Sky Watchers

Photo taken from my backyard. 

Calling all sky watchers!!! One of my favorite pass times is watching the sky. Although I enjoy watching the clouds form and pass, there's much more beauty beyond that. 

"The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory." Psalm 97:6

Think of His righteousness, none other can be as holy as He, nor every act, thought and so on be as perfect and pure. Look past the clouds to the heavens; see the constellations and know He knows each by name... See the vast array of stars, planets, black holes plus much more that we haven't even begun to learn of! 

This is all His handiwork by His Divine design. Can you see His glory?

Virtuous or Viscous

Many are familiar with a virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31, but did you know that the Scriptures give warning on the opposite type? 

Antonyms for virtuous

"bad, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, wicked, wrong"

(according to Merriam Webster)

Words of wisdom from the Word...

"A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing."

Proverbs 9:13

"As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion." Proverbs 11:22

In case it has been a while since you've read or studied a virtuous woman, I encourage you to take a prayerful visit to that important passage.

Remember, beauty is only skin deep apart from Christ! A lady of nobility will outshine the naughty. 

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

So, whether it be friendship or a relationship, be cautious in those you surround yourself with. Do you have the discernment required to spot the differences in these two character or personality types?

May we be mindful...

"They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight."

Proverbs 11:20

Modesty, beauty and the company we keep

I love that even at 6 years old my son related modesty with beauty!

Lines my children often hear me say is, 'Ladies, put some clothes on!' or 'Fellas, pull your pants up!'

One weekend my son and I did some quick shopping before our lunch date. As we passed the women's apparel, he started pointing out clothes that would and would not cover a lady's body in a pretty and respectful way. I was truly impressed!

The cool part about it is I haven't directly spoken with him about modesty nor what the Lord expects from ladies who belong to Him. Evidently he's heard and learned much from overhearing conversations I've had with my daughter. This little trip to the store opened up a fun conversation with him! I'm thankful he's learning at a young age that beauty comes from within and whether male or female we don't have to show off our bodies nor reveal skin to be liked or considered beautiful, especially in God's eyes.

Let's consider what the Lord said to Samuel.

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

This conversation with my son reminds me of this needed word of direction, especially for the ladies.

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." 1 Timothy 2:9-10

For the godly woman, modesty and godliness are not only required, but the inner beauty that comes from Christ within us is beautiful! It is something to be respected and appreciated. Honestly anyone can walk around half dressed, but only those truly confident in Christ will understand the importance of heeding God's direction in His Word.

Remember, how we dress, act, and speak also attracts or repels the company we keep! If we are allowing Christ to shine through us in how we carry ourselves we will attract those who value such rarities, especially in our current society of anything goes. Not all are attracted to this lifestyle either, but we will attract those whom the Lord knows we need, whether we are meant to be an example or to encourage another in His ways. 

So, our simple mother and son time turned out to be an unexpected blessing. It is important that our children understand God's ways and that He directs us in all things. May we be mindful that their eyes are upon us and their ears are open to our conversations too. They're learning from us, like little sponges soaking up everything we say, do and otherwise. May we live out loud the example that they need to live godly in this corrupt world.

Though there was more to our conversation, the rest may be for another time. I hope you will consider your example not only to your own children, but to other impressionable children in your life. 

Have you considered God's direction lately in how you are to present yourself in public? If you haven't adopted God's ways in your own wardrobe, will you now - now knowing what He desires? 

Tug of War

"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel."Zechariah 3:1-3

Here is a picture of Joshua, the high priest, in filthy rags! A chosen vessel of the Lord standing in the midst of the angel of the LORD and satan himself, but note the LORD rebuked satan! Not once but twice. And notice, he said, "is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" In essence He was saying, "Joshua is mine. You cannot have him! He's been pulled out of your clutches! Go away!"

He doesn't stop there, "And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." (v4)

Isn't that incredible!? He took away Joshua's filthy rags and he clothed him with raiment! This is exactly what Jesus does for us!

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isaiah 64:6

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 In Christ, we trade our filthy sin for His righteousness by His blood covering!

Jesus warned Simon saying, " And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:31-32 Satan also desires to sift us; to try us, beat us down and cause us to stumble & fall, but Christ in His great Love and mercy says, "I have prayed for you."

Joshua had the angel of the LORD by his side and was defended! We have Christ covering and His intercession!

We are in a daily spiritual battle. Good verses evil. The Living God verses satan. Our flesh against temptation. We, in ourselves, are incapable of Victory over anything. However, in Christ we are changed from filth to beauty. Dressed in royal attire and protected in His Love where nothing can harm nor tempt us beyond escape.
Do you belong to Christ? Have you made the trade from filthy rags to the sweet covering & transforming beauty in His righteousness? Are you protected against the wiles of the devil? You don't have to fight this tug of war alone. You weren't made to!