My beloved and I were recently viewing a movie and while watching I made this IDOK note: It does matter how you are clothed.
In the movie a young woman was dressed in a manner that you and I by proper definition would called immodest. We might even go so far as to say she was advertising. And if you spend a little time at the mall or similar shopping places you may see young ladies dressed in a manner that most likely would bring testosterone alive in certain onlookers. And it is at that point we have two choices, we can either whisper (or louder) to our shopping partner how despicable is that young lady or we can pray, realizing her clothing choices may be a dramatization of a heart that is desperate for attention, a heart that does not yet know her worth in Christ Jesus.
But back to our woman in the movie: as love, kindness and respect were demonstrated to her she changed her attire and when she did, it made a difference. As she walked up (or down, however you view it) the street of the small town, women no longer covered the eyes of their children and pulled them to the far side of the street and men no longer slyly lusted. Same woman, different clothes. Now families said ‘hello, glad to see you, enjoy your day’.
Two observations here. ‘Men’ judge other ‘men’ by their outward appearance; by the clothes we wear, by the countenance of our face; by our frames, too tall, too short, too skinny, too fat – the list goes on. ABBA does not do that. Admittedly, He has an advantage we do not have. He instantly and always knows the heart. Maybe we would do well to hold our disdain or our applause until He reveals to us the heart of that one we are ‘critiquing’.
I Samuel 16:
6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Psalm 44:
21 Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.
And then we have the balancing Text.
Matthew 7: 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
By their actions, we shall know them. And yes the clothes we choose to wear is an action and the same repeated choice may indeed reveal the heart.
What does it say about us if we continue day after day to leave off the ‘clothing’ our Father has instructed us to wear?
Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Could it be if we leave off dressing ourselves in the Armor of God, we will instead put on the garment of ‘looking on the outward appearance’?
Another something to ponder for a while I think, Father. Help us wait upon You to reveal the heart of people rather than forming opinions and making assumptions about them. And, Holy Spirit, help us put on that amour ABBA has given us to wear; help us depend upon You to put on each piece, each day. As I look over this list of names, it would be overwhelming if we failed to trust You. People we love are ill, they hurt, they struggle and others seem to keep making wrong decisions and we want them to change; we get weary watching; don’t let us give up; help us keep trusting, keep believing and expecting You to do what seems impossible. Comfort Heather and Brandon, fill in those gaps with Yourself. And I pray You will supply all that Shay needs to return to Zambia and I pray for the children – save them Lord, encourage them and grow them up to be godly. Grow up our children and grandchildren to love You and hate sin. Holy Spirit please be gracious to us, bless us with the mercy of conviction and grant us grace and space to repent, individually and as a Nation. We are only days from the election; in the time remaining please expose to voters dirty hands and lift up clean hands to victory we pray. We pray for our IDOK Troops, for their safety, mentally, bodily, and spiritually. We pray for peace and encouragement for families and friends. And, ABBA, for each IDOK I pray for Your Wisdom to be granted and I pray for wills to obey You for Jesus sake. Amen and amen. Economic conditions, especially the effects it has upon the minds and hearts of people. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. JOAN. Jodi H. David T. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. George. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Brooklyn. Jacqueline and her boys, River and Jackson. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Bernie and Linda. Darlene and Torkel. Edie G. Rachel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Dylan. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance and Family. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew and Daughters. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family, Mollie B. Public and Private School Teachers.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Richard M. Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George.Travis N. Hawk.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony.
Hospitalized: Captain Tran
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G.
Still praying but no recent update: Hector. Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Albert R III.
Justin G.on his way home end of the month!!
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
November’s Election.
As I post this it is 67°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 6:17 AM AST – on October 22, 2008
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