Life brings with it, at times, personality conflicts and human struggles. We all want to be liked by everyone and do not want conflicts, but they happen. When they happen with a close associate or friend it is painful and sometimes difficult to understand or explain. At times it may be brought on by a misunderstanding that has to be resolved. Other times conflicts arise in jobs where a person is fired or laid off or just not promoted for whatever reason. Rejection is hard whether it is from friends, family, boss, co-workers or strangers. No one that I know of really likes to be rejected. It hurts. Newlyweds probably find their first conflict disheartening but two personalities have two opinions and thus some disagreements can occur. The key is to not let those cause you to argue and be hateful to one another. You sometimes have to 'choose' to let things go. Human nature says 'fight on' and Gods' nature says "move on'. Ephesians 4:31-32 says to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
The good news is God is bigger than any rejection you can suffer at the hand of man. He loves you and he cares for you and this too shall pass. Romans 8:31-32 has something to say about rejection and it reads "What then shall we say to all this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who can be our foe, if God is on our side? He who did not withhold or spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all other things?”
Life brings with it both joys and sorrows and tribulation. Relationships of all kinds are in that mix and things are bound to happen. We need to try to be a representative of Jesus Christ in all our human relationships be it with friends, spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend, co workers or strangers and if someone says something to hurt you do not try to counter that with something as it only makes matters worse. Give grace to the offender and let it alone or things will only get worse. You may feel like telling off a boss but it is not advised if you value your job. If you say something to hurt a loved one you need to go back and say you are sorry. Maybe someone should say they are sorry to you but they have not, then you have to be the bigger person and learn to move on and let it go.
Psalm 118:6 says "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" It is the enemy, Satan, who likes to cause division and conflict. It is not from God. That is the thing to remember especially with someone you may be close to you are in conflict with. Be mad at the enemy and purpose in your heart to not allow this strife to continue. Proverbs 18:19 says "An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars." If you are separated by a misunderstanding with a friend and have tried to mend it and it has not worked just give that to God and move on as hard as it is. Matthew 5:44 tells us we are to " love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" It is only through the help of God that is even possible.
It is painful to have problems in relationships. God cares and he is the great mender of feelings and relationships if you will only yield and surrender to admit and say "Lord come into this problem now. I give it to you. I can not heal this relationship without you father so I ask for your help." Just remember that being angry does not help. Ephesians 4:27 says "for when you are angry you give the devil a mighty foothold." So choose to love even those who do not love you and your life will be a better place. Proverbs 19:11 says it is better to overlook an offense.
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for another day you have given us to impact the world around us. Help us this day to be your hands and feet in a hurting world. If there is anyone out there I need to forgive bring them to mind and help me to let go and let God heal. Help me to nurture those relationships in my life I do have with overflowing kindness and love. Thanks again for all you have done in my life. In Jesus Name. Amen!.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA5IDnpGhc
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
REFRESHMENTS AHEAD
How many of us on a hot day would just love to have a cup of cold water or maybe stop at your favorite coffee shop for an iced coffee? Perhaps your refreshment is a soda pop or glass of iced tea. God is our 'refreshment' all the time. He says "Come to me all you who are weary and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." (See Matthew 11:28) He is the ultimate 'rest stop' with the best refreshment for your spirit and soul.
In cowboy days the horses would need a drink of water from the stream as well as their riders. Back then the water was safe to drink right out of a stream or brook. There may be a few safe places today but I am not sure where they are. Jesus is the 'living water' that is there for us,never runs dry, never stagnates and is always pure and ready for the taking.
Jeremiah 17:3 calls Jesus the 'living water'. John 4:10 says " Jesus answered her, If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” He was referring of course to the living water, "Jesus". Whoever believes in Jesus will be refreshed by this living water that never runs dry. John7:38 says "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
How about you? Do you need refreshment today? Try drinking from the well that never runs dry.
PRAYER: Dear Lord we thank you for the refreshment that we get only when we trust in you and come to you. Thanks for being the living water to give us everlasting life. In Jesus Name. Amen.
In cowboy days the horses would need a drink of water from the stream as well as their riders. Back then the water was safe to drink right out of a stream or brook. There may be a few safe places today but I am not sure where they are. Jesus is the 'living water' that is there for us,never runs dry, never stagnates and is always pure and ready for the taking.
Jeremiah 17:3 calls Jesus the 'living water'. John 4:10 says " Jesus answered her, If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” He was referring of course to the living water, "Jesus". Whoever believes in Jesus will be refreshed by this living water that never runs dry. John7:38 says "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
How about you? Do you need refreshment today? Try drinking from the well that never runs dry.
