Restoring Integrity:

Mat 5:34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all! Not by Heaven, because it is God's throne; 35 not by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King; 36 nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your word be, Yes, yes; No, no. For whatever is more than these comes from evil.

Are you out of integrity with yourself and others? Ask yourself these questions?

Ø Who would you try to avoid if you bumped into them?

Ø Are you involved in any activity, which you won’t reveal to anyone else?

Ø Are you involved with anyone you wouldn’t readily introduce to your colleagues, family or spiritual leader?

Ø Do you have debts you don’t or won’t pay?

Ø Is there anything you do without your spouse or partner’s knowledge?

Ø Are there things about your life right now that you would rather not tell your children?

Ø Do you have in your possession things that you borrowed and never returned?

Ø Do you take credit for others’ work?

Ø Is there a perfectly good reason for you having two cell phones?

Ø Do you ever check up on your spouse / partner / children / staff?

Ø Do you read other people’s mail / e-mails / smses?

Ø Are your taxes paid up to date?

Ø Do you allow people to belittle or humiliate you?

Ø Are you always where you say are?

Ø Do you promise to do things when you have no intention of doing it?

Ø Do you misrepresent yourself?

Ø Are you addicted to any substance or do you have self-destructive habits?

By allowing others to abuse you or your relationship in any way, you are out of integrity with yourself. Shakespeare wrote: “To thine own self be true.” It is self-defeating to give your power away in this manner.

Decide to behave with integrity – it’s a choice. Acting and behaving with integrity creates high energy levels and it heals the body on a cellular level.

Pro 11:3 The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin. 4 A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst. 5 Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life.

Communicate with integrity

Pro 11:13 A gadabout gossip can't be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won't violate a confidence. 14 Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.

How do you respond when there is conflict or a stressful situation at the office? Do you avoid the subject or person? Do you get angry? Do you go into denial?

To start communicating with integrity do the following:

	Ø Everything you say should be true. Do not be tempted to lie about anything. If you are found out people will lose their respect and trust in you.
	Ø Do not gossip or repeat anything you hear. Change the subject subtly when someone starts to gossip.
	Ø Clarify and confirm what the other person is saying before jumping to conclusions. Only respond to feedback once you are certain that you know and understand what was said.
	Ø Stick to the subject at hand. Don’t use a previously bad situation as a weapon in order to gain the upper hand in a conversation, meeting or feedback session.
	Ø Never curse or swear. It is unprofessional and you will lose the respect of others.
	Ø Do not disconnect a telephone call when you feel upset or angry. It is unprofessional to slam down the phone. Ø Stay calm and watch your intention when you speak. Ø Decide to resolve the issue amicably and with respect. If you find it impossible to discuss the issue on the phone, make arrangements to meet. By the time you are face-to-face you would be much calmer and able to resolve your issues.
	Ø Say “please”, “thank you” and “I am sorry” when necessary.
	Ø Do not make decisions about a person based on ‘hear-say’ or reports from others. Speak to the person direct and hear their side.

Dealing With Change

Jos 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, I have given that to you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage. For you shall divide for an inheritance to this people, the land which I swore to their fathers, to give it to them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous so that you may be careful to do according to all the Law which My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may act wisely wherever you go.

Are you experiencing pain or feelings of lack in your life due to something that has caused emotional or financial changes or perhaps a broken or dysfunctional relationship or illness? Perhaps you have changed jobs recently or lost a job?

Someone once said “The only constant is change…”

We all have to deal with change throughout our lives. Sometimes the change is predictable, but sometimes unpredictable change happens, which throws us totally off-balance. Caro Handley said that there are four types of change we can expect to face at some point in our lives:

Change we expect and want (like a new job) Change we expect but don't want (like having major surgery) Change we don't expect but want (like winning the sweepstakes) Change we don't expect and don't want (like sudden illness or death)

Jos 1:8 This book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it by day and by night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall act wisely. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed. For Jehovah your God is with you in all places where you go.

Change, no matter how good it is, means loss. When something in your life changes you lose the old way of being or the old set of circumstances. And loss means grief and nostalgia.

Resist and be rigid in the face of change and it will be a lot more painful. The secret is to be flexible and you can ride it out more easily. Think of yourself like a boat in a storm. Turn against the waves and they’ll crush you, go with them and they’ll carry you home.

Don’t try to cope alone or keep your feelings to yourself. Talk about it, have a hug, a laugh, a cup of tea and a bit of reassurance. Being brave doesn’t always mean managing alone. It may mean finding the courage to ask for help.

Some changes feel awful – death, illness, financial loss and many others can feel like the end of the world. Sometimes you have to look very hard to find the blessing in such changes, but there always is one. It’s through change that we grow wiser and stronger and learn to make better decisions.

