Devotion: Steven's Prayer

Stephen was a devoted Christ follower who modeled Christ in his life and in his prayers. His prayer as he was being martyred provides us with powerful instruction and inspiration as we seek to go deeper with Christ through the precious gift of prayer.  Stephen was one of seven Hellenistic Jews chosen to serve widows so the apostles could focus on their top two priorities, prayer and ministering God’s word. (Acts 6:4)  Stephen’s character, witness, and strong faith through trials suggest that he prioritized prayer and God’s word above everything else as well.  When these priorities were kept in order, just as Jesus modeled, the Word of God spread and the number of Christ followers multiplied. (Acts 6:7)  

Ask yourself:  How is God’s word spreading through me to build His kingdom?  Are prayer and God’s word my top priorities? 

Stephen was full of faith, the Holy Spirit, grace, and power, which enabled him to perform great signs and wonders. (Acts 6: 5 and 8) He was bold, articulate, and faithful to share God’s truth, yet religious leaders and the mobs they incited rejected him, falsely accused him of blasphemy, seized him, and brought him before the council. When tested, Stephen quoted the Old Testament as his defense and drew upon God’s words for strength. When giving testimony, Stephen declared Jesus as the promised Messiah.  In all these ways, Stephen followed Christ’s example. (Matthew 4:1-11, John 18)  

Ask yourself:  Do I seek to imitate Christ as Stephen did? (Ephesians 5:1)

Stephen prayed throughout his trial. Everyone seated in the council “saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:15) The palpable presence of the Holy Spirit upon Stephen should have reminded his religious accusers how Moses’ face shown after talking with God. (Exodus 34:29-30)  When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, “His face shone like the sun.”(Matthew 17:2).  Similarly, when we are filled with the Spirit and meet with the Almighty in focused prayer, we too shall reflect His glory, (2 Corinthians 4:6). 

Ask yourself:  Do I seek His presence through prayer and let His light shine through me into the darkness to reach the lost?

When Stephen’s accusers came after him with gnashed teeth, “He, full of the Spirit, gazed into Heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55) In the day of Isaiah’s sorrow, he too looked to God for comfort, and then he saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. (Isaiah 6:1) Indeed, God has promised, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) 

Ask yourself:  Am I continually seeking Him and His glory? Am I ready to face persecution without fear of man?

As stones violently assaulted him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” These words echo Jesus’s final words recorded in Luke 23:46. Before taking his last breath, Stephen recalled Jesus’ mercy on the cross as He said through his agony, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,” (Luke 23:34). Faithful to follow Christ’s example to the end, Stephen’s last words were also a loud plea that God would forgive his tormenters (Acts 7:60). Then Stephen entered the full presence of the Lord. (Luke 23:32, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:21-23)  

Ask yourself:  Am I willing to follow Christ’s example, even to a martyr’s death?  Does concern for lost souls compel me to forgive my enemies?

God promises to work all things together for good and for His glory. (Romans 8:28) Stephen’s death sparked persecution of Christ followers, but that persecution scattered the apostles. As missionaries and refugees, they took the Gospel to Jews as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch where many believed. (Acts 11:19-21). Saul never forgot Stephen’s prayers or the way he faced death with joy and courage. (Acts 22:20) Stephen’s example was a powerful influence for Paul’s conversion and ministry which took the Gospel to the Gentiles throughout the Mediterranean region.

Stephen lived a life of constant prayer, according to Christ’s example, and for God’s glory. He found all his satisfaction, strength, and hope in God. So when he faced martyrdom, he could do so gladly in a way that glorified God and pointed others to Jesus. As Francis Chan wrote in Crazy Love, “The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His.”  

Ask yourself:  Am I living only for God’s glory, or am I also trying to bring glory to myself, my spouse, or my children? 

When we trust only in Jesus and keep our eyes on Him instead of our circumstances, we too can face the worst trials with joy and hope, drawing power and wisdom from Him to respond in a way that brings God the most glory and draws others to Him.  If we want to shine for Jesus in this dark world through every trial, then let us treasure communion with God as our greatest priority. May we be faithful to listen, to pray as Jesus taught us, to believe His promises, and to study and apply His holy word, all in pursuit of His glory alone.

The BSA Evolution Further Exposes Modern Progressivism as a Regressive Return to Uncivilized Society

In a civilized society, those with conflicting objectives, worldviews, or opinions openly and respectfully present their different perspectives. Each party will prioritize his or her goals and look for some common ground with the other party, be it a similar goal, shared value, or trade arrangement that is mutually beneficial. If one party wants something the other party has, then that party will either develop the skills and expertise to develop it internally, or they will work out a trade agreement. In civilized negotiations, there will be compromise on both sides, with each party giving up some lesser desire(s) to achieve the greater desire. Successful negotiations are built on trust, mutual respect, and a win/win  or even exchange on both sides with the shared goal of preserving or achieving long term peace.

In an uncivilized society, there is no negotiation or compromise. One party may deceitfully promise concessions with no intention of fulfilling those promises, or they may simply steal what they want by force, which may involve brutal, barbaric, inhumane acts. It is impossible to negotiate with a psychopathic liar, lunatic, or terrorist, for there is no trust, no shared goal, no mutual respect, and no acceptable compromise. Radical jihadists are an example. They will not settle for anything less than a global caliphate that rules the earth.  This goal requires the absolute annihilation of the United States, which they call "the Great Satan", and Israel ("the little Satan").