PRAYER: Dear Lord we thank you for the refreshment that we get only when we trust in you and come to you. Thanks for being the living water to give us everlasting life. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Friday, March 4, 2011
A LIGHT FOR YOUR PATH
The word of God, the Bible, is very important in a Christians' walk and for the strength we all need to go through each day. In Hebrews 4:12 it says "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." It is from the word we get the guidelines on how to live a fulfilled life, one that pleases God and how to be holy as he is holy.
Presently in the United States of America we are allowed to have Bibles out in the open and not arrested for reading them. In many nations they are prohibited. It is crazy to think for a country that was founded on the Bible and Christian principles how little by little, especially since 1963 when prayer was taken from the public schools,that the 'word' has been under attack. It is so mighty and powerful it is a threat to those who are out for no good. It has to be defended and protected. Often times judges have ruled in favor of something else over God's word. There is power in the word of God and evil forces try to come in and get rid of it in any way they can. I never thought I would see my own government making laws against the word of God, when all of our monuments clearly say "In God We Trust." We wonder how long we can survive as a "Christian" nation when the word of God is not held in reverence by those that lead us. God will leave us to our own ways and our own destruction if we choose to not do what the Bible says. (See Romans 1:18-32). Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? After all, it does say in Psalm 33:12 that 'blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."
How many of us could really care less about picking up the Bible, and if we did, have no clue where to begin reading? To many it is scary or boring. I have heard of some church denominations that do not even emphasize their members to read it and suggest that they will let you know what you need to know.The Bible is for everyone. It is easy to understand and has so many promises and hope for the future in it. No wonder forces are out to snuff it out. It is through it we gain eternal life and a future and a hope.
Do not assume your ability to get a Bible will always be there. Gradually if evil is allowed in our land, that is anti-Christian, this influence will try to get away from the Christian roots and will do all in their power to get rid of the word of God, which has power. That is why a Christian should memorize and store God's word in their heart. Psalm 119:11 says "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." In Amos 8:11-12 it reads as follows,"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it". Pretty scary stuff to think that one day we may not be able to find a Bible anywhere!!
Psalm 119:105 says "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto thy path." Psalm 119:104 says "From Your precepts I get understanding, Therefore I hate every false way." The 'word' is the standard we should live our life by. Some 'liberal' churches choose to pick and choose what they will follow in the Bible saying homosexual marriage is just fine and it is okay to murder pre-born babies in the name of 'choice'. Wow I am not sure I have ever heard God approving of killing his creation! I have not seen that in my Bible. We now call sin an 'alternate lifestyle'. How far we have strayed and decided on our own which of Gods' laws we would follow.
In the Bible we develop the ability to know right from wrong. If children are not taught this they will have no way to know what is truth. Chaos in society will result and is resulting now in the present day. From the earliest days the settlers books which they used to educate their children were based on God's word, the Bible. Hebrews 13:8 says "the word of God is the same yesterday, today and forever." It is not old fashioned and it does not change. There is right and there is wrong and it is in the Bible if only we would read it and learn from it.
Jeremiah 23:29 says "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces." That is a great word picture. It breaks even the strongest rocks to pieces. It is like spiritual dynamite. So study it and live by it to have a life worth living and to know the keys to entering the kingdom of heaven. 2 Timothy 2:15 says "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
PRAYER: We thank you for being free to own and read a Bible.Forgive me for taking the Bible for granted. Satan will come and distract me from reading your word Lord so give me strength to resist the temptation to stop. Guide me and show me what you would have me learn from your word. Open doors of fellowship so that I might find others to study your word with. In Jesus Name, Amen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18eLs9A1Nqo
(Sidebar: There may be some out there who do not own a Bible. I know the Gideons give out Bibles to hotels and the military and may be able to get one to you too. Go to http://www.gideons.org/ for more information. God Bless You as you seek to know Him better through reading the word of God.)
Presently in the United States of America we are allowed to have Bibles out in the open and not arrested for reading them. In many nations they are prohibited. It is crazy to think for a country that was founded on the Bible and Christian principles how little by little, especially since 1963 when prayer was taken from the public schools,that the 'word' has been under attack. It is so mighty and powerful it is a threat to those who are out for no good. It has to be defended and protected. Often times judges have ruled in favor of something else over God's word. There is power in the word of God and evil forces try to come in and get rid of it in any way they can. I never thought I would see my own government making laws against the word of God, when all of our monuments clearly say "In God We Trust." We wonder how long we can survive as a "Christian" nation when the word of God is not held in reverence by those that lead us. God will leave us to our own ways and our own destruction if we choose to not do what the Bible says. (See Romans 1:18-32). Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? After all, it does say in Psalm 33:12 that 'blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."
