Confession

The following is taken from our worship service today.

Holy God,
You have called us to live by faith and in freedom, but we oftentimes live by sight and in bondage. You have called us to be the light of the world, but we have oftentimes covered our light in the presence of others. You have called us to the walk of faith, but we cling to the paths that we know. You have called us to reach outward in love, but we draw inward to ourselves for protection. You have called us to live with abandon, in trust, but we live carefully, in fear. God, forgive us. Amen.

Girl Talk

Just in case some of you don't look at my post on my other blog "Because I Remember," I wanted to let you all know about a great post I read this morning. It is about modesty and fashion.

The following is an excerpt,

"...the immodest girl seeks to dress in a way that draws attention to herself and to her body, instead of serving others and bringing glory to the Savior."

Please check it out!

Imperishable Beauty

"but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:4

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard excuses about why this verse does not apply to particular women. Why do we so often want to dismiss certain Scriptures? I believe the reason is pride and an unwillingness to repent. The verse does not say all women are born with a gentle and quiet spirit or all women naturally have a gentle and quiet spirit. No, it says "let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."

Peter is addressing all of us women. I would say especially those of us who do not have a gentle and quiet spirit. Peter is saying something very similar to what Paul says to the Ephesians when he says, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesisans 4:22-24)

You may say, "I could never have a gentle and quiet spirit it is just not me." Then I say, you are absolutely right- apart from God you can do nothing, but with Him you can do all things. This is the power of the Holy Spirit living in you, it actually changes your attitudes.

When we read these words that we are to adorn ourselves with a gentle and quiet spirit, it is a call for us to repent and call out to God to change us and give us this kind of "clothing" that is very precious in his sight. Then we will have a beauty that is out of this world! The Scripture calls it imperishable beauty. I don't know about you but that is what I want, a beauty that is imperishable and very precious to God.

What is the purpose of having this kind of beauty? It is not so that everyone will say, "Wow, she is really beautiful!" The purpose is the same for all that God does in our life, it is to glorify Him. Not only is glorifying God our chief end, but it is also where we find true satisfaction and joy. Therefore, this beauty comes from God and it is through God and it is to God! To Him be the glory forever!!

Finally, adorn yourselves with a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious; and find your joy in glorifying Him, rather than glorifying yourself with perishable, fading beauty.

TODAY

by Amy Carmichael

O God, renew us in Thy love today,
For our tomorrow we have not a care,
Who blessed our yesterday
Will meet us there.

But our today is all athirst for Thee,
Come in the stillness, O Thou heavenly Dew,
Come Thou to us - to me -
Revive, renew.