A wise, civilized person knows that all efforts to negotiate with, advise, appease, or seek peace with a lunatic, terrorist, and/or uncivilized nation or individual is not only pointless, but harmful. (Proverbs 23:9, 26:4) England's attempt to appease Hitler and Obama's Iran deal are examples of how foolish and costly such efforts may be.

What concerns me most about the continued spread and increasing momentum of the progressive worldview across Europe and North America is how it is turning civilized nations (particularly America, which was founded upon Biblical morality and the common goal of preserving life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) into uncivilized, barbaric nations.

What could possibly be more uncivilized or barbaric than the abortion procedure? Yet, in 1973, progressives made this practice, which involves ripping off an innocent child's limbs one by one and then sucking out his or her brains, legal in America. Unwilling to settle for that huge win, progressives have worked to expand abortion into the largest form of genocide in world history with the U.S. government helping fund over a million abortions in the U.S. and around the world every year. Progressives continue to battle against state bans on partial birth abortion, which involves fully delivering a child feet first except for the head and then cracking the skull just before it exits the mothers body. Seven progressive leaning states and the District of Columbia have no state bans on late term abortions.

Progressive professors have written extensively in support of infanticide, insisting it is morally acceptable and at times necessary for progress. We have already seen Britain's socialistic healthcare system hold children like Alfie Evans hostage in hospitals where they let them die while refusing other nation's offers to fly them overseas to receive lifesaving treatment abroad at no cost to Britain. The UK also has no problem leaving the elderly to die since they are viewed as a financial burden. Apparently, some human life (an unborn fetus, a sick child, an elderly person) just isn't as valuable to progressives as that of an elephant or a dog. To return to Hilter and Margaret Sanger's eugenics policies is certainly regressive, barbaric, and uncivilized, but societies readily accepts it when it is reclassified as progressive. There was nothing civilized whatsoever about keynote speaker Michelle Wolf's address at this year's White House Correspondence dinner. Her comments were cruel, raunchy, vile, and crude. She tore apart Sarah Huckabee Sanders as Sarah sat nearby. Similar vulgarities have characterized the progressive event for years, offering no mercy or compromise.

Professor Robert George stated the obvious with this quote: “When students have an opportunity to engage in civil discourse, they don’t feel compelled to engage in uncivil discourse.” However, most secular colleges and universities are going to great extremes to remove the opportunity to engage in civil discourse, primarily by banning differing viewpoints.  With faculty members leaning Democrat at ratios as high as 23 to every 1 Republican (UNC Chapel Hill) or 11 to 1 on average, followed by decades of bullying and persecution to suppress conservative ideas and to expel Judeo/Christian or faculty (Reference: Expelled documentary), and given the banned words lists and systematic indoctrination throughout classroom instruction, Christians and conservatives have little to no voice on college campuses. Deprived of the opportunity to practice civil discourse, students are encouraged to become radical social justice warriors who skip class (or tests) to mourn or protest what they cannot change, even as the outcome of a presidential election. #NotMyPresident Google, Twitter, and Facebook intentionally limit viewer exposure to conservative viewpoints, and/or deny Christian websites permission to advertise. Most mainstream media outlets spin stories, print fake news, or omit any newsworthy story that does not support their progressive narrative. They have become propaganda mills, not reliable news agencies. Every day, progressive thought continues to dominate the internet, marketplace, and all media platforms, apparently hoping to take over the thoughts and steal the hearts of all people everywhere.
When radical progressive groups bring lawsuits against a conservative and/or Christian, the goal isn't simply to right a wrong or fight for justice. Their goal is total destruction. Bakers, florists, photographers, and wedding venue owners have all been persecuted, severely fined, bankrupted, or forced to cease and desist activities that the U.S. Constitution was designed to protect simply because they refused to participate in progressive venues that were contrary to their religious convictions. Business owners in Charlotte, N.C. were forced by local ordinance to allow men in women's restrooms, in direct opposition to their values and the best interests of their female patrons, until the state legislature intervened.  But then progressives from around the nation, including the Obama administration, threatened, bullied, and chastised the state for daring to uphold long held standards to protect the greater majority. The NCAA refused to hold high revenue tournament games in N.C. and various large businesses threatening to locate elsewhere. Even the Attorney General at the time, now the current Governor, secretly met with businesses to put pressure on the Governor and state legislature to overrule H.B. 2, after he had pledged to serve the governor and N.C. residents. In this case, the media played a powerful role spreading propaganda across the nation which also captured negative attention from foreign leaders. Uncivilized people do not allow differing opinions and will bully or destroy to suppress them.

Each of these progressive "victories" was not viewed as a settled case or a compromise. They were merely steps forward toward their goal of totally wiping away traditional American values. They aren't interested in logical or reasonable discourse. Give them an inch, and they will take a mile. They will not stop until they destroy anyone and anything that stands in the way of a complete takeover of our culture. 

The Boy Scouts of America resisted progressive pressures to admit gay troop leaders for a time, but they eventually compromised, hoping to appease their progressive bullies. That was a tragic mistake, however, because once progressives got a foothold, they demanded more. Then instead of seeking to reform the Girl Scouts to make them equal to the Boy Scouts in every way (programming, opportunities, reputation, etc.), the progressive went after the Boy Scouts again, demanding that they allow girls to join their boys' organization. As expected, the Boy Scouts caved again to progressive demands. Then this week the Boy Scouts agreed to change their name to "Scouts", which signals a complete overhaul of the Boy Scout's identity. Soon, the Boy Scouts will wither and die, having contradicted their original and fundamental values, purpose, and oath. Progressives do not agree with the Boy Scout's oath or values. They aren't seeking to be included and assimilated. They want to seize control and destroy anything that builds, nurtures, and protects (in this case, Biblical manhood and morality) what they hate.