How many of us could really care less about picking up the Bible, and if we did, have no clue where to begin reading? To many it is scary or boring. I have heard of some church denominations that do not even emphasize their members to read it and suggest that they will let you know what you need to know.The Bible is for everyone. It is easy to understand and has so many promises and hope for the future in it. No wonder forces are out to snuff it out. It is through it we gain eternal life and a future and a hope.
Do not assume your ability to get a Bible will always be there. Gradually if evil is allowed in our land, that is anti-Christian, this influence will try to get away from the Christian roots and will do all in their power to get rid of the word of God, which has power. That is why a Christian should memorize and store God's word in their heart. Psalm 119:11 says "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." In Amos 8:11-12 it reads as follows,"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it". Pretty scary stuff to think that one day we may not be able to find a Bible anywhere!!
Psalm 119:105 says "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto thy path." Psalm 119:104 says "From Your precepts I get understanding, Therefore I hate every false way." The 'word' is the standard we should live our life by. Some 'liberal' churches choose to pick and choose what they will follow in the Bible saying homosexual marriage is just fine and it is okay to murder pre-born babies in the name of 'choice'. Wow I am not sure I have ever heard God approving of killing his creation! I have not seen that in my Bible. We now call sin an 'alternate lifestyle'. How far we have strayed and decided on our own which of Gods' laws we would follow.
In the Bible we develop the ability to know right from wrong. If children are not taught this they will have no way to know what is truth. Chaos in society will result and is resulting now in the present day. From the earliest days the settlers books which they used to educate their children were based on God's word, the Bible. Hebrews 13:8 says "the word of God is the same yesterday, today and forever." It is not old fashioned and it does not change. There is right and there is wrong and it is in the Bible if only we would read it and learn from it.
Jeremiah 23:29 says "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces." That is a great word picture. It breaks even the strongest rocks to pieces. It is like spiritual dynamite. So study it and live by it to have a life worth living and to know the keys to entering the kingdom of heaven. 2 Timothy 2:15 says "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
PRAYER: We thank you for being free to own and read a Bible.Forgive me for taking the Bible for granted. Satan will come and distract me from reading your word Lord so give me strength to resist the temptation to stop. Guide me and show me what you would have me learn from your word. Open doors of fellowship so that I might find others to study your word with. In Jesus Name, Amen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18eLs9A1Nqo
(Sidebar: There may be some out there who do not own a Bible. I know the Gideons give out Bibles to hotels and the military and may be able to get one to you too. Go to http://www.gideons.org/ for more information. God Bless You as you seek to know Him better through reading the word of God.)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
UPSET? WHO ME?
In the book of John Chapter 14 verse 27 it says "let not your hearts be troubled". If you just look around you there is much to be troubled by in the world. We are to be in the world and not of the world. (See John 17:15-17). The Bible says, "Rejoice you have overcome the world". (John 16:33). Do not give the enemy victory by sitting around wringing your hands and saying, "why Lord why?" the more you meditate on your blessings and God the less you will focus on what seems a disaster in your life. John 3:30 says "he must become greater and I must become less".
Things like negative comments, bad situations, politics, family situations, imagined problems and financial problems can you send you over the edge if you let them. You can become distraught, insecure, agitated, emotionally unstable, disturbed, forlorn, and just sick at heart. These things do not sound like qualities of a person with a peaceful spirit now do they? God doesn't want us fretting and bothered.
There is no problem too big for God to intervene and solve. He is God after all. No matter what thing is troubling you and keeping you unsettled God can lift you above your circumstances and cause you to have victory. Exalt the Lord higher than your problem no matter what it is.
Get your mind off your troubles by choosing to think good things and helping someone worse off than you. The fretting just opens a door for the enemy to try to get your mind off of praising and thanking God.
Romans 8:6 says "the mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace."
PRAYER: Dear Lord help us not give the enemy control of us by sitting around bothered by everything. You want us to have peace and trust you. Father help me trust you and lean on you. In Jesus name, amen !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpLrXLlRio
Things like negative comments, bad situations, politics, family situations, imagined problems and financial problems can you send you over the edge if you let them. You can become distraught, insecure, agitated, emotionally unstable, disturbed, forlorn, and just sick at heart. These things do not sound like qualities of a person with a peaceful spirit now do they? God doesn't want us fretting and bothered.
There is no problem too big for God to intervene and solve. He is God after all. No matter what thing is troubling you and keeping you unsettled God can lift you above your circumstances and cause you to have victory. Exalt the Lord higher than your problem no matter what it is.
