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THE SURROGATE JOURNEY: BIRTHING PURPOSE THROUGH OTHERS.  PART 3: THE WEIGHT OF THE WOMB — WHEN CARRYING GETS COMPLICATED Genesis 16:5–6 Then Sarai said to Abram, ‘You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me.’ Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.” (NIV) šŸ” Quick Recap: In Part 2 , we met Hagar, the Egyptian servant chosen by Sarai to carry her child. Though not her dream, not her plan, and not her baby—she became the carrier of a promise she didn’t initiate. We learned how sometimes we are called to be the “other woman” in someone else’s destiny story—carrying, serving, interceding, and pushing someone else’s dream forward. šŸ¤° The Blessing that Brought Bitterness Hagar became pregnant. She was carrying the long-awaited seed. She should have been celebrated. But instead… she was mistreated. The one who chose her now chased her. The one who needed her now neglected her. The woman...
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PRESERVING OUR INTEGRITY: BEING THE SALT OF THE EARTH PART 2

 

PRESERVING OUR INTEGRITY: BEING THE SALT OF THE EARTH PART 2

Matthew 5:13


"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."


Welcome to Part 2 of our series, Preserving Our Integrity: Being the Salt of the Earth. In our last session, we explored the importance of integrity and began a personal story that exposed the painful reality of a leader who failed to live by the very values he preached.

Today, we continue that story and reflect on the lessons it teaches us about our own walk of faith.

Continuation of the Story

After my girlfriend’s revelation, my perception of my pastor changed forever. He was no longer just the man who preached righteousness with authority; now, he was someone whose actions contradicted his words. The rumors I had once dismissed became undeniable truths staring me in the face.

The situation worsened when another lady gave us the location of a coded place where she claimed to be with our pastor. Curiosity got the better of us, and we went there. What we saw confirmed everything we had heard. The weight of that discovery was overwhelming. In the end, we chose to delete the evidence, unable to bear the burden of exposing what we now knew.

As more stories surfaced—not just about immorality but also financial misconduct—betrayal set in. His once-powerful sermons felt empty, and his words no longer carried the weight they once did. Trust was shattered, and the church I had called home felt different.

Yet, in the midst of all this, I realized something crucial: while men may fail, the truth of God’s word never does. The virtues of integrity, honesty, and righteousness remained unchanged. The man had fallen, but the message was still true.

Jesus calls us the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), meaning we are meant to preserve godly values in a decaying world.

We are not called to simply look holy—we are called to be holy. True integrity is not about appearances but about remaining faithful to God’s standards, regardless of who is or isn’t watching.

Self-Check on Integrity

Take a moment to reflect:

Do my actions match my words, even in private?

Would I still make the same choices if I knew no one would ever find out?

Am I living as the salt of the earth, preserving righteousness in my workplace, home, and relationships?

If my life were examined closely, would my integrity stand strong?


Integrity isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being truthful and accountable. If there are areas where we struggle, God’s grace is available to help us grow.


1. Examine Your Foundation: Is your faith built on Christ, or is it dependent on human leaders?

2. Commit to Integrity: Make a personal decision to uphold righteousness, even when it’s difficult.

3. Pray for Spiritual Discernment: Ask God for wisdom to recognize truth from deception and to stand firm in your faith.


PRAYER:

Lord, please help me to live a  life of integrity, always reflecting Your truth and light in my actions. May I be the salt of the earth, unwavering in my commitment to righteousness. Amen.


Stay tuned for Part III, where we will explore another real-life story and deepen our understanding of what it means to live with integrity.

Spread the Light – If this devotional has inspired you, share it with someone who needs encouragement today. Together, let’s uphold integrity and be the true salt of the earth, reflecting God’s truth in our daily lives.


Thank you!

Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 
(EL-PJ God's penman)

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