On a recent Sunday afternoon, Neal and I walked from table to table congratulating the seniors on their upcoming graduations. Each senior’s table featured items that represented them, like photos, sports memorabilia, school banners, etc. Earlier that day, the elders had presented each of them a Bible study book. It made me think back to the times our own sons were the ones graduating and being honored.

A couple of Sundays before that, we all got together to congratulate those who participated in Lads to Leaders. As their names were called, the children (sheepishly) walked up to receive their certificates for each event they took part in.

Sprinkled here and there have been bridal showers and baby showers. It’s so sweet to see the anticipation and joy and, of course, to think back to my own so many years ago. Within the past 15 months, Neal and I have been blessed with three grandchildren. We had no idea that we would receive cards and gifts for those magical occasions!

One of my favorite things about the Lord’s church is that we share our lives together. In addition to sweet fellowship, we also celebrate momentous occasions with one another. We’ve been to “sober anniversaries” and special birthdays and wedding anniversaries. We indeed rejoice with those who rejoice (Rom. 12:15).

Significant occasions are made even more memorable when shared with our church family. When I recall my own family’s big moments, the church was always a part of them, even if it was just in the form of a thoughtful call, text, or hug. I hope we never take that for granted. And I hope we will do our best to be a part of those special events for others, too, so when they look back they’ll thank God for their supportive church family.

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.“

(Rom. 12:10)

Mine are mostly of the tongue. I am not tempted by alcohol. I am not tempted to commit adultery, at all. I am not tempted to steal or to bow before a statue. But I am tempted to answer my husband sharply. I am tempted to speak flattery (“minimal” falsehoods (that really aren’t minimal), to lie, to gossip, to speak the words of a busybody, to spend more time commenting on Facebook than contemplating in His book.

The writer of James tells us that, if we can control the tongue, we can conquer the whole body (James 3). Conversely, what that tells me is that, unless and until I can have the mastery over the tongue, the whole “rest of me” is vulnerable. The way the devil gets to the rest of me is through deceit, gossip, slander, disrespect and malice of the tongue.

I can see how this works. If I am comfortable hurting someone with my tongue (or my  keyboard) then I am hardening my conscience about malice, and soon, I may lose my self control in other, more physical ways. If I lose control of my tongue in disrespect to my spouse, I am leaving my life vulnerable to disobeying him and/or publicly disrespecting Him. It’s like a wildfire growing out of control and hurting those in its path. (I think I read that in a book!)

See, sin never lies dormant. It grows. I have waited three weeks for my heirloom tomato seeds to sprout something green in those little cups in my window. The plants are just not going to happen and I am sad. I coddled those little seeds, watering just the right amount and leaving them in the sunlight. I could not wait to show my friend in Missouri, who gave me those precious seeds, my sandwich-sized tomatoes!

But, can I ever grow weeds! You don’t have to coddle sin. You just throw it somewhere in your world and it can grow anywhere. That’s why it’s called the “tares” (Matthew 13:25,26). I wish you could get a green thumb award for growing weeds. I can grow weeds like nobody’s business. That’s how sin is. Just let one weed get in your garden out there and you’ve got enough to “pull out” or eliminate to keep you busy for the whole growing season.

It’s especially true with a lie. I know people who cannot stop. I really do believe they have lied so very long that they have hardened themselves to truth. They have all but lost the ability to discern the difference between speaking a lie and speaking truth. Sometimes they convince themselves that the lies upon which they are building their lives, are truth. I’m sad for these people because it is a miserable way to live, wondering about exposure all the time and worrying about who knows what. I want to live so that, when I hear that someone has said something awful about me, that I am not worried about exposure, but rather I want the truth about my life to be laid bare. I want the truth about my life to be fully exposed.

There are just some passages that you believe, in theory, when you are twelve years old. You believe them then because they are in the Bible and the Bible is true. But when you’re 64, you have come to “believe” them in a whole different way. You believe them in a practical way, You have seen the tangible, palatable, real-world effect of both the reverence for the passage and the disregard of the scripture. That’s why James is often called the most practical book of the Bible. And what James 3 says about the tongue is some of the most applicable, practical truth in all of the striving Christian’s world. The fire can rage in your world. Or the fire can be doused every time before it spreads. I want to have my Lord’s truth, His water of life to douse my fire every time before the damage is done.

https://thecolleyhouse.org

Last week I attended a funeral of a long-time friend. He was a beloved minister of the Gospel, and his sweet wife is one of the best friends I have ever had. We saw many friends that we haven’t seen in years, some I remembered and some I didn’t. Distance and time have made me forget specifics about some past relationships, including a sweet lady that I did not remember at all.

