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (Prov. 11:3 ESV)

Honest directions —Imagine you are driving down the road and you come to a crossroads. There are no signs or signals to indicate which way you should go, and you are feeling uncertain about which direction to take. Suddenly, a stranger approaches your car and offers to help you. They give you clear and straightforward directions, telling you exactly where to go and how to get there. You feel relieved and grateful for their honesty, and you follow their directions without hesitation.

Dishonest directions—Now imagine a different scenario. You are again at the same crossroads, but this time, the stranger who approaches your car gives you misleading directions. They tell you to turn left when you should have gone right, or they give you convoluted and confusing instructions that lead you astray. You end up getting lost, wasting time and perhaps even endangering yourself or others in the process. 

Make honesty your aim! 

“For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.” (2 Cor. 8:21 ESV)

When people are honest with us, they give us the information we need to make informed decisions and take the right actions. They help us navigate life's challenges with clarity and confidence. But when people are dishonest, they create confusion and chaos, leading us down the wrong path and causing unnecessary harm. 

Therefore 

Honesty is vital because it promotes clarity, trust, and growth in all aspects of life. Whether we are navigating unfamiliar roads or navigating complex relationships, honesty helps us find our way and stay on the right path. 

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.) (Phil. 4:8-9 ESV)

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’” (Matt. 25:21)

Faithful over little things matter

Imagine a farmer who owns a small piece of land. Each day, he wakes up early and tends to his crops, making sure to water and fertilize them properly. He takes the time to inspect each plant, looking for signs of disease or insect infestation. He pulls weeds and prunes branches as needed, all while carefully monitoring the weather and adjusting his strategy accordingly.

To some, this may seem like a small and unimportant task. After all, the farmer's land is just a tiny fraction of the vast expanse of fields and forests that cover the earth. But to the farmer, every little thing matters. He knows that if he neglects his crops, they will wither and die. He understands that even the tiniest mistake can have serious consequences.

As the weeks and months go by, the farmer's hard work begins to pay off. His plants grow strong and healthy, producing an abundant harvest that he can sell at market. His reputation grows, and other farmers begin to seek out his advice on how to grow their own crops. Before long, the farmer's small piece of land has become a thriving oasis, a testament to his faithfulness and dedication.

This story illustrates the importance of being faithful over little things. Just as the farmer tended to his crops with care and diligence, we too must be diligent in the small tasks that God has put in our hands. Whether it's completing a work assignment, taking care of our home and family, or simply being kind to those around us, every little thing matters. By being faithful in these small tasks, we can build a foundation of trust and reliability that will serve us well in all areas of our lives.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10 ESV)

Therefore

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time.” (Matt. 24:45)

“A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” (Prov. 28:20)

“All the skilled women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun, in blue and purple and scarlet material and in fine linen. All the women whose heart stirred with a skill spun the goats’ hair.” (Exo. 35:25)

Skilled workers  

God gives each person the skills to do certain things. My wife, Susan, crochets things. She makes hats, scarves, afghans, and various items of clothing, all from balls of yarn. It’s amazing to watch her do it. She also makes quilts from lots of small pieces of cloth that she sews together in all kinds of interesting patterns. It totally amazes me to watch her complete the complicated process of completing all this stuff. She is able to do it because God has given her the skill to do so. I could never do what she does because I have zero interest in or the skills to do what she easily and happily does. And she has no interest in or has the skills for doing a lot of the things I do. And this is a good thing.

God gives various skills and interests so everything needed gets done in the world

“And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,” (Exo. 35:31)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)

He’s created us for good works

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (Isa. 58:11 ESV)

A spring of living water

“Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14 ESV)

There was a popular song in the 1960’s with the often repeated line, “I can’t get no, satisfaction!” I’m not sure what the singer was complaining about, but it was certainly sung with a lot of passion. And, it’s still the cry of a lot of people today. They want satisfaction but don’t know where to find it.

What truly satisfies

Satisfaction is found in turning to God because only He is able to truly satisfy that longing inside. In fact, I do believe God placed that longing for satisfaction within each of the people He has made so each would reach out to find Him. Jeremiah 29:13 promises, “Those who search for Him with all their heart will find Him.” And, when they do, they will find satisfaction!

