The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them. - Proverbs 11:3 HCSB

The Bible makes it clear that God rewards integrity just as surely as He punishes duplicity. So, if we seek to earn the kind of lasting rewards that God bestows upon those who obey His commandments, we must make honesty the hallmark of our dealings with others.

Character is built slowly over a lifetime. Character is the sum of every right decision, every honest word, every noble thought and every heartfelt prayer. It is built upon a foundation of industry, generosity and humility. Character is a precious thing - difficult to build but easy to tear down. As believers in Christ, we must seek to live each day with discipline, honesty and faith. When we do, integrity becomes a habit. And God smiles.

To all the fathers/dads who are always there, this is for you. To all the mothers that are stepping in as both mother and father, this is for you.

Lord, please take care of all the fathers/dads. Though they are often brave and protective, you know they are frightened sometimes. When money runs low and the family needs things and it's a struggle to provide, bless them and be their guide. Lord, when their hearts break because they can't do it all, mend their hearts, don't let them fall, give them strength through it all. Please help us to let them know how much they are loved and show them how much You love them.

Happy Father's Day!

Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage. - Proverbs 11:28 HCSB

In the demanding world we live, financial prosperity can be a good thing, but spiritual prosperity is profoundly more important. Yet our society leads us to believe otherwise. The world glorifies material possessions, personal fame, and physical beauty above all else; these things, of course, are totally unimportant to God. God sees the human heart, and that's what is important to Him.

As you establish your priorities for the coming day, remember this: The world will do everything it can to convince you that "things" are important. The world will tempt you to value fortune above faith and possessions above peace. God, on the other hand, will try to convince you that your relationship with Him is all-important. Trust God.

I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey Him, and remain faithful to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land the Lord swore to give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. - Deuteronomy 30: 19-20 HCSB

Every life, including yours, is a tapestry of choices. And the quality of your life depends, to a surprising extent, on the quality of the choices you make. Would you like to enjoy a life of abundance and significance? If so, you must make choices that are pleasing to God.

From the instant you wake up in the morning until the moment you nod off to sleep at night, you make lots of decisions: decisions about the things you do, decisions about the words you speak, and decisions about the thoughts you choose to think.

Today and every day, it's up to you (and only you) to make wise choices, choices that enhance your relationship with God. After all, He deserves no less than your best ... and so do you.