As we were visiting with people before the funeral, this lady reminded me of how we had been acquainted. We had attended the same congregation for a time, and her son had been in my Bible class. As was my custom, I assigned various memory work for the class. One day when her son was trying to learn his memory assignment, he became frustrated. He told his mother, “I hate memory work. Can we just fire her?”

She and I laughed at the story, one which I truly do not remember; but I am not surprised at his reaction. That is often the way children respond to doing any learning assignment when they would rather be doing something else.

It did make me think about the reason we ask children to memorize Scripture. It was a significant part of my learning growing up, and I cherish what I have been able to retain. The problem is that often the memory work we give children is just to memorize and not to understand the meaning and use in their daily lives. Memorizing without purpose is not meaningful memorization.

So, what is the purpose of memorizing Scripture? It is to help us know that the Bible is true and “to be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…” (First Peter 3:15). Memorizing Scripture helps us answer questions about what we believe and lets us speak from God’s instructions, not ours. This helps us avoid controversy, since we can attribute the commands of God to God Himself.

Memorizing Scripture helps to cultivate and improve our hearts and minds so that our work will be pleasing to God. It gives us a zeal, a desire, and confidence in teaching others about God and the church. It is the effort Paul tells Timothy about in First Timothy 2:15. Though Paul was talking to a preacher, that passage is no less meaningful to us as Christians. Timothy learned the Scripture as a child (Second Timothy 3:14), from his mother and his grandmother. This learning had made him wise. He understood how to divide the Scriptures—the Old Law from the New Law. We need to know that today.

There is a way which memorizing Scripture can be a special blessing. It is so comforting in the time of trouble, sickness, or loss. I had to have a particular surgical procedure that was concerning. As I lay alone in the waiting area for the doctor to arrive, I could feel the anxiety mounting. My thoughts went to Psalm 23, and I began to recite the passage slowly in my mind. It gave me the comfort I needed, and it quieted my fears. I have found that reciting that passage (or Psalm 1) relaxes me and allows me to gain a better perspective on the situation.

There is a sense of accomplishment when we memorize Scripture. Years ago, I taught a class of all boys. One of the boys had a special gift for memorizing. He completed all of the memory assignments I gave, and he asked me to give him additional Scripture to learn. I gave him what I thought would be fairly difficult and time consuming. I challenged him to learn the entire Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6, and 7). He did, and he was asked by the high school Bible class teacher to say it for his students. He then asked me, “What’s next,” so I challenged him to memorize all of the one-chapter books in the Bible. He did this as well.

Not everyone is capable or willing to memorize such passages, but most anyone can memorize First Corinthians 13, Psalm 1 and 23. Most anyone can memorize passage that tell someone how to become a Christian.

Though the Old Testament commandments do not apply to us today, they are a source of learning for us (Romans 15:4). Just as the Psalms give us comfort, the instructions of the Old Testament serve as an example to us for the expectations of God the Father.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 shows the value of learning God’s instructions. The Jews were told to teach the Lord’s commandments constantly to their children. How much less valuable would it be for us today to teach our children constantly? Realize that in teaching our children, we are teaching ourselves as well.

I didn’t get fired for assigning memory work, but I struggle just as much today as I did then to get the children in my class to memorize. That, however, does not keep me from assigning verses of Scripture for memorization and working with my students to learn things like the books of the Bible, disciples, the judges, the good kings of the divided kingdom, the beatitudes, and many other facts in the Bible.

One is never too old to learn, but the learning is much easier when you are young. Don’t let your children leave your home without equipping them with a knowledge of God’s Word. It will bless their lives.

Sandra Oliver

Romans 8:11a & 26 “The spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you. . . Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Our family vacation at the Mexican resort had been years in the making but the sun, the sand, and the salsa proved it worth the wait. Our only complaint lay in the fact that none of us spoke fluent Spanish. “Hola,” “gracias,” and “bano” (the word for bathroom), comprised most of our vocabulary.

