Hey Good Looking – Nobody’s Looking

​Colossians 3:12-14 tells us about some pretty gorgeous attire. "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." 
Did you notice that phrase, “over all?” (Not to be confused with “overalls” – that’s an entirely different look!) Well, Christian comedy aside, God instructs us all to put on love. It’s not something we fall into, like a free-fall off a cliff into the ocean. And love doesn’t fall on us, like a bucket of cold water over the head. Putting on love is a deliberate decision. It’s like choosing what to wear and then dressing for the day.
There are personal things to remember when getting ready. Things that you’d rather others not see. You know, unmentionables, like underwear or deodorant. (Gosh, I can’t believe I just mentioned those!)  But, and this is the super-neat part, the child of God gets to put on “God’s love” and wear it so that His love is the very first thing that others see when they look at you. Understand, your figure or fashion sense is so insignificant compared to your obvious happiness. Your sparkle, laughter and smiles are the features that attract others.   
Knowing all this intellectually, and ignoring the God sparkles for now; I have been known to stand almost comatose like a kid in a cocoon, carefully contemplating the contents of my closet. Besides being an outrageously contrived tongue-twister, this contemplation is not always a happy task for me. I bet you’ve already guessed that my clothes are a bit snug lately, so it often takes longer than I’d like to find an outfit that comes even remotely close to fitting my “current version.” No matter how long I moon over them, those too small clothes do not magically transform into larger ones. Just knowing that makes me respond with a little discontent. On some level of thought, (albeit irrational), my peevishness makes perfect sense to me.
I know, it sounds pretty weird, but since I’m the worst pack-rat in existence, it seems like there should be some value in those irritating garments that mock me. After all, some of those tiny clothes are authentic antiques. Funny thing is, many of them are back in style again. Yeah, well, a lot of good it does me. I can’t get my big toe into most of them. (Twisting and contorting is quite the unsightly sight, if you know what I mean.)
All right, I admit it, there’s no rational explanation I can offer for hanging on to those old clothes. It’s probably got to do with fond memories, (or delusions), of a perfect “Barbie-doll” body. Not to worry, though: Pride has a way of simmering down when thrown into the refiner’s fire. God’s not especially into our clothes, but He does want to supernaturally transform us through faith in Jesus. We can evolve, incrementally, into more loving people who shine with the joyful assurance that God grants whoever would earnestly seek him.
Whoever you are, whatever shape you are currently in, you can still rely on His perfect love every time. You see, when it’s from God, there are no physical qualifications or strings attached. He gives freely to all His children. And, (drum roll), His love even comes in an expandable fit!
Yeah, come to think of it, His garment of salvation grows right along with me. Christ’s unmatchable act of sacrifice wraps around me no matter what, so that even in my swollen state, (head included), He’s got me covered. It’s a most luxurious fit. But the absolutely incredible part is that my Savior calls me His own “beautiful bride!” You gotta love it!  
In Isaiah 61:10, the bible tells us what the well-dressed child of God is sporting these days: "He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness." I know one thing, I’ve never had to squirm and fight my way into God’s garments. (You know, I’ve always suspected that spandex is not of God!)
Anyway, my garments of salvation and my robe of righteousness came straight from God, through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ. It’s Jesus’ robe I get to wear. I must say, I feel like a real winner in it.
Love is the ultimate accessory. It just kind of pulls it all together. Christ’s robe to cover me, God’s great love within me and His Holy Spirit to fill me, these garments surpass anything I could ever come up with. (And it certainly beats the skinny, “Twiggy” look.)
With or without the thunder thighs, try Jesus on for size. We’re talking one really great fit!

 How can I be a better Christian?

​I get along pretty well most of the time, but then I'll get upset at something and lose my temper, or fall down in some other way, and then I realize I'm not a very good Christian after all. — D.N.
 

The first step to being a better Christian - is to be sure you truly are a Christian! Have you confessed your sins to Christ and turned your life over to Him? If you are unsure of your relationship to Christ, commit your life without reserve to Him, and ask Him to help you walk with Him every day.

Then realize that you can't become a better Christian on your own, or in your own strength. You need God's help, and you need the resources He has provided to help you grow stronger. In ourselves, we are weak - but when we seek God's help we discover that the Bible's promise is true: "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him" (2 Peter 1:3).

Just as we need food to keep us strong physically, so we need the spiritual "food" God has already provided for us through His Spirit if we are to be strong. What is that spiritual "food"? First, God has given us His Word, the Bible. Make the Bible part of your spiritual "diet" every day, both by studying it on your own and by hearing others teach it. Job said, "I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread" (Job 23:12).

Then God also has given you the privilege of prayer, and the privilege of fellowship with other believers. Prayer connects you with God; fellowship connects you with other believers. Through these means, God will encourage you and use you to help others

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                                                                                   Believe God’s Word
 Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: James 1:1-8 (NIV)
 Click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote:  "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:23-24 (NIV)
 
In order for us to obtain wisdom that contains a practical knowledge of God, of our salvation and even a more intimate understanding of ourselves, we must study God's Word - We can only find this deep kind of truth when we spend time studying and seeking God as our teacher. We need to ask for Divine teaching. God is actually willing to give generously to those who understand their lack and desire His teaching above all else.
 
It's the asking and not doubting part that messes us up. Unwavering faith is a rare commodity, yet that is exactly the currency God demands. We have to first understand our need, then realize that God is good and desires good for His children. If He tells us in His Word, which He does, (James1:5),that we can ask for wisdom, then that should be good enough for us. We must trust God's infallible Word. But He does qualify our requests - We must absolutely believe that He is ready to impart to His children whatever they need.
 