Progressives also tend to oppose Christianity and the Bible because it stands in the way of what they intend to accomplish, which makes them useful tools of the enemy of our souls. When one honestly considers what the Bible teaches and the impact it has had throughout history, it's impossible to deny that the Bible played a huge role in civilizing the world. Remove the Bible from schools, the marketplace, and the hearts and minds of citizens, and America will crumble into a hopelessly uncivilized, barbaric nation,not unlike the Mayans, Babylonians, and other pagan cultures of the past. Will we stand by and watch our great country regress into a Nazi regime or a pagan culture that burns our first born children as sacrifices to fake gods carved out of wood and stone or to corrupt dictators who enslave us?

Dear friends, leaders, and brothers and sisters in Christ, do not try to negotiate with uncivilized, irrational people who reject America's founding principles, traditional morality, and the Lord, our Creator God and King. Let us make it our aim, through both words and actions, to share the love, joy, and hope found only in Christ Jesus. He is the only answer to our heart's desire for peace and our culture's plea for civility. Pray for the lost who persecute you. Resist false doctrine. Stand firm in the faith. Hope in Christ. (John 10:10)

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus  (Philippians 4:5-7)

Presidential Inauguration 2017: A Call for Unity, Patriotism, and Prayers to God

I'd like to commemorate this historic Inauguration Day by sharing a few thoughts I had throughout the day.

Early AM
I've been working through Beth Moore's study, The Patriarchs.

  
This morning's lesson was from Genesis 27 and specifically addressed Esau's hatred of Jacob and the way he consoled himself by plotting to kill his brother (Genesis 27:41). This lesson seemed quite timely given the plots already uncovered by investigative teams to set off bombs during the Inaugural events and the arrest of at least one man (a friend of the Clintons) who pledged to kill the incoming President.  (By 1:00 pm, Fox News was reporting at least 90 arrests made within the vicinity of the Inaugural events.)

Beth Moore explains in the study guide that the Hebrew word used in Genesis 27:41 to describe Esau's feelings toward his brother is "satam" which means to hate, to harass, to nurse hostility and bitterness toward someone or to attack physically. This word shares the same root as the Hebrew verb "satan" which means to accuse, slander, harbor animosity toward another and with the masculine noun "satan" which means "adversary, accuser", from which we get the name Satan. 

Whether one's bitterness and anger flow out of being treated unfairly, not getting what one wants, or out of some false characterization of someone with no evidence or hint of truth, when negative emotions are encouraged by the culture and allowed to swell exponentially to the point that someone is consoling himself with thoughts of murder, that person's behavior has become clinically psychopathic.

Here's my concern. When we live in a culture that tries so desperately to normalize abnormal behavior, emotions go unchecked and psychopathic behaviors increase.

Satan is the father of lies with murderous intentions (John 8:44). He is the arch enemy, the epic accuser, and destroyer of all that is good. The spirit of Satan is what pushes people to attack, accuse, slander, hate, destroy, and plot murder.

Let us pray not just for safety for Trump, his family, and his executive team, but also for Satan's grip on our culture to be loosened and for our hearts to be turned from hatred and fear to love and faith. The battle is the Lord's, but we are commanded to pray, resist the devil, and humble our ourselves in repentance before the Lord. Pence knows that is what we need most, so he chose to take his oath while placing his hands on 2 Chronicles 7:14 which reads, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."


Around Noon
My kids got to watch the Inauguration at school today, and even though many different demographics with very different political views were present in each room, they watched together peacefully and respectfully. I wish more adults could be as mature as those K-12 students, but I sure am grateful their school let them watch history in the making.

I was impressed with Trump's speech. He's learned a lot since his campaign first began and moved considerably toward calmer, more unifying speech.  He's also been listening to a lot of committed Christians who have been teaching him God's word. That's what the evangelical team and Ben Carson have stated anyway, and it seems to show.

What were your favorite quotes from Trump's speech today?
Here are a few I liked (from memory so may not be quoted exactly):
  

• "We aren’t transferring power from one administration to the other or from one party to the other. We are transferring power from Washington, D.C. back to you the people."

(Populist sounding maybe but necessary to swing the pendulum back from tyranny toward a true Republic)

• "When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice." 

(Even more so when we open our hearts to God)

•  "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" 

(He was quoting Psalm 133:1.)

• "We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action – constantly complaining but never doing anything about it."

(WITHIN their legal limits - not legislating from the bench or through excessive, far-reaching executive orders, please)

• "Whether we are black, brown, yellow, or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriotism....we all enjoy the same freedoms and salute the same flag."  

(Rough paraphrase here, but it sounded like he was trying to emphasize how we are all equally valuable as human beings and need to unify as Americans)

• "May God Bless America!" 

 (I don't know about you, but I sure have missed that phrase.)

I also greatly appreciate the way he acknowledged that while it is the government's responsibility (and all American's) to build up, support, and respect our military forces and law enforcement officers, ultimately our protection comes from God Almighty. Now may we humble ourselves before the Lord of Grace and pray for His sovereign protection which we most certainly do not deserve. The Bible is filled with promises to protect those who call out to Him.  (A few examples are Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 5:11, 20:1, 36:7, 57:1, 59:1, 63:7, chapter 121, 140:4, Isaiah 41:10, 2 Thessalonians 3:3.)