Get your mind off your troubles by choosing to think good things and helping someone worse off than you. The fretting just opens a door for the enemy to try to get your mind off of praising and thanking God.
Romans 8:6 says "the mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace."
PRAYER: Dear Lord help us not give the enemy control of us by sitting around bothered by everything. You want us to have peace and trust you. Father help me trust you and lean on you. In Jesus name, amen !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpLrXLlRio
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
BY CHANCE?? NOT!!
Yesterday I had another 'God thing moment" happen at a local coffee shop. I had just watched 'Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer' that morning and she had talked about times she went to a coffee shop or someplace and she just wanted to be by herself and read the Bible and about a time or two when she was 'disturbed' by someone who wanted her time when she was trying to study the Bible. It sort of reminded me of James 1:27 which says "pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
This kind of happened to me. I was at a local coffee shop sitting waiting for a friend when a lady came up to the couch I was sitting on and started talking. I had planned to read my book for fifteen minutes while I waited for my friend but I got into this conversation about all sorts of stuff. I ended up giving out another Moms in Touch brochure, which I have done alot in my travels, and discovered this lady had a son who maybe had been in the same class in school with one of mine. I do not know if this lady was going through anything or not. She was kind of shaky when she sat down and I just thought it was time to talk and not read. It is a matter of dying to self and our desires and reaching out to others. Like what do you say, "leave me alone I want to read my Bible." I don't think so.
Do not pass up opportunities that God gives you to minister his love to others. There are no chance encounters in the kingdom of God. Things do happen for a reason and sometimes we can look back on things and see the reason or purposes. We can not always at the time we are in the midst of them.
I think of another verse about 'entertaining' angels unaware. Hebrews 13:2 tells us to "not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."
So where are you going today? What does God have in store for you? Be alert for the opportunities he places in your path on a daily basis to be a light in the world and 'his hands and feet.'
PRAYER: Dear Lord I want to share your love with those you have placed in my path. Not through a Christian bumper sticker or a cross around my neck but by real action. Help me be aware to the people in my path that need your touch today Lord. In Jesus name amen.
This kind of happened to me. I was at a local coffee shop sitting waiting for a friend when a lady came up to the couch I was sitting on and started talking. I had planned to read my book for fifteen minutes while I waited for my friend but I got into this conversation about all sorts of stuff. I ended up giving out another Moms in Touch brochure, which I have done alot in my travels, and discovered this lady had a son who maybe had been in the same class in school with one of mine. I do not know if this lady was going through anything or not. She was kind of shaky when she sat down and I just thought it was time to talk and not read. It is a matter of dying to self and our desires and reaching out to others. Like what do you say, "leave me alone I want to read my Bible." I don't think so.
Do not pass up opportunities that God gives you to minister his love to others. There are no chance encounters in the kingdom of God. Things do happen for a reason and sometimes we can look back on things and see the reason or purposes. We can not always at the time we are in the midst of them.
I think of another verse about 'entertaining' angels unaware. Hebrews 13:2 tells us to "not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."
So where are you going today? What does God have in store for you? Be alert for the opportunities he places in your path on a daily basis to be a light in the world and 'his hands and feet.'
PRAYER: Dear Lord I want to share your love with those you have placed in my path. Not through a Christian bumper sticker or a cross around my neck but by real action. Help me be aware to the people in my path that need your touch today Lord. In Jesus name amen.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
SEED PLANTERS
Some people naturally have a green thumb and can grow anything. Not me. I look at a plant and it dies. Not really, but almost. And to think I live on a farm with lots of crops. Good thing my husband does most of the work on those. But I am a different kind of seed planter. I plant seeds for the Lord and so can you. What I mean by that is every time you are nice to someone or even directly share about Jesus with a person you are 'seed planting'. It does not even have to be an obvious thing where you start talking about the Bible and you scare folks off since they think you are 'religious' and want to run the other way. It can be as simple as your relationship as friends where they see something different in you, or they should if you are walking with the Lord.
As a Christian we should be 'seed planting' every day while at work, at leisure and even in church. Yes it is true not everyone in church is going to heaven. Some may be shocked or angry I even say this. We want all people to be in heaven but there are lots of searchers in church or some who come who have never asked Jesus to be Lord of their life.Simply filling a pew each Sunday does not guarantee admission to the heavenly kingdom. Many feel just because they join a church that is all they need to do to get into heaven. Nothing in my Bible says anything about a certain denomination having dibs for heaven or church membership getting you in. As a matter of fact there is nothing in the Bible that I know of about church membership. So we are to know Jesus personally and ask him into our heart,repent of our sins and follow this with a believers baptism. Just because your grandma went to such and such church and you automatically go there too does not mean you have a personal relationship with Jesus. Remember church is not a social club but it should be a place you go and grow and get excited about Jesus. You should want a relationship not a religion. So yes we can plant seeds even within the walls of the church.