Living with five in an exceedingly small resort suite manifested both blessings and frustrations. Out of the blue, our two teen sons became obsessed with cleanliness (a desire driven by the teen girls around the pool), and our supply of soap quickly depleted. So, I cleared the cobwebs from my brain, retrieved the Spanish word I recalled for “soap,” and found the housekeeper. Utilizing my best charade skills for “washing,” coupled with my rusty Spanish for the word “soap,” I made my request. However, the only thing I received was a look of confusion. Then a gentleman, fluent in the language, approached and spoke to the woman, who immediately handed me soap. The man politely informed me I had asked for “bathroom ham.” (In my defense, the Spanish words for “soap” and “ham” are quite similar.)

Our family enjoyed great laughter at my expense and that bar of soap is immortalized to this day. But on a positive note, since that encounter, I have realized more fully the Holy Spirit’s role of interceding for us in prayer. Just as someone stepped into my conversation and made clear my desire for soap, today when I lack words for my Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit steps into my prayers and makes clear my petitions.

Have you ever wondered how the Holy Spirit is so proficient in interceding for you? Well remember, He knows you intimately because He lives with you. If I consider what human knows me best, it would be my husband. Why? Because he lives with me. He sees all my quirks. He knows I fear being cold, drink my coffee boiling hot, and procrastinate laundry till the cows come home naked. Who knows you better than the one who lives with you?

So, when your heart is breaking and you struggle to form a sentence, the Holy Spirit will speak your truth to the Father. When fear paralyzes you, the Holy Spirit will relay strong words to God. And when all seems hopeless, the Holy Spirit will turn your stuttering into powerful petitions before the Great I AM.

Father God, we praise your for providing us an advocate.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

Summer is here! Gone are those ole bulky winter clothes and all those layers! The ultra freedom of summer clothes surrounds us again. This summer, women will go to the beach wearing bikinis or something even skimpier. Probably that same woman would never consider parading around on the beach wearing only a bra and thong-type underpants, but I ask, “What is the difference in the amount of body she would be revealing?” None! The only difference is in the fabric used to make the garments! It would be scandalous to go out in public dressed only in one’s underwear – wouldn’t it?

Leaving the beach scene of near-nudity, look at the offering for relaxed outings: the briefest of stretch pants, topped with a knit, spaghetti-strap shirt. Another possibility is a one-piece stretch top that will barely cover the torso – breast down to upper thighs. Oh, this blueprint is better; it’s a little longer, and at least it does have spaghetti straps! Then, there is the blue knit top, also with the spaghetti straps. Of course, the degree of immodesty is the choice of the wearer: will it be a top that is loose and exposes only the upper part of the body, or will it be three sizes too small so that it is stretched like a second skin? Then, there is a subdued choice: a black straight skirt. Should we wonder what folks will see when the wearer sits down or bends over? Another offering are shorts for the hot-natured woman. The manufacturer invested very little in the fabric, but, sadly, the price tag doesn’t reflect that savings.

With the lowering of all standards of honesty, integrity and modesty in the world, we know that the downhill spiral of morals for the general populace is likely to continue. There are reports that nudity is accepted in some public situations in Europe, as well as on TV. Since those countries seem to be the model we are following, we can accurately project what we will see on American streets in the near future.

What the world is doing is not nearly as alarming to me as the transformation that is taking place in the Lord’s church. Sometimes I am afraid to look up to see incoming attendees for worship because of what some of the women are wearing: short, tight skirts; spaghetti-strap dresses; see-through fabrics; low-cut tops that reveal cleavage. Some among us could walk out of the church buildings and blend harmoniously with the women of the world! Shame! Shame! Are there no sermons or Bible class studies anymore on modest apparel for Christian women? Are there no elders sincerely looking after the flock? Do the husbands and fathers of these women have no eyes? Does no one remember the connection between exposure of the physical body and the resulting lust in the hearts of the beholders?

“Politeness” may silence leaders and fellow-Christians in the church, but God loves us too deeply to be silent. What does He say?

• “Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands” (1 Peter 3:3-5 NKJV).

• “…that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9).

• “…whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

• “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

The choice to wear clothing that will create lust in the eyes of those around us is wrong in itself; the resulting lust in the hearts of the beholders is sin on the part of the one who causes it as well as the one who is lusting. Lust can literally lead to immorality, infidelity, lies, abandoned children, broken homes and more. When Satan gets a toehold, he will continue to add to the temptation until – far too often –  he succeeds in destroying the souls involved.

Mothers, please don’t train up your little girls to dress like the world. From the start, teach them modesty by the choices you make in their clothing.

Dear Christian sisters, please remember that the first death was God taking the life of animals to make modest clothing for Adam and Eve after they realized their nakedness. He cares what we wear! [A little observation: Besides their tragic decision to disobey God, Adam and Eve’s choice of clothing fabric – fig leaves – was quite an itchy one!]