Spiritual Reminders as Floods and Flames Ravage North Carolina

As I sit here by the fireplace, warmed by the heat of the flames and soothed by their soft glow, I think of my dear friends west of here where fire is having the opposite effect, igniting fear and destruction. They are surrounded by out-of-control fires whose dense smoke makes it difficult to breathe. That mountainous region provides the most spectacular views in the fall when the trees are covered with so many bright and bold shades of complementary warm colors reflected from the lush leaves. Yet now, the bright warm colors are emanating from flames canopied in dark, gagging smoke. The combination of prolonged drought, forest fires, and malicious arson have brought fire fighters to their knees, desperate for God's cleansing rain to vanquish the fierce and fiery enemy.

Last night, the rhythmic sounds of hard steady rain, which point to God's provision and nurture of life, did not lull me into peaceful sleep as usual. Instead, the sounds were steady reminders to pray that rain would leave us and smother the fires to the west. The rain also reminded me to pray for our friends to the east for whom rain brought destructive flooding, becoming the enemy not the remedy.

Our state has been hammered by both fire and floods in less than five weeks time. Both water and fire are essential for sustaining life, yet each has the power to destroy life and everything in its path. With so much power to heal or to kill, they are only good when kept within safe boundaries. The same could be said for so many other gifts in life as well.

God judged the whole earth (except for those he spared in the ark) once by flood, and He will judge it again one day by fire. Are we allowing these floods and fires to serve as wake-up calls, reminding us how much we need a rescuer who is greater than the water and fire which He made?

Do the fires remind us that God appeared to Moses through a burning bush and revealed Himself as the Great I AM who is perfect in holiness yet hears our cries, goes with us, and delivers His people ? (Exodus 3) Do the fires remind us the God is a consuming fire which should then lead us to both repentance and to worship?

"See, the Name of the Lord comes from afar, with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke; his lips are full of wrath, and his tongue is a consuming fire." (Isaiah 30:27)

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Do the fires remind us that God walks with us and protects us through life's fires as He did with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego through the blazing furnace flames?(Daniel 3)

Do the floods remind us of God's promise in Genesis 9:11 to never flood the entire earth again?  Do they remind us that He is the giver of living water by which we will never thirst again? (John 4 and John 7:38)

Do they remind us of our eternal inheritance through Christ?

"‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ "  (Revelation 7:16-17)

Whatever thoughts these floods and fires may stir in each of us, can we agree that the One who created water and fire possesses all the power, mercy, and love to deliver both the body and the soul from destruction? Let us be faithful in prayer for our NC friends to the east and the west, asking for God's presence to uphold and deliver them through floods and flames.

More pictures and updates of the fires which are now spreading across the state can be found here:
http://www.charlottestories.com/dozens-wildfires-now-spreading-across-north-carolina/

When Choosing the Lesser of Two Evils Trumps Choosing Neither

To those still struggling (as I have this election in particular) with the question of how to vote if you're not comfortable choosing the lesser of evils because it still feels like choosing evil, consider that we live in a fallen world which regularly presents us with a choice between two evils.  Some choices, such as which route to take home during rush hour when you know both routes will tempt you to have unwholesome thoughts, may not seem as bad as this election.  Other choices involve much higher stakes.  If an intruder breaks into your home with plans to assault your spouse or children, will you choose to shoot the intruder or let him have his way with your beloved family?  Both options seem evil, but you can't just stand there refusing to choose either option because the perpetrator will certainly choose for you!  When given a cancer diagnosis, the choice between traditional chemo treatments vs. another non-FDA approved alternative approach will feel like a choice between evils. If you choose neither, cancer will ravage your body.  Whatever you decide or don't decide in any lesser of evils decision, let us remember that God could intervene at any time in any way he chooses.  Any choice, even a choice between two evils, that is ultimately decided by trusting in God's sovereign will and faithfully following His leading glorifies the Lord.  He sees the motivations and longings of our hearts which matter more to Him than the fact that neither choice is ideal.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)

Let us humbly and honestly consider ourselves as we evaluate imperfect presidential candidates.  I asked myself, "Do I consider myself too moral to vote for a platform I know our country desperately needs to preserve democracy, the Constitution, religious freedom, and the very lives of persecuted people around the world simply because the candidate representing that platform offended us with something he said over a decade ago?  Have I no words in my past which I wish I could take back?" I most certainly do, and without Christ I am nothing.  The choices began to look different for me when I weighed the Trump's character in light of my own shortcomings.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:2-3)

Eric Metaxas reminded me of William Wilberforce and Dietrich Bonhoeffer who chose to immerse themselves in corrupt worldly systems so they could stand for what was right with the goal of freeing the oppressed.  God's word led them to stand for truth, justice, and life despite the evil they had to encounter in the process. So God's word has great power to bring about change even through corrupt human systems.

I was also reminded of the way God has used wretched men throughout history who He humbled and brought to repentance.  The more I learn from wise God fearing men who Trump has chosen as his advisors, the more encouraged I am that he is closer to repentance than he has ever been before.  I wrote more about how the hope of repentance influenced my decision here.