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through Him we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice on the hope of the glory of God.

All change comes to an end when the new circumstances are in place and become familiar to you. Every change, no matter how big, will end and you’ll return to a feeling of normality. Keep this in mind when you feel as though you’re in the middle of a bumpy ride.

Rom 5:3 And not only this, but we glory in afflictions also, knowing that afflictions work out patience, 4 and patience works out experience, and experience works out hope.

Dealing With Fear

2Ti 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

The “neuro” term for emotions is described as “a pleasant or unpleasant mental state organized in the limbic system of the mammalian brain. Specifically, feelings of agreement, anger, certainty, control, disagreement, disgust, disliking, embarrassment, fear, happiness, hate, interest, liking, love, sadness, shame, surprise and uncertainty” – all expressed non-verbally.

Fear is described as a usually unpleasant, visceral feeling of anxiety, apprehension, or dread.

Fear is created by giving your power away through ideas and beliefs about: lack, judgment, punishment, loss, abandonment, loneliness, wrongness, badness, mistakes, death, sickness, suffering, struggle, helplessness, powerlessness, danger, authority, failure etc.

Phi 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The knowledge that we are all magnificent powerful beings is not easy to believe when you constantly feel like a victim. It is not easy to accept that what you believe in and focus on is what you draw to yourself – you create more of it. If you focus on success, you will most certainly become successful. If you focus on positive, uplifting experiences, it will all be yours. Be warned, if you focus on what you don’t want… it will also be yours. You will have to examine your own mind to uncover the limiting beliefs you have created, which triggers fear. Fear acts like a magnet. When we are in fear we concentrate on that - and draw more of the same to us.

Phi 4:8 Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. 9 Do those things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me. And the God of peace shall be with you.

Before you can empower the reality that you are powerful and that you can create whatever you want, you have to stop empowering the belief that you can’t…

There are numerous things you can do to overcome the emotions that overpower you when you are in fear:

1.	Breathe. Begin to breathe slowly and deeply. Close your eyes and go into a meditative state. (prayer is also meditation)
2.	Imagine any emotional cords from other people, which are attached to you, as being released and see it floating away.
3.	Relax your body. Take a hot bath with relaxing music and burn some perfumed candles.
4.	Take back the power you have given to those fears and others by expecting the worst. Think of a single, positive sentence that would describe the opposite of your fear, for example: “I am calm and in control of the situation”. Feel the calmness and “experience” the control in your mind. Let go of the notion that you are not in control. You created the belief that you are not in control – change it with one single affirming sentence that you can repeat calmly and peacefully whilst breathing deeply and slowly with your eyes closed. Create a detailed fantasy of a positive outcome.
5.	Let go of any particular solution you may have in mind, especially if it is a solution you don’t want. Don’t expect a solution straight away. Trust that the best thing will happen – it always does. Even when it seems as though the world is coming to an end.
6.	Phone someone you trust and ask them to be with you or just speak on the phone. Talking about a situation always helps.
7.	Give yourself a pleasurable experience. Have a massage or go for a brisk walk if you can.
8.	Get into the present moment. Let go of the “if only…”; “what if…” or “I should have…” notions. Become aware of everything around you. The birds, the music, the traffic. Look at the colors of the flowers and the sky. Experience the now.
9.	The other option you have is to allow yourself to feel the fear, without resistance. Let the feelings flow through you and don’t try to change them. A natural shift will occur when you allow the fear to be there.

You can let go of the fear and distorted perceptions and beliefs by writing positive affirmations, which will change your life forever. An affirmation cannot contain any negative words like “can’t, should not, don’t, won’t, stop” etc. It should be written in present terms as though what you want already exists. For example:

Ø I am in control of my life.

Ø I am emotionally strong and I make good choices.

Ø I have a strong, healthy body.

Ø I have good relationships with people.

Ø I am successful and powerful

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 By faith we understand that the ages were framed by a word of God, so that the things being seen not to have come into being out of the things that appear.

Remember, what you concentrate on is what you create. Write you affirmations by hand. Say your affirmations out loud, at least ten times per day. Concentrate on every word and listen to what you say. Smell your success. Be your success. Experience it through the art of visualization. Use as many of your senses as possible. Smell it, see it, taste it, feel it, hear it.

Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he who keeps the law, he is blessed.

You don’t have to believe your affirmations when you start. I can assure you that within one or two weeks of saying your affirmations out loud, 10 times per day, using as many senses as possible at the same time, you will make it happen and the fear will go. It always does.

Create new experiences that you really want instead of living in fear of the ones you have now.

