CHAPTER 8: INTEGRATION
Let’s define the word. Integrate, to integrate: Combine (one thing) with another so that they become a whole. Combine with another to form a whole. The origin of the word is also interesting to Chapter 8. Mid 17th century from Latin integrat- ‘made whole’, from the verb integrare, from integer ‘whole’ (see integer).
Luke 11:34-43
Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Lamp of the Body
34 Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad, your body is also full of darkness. 35 Take care then, that the light in you is not darkness. 36 If, therefore, your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be entirely illuminated, as when a lamp shines its light on you.”[b]
When you think of a coin, you think of two sides. So let’s say you’re a coin. You want to be worth something, right? okay, great. Think of this: top of the coin is administration, the bottom is knowledge, in order for the coin to work, I need both sides. Like Faith and Works.
James 2:14-22
English Standard Version
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[a] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Boom. That is the coin, Faith on the bottom, works on the top, knowledge and administration. Pretty clear, if not, I suggest, you rewind and listen again, until it is clear. I promise this concept will serve you forever. All knowledge comes from God.., Administration is a verb and it’s best we all get busy with the information provided for by the Word.
Next concept: The Linear/Non-linear mind. Without God, the Holy Spirit and prayer through the Lord Jesus Christ, I cannot solve problems that make no sense to me. My linear mind studies the problem, my linear mind actually does the idea. The non-linear mind works all the time, per second, per day for as long as it takes to solve a problem, it has no care of time, sleep, sick, emotions, nothing, it is God prompting you too solution. You know what I’m talking about it, problems you can’t get out of your head, and no matter how much you try — you can’t get it. Until it does.
When I employ God’s help, it takes whatever time it takes and then, boom — the idea is clear and the linear mind, a mind that operates in a 24 hour period, can schedule it and get it done. And after God gives you the solution, it goes pretty quick.
A disaster is what happens when I just try something because I’m tired of waiting for the answer. With little things, sure, no problem, with big things, could be a real mess. This chapter is Integration, leaning on God in all things, leaning hard, pushing into the word, studying, praying — while working your chores.
Integration is the combination of all things considered, all things known, all things experienced, all things learned, all things prepared, for God, with God, in God.
Ephesians 4:6
New International Version
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
The combination of knowledge, experience, responsibility and God.
Luke 16:10
New Living Translation
10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
Integration: what will you integrate into your life? Nonsense, half baked ideas, excuses —- or truth?
Matthew 12:30-31
Amplified Bible
The Unpardonable Sin
30 He who is not with Me [once and for all on My side] is against Me; and he who does not [unequivocally] gather with Me scatters.
If you’re an idiot at home, you’re an idiot at work. If you’re selfish in one area, you’ll be selfish in another. If I have God in one area and not another, I don’t have God.
Everything is everything.
We see all these horrible things happening in the world. Don’t fall into the world and all the nonsense. With constant study of the Word you’ll understand how quickly things can change. Be ready, know the truth, discernment of what is and what is not, correct and incorrect.
Matthew 24:26-27
New International Version
26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
This passage tells me that the coming of God is a big thing, all people will know. This isn’t something that already happened and I didn’t know it, it got by me, I didn’t get the memo. We, as Christians continue to work, pray, provide service to the King until that time. If I don’t read, I can’t lead.
Luke 19:12-13
New King James Version
12 Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten [a]minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’
“Do business till I come.” Keep working. Get it? It takes time to change. Keep working. The Lord teaches many things, especially the concept of “no-solution” problems and that God can and will solve the problem if you let Him. Keep working, stick to the list and talk to Him all the time. Sometimes I get whacky — sure — all of us do. We are concerned about this or that — it will pass — it is just todays challenge, keep your head down and your heart in the game. Why?
Matthew 24:40-44
New King James Version
40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what [a]hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what [b]hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Next concept: Age before Beauty
It isn’t the example of opening the door for the old person, although a good idea. Age, time, patience before God’s work in you and me comes through. The good you, the true you, the real you, the God in you that He meant for you to be. Your Destiny, made by Him before time itself. Age before beauty, the time you take to learn and then the beauty God brings forth from you, the “you” He wants!
Those who run the short game, bamboozling with schemes and nonsense, it’s a time burner and at the end of the game, they’re left with little or nothing. Push back against impatient arrogance.
Proverbs 10:2
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.
Integration: act of bringing together all ideas, concepts and efforts for God in the making of a better you.
Ephesians 5:16-17
English Standard Version (ESV)
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
I always say, “you only have a few minutes in this life, what are you going to do with yours?” This stuff is hard, people are challenged by it and for good reason!
Matthew 7:13-14
New International Version
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Integrate or disintegrate? That’s a good one to remember.
Proverbs 1:24-27
New International Version (NIV)
24 But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, 25 since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, 26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
The world is losing common sense, disintegrating — we are watching the frightening reality of all people turning away from God’s word, God, and we fear His wrath. We pray for all the things we see, and for those who don’t see, we pray and pray and pray, for those we love to come back to the one true God. And it makes me sad, for all these things I’ve learned and all these things the Lord has shown me — the world turns away. Why should that make me sad? “There but for the grace of God go I, and my children, I pray for my children, the world turns my children against God, and I fear for them and pray that they be given eyes to see.”
Revelation 3:16-18
Worldwide English (New Testament)
16 So I will spit you out of my mouth, because you are only warm and not hot or cold.
17 You say, `I am rich and have many things. I need nothing.’ You do not know that you are in trouble and need help. You are poor. You are blind. And you have no clothes to wear.
18 I tell you what you should do. You should buy from me gold that has been made clean by fire. Then you will be rich. And you should buy from me white clothes to wear. Then people will not see that you have no clothes, and you will not be ashamed. You should buy from me healing oil to put on your eyes. Then you will be able to see.
What does that mean? Clean it up, tighten it up, shore it up, your knowledge of clarity and the difference between clear thinking and nonsense. Get it together, all of it, put God first and fire up your life, make it known to the world and in the mirror — what and who you stand for.
Chapter 8 – Integration – You stir chocolate into milk, the whole thing tastes like chocolate and chocolate milk is good, Integration. You pour one drop of cyanide poisoning into the glass, one tiny little drop – you die. Sin is like that isn’t it? Dis-Integration.
Deuteronomy 6:5-8
New International Version
5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Chapter 8 is a big word. It’s a big deal. It’s a big word. Integration. God in your mind and in your actions, in your intentions, in your home, in your hands, in your feet. What you do and where you go.
Amen?
Oh, yes, PS – God saves us all from the poison we do to ourselves. If you let Him.
Operative phrase: “If you let Him.”
Amen. Amen.
