What's the big deal with the way I dress?

Imagine that a young woman walks into a funeral wearing a flashy hot pink dress. Or a man arrives for his wedding sporting an old sweat-stained T-shirt and torn jeans. Do you find either of these scenes disturbing? If you answered, "Yes," then you agree that what we wear matters. Ladies, would you care if it was your wedding and the man was your fiance? What impression would you get of the young woman at the funeral? Like it or not, people make assumptions about you based on what you wear. Your clothing tells a story about you before you ever open your mouth.

CLOTHING SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS

     Galatians 3:27 reminds us, "for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Would others get the impression that you are a follower of Christ, leading a life of holiness, by your appearance? You may say, "But God sees what's in my heart." Of course He does! But what we do and say is a mirror into our hearts, revealing our attitudes and deepest desires. The bible also warns that "..man looks on the outward appearance.."(1 Samuel 16:7 ESV). Try sharing Jesus with someone while wearing a shirt with a beer logo on it. Or imagine dressing in a mini-skirt, stiletto heels and low-cut top on a mission trip. What message would you be sending?

SOULS ARE ON THE LINE

     Not only does clothing shape our reputations, it also has the power to build up or destroy. Guys, you can inspire others through T-shirts with spiritual messages, or you can pollute people's minds by displaying ungodly images and profanity. Ladies, you can reveal your pure beauty through modest attire, or you can become stumbling blocks, filling men's hearts with lust by wearing minis and halter tops. Jesus taught that the second greatest commandment is to "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). We will all stand before God one day to answer for our choices, even our choices in clothing. It's time we put others over fashion!

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT ME

     Who doesn't want to look nice? unfortunately, fashion often goes beyond looking clean and well-kept. 1 Corinthians 10:31 is clear: "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." When you get dressed in the morning, whom are you trying to please? If pleasing yourself, your friends and "looking cute" in the world's eyes is placed above honoring Jesus, then it's time for an attitude (and maybe wardrobe) change!

MODESTY IS A WEAPON

     1 Timothy 2:9 teaches,  "..that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control.."The Creator knows how He designed men. He also has the advantage of seeing the unseen - watching the enemy as he seeks to devour each of us (1 Peter 5:8). As commander-in-chief in the spiritual war against evil, He has blessed us with all we need to combat Satan. Modesty is one of our weapons.

     Ladies, when you deny the visual way men were created (or even abuse it) and selfishly insist on cladding yourselves in the latest itsy-bitsy styles, you are not only rebelling against God but also putting yourselves in danger. Modesty is a safeguard for those who wisely heed it.

     "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV). Present yourself in a way that will win you the respect and admiration of older Christians, and who knows? You may win souls as well.

  

    
    

God's Chisel

If anyone wants me to address a certain topic let me know! I will try to find an answer!

What's the big deal with worship?

Asking the question, "What's the big deal with worship?" is like asking, "What's the big deal with God?"

     Worship is all about God Almighty! Worship is giving honor, praise and thanks to something or someone of worth. For the Christian, it's God! You might admire a dear friend or esteem a courageous individual, but only God is to be worshipped. He is the audience of one in our lives. His magnificence deserves it, and His nature demands it!

     When John gets a glimpse into heaven, he writes about the elders and creatures that are around the throne. Watch what happens while they are in the presence of God Almighty: "And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:9-11 ESV).

     Here's the big deal. When one knows God (has a relationship with Him) and then comes into the presence of God with other Christians (deciding to give glory, honor and thanks to Him), the action is always the same - worship. Worship is a decision. It is a choice to lower ourselves and lift Him up. This choice becomes more and more natural to believers as they spend time in God's Word (truth) and spend time developing the right attitude (spirit). That's why Jesus said, "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24 ESV).

     It is told that noblemen were gathered one day in London waiting for the King of Great Britain. They all knew him personally, yet they all honored him as their king. When he entered, they stood solemnly to their feet. "Take your seats, gentlemen. I count you as my personal friends." Then he said jokingly, "I'm not the Lord, you know!" Immediately one of the noblemen, a Christian, said, "No, sir. If you were our Lord we would not have stood to our feet; we would have fallen to our knees!"

     God alone is to be worshipped! For Christians there are indirect benefits of worship, like edification and instruction. However, it's all about Him, period. God is the BIG DEAL with worship! Let's give Him what He deserves!

What's the big deal with drinking?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs.
• Although drinking by persons under the age of 21 is illegal, people aged 12 to 20 years drink 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States.
• Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience...
• School problems, such as higher absence and poor or failing grades.
• Unwanted, unplanned and unprotected sexual activity.
• Disruption of normal growth and sexual development.
• Memory problems.
• Changes in brain development that may have life-long effects.

Even with all of these "glowing reviews" that the federal government gives to teenagers drinking of alcohol, one question continually echoes across America: What's the BIG DEAL with drinking?

     For a teen, the first response is an easy one - it's illegal for you. We read in God's Word,  "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God" (Romans 13:1 ESV). With the law being set that 21 is the legal age of someone to consume alcohol anyone who's younger and drinks alcohol is breaking the law and thus sinning. However, that answer alone doesn't get to the bottom of what's the BIG DEAL.

     In the Bible, we read Peter giving instructions to Christians to, " Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8 ESV). We understand that Satan's anger towards God leads him to attack and hurt as many of those who would follow after God as possible. In his eyes, you and I are nothing but pawns to be used in an attempt to hurt God.

     With that being the case, why would we purposely choose to put anything in our bodies that would alter our thought process - even if just for a few hours? The Bible warns, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler..." (Proverbs 20:1 ESV) and tells those following God, "Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder" (Proverbs 23:31-32 ESV). With science proving that even a 100-pound man is affected by one glass of alcohol, why would we open ourselves up to Satan in such a way?

    Maybe there's a very good reason the apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:3, "For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry." As Christians are made different by the blood of Jesus Christ, our behavior must reflect this difference. Often this difference in behavior is designed to bring us more in line with out heavenly Father. In light of the effects cited by the CDC, it is highly likely that God is looking out for our physical well-being on this earth as well.

Here goes nothing..

Hey guys, I just thought I would start this blog. It may step on some peoples toes, but I'm not posting anything directed at certain people. So please don't get offended, or mad at me. Just because you believe something is right, doesn't make it right. I might be get some things wrong, but I am trying to take almost all of what I say from Scripture. Also, not all the stuff I put on here is from me.