When Trump first won the RNC ticket, I considered a write-in as a way to voice my opposition to both candidates and to draw attention to the type of leader we truly want.  However, I reconsidered as I learned more about how much is at stake in this election. I live in a swing state where every vote counts, and write-ins are not even considered in my state, unless they are for Jill Stein. If I even want the opportunity to vote for a truly conservative candidate who upholds Christian values in the next election, the I have to focus now on battling the overwhelming corruption that is overtaking our country and plucking away are freedoms.  As sad as it is to admit, Trump is the only candidate with a chance of pushing back the stronghold of corruption in federal government apart from God's supernatural intervention. The more I prayed and learned (not from the media's propaganda machine but through Wikileaks and those with direct information), the more convinced I became personally that I must use my vote, the only earthly power I have, to help stop Hillary Clinton. 

Frankly, this election is not about me or my preferences. It's much bigger that my family and my own personal concerns.  When I consider the slaughters, the persecutions, the unstoppable corruption and outright treason throughout the federal government, the out of control violence and division, the economic crisis, the international crises threatening nuclear war, the freedoms (religious freedom especially) on the chopping block, the expansion of abortion into infanticide territory with Supreme Court Justices (Ginsberg especially) who support eugenics, new support for "post birth abortion" as they call it, the plot to divide Catholics, the attack on conservative Catholics and evangelicals which includes insistence that they change their beliefs about abortion, Hillary's desire to repeal the Hyde Amendment, Obama's attempts to force religious groups to pay for the abortion pill through Obamacare, lawsuits that resulting in fining Christian businesses for refusing to participate in gay marriage ceremonies, and new pressure to cater to Obama's transgender bathroom mandate, it's just all so much bigger than any of my personal objections to a man's temperament or past words. Judge me all you want, but the more I dig up information that clearly counters the mainstream narrative fed to the media by the DNC to smear Trump, the more convinced I am that I have to vote with the "deplorables" even if the DNC election rigging schemes (verified by Project Veritas Action) are not stopped. The vote and continued uncovering of the truth are all we have left in terms of human power.  But prayer is always our greatest resource, for the Almighty God has all authority and all power to deliver us.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the
majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is
your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and
honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might
are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given
strength. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12, (NLT)

⁷ But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare...

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:7, 11-13)

Addendum
As I have openly and honestly described my own struggle with this election dilemma, I am concerned that my words or opinions may have offended members of God's precious family of faith.  So I have issued and apology and an appeal for unity on the next blog posting found here.

Come with me to Laodicea, and you may find a timely letter to the modern Christian Church

Many years ago, my husband and I traveled to Turkey to help host a conference. After the week-long conference, we took an extended trip to each of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation.  At each excavation site, we read Revelation's prophecy for that church, noting that each church represents a spiritual state in which the Christian church may find herself at any given time.

The Church that stood out to me most during that trip was the church at Laodicea.  This city is located between Hierapolis and Colossae. If the shortest distance between each of these cities were drawn as lines, they would form a triangle with Laodicea located at the obtuse angle of the triangle.   

(Consider that the word "obtuse" in the English language may refer to the angle of a triangle that is between 90 and 180 degrees or to one who is slow to understand, depending upon context.  Perhaps a double meaning could apply with regard to the church of Laodicea's geographical location and spiritual understanding.)

Source:  ferrelljenkins.wordpress.com

Ruins of the ancient city of Heirpolis

Hierapolis has long been known for its natural hot springs while Colossae contains natural cold springs. Laodicea is known for neither. 

It was freezing cold when we visited Hierapolis, as evidenced by how bundled up we all were, but the springs were hot enough to walk through in bare feet comfortably as if stepping into a hot tub.

 These three tiers of hot springs were so lovely, even in the dead of winter.

Hot springs in Hieropolis (Pammukale, Turkey)

Christian evangelization of Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea probably took place during Paul's ministry stay in Ephesus. Later, likely while imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote a letter to the Colossian church which also addressed sister churches in Hierapolis and Laodicea. What prompted Paul's letter was great concern over false teaching that was infiltrating the churches. Some teachers were advocating salvation by works, while others were leading the church astray with Gnostic myths. Gnosticism shifts the blame for the suffering in this world away from man's willful sin and onto the creator. Gnosticism blends monotheistic and polytheistic beliefs while tragically denying the deity of Christ and other essential doctrines of the Christian faith  These false teachings which were corrupting the church back then are very similar to the false teachings corrupting American churches today, especially with the resurgence of progressive, pantheistic, new age movements.  Read more about Gnosticism here.

Lycus River Valley 

 The apostle Paul specifically addressed the Church at Laodicea in Colossians 2.

"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ." (Colossians 2:1-5)

In the same manner, followers of Christ who are faithful students of the Scriptures should be struggling for the Christian church right now by praying for the church, encouraging believers with the truth, and teaching the great mysteries of the long awaited Messiah which were fully completed and revealed in Christ, so that the body of Christ may grow in spiritual maturity and in strength of faith.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  (Ephesians 3: 14-19)

We should be passionate about helping new believers understand and apply God's truth, planting His word in our hearts and theirs, so we may not be deceived by all the lies throughout the culture and even in many churches. The previous post lists some of these lies and begs believers to examine everything they hear or read against the truth of God's word so as to judge rightly in a dark and deceptive world.

Standing at the ruins of ancient Laodicea

During the ministry of the apostle Paul, Laodicea was larger and more prosperous than Colossae.

By the time God inspired John to record His Revelation to John, the Lord had harsh words for the church at Laodicea.  That description of Laodicea's spiritual state sounds frightfully similar to the state of the American church today.