Betty Burton Choate

[Editor’s Note: Especially the current fad of women wearing leggings without additional clothing over them is a little less defining of every part of the female form than complete nudity. One can’t imagine that the same women would have any inhibitions of parading around literally naked. Clothing originally served primarily two purposes: (1) to conceal the features of one’s body and (2) to protect a person from the weather. Immodest apparel today does neither! ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]

They’re called deacons and, just like our shepherds, they have a special role in the Lord’s church.

“Deacons likewise must be men of dignity…holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience…let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach” (1 Tim. 3:8-10).

I’ve always thought that the men who assume this role are remarkable because they are willing to be servants. I realize that all Christians are to serve (1 Pet. 4:10), but deacons are probably the first to be called on to work in various situations. They’re also usually put in charge of a particular area of service (like fellowship, education, building maintenance, youth, transportation, evangelism, etc.). This requires long-term commitment, patience, humility, and a good attitude about helping others. Deacons give up their own time for all of us!

In addition, their families are often serving right along with them! Their wives and kids help them set up for events, host people in their homes, help plan activities, clean up, make copies, cook food, deliver items, or any number of other things.

Your church bulletin probably includes a list of those who serve as deacons. It could have 8 names or 20. Let’s encourage them this week by thanking them for the essential tasks they carry out in the Lord’s church!

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

(Hebrews 6:10)

We all enjoy things that smell good, and we do our best to avoid anything that smells bad. We buy things based on how they smell and make many decisions using our nose! No one, to my knowledge, prefers bad odors to the pleasant ones. The Bible mentions fragrant spices and oils used to make things more tolerable to the olfactory senses. Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with a costly oil that filled the house with its fragrance (John 12:3). At the burial of Christ, John further records that Nicodemus provided the mixture of spices bound in the linen around His body (John 19:39-40). We are told this was the Jewish custom. The women also brought spices to the tomb on the first day of the week (Luke 24:1). We understand that dead flesh stinks, and these spices help to mask those odors. However, the body of Jesus did not stay in the tomb long enough to amass much smell since He rose from that grave! Physically speaking, much of our lives are concerned with the odors our senses encounter, but what about our spirituality? What do we smell like?

How Christ Smells

Ephesians 5:2 tells us that Christ smells good to God: “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (NKJV). Those thousands of sacrifices over the centuries that were “a sweet aroma to the Lord” (Leviticus 1:9) all pointed to Jesus. That phrase is stated numerous times in the Old Testament, especially in Leviticus and Numbers. Some translations use the words “soothing” (NASB) or “pleasing” (ESV, ASB, HCSB, NIV, RSV). Christ’s sacrifice was well-pleasing to God as He was the spotless Passover Lamb, fulfilling all of those Old Testament sacrifices (Luke 24:27, 44-47; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19). Jesus selflessly followed the Father’s will on earth (John 5:30; 8:28). In times of temptation, He remembered His purpose and submitted to God’s will, not to His own desires (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15; 5:5-9; Matthew 26:42). This is why the Father could declare, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

We should realize, though, that Jesus was not always a pleasant odor to those He encountered who rejected the Truth. His teachings divide the humble – those willing to obey from the heart – from the stubborn, rebellious ones. Thus, Our Lord’s message also separates families (Matthew 10:34-39). We are told that many of His disciples “went back and walked with Him no more” when they became offended at His Word (John 6:60-66). The apostle Paul put it this way: “We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Jesus does not smell good to the self-seekers in this world.

How We Smell to God

The life of Christ is the example every Christian should be striving to follow in order to also be well-pleasing to God. Firstly, we should want to be a sweet aroma to our Heavenly Father by obeying the Gospel. The Father is glad to see souls turning from darkness to light (Luke 15:7-31). God looks favorably upon the sinner who turns from wickedness and in faithful obedience submits to His plan of salvation (Ezekiel 33:11). God has given us His complete Word in order to know how to be well-pleasing to Him (2 Peter 1:3). We must believe that Jesus is Deity, repent of our sins, be willing to confess that Jesus is the Christ and submit to immersion for the forgiveness of our sins (Mark 16:16; Matthew 10:32; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-6; 10:9-13). In becoming a Christian, we smell good to our Creator!