Today’s meditation: Ask in faith, believing God's Word.
 
Memory Verse: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)




​Creer en la Palabra de Dios
 Toni Smothers
 
Lectura bíblica: Santiago 1: 1-8 (NVI)
 Haga clic aquí para leer la escritura
Cita de las Escrituras: "De cierto os digo que si alguien dice a esta montaña: 'Vete, échate al mar', y no dudes en su corazón, sino cree que lo que dicen sucederá, se hará por ellos. Yo les digo, todo lo que pidan en la oración, crean que lo han recibido, y será suyo. "Marcos 11: 23-24 (NVI)
 
Para que obtengamos la sabiduría que contiene un conocimiento práctico de Dios, de nuestra salvación e incluso una comprensión más íntima de nosotros mismos, debemos estudiar la Palabra de Dios. Sólo podemos encontrar este tipo profundo de verdad cuando pasamos tiempo estudiando y buscando a Dios como nuestro maestro. Necesitamos pedir la enseñanza Divina. Dios está realmente dispuesto a dar generosamente a aquellos que entienden su falta y desean Su enseñanza sobre todo lo demás.
 
Es la parte que pide y no duda que nos ensucia. La fe inquebrantable es una mercancía rara, pero eso es exactamente la moneda que Dios exige. Primero tenemos que entender nuestra necesidad, luego darnos cuenta de que Dios es bueno y desea bien a Sus hijos. Si Él nos dice en Su Palabra, lo que Él hace, (Santiago 1: 5), que podemos pedir sabiduría, entonces eso debería ser lo suficientemente bueno para nosotros. Debemos confiar en la Palabra infalible de Dios. Pero Él califica nuestras peticiones - Debemos absolutamente creer que Él está listo para impartir a Sus hijos lo que necesiten.
 
La meditación de hoy: Pida con fe, creyendo en la Palabra de Dios.
 
Versículo para memorizar: Y sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios, porque cualquiera que viene a él debe creer que existe y que recompensa a los que lo buscan. Hebreos 11: 6 (NVI)

​Coping With Stress
 
Stress can be a good thing, if it is mild and simply serves to motivate and jump start your body. It can become a problem, though, when you begin to feel like your family and work obligations are less like normal activities and more like a frantic juggling act. We’ve all been there, its when these pressures become the norm, rather than the exception, that you feel that tightening in the pit of your stomach. When your daily activities are consistently hectic and all your time is scheduled down to the hour and minute, with unreasonably urgent deadlines, something has to change.
 
The body’s reaction to stress can be broken down into three different processes: Initially, the reaction is fight or flight, where a threat is supposed or expected. This quickly startled stage causes an automatic assumption of jeopardy. Next, if the perceived danger is not resolved, the following response predicted is called the resistance level, where your body discharges hormones that are meant to prepare you for a more prolonged readiness to take action. Soon the final stage of exhaustion completes the body’s coping cycle. During this final period, the body regroups and refreshes itself. If there is never a break in this series of reactions and your body never gets the opportunity to replenish itself and take the necessary rest, this series of stressful reactions can often develop into overwhelming feelings of anxiety.
 
Some level of stress is a natural part of life for everyone. Overdue bills, workdays that spill over into nights and weekends, or strained relationships, all contribute to a crazy lifestyle and too high a level of sustained stress. This can easily become a problem. For example, adrenaline is initially secreted by your body to help you quickly cope with a real or imagined threat. If that hormone is excreted too frequently, or in excess, without enough rest, adrenaline can also cause harm to your exhausted body in the form of physical illness. Too much adrenaline can weaken your heart.
 
There are a myriad of common maladies, as well as dire diseases, that have been directly attributed to a stressful lifestyle. Vasopressin and cortisol, other hormones released by your body during the resistance stage, are known to raise both blood sugar and blood pressure. Additionally, the body’s continued state of fight or flight will eventually disrupt your sleep cycle, which only serves to further contribute to your state of exhaustion. Certain debilitating headaches, bowel irregularities and a decreased immune system are also associated with exhaustion.
 
It is important to identify an unduly stressful lifestyle so that anxiety is not permitted to take a firm control over your health and emotions. If you remain aware of the pace of your life and deliberately take time for planned relaxation and recreation, that will go a long way toward keeping your equilibrium.  Deliberate optimism and a positive approach to challenges can also contribute to a well rounded outlook. A sense of humor and the ability to laugh, even at yourself, can always help keep troubling anxiety at bay. You can’t really laugh and worry at the same time.
 
Maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle. If you have financial difficulties, approach your problem incrementally, come up with a well thought out plan of action and begin to resolve the situation. If you need outside help, by all means seek it out. Worry is counterproductive and leads to feelings of helplessness. Affirmative action can give you the sense of calm that your overall wellbeing demands. You want your body producing endorphins to help you relax and cope with one thing at a time.
 
If your children, marriage or significant relationship needs attention, resolve to spend more time with those you love, making the time spent with them a main priority. Everyone seems busy as a natural consequence of our culture. Keep track of what gains your efforts, determining to devote time only to those things you consciously choose.
 
If you have thought through what the source of your anxiety is and made an actionable plan toward defusing it, you may need to exert patience. Untangling a knotted head of hair takes slow, deliberate effort. If you have to smooth things out with your kids, wife, employer, or even your debtor, there is usually a way to succeed. Patient and persistent effort toward a foreseeable goal will calm your body, mind and spirit. Stressful drowning in a sea of unresolved worry will become a thing of the past for you.
 
(Reference – Allaboutlifechanges.org)