What Are You Wearing?

Jen in Red Coat (Photo credit: Dr Stephen Dann)

My four-year-old granddaughter Jen is very picky about her wardrobe. Most days she goes along with what her mother gives her to wear, but if it's something she doesn't like, Jen throws a fit.

In our modern society, appearance counts for a lot, so most of us are like Jen. We are very particular about how we present ourselves in public. But are we as concerned about how we appear to God spiritually? In the Bible, the Apostle Paul gives some pointers on what our spiritual attire should look like.

...that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4: 22 - 32.

Here Paul takes us to his boutique and shows us what is not becoming to us as children of God - bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice (v 31). These are the things that grieve the Holy Spirit.

And he gives us a new wardrobe consisting of -  righteousness, holiness, truth, work, kindness, tenderheartedness and  forgiveness. 

So, what does your wardrobe look like? Are you ready for a makeover? Read this chapter of Ephesians then ask God to help you put on the wardrobe that pleases Him.

 

Related articles

• Ephesians 4-6
• VERY POWERFUL PRAYER - pray it daily
• Ephesians 4:25-32
• What is the flesh?

Will Jesus Work In A Bar?

From a bar to a church

This question came to my mind as I read about a Kentucky church that started out in a bar. Gospel Light Baptist Church of Hazard, headed by Pastor Chris Fugate, will celebrate its one-year anniversary this year. Pastor Fugate, a state trooper and evangelist, oversaw a policemen's prayer group. One morning as they were praying, a non- Christian gentleman drove up and offered them his bar for a church. The interior of the building had black-painted walls, a dance floor and Budweiser signs everywhere, but the group moved in and within a year their membership had grown to 400 and they had baptized 100 people. Isn't God amazing?

The strippers go to church

I heard this story this week. A stripper from Miami was murdered by her husband. When a group of ladies from a nearby church heard of it,they took flowers to the club and offered their condolences to the manager. No, this club didn't turn into a church, but all the strippers were in church that Sunday.

A beautiful teenager

Which grandmother does not boast about her grandchildren? I am as guilty as any, but one of my co-workers has really great reasons to boast. You see, her granddaughter was born a preemie, weighed less than one pound and was not expected to live very long. My friend brought one of the diapers and a vest the family has kept to remind them of God's awesome goodness. She brought them to show another co-worker who was receiving a lot of scary news from her doctor about her pregnancy. Let me tell you, when I saw the clothing my eyes became misty. That vest and diaper would not fit an average-sized doll. The child's mother had them specially ordered from another state. Today, the child is a lovely teenager who recently celebrated her sixteenth birthday.

Will He work in a bar?

The answer is yes. Jesus will work anywhere you want him to. He will work in your heart, in your home, in the heart of your loved ones, on your job, and even in a bar. Ephesians 3 : 20 says, He is able to do "exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think." Jesus Himself said, "... With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" (Mark 10 : 27). If you are worried, or having doubts about God answering your prayers, feast on these scriptures and see what God can do.