Secondly, Paul tells us that in reconciling the world to God through Christ’s blood, our Lord presents His followers “holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” if we “continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Colossians 1:19-23). As followers of Christ walking in the light, Jesus’ blood keeps on cleansing us (1 John 1:7). That sanctification involves us “continually offering the sacrifice of praise to God” and not forgetting to “do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:12-16). Paul told the church at Philippi what they had sent to him in prison through Epaphroditus was “a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). Even the smallest good deed may impact someone richly in Christ. As Christians, we are to be an example of good works, bearing fruit for the glory of Jesus’ name and influencing souls for Him (Titus 3:8, 14; Hebrews 10:24; 1 Peter 2:11-17). However, if a Christian is living like the world, he or she will smell like the world, and to God, that is not a good odor; it is contrary to Him (1 John 2:15-17). One who has obeyed the Gospel and then returns to the ways of the world is pictured as a clean pig going back to the mud hole and a dog returning to its vomit (2 Peter 2:22). We understand the ugliness of these images and can imagine the smells also would not be pleasant! Peter penned “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (2 Peter 2:20). Let us take heed as Christians and strive to smell good to God by living faithful, fruitful lives in service to Him!

How We Smell to the World

Being a well-pleasing, sweet aroma to the Lord, sadly, though, does not always make us a pleasant smell to those around us. Just as was the case with our Lord, when we live and speak out the truth of God’s Word, the world does not look on us favorably. Again, Paul wrote that through Christ’s followers, God “diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge.” To those being saved, we are the fragrance of Christ, the aroma of life, but to those perishing, we stink like death (2 Corinthians 2:14-17). To those living by the standards of the world, the Christian life is strange, and it often ridicules or even calls us evil (1 Peter 4:3-5). This should come as no surprise to the child of God. Our Lord was treated terribly by those who rejected Him, and we cannot expect any better response from the world (John 15:18)! The flip side to this, once again, is that if we are not living as we should as Christians, we will be a bad stench to those who may otherwise be won for Christ. “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints… for it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret” (Ephesians 5:1-12). How many souls have been turned off from Christianity because of how their “Christian” neighbors were living? If we smell rotten to the world, let it not be for our hypocrisy but for our righteous living according to Christ’s law.

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:15-17).

Emily Fisher

Jesus had just delivered a powerful rebuke to the Pharisees. When He finished, they asked Him for a sign. He did not accept their challenge, but rather used Jonah as an example of the power of God to show that the “signs” had already been shown for hundreds of years.

While Jesus was speaking, His mother and brothers were seen standing outside. Someone told Jesus that they wanted to speak to Him. His answer was, “Who is my mother? And who are my brethren?” Looking to His disciples, He declared that they were His mother and brothers. He is trying to make a point. The spiritual relationship is greater than any physical relationship. Jesus had already said this once in Matthew 10: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” This is a simple interpretation—“Love me more.”

This simple interruption resulted in a powerful lesson for the Pharisees, the disciples, and anyone else who happened to be listening. This was not the first time God used an interruption to teach a valuable lesson. We read examples of this over and over again throughout Scripture. One such example is in the text between the Pharisees’ request for a sign and the interruption. Jesus spoke of Jonah and His miraculous three days and nights in the belly of the great fish.

Jonah was minding his own business, going about his daily activities, when he had an interruption. The Lord said. “Go to Ninevah, that great city, and cry against it.” But Jonah was not in any mood to go to see an entire city of heathen people and try to persuade them to change their ways. His solution was to run! And run he did, onto a ship headed in the other direction. Once again, the Lord interrupted his plans. He sent a storm as a sign that he needed to fulfill his spiritual obligation over his own personal feelings; and to get His point across, He put Jonah inside a great fish to think things over. After three days and nights, Jonah went to Ninevah and changed the entire city.

Noah had a similar experience. He was living his life, raising a family, and doing things God’s way. The Lord looked down on the earth and said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” Noah found grace in God’s eyes, and He determined that He would save him and his family. So, Noah’s life was interrupted to build a boat—not just any boat; but one big enough to take animals of every kind. On top of building a boat, he had the responsibility of trying to persuade the people to repent. For some 120 years, Noah preached and built until the Lord finally put him and his family on the ark with the animals to be saved.

Acts 8 finds a man named Philip, having been called into service to care for the Grecian widows, going about his daily routine. An angel of the Lord spoke to him and told him to go to the desert and there he would find his assignment. Like Noah, Philip didn’t question his mission; he just went. On the way, he found a man, a treasurer of Queen Candace, riding along in his chariot reading from the book of Isaiah. The man saw Philip, invited him into the chariot, and asked for help in understanding the prophecy he was reading. Philip taught him about Jesus; and, seeing water, they stopped so Philip could baptize him. The man left Philip and went on his way home, never to see this evangelist again.