¹⁵ “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. ¹⁹ Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent!"  (Revelation 3: 15-19)

Lukewarm Laodicea

The Christians in Laodicea was not merely lukewarm geographically (ie, located between hot and cold springs), they were lukewarm spiritually.  The city had grown large and prosperous, so with monetary and physical needs met, they stopped depending upon God.  The things of the world had distracted and deceived them, and new beliefs, which were in direct conflict with Christ's teachings, were being accepted. They had lost sight of the truth.

There are seminaries throughout America that are no longer teaching the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith.  They have been corrupted by lies, similar to the Gnostic myths infiltrating the early church, so they are now graduating pastors who do not believe in absolute truth or in the deity of Christ. Many churches are neither rooted in the truth that never changes (Hebrews 13:8), nor built on the rock of Christ that can withstand any storm. They have chosen friendship with the world over friendship with God, so when the wind and rains come, they fall down and are tossed whichever way the winds of cultural heresy take them. (Matthew 7:24-27)

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4)

If a church feels more like a country club than a family of authentic but broken people who are finding redemption in Christ and are being made alive in Him, full of joy and hope, then that church has probably lost its way.  If a church cares more about exalting itself than exalting Christ, it has become lukewarm. If the church cares more about political correctness and social acceptance than teaching the whole word of God, it has been corrupted by false doctrine. If the church uses the ideas presented by the mainstream media to determine which parts of the Bible are acceptable instead of using the infallible word of God to measure the ever changing whims of the culture, then the Lord may spit that church out of His mouth.

When two people fall in love, they are passionate about each other. One's beloved consumes his or her thoughts and conversations with others. Their love is hot and all consuming.  For that initial thrill of falling in love to grow into committed, abiding, unconditional sacrificial love, heat must remain to strengthen, solidify, purify, and beautify the relationship like pottery in a kiln or gold in a refiner's fire.  Fire needs oxygen, heat (active molecules), and fuel to keep burning, so if we suffocate the relationship or stop actively engaging and investing into relationship, the fire dwindles and the relationship grows lukewarm.

If we are not having the same response to Christ, with His love consuming our thoughts and our conversations and compelling us to spend more time in His word, in prayer, and in worship, then our love for Him is smoldering.  If His truth is not radically transforming our thoughts, words, behaviors, or love for others, then our relationship with him is growing lukewarm.   If we have stopped fueling ourselves with Biblical teaching and have stopped searching the Scriptures to test the truth of what we hear or read, then we have forgotten what our beloved looks like and need to spend time more time with Him.  If the people of faith remain silent in the face of extreme injustice, ignore the culture's dismantling of marriage, family, and human liberty, then we are contributing to the moral free fall that follows.

But God is so gracious.  The letter to the Church at Laodicea concludes with exhortation and hope.

²⁰ "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹ The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”  (Revelation 3: 20-22)

Jesus is still knocking, so let's open the door and welcome Him back into our hearts, homes, churches, schools, marketplace, and even the media!  Only Christ can redeem, restore, and save our souls and our country.  It's time for people of faith to humble themselves, repent, let go of the false idols and ideologies of this world, and run back to Jesus!  Basking in His presence, beholding his glory and receiving the whole truth of who He is what he has done for us, unworthy as we are, will help us burn hot again for the gospel of Christ.

Luke 24 tells of two men, one named Cleopas, who walked seven miles to Emmaus after Jesus' tomb had been found empty.  Jesus joined them, but He kept them from recognizing Him while he revealed to them how all the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus. When they realized that Jesus was the Messiah and then recognized the man with them as Jesus, their risen Savior, Jesus disappeared. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32).  Then they immediately ran seven miles uphill in the middle of the night back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples, even after just spending the day walking all the way from Jerusalem to Emmaus.  The fire of faith burning in them compelled them to run and tell.

Heat does not stagnate.  Hot air molecules move rapidly to cooler areas with lower air pressure.  Similarly, when we are set on fire for Jesus, we will run to those whose hearts are lukewarm or cold and set their hearts ablaze with the truth that saves.  As long as each of us nurtures our personal relationship with Christ as the highest priority, the heat will continue to spread until a revival breaks out penetrating the city, the nation, and the furthest parts of the earth.

To those who still ask, "What difference can one person make?" , I ask you to consider Abraham, James, Paul of Tarsus, Moses, David, Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Ruth, Elisabeth Elliot, Billy Graham, C.S. Lewis, Martin Luther, Abraham Lincoln, William Wilberforce, Francis Schaeffer, or anyone you know who has impacted a multitude for Christ.  Nothing is impossible with God.  (Matthew 19:26, Mark 9:23, Mark 10:27, Mark 14:36).  Be the spark that ignites the fire of faith where you are and keep fanning the flames. Never stop praying for revival!

Ted Cruz put love of country before himself at the the RNC

Ted Cruz is taking a lot of heat, as he knew he would, given his no win situation. If he refused to speak at the convention, he would be viewed as a sore loser who betrayed his party. If he spoke, he would be pressured to cave to his convictions, like so many weak RINOs (Recall Trump's history of supporting Democrats and progressive liberal causes, so many view him as Chief RINO) in the party seem to do on a daily basis. If he did not endorse Trump, he knew he would face boos and backlash and possibly the end of his political career.