“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (Psalm 107:9)

Therefore

“The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied;” (Prov. 19:23 ESV)

“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:16 ESV)

“I am waiting expectantly, trusting God to help.” (Psalm 130:5 TLB)

Some people don’t pray with complete confidence and expectancy because they’re not completely sure that God always answers prayer. That’s a dangerous way to enter prayer as someone who is faithless, because faith is a crucial ingredient when praying. Without it, you won’t receive anything.

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6).

Do pray with faith!

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)

Don’t give up

Sometimes an answer to prayer may be hindered or delayed for a bit by demonic forces (see Dan. 10:13). So keep waiting in faith.  

Sometimes God sends an answer before you ask, which is amazing to think how that’s even possible to do!

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” (Isa. 65:24)

Be confident when you pray

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4.16 ESV)

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jer. 33:3 ESV)

Therefore

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:20-21 ESV)

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matt. 5.46 ESV)

The world is full of difficult people

Difficult people are sometimes family members you can’t avoid at family gatherings. Or perhaps you have to work with someone who is rude and self-centered. Or maybe it’s an unruly and loud next-door neighbor who is a constant annoyance. Or someone rudely pushes their way in front of you at a checkout line. Or you are cut off in traffic and the offender blames you and exhibits road rage. The truth is, as long as you live in this world, you cannot avoid troubles all the time. Jesus said that you will have trouble in this world (John 16:33).

A different way to look at it

A godly old saint in the church we attend had an amazing take on difficult people. She said that God allows them in our lives to give us opportunities to practice the characteristics of His kind of love. It is an opportunity to grow the way God wants us to. And, love is not just about feelings; it’s about actions—doing the right thing in spite of how you may feel. The following passage tells you what that kind of love looks like.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Cor. 13:4-7 ESV)

Therefore

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:24-36 ESV)

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb. 5:12-14 ESV)

Traps work because the victim didn’t recognize the danger

The same can be said about people getting trapped by sin. The Bible exhorts us in the passage above to train your power of discernment by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Examine and test yourself

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.” ( 2 Cor. 13-5-7 ESV)

Don’t be lazy (a sluggard)

“I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” (Prov. 24:30-34 ESV)

Therefore

“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15 AMP)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18 ESV)

It’s a matter of survival!

 At the beginning of spring, I planted my flower seeds in seed trays so they’d be ready to go into the ground once the danger of frost is past. Planting the seeds is just the start of many stages to come. The seeds had to be planted in good soil, watered, given light, fertilized, and protected from the elements until ready to be transplanted outside. If I failed any of the steps, they wouldn’t survive.

It’s the same with spiritual growth

I couldn’t help but notice the many similarities between growing healthy plants and growing healthy followers of Jesus. It also reminded me of something I heard Billy Graham say in an interview many years ago. He was asked how many of the people who had come forward at his crusades actually stuck with the commitment they had made. His answer was shocking! He said the answer was only about eight percent! He went on to explain that so much failure was because they had not been taught how to grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, so they never grew and they failed.

Therefore

“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” (1 Tim. 4:15 ESV) 

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Col. 2:6-7 ESV)

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 ESV)

Perfect timing from God

Have you ever prayed for someone and then watched God answer your prayer in some amazing way with perfect timing? It’s very encouraging to see that happen.

Over the years, I’ve watched God reach many people I’ve prayed for. Family members and friends have come to Him, even though it seemed to take a long time sometimes. Some of them started out rejecting Jesus, and some seemed totally hopeless, but not to God! Over the years, God drew them with His Spirit and arranged for them to hear the gospel and become transformed.

My friend Terry

Right after I got saved, I excitedly called a friend of mine, Terry, to tell him about Jesus. But his reaction was the opposite of what I’d hoped for. He became angry and completely rejected what I had to say, and he even demanded that I never speak to him about it ever again. So after I hung up the phone, I simply prayed for him—that God would work in his heart, draw him by His Holy Spirit, send people to speak to him about Jesus, and, of course, that he would eventually be saved. I lost track of him, but about 40 years later, I got a call from him. He told me a wonderful story about his amazing journey towards faith and how Jesus had changed his life. He was now actively involved in the ministry of the church he regularly attends! Yes, God did answer my prayer for Terry! It seemed like a very long time to me, but it wasn’t for God. When you pray with faith according to God’s will (He isn’t willing for people to perish), He hears your request and answers it in perfect timing!

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15 ESV)

Therefore

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV)

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)