Dressing to Impress

Sorry men, this one is semi directed toward the ladies.  But I still suggest you take a read through too : ).

“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” – Romans 13:14 (emphasis added)

-         Don’t ask “how far can I go till it’s a sin?” but ask, “How godly, holy, and pure can I be?” 

Gourmet chefs often say that when it comes to food, presentation is everything.  Presentation is everything, but also with your body. 

You teach people how to treat you.  Whether you intend to our not, you teach people to treat you with respect or with disrespect. 

Often times, when young girls are desperate for attention, they will seek out unhealthy ways to grab that attention. 

As you are getting dressed each morning, try evaluating what you intend to wear.  Ask yourself: would wearing this outfit be a loving expression, not causing my brothers to stumble and fall? 

While Scripture isn’t specific about how we are to dress, it does have some specific things to say about the clothing we should wear.  Here are a few examples:

Let us behave decently as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.  Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  (Romans 13:13-14)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…and over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  (Colossians 3:12, 14)

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) (emphasis added)

-         Everything that Hollywood places in our eyesight is in opposition to what God wants.  Hollywood constantly tells us we are to be skinnier, prettier, tanner, more lady-like, less lady-like, more athletic, less athletic, wearing shorter shorts, wearing smaller swim suits, have bigger breasts, have whiter and straighter teeth, have no acne, have blond hair, have a few boyfriends, be flirtatious, be charming, and the list goes on and on.  But God says we ARE BEAUTIFUL just the way He made us!  We do not have to adapt and take on our culture’s views of “beautiful.”  God made you, so you are beautiful. 

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

-         Just like God has plans to prosper you (Jer. 29:11), the devil has a specific plan to steal, kill, and destroy you.  And he knows your weaknesses.  Our God IS in fact much stronger.  BUT, that doesn’t mean that temptation won’t fall upon you.  It’s not as if one day you reach this “ultimate day of Holiness,” and then POOF, your no longer tempted.  No, the devil is going to work harder for your soul – not let up. 

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears [respects and serves] the LORD is to be praised.”  (Proverbs 31:30)

Remember, you have worth and value in the Kingdom of God.  

You are priceless.

You are a princess.

You are God's, and you are lovely.

Blessings,

Samantha 

We are to be Salt for the Earth!

Matthew 5:13-16
"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 by men."

Here in good old Minnesota, we are seeing a ton of salt on the road these days.  So I thought it was only appropriate to write about salt this evening!

Back in the day, salt was used for many purposes.  Here are just a few:
1) To flavor
2) To heal
3) To preserve

So what did Jesus mean when He told us we are meant to be salt exactly?

We are to flavor the life of those around us.  If we truly treated each person we came into contact with like a child of Christ can you imagine what a difference this would make?  Flavoring the life of others does not have to mean evangelizing on the street corners and preaching in the bars.  Think of all the people you have a direct relationship with; friends, family, co-workers, classmates, spouses, boyfriends/girlfriends, gym friends, the list goes on and on.  We can make a difference just by starting with our already formed relationships.  My heart has been convicted lately because I know that I haven't been all I could be to those around me.  I haven't treated those around me like children of God lately - and that needs to change.  We need to examine our hearts and if our relationships seem less than Godly, then how can that be fixed?

Over and over again in the good book God commands us to love Him, and love others.  Easier said than done.  But just take time today, or tomorrow to examine the relationships you have with others.  How can we shine God's light into their lives?  Which relationships is God calling you to heal, or to preserve?

More thoughts soon.
Blessings!

Refuse to Simply Hold Your Mitten

I have a pair of mittens due to the fact that Minnesota is comparable to the arctic tundra.  However, I seem to carry these mittens rather then actually wear them.  Its quite odd.  I know its cold, and I fuss over how cold it is often, but yet I won't put on my mittens.  I simply just carry them around with me.  

This got me thinking.  Many of us know the Bible.  Many of us read scripture daily and can probably quote verses at random.  But Bible knowledge without action is much like me holding my gloves -- it ain't doin much good.  Don't get me wrong, its great to read the Bible.  But we need to be able to put those words into practice.  Just knowing the Bible is good, but not good enough.  Believing is good, but not good enough.  

We need to be able to apply the Bible to our everyday life.  How can we not only read the gospel, but live it too?  Its harder said then done folks, I'll tell you that much.  I find my self falling into the trap of "going along with the crowd" quite often.  But I am also constantly asking God to discipline my thoughts, words, and actions.  When I find a "not-so-good-thought" crossing my mind, I repent of it, and tell it that it has no place being in my mind.  In the car ride to and from places I have a chat with God, asking Him to remain in control -and for me to remain humble.  

So I challenge you.  Make the gospel apart of your walk and talk.  Read it.  Live it.  

I hope you enjoyed my short thought of the night. 

More to come soon.