Wherever we go we are to impact our world for Christ. We represent him here on earth and while here are to do his work to try to win others into the kingdom of heaven. Do not be afraid because "God did not give you a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind".(2 Timothy 1:7). Pray for opportunities to share Christ with those around you and for boldness to do it.
Seed planters go about their day sharing God's love with the people around them either in direct or indirect ways. 1 Corinthians 3:6 is often a verse I think about in my rambling life as a military spouse where we make friends and then have to move on. It says "I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow." Maybe something you said or did impacted a friend for Christ and you will not see the fruit because someone else in another location they live in will 'water that seed' and then yet another person may see the increase or the fruit or your initial 'seed planting'. It is exciting. You just be the child of God he made you to be and love your friends and 'be Jesus' to them and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
Go out into your world and be a witness and a 'seed planter' for the Lord. Acts 1:8 says "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
PRAYER: Thank you Jesus that we know if we ask you into our hearts you will come and live in us. Father if there are those reading this who are not sure they are going to heaven help them right now call on you and say "Jesus I need you and I want you to be Lord of my life. I believe by faith I am saved. Forgive me of my sins and help me walk with you and be a light in this dark world. Help me press on to know you better by reading your word and praying and above all finding a good Bible believing church." In Jesus name, Amen!
Monday, February 28, 2011
TOP MODEL FOR JESUS
How many of us get up in the morning and spent countless time in front of a mirror to make ourselves presentable to the outside world? I have heard the statistics for how much money this countrys' women spend on makeup and it is up there in the billions as I recall. So we have to keep the makeup industry in survival mode, right? "We are just doing our part for the economy so what is wrong with that?"
Our beauty should be on the inside. We are not to be judging someone because of their outward appearance. So many spend so much time to try to impress others or to fit the worlds' image of what we think is right. In 1 Peter 3:3-4 says "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." Now I am not giving us the green light to get lazy, overweight and sloppy for God wants us to take care of our temple to glorify him, but he does not want us to obsess over any area of life. Stay fit for God's kingdom not for your self and bring glory to Him in the choices you make as well as in your appearance.
When you are getting ready to go somewhere make sure your clothes do not cause those around you to lust as well. I am not saying to dress in a cape and not show anything but use moderation and think about why you are wearing a certain thing and women, realize you may cause men in your office temptation by your clothing choices. Who are you dressing for anyway and why?
Not everyone can afford the latest styles and why does it matter anyway? That is fitting into the worlds' mold. We are not to be conformed to the world it says in Romans 12:1-2 but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
In 1st Samuel 16:7 it says "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
So be excellent for God and be his 'top model' by modeling a tremendous life in the world around you. Do not worry about fitting in with the latest trends or trying to be cool but ask yourself if you are being his representative where he has placed you in life.
PRAYER: Dear Lord help us today to not worry about what we are to wear as it says in Matthew 6:25 but help us put our efforts and focus on being conformed to your image. Help the choices we make when we are getting dressed bring honor and glory to the kingdom of God. In Jesus Name Amen!
Our beauty should be on the inside. We are not to be judging someone because of their outward appearance. So many spend so much time to try to impress others or to fit the worlds' image of what we think is right. In 1 Peter 3:3-4 says "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." Now I am not giving us the green light to get lazy, overweight and sloppy for God wants us to take care of our temple to glorify him, but he does not want us to obsess over any area of life. Stay fit for God's kingdom not for your self and bring glory to Him in the choices you make as well as in your appearance.
When you are getting ready to go somewhere make sure your clothes do not cause those around you to lust as well. I am not saying to dress in a cape and not show anything but use moderation and think about why you are wearing a certain thing and women, realize you may cause men in your office temptation by your clothing choices. Who are you dressing for anyway and why?
Not everyone can afford the latest styles and why does it matter anyway? That is fitting into the worlds' mold. We are not to be conformed to the world it says in Romans 12:1-2 but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
In 1st Samuel 16:7 it says "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
So be excellent for God and be his 'top model' by modeling a tremendous life in the world around you. Do not worry about fitting in with the latest trends or trying to be cool but ask yourself if you are being his representative where he has placed you in life.
PRAYER: Dear Lord help us today to not worry about what we are to wear as it says in Matthew 6:25 but help us put our efforts and focus on being conformed to your image. Help the choices we make when we are getting dressed bring honor and glory to the kingdom of God. In Jesus Name Amen!
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