Ted Cruz

Those who actually listened to his speech instead of just waiting for the endorsement, heard one of the best speeches of his career, unifying his party around their common principles, emphasizing the need to preserve the Constitution and the freedoms it protects. Many of his words carried several layers of meaning for those listening well enough to receive their richness. He showed true sorrow over the brokenness, hatred, injustice, and senseless loss of lives in our nation. He congratulated Trump on his nomination. He re-iterated much of Trump's message, and he called the party together. While he did not directly endorse Trump in the end, he came as close to an endorsement as he could without violating his personal convictions and avoiding the long term implications public endorsements tend to have on people. His speech emphasized the freedoms we have as Americans to speak and live according to our own beliefs and convictions. He could not have honestly made that statement while being bullied into violating his own convictions. To betray Trump and his party would be to endorse their opponents or to say don't vote for him or don't vote period. He did none of these things. His message was loud and clear that those destructive ideologies of the left must be defeated up and down the ballot. No more Obama style madness was his plea though stated far more eloquently.

It is poor judgment to accuse him of being a sore loser who only loves himself. He spoke as a true patriot who loves his country, American liberty, and the US Constitution more than himself. If he had been motivated by self interest, he would have kissed up like all the others do. We need someone like him on the Supreme Court or as Attorney General some day, so I truly hope his political career is not ruined, but he took that risk to say what our country most needed to hear and to walk out with integrity as one of the few to ever enter Washington DC with one set of principles and leave having never wavered on those principles. He is not just a strong leader; he has conviction. Too bad Comey wasn't more like him when he had his chance to indict Hillary on one of the many felonies she has committed.

I guess I could also bring up all the cruel things Trump said and did to malign Cruz's wife and father, but he explains that point far better than I could in this video.  Family always comes before politics. He also explains why he did not keep his promise to support the Republican nominee in this video, and he certainly has a case.

To those blaming Cruz if Trump doesn't win, first, you should be blaming crooked Hillary who bought her election to the Senate with taxpayer money and Bill's power, and will surely win this election as well through corruption and deceit. Secondly, if anyone hurt Trump's image at the convention last night, it was those who showed their lack of character or respect for others by booing Cruz off the stage and making threats on Heidi's life to the point that she had to be escorted out by security officers to protect her.

And to those who are angry at him for not keeping his pledge to support the Republican nominee, have you forgotten that Trump took back his pledge back in March? Trump's went back on his word, not as a matter of principle or at the risk of political ruin, but because he isn't in the election to represent Republicans ideals anyway, and he certainly is no conservative. Cruz took back his pledge because Trump publicly maligned his wife and his father and because Trump does not represent his values at all.  Had Trump done that to him before the pledge, he would have never made such a promise. Family is more important than politics.

Despite Trump's extremely low blows on Cruz's family, Cruz responded in the most respectful manner possible without dishonoring his family or his conscience. I'm appalled at the way his party is treating him, and I am utterly ashamed of what our country has become. There should be no question in anyone's mind that Trump is the lesser of evils when compared to Hillary, but do we really have to attack the one man who held onto America's core values and Constitutional convictions in the face of so much pressure to compromise?

Based on what I've seen in our nation lately, I fear Cruz may have misspoken when he said, "Vote your conscience", however, not so much because it was taken as a stab at Trump, but because it may be inaccurate to assume Americans even have a conscience anymore. When truth, justice, integrity, morality, honor, loyalty, and respect are no longer qualities voters consider when casting their votes, personal moral convictions and the national conscience are dead.

Pray for America!

A tribute to the men in blue after 5 more have fallen at the hands of hatred

Men in blue,
We appreciate you! 

You risk your lives every day
For ungrateful folks and piddly pay. 

Your daily stress runs much too high;
Your courage and honor we cannot deny.

We need you now more than ever,
as justice in America continues to sever.

Stephen Hildreth, Jr. shared the following post on Facebook which went viral:

Stephen Hildreth, Jr.

So, I'm driving to my office to turn in my weekly paperwork. A headlight is out. I see a Tucson Police Department squad vehicle turn around and follow me. I'm already preparing for the stop.

The lights go on and I pull over. The officer asks me how I'm doing, and then asks if I have any weapons.

"Yes, sir. I'm a concealed carry permit holder and my weapon is located on my right hip. My wallet is in my back-right pocket."

The officer explains for his safety and mine, he needs to disarm me for the stop. I understand, and I unlock the vehicle. I explain that I'm running a 7TS ALS holster but from the angle, the second officer can't unholster it. Lead officer asks me to step out, and I do so slowly. Officer relieves me of my Glock and compliments the X300U I'm running on it. He also sees my military ID and I tell him I'm with the National Guard.

Lead officer points out my registration card is out of date but he knows my registration is up to date. He goes back to run my license. I know he's got me on at least two infractions. I'm thinking of how to pay them.

Officers return with my Glock in an evidence back, locked and cleared. "Because you were cool with us and didn't give us grief, I'm just going to leave it at a verbal warning. Get that headlight fixed as soon as possible."

I smile. “Thank you, sir.”

I’m a black man wearing a hoodie and strapped. According to certain social movements, I shouldn’t be alive right now because the police are allegedly out to kill minorities.

Maybe…just maybe…that notion is bunk.

Maybe if you treat police officers with respect, they will do the same to you.

Police officers are people, too. By far and large, most are good people and they’re not out to get you.

I’d like to thank those two officers and TPD in general for another professional contact.