Remember that your outer world is a reflection of your inner world. Changing your inner world will change your outer world. In other words, changing your thoughts and beliefs will change your experiences.

Conflict Seekers

Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as far as is in you, being in peace with all men. 19 not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Do you work, live, or interact with someone who seems determined to engage you in some kind of conflict? Do you find yourself getting hooked into their drama and before you know it you are in a no-win situation? How does this happen and why?

Pro 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who imagine evil, but to counselors of peace there is joy. 21 No evil shall happen to the just, but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

The reasons are many but they usually have to do with someone wanting you to fight with them. You swear that you will never let yourself get drawn into such behavior again but before you know it, it’s happened.

Ecc 7:9 (msg) Don't be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head. How should you respond to the hostile baiting that some people engage in? First be aware that on some level there is a pay-off for their behavior and secondly remember you choose your responses. Consider the following suggestions:

TIPS TO AVOID BEING HOOKED BY SOMEONE SEEKING CONFLICT WITH YOU

1.	Ø Recognize when you are being baited;
2.	Ø Listen carefully to the words being used to draw you into a fight;
3.	Ø Don't give the person the pay-off they seek – don’t fight;
4.	Ø You can't get drawn into a fight if you don’t participate;
5.	Ø Remember that if you get drawn into the person’s need for a fight you are making a conscious choice to fight;
6.	Ø Bait is bait is bait, no matter how tiny or innocent it may seem;
7.	Ø You may not even know that you are being drawn into a fight;
8.	Ø People who actively seek conflict are often encouraged when there are others present to witness their performance;
9.	Ø If you don’t participate in the conflict the pay-off is removed and the conflict seeker will stop baiting you for a fight;
10.	Ø If it looks like bait and smells like bait, it must be bait. Don't take the bait!

Pro 19:11 (msg) Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.

If you find yourself getting hooked, forgive yourself and the person who was fishing for the fight. If you find yourself baiting others you need to STOP your behavior. Acknowledge what the pay-off for your behavior is so that you can change it. You cannot change what you don’t acknowledge!

Position

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is only in the Law of Jehovah; and in His Law he meditates day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivulets of water that brings forth its fruit in its seasons, and its leaf shall not wither, and all which he does shall be blessed.

The blessing is found in the correct place; therefore we have to position ourselves correctly. If we are not seated and positioned correctly, we will miss the blessing of God.

Psa 84:4 Blessed are they who dwell in Your house; they will still praise You. Selah. 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You; Your ways are in their hearts. 6 Passing through the valley of weeping, they will make it a fountain; the early rain also covers it with blessings. :7 They go from strength to strength, appearing in Zion before God. 8 O Jehovah, the God of Hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. 9 Behold, O God, our shield, and look on the face of Your anointed. 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Whilst in the wilderness, the people of Israel gathered around the temple, in the presence of the Glory of God.

They understood at this point, the importance of being in His presence, the very location where they had to be. In the presence of His Glory.

While the `cloud` was settled, they settled and when the cloud moved, they moved. They did not dare move away from it, without taking major risk.

Why do we need to position ourselves, why is it so important that we keep contact and focus on the presence of God in our lives?

Surely we can survive without it; surely we can make it without constantly watching out for it.

Perhaps yes, maybe we will have a measure of success and maybe we will have some sort of peace and prosperity. But – not without a price.

1Ch 16:17 And He has confirmed the saying to Jacob for a Law, to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18 saying, To you will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance, 19 when you were but few, even a few, and strangers in it, 20 and they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people, 21 He did not allow any man to do them wrong. Yea, He reproved kings for their sakes, 22 saying, Touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm. 23 Sing to Jehovah, all the earth. Show forth from day to day His salvation. 24 Declare His glory among the heathen, His marvelous works among all nations. 25 For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods. :26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Jehovah made the heavens. 27 Glory and honor are in His presence, strength and gladness in His place.

Ø In His presence, we receive the inheritance, the inheritance promised to us from the everlasting covenant. The land of rest.

Ø In His presence, there is protection: He did not allow any man to do them wrong. Yea, He reproved kings for their sakes, 22 saying, Touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm

Ø Glory and honour are in His presence, strength and gladness in His place

We are called to take the Glory of God into the world around us – we are not to hide it or keep it a secret – we are to declare it.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. 19 Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus IS the Light and He has come and He has given us authority. It is our time to step out and move in Him.

Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now. 6 Then, indeed, these coming together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, do You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? 7 And He said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Guided by the Holy Spirit we will walk in power, taking authority, proclaiming the Year of our Lord.

Joh 17:22 And I have given them the glory which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one, 23 I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.