These are three stories out of many in Scripture which show God interrupting daily lives and pressing someone into His service. Jonah didn’t want to go. Noah and Philip showed no resistance but were called into service and obeyed.

God’s interruptions are for a purpose. They fix the attention, not on us, but on the task. We don’t always know why our lives get interrupted, but there will always be a reason. Jesus used the interruption of His mother and brothers to fix the attention of the hearers on the spiritual rather than the physical. The same was true in each of our examples. They will surely be the same with us today.

Sandra Oliver

All Christians (men and women) should be adorned inwardly and outwardly with only what is fitting for one of God’s children. Our outward appearance should neither shame the name of Jesus or our Heavenly Father, and nor should we have moth-eaten clothes or nakedness instead of the spiritual clothing God has intended. We know that man looks on the outward appearance while God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (NKJV).

So, where should our focus be? Should we think only about our outward appearance? Why do we spend so much time thinking about “what we shall wear”? What should we do? Why?

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Christian women know we brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:7-9).

Most women want durable clothing, but what is it, and how do we get it? We know that only eternal things will endure. “And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing” (Isaiah 23:18 KJV). When men or women are subject to the authorities that God sets over them, it is a beautiful thing before Him. Being subject to authority is being subject to God and not men (Romans 13:1-7). That is durable clothing.

Christian women should choose between outward adorning and the hidden heart (1 Peter 3:1-4). When seeking the favor of God, the Christian woman will rend her heart and not her garments (Joel 2:12-13). Our Heavenly Father sees particular beauty in meekness. Fasting, afflicting our physical bodies or tearing our clothing is not what God wants; He wants us to turn to him and tear away every worldly thing from our hearts.

The Christian woman will be adorned like the holy women of old (1 Peter 3:1-6). She also will adorn the doctrine of God (Titus 2:9-10). We notice that good fidelity (faithfulness) adorns, and in that way, we can be an attraction to God’s doctrine. Notice other things that may be bound on our hearts (Proverbs 6:20‑23; 7:2‑3). We must believe the promises and have faith that God’s laws are good. That is beautiful in God’s sight. Fulfilling the covenant that we make as Christians is beautiful. Knowing and keeping His laws is also beautiful in God’s sight.

The Christian woman binds God’s words like frontlets between her eyes (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 11:18). Knowing and following the commandments of our Heavenly Father makes us beautiful in His sight. Knowing the Word and keeping It ever before us is also beautiful in God’s sight.

The Christian woman is clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5). God particularly favors those who humble themselves to submit. The humble will find more of His favor.

The Christian woman is clothed in strength and honor (Proverbs 31:25). Spiritual strength is standing strongly for what is right and good. God praises (honors) those who are good in His sight.

The Christian woman avoids spiritual nakedness; she keeps (guards) her garments (Revelation 16:15). This was something the Laodiceans had not done. Will we guard our spiritual clothing so that we are not naked and shamed? “Can a man take fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, And his feet not be seared?” (Proverbs 6:27-28). This may be understood in both a physical sense and a spiritual sense, too. We must guard our spiritual wardrobe.

How must we buy white raiment from Jesus (Revelation 3:18)? The Laodiceans were not clean and white. They were lukewarm and unconcerned for true holiness. They trusted in their own riches and had not clothed the inner man of the heart.

How does a bride adorn herself (Isaiah 61:10)? What is the wardrobe of the bride of Christ (Psalm 45:10-15)? The picture of walking in white is typical of a wedding ceremony. We know that faithful, worthy children of God will marry Christ. How can the Christian woman expect to walk with Jesus in white (Revelation 3:4)? White clothing indicates purity of heart and mind. White clothing is also symbolic of what is clean and pure. What else must we do or be to walk with Jesus in white (Revelation 3:5)?

As the bride of Christ, will we make ourselves ready (Revelation 19:7)? Christ’s bride must be fully clothed in righteousness. Will we be prepared and adorned to be the bride of Christ? The bride of Christ also is arrayed in fine linen. Let us note what the “fine linen” of the saints really is (Revelation 19:8). “And to her was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousness acts of the saints.” Notice that righteousness is the right acts or deeds of the saints. Will we be dressed in a fine linen wedding garment? May God help us all to accomplish that goal!

Beth Johnson