We talk so much about the bad apples who shouldn’t be wearing a badge. I’d like to spread the word about an example of men who earned their badges and exemplify what that badge stands for.
#BlueLivesMatter #AllLivesMatter

The key word in this man's post is "respect". Love and respect are not only the cornerstones of a healthy marriage, they are the bedrock of a healthy society. Without them, the dominoes of hatred fall one after another until every stronghold of society is knocked down.

Love and respect could push back hate
If God's love and light were welcomed here.
When our gods are self and the global state.
We lose our heroes and live in fear!

When the culture kicks out the chief cornerstone (Acts 4:11) who is the very definition and embodiment of love, there is only hate, for just as darkness is the absence of light; hatred is the absence of love. God is love.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

Let us be fervent in prayer for our country, our police force, the families of those who have lost loved ones through the fires of hatred, be it a police officer or the Alton Sterlings of the world, and mostly for the souls of Americans to be turned back to God.   We desperately need you, Jesus!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For a deeper evaluation of the rise in violence, evil, and hatred in our culture, I highly recommend this video, which was posted with the following publisher comments:

Of all the social spheres, the state, to which God grants the power of the sword for the punishment of evil and the preservation of the good, has the greatest potential to go awry if it oversteps its authority. The civil magistrate must always remember his place under the sovereignty of God -- otherwise, havoc will ensue.

True Beauty

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30, ESV)

My daughter and I just finished a Bible study with other liked-minded moms and daughters to prepare our girls for adolescence. As I have watched these preteens become less like little girls and more like young women, Proverbs 31:30 has echoed through my teaching and prayers for them. They are growing up in a culture where the voices all around them scream the opposite. “Physical beauty and seductive charms will get you what you want,” chants the father of lies. “If you show enough skin, you’ll get lots of attention and feel loved and adored,” he whispers, “but first you must lose weight, change your nose, add lash extensions, enhance your lips, add implants, tan evenly, grow thick long hair, and wear expensive clothing and jewelry.” These lies lead women down a dangerous road of deception, distraction, desperation, disappointment, disillusionment, dissatisfaction, defeat, and destruction.

Chasing after false beauty (office.com)

The world’s definition of beauty is external, expensive, ever-changing, exhausting, and impossible, though there are plenty of cosmetologists, fashion merchandisers, weight loss product marketers, and plastic surgeons ready to transform every woman into something she is not until she forgets who and whose she really is. Desperate for attention and validation, she becomes consumed with perfecting beauty. Instead of pursuing Christ who truly satisfies and following His plans for her life which reap eternal fruit, she becomes distracted by vanity.

The Hebrew word translated “vain” in the ESV phrase “beauty is vain” is הֶבֶל (hebel). Strong’s Concordance defines “hebel” as “emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory.” The NIV translates the word in this verse as “fleeting”. The Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon describes hebel as “breath… often used of a gentle breeze” as in Isaiah 57:13. While a makeover, new outfit, or day at the spa or salon may feel refreshing like a gentle breeze, neither lingers very long. Before I catch my next breath, my make-up runs, my pores clog, and another gray hair appears. Even costly surgical procedures or Botox injections must be repeatedly redone because nothing man-made can ultimately stop the aging process. Yet, the enemy of our souls pressures women to keep chasing so they’ll be too distracted by meaningless vanity to follow God and impact hearts and souls for eternity.

As the deceived woman projects her false persona, spewing scripted charms while compromising self-respect, truth, and modesty, she does indeed draw attention. Other ladies will notice her and likely feel jealous and insecure, while guys will be drawn to her for all the wrong reasons. She charms others into her lair without realizing that she is the one being trapped in a snare. Enjoying all the new attention and feeling a sense of control over others, she fears losing it. So she becomes a slave to her beauty treatments and to whatever her suitors demand from her. She lures others with her external beauty and her seductive charms, yet she deceives herself into believing that they will love and cherish her unconditionally for who she really is inside. When her suitors manipulate her, use her, and quickly abandon her, she feels disappointed, disillusioned, depressed, and defeated. If she had valued inner beauty, authenticity, and integrity instead of superficial, fleeting, outward adornments, others would have noticed her as a person to be cherished instead of as an object to be used.

This pattern of deceptive charm and fleeting beauty leading to destruction is so familiar that Ezekiel personifies Tyre as a beautiful mistress when prophesying of her coming destruction. Tyre’s obsession with her own outer beauty and charms brought forth her destruction. (Ezekiel 27: 3b-4) God gave Tyre her exquisite beauty, yet she became proud. She was so distracted by all the attention she was getting and the wealth she was producing that she traded God, the source of all her greatness, for corruption.

 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. (Ezekiel 28:17) 

True and lasting beauty is internal, not external. Instead of adorning ourselves with expensive clothes, jewelry, and beauty treatments, we should instead wear a gentle and quiet spirit that is wholly submitted to God first and then to our husbands (if married). Ironically, by possessing a beautiful, gentle, submissive spirit, Esther had to endure a year of exhausting external beauty treatments before being presented as a candidate for queen. Yet, her inner beauty stood out among all the other women and won her favor among everyone she met. When she was given the opportunity to choose an additional adornment to take with her into the King’s chambers to make herself more attractive to him, she chose nothing more than what the eunuch advised. By removing the distraction of external adornments, her inner beauty was put on display and won the heart of King Xerxes, who had previously only chosen women according to their external appearance to suit his carnal desires. He cherished Esther as one more valuable than eye candy. He loved her as a person with a beautiful mind, heart, and soul. (Esther 2)

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1 Peter 3:3-4, NIV)

In English translations of the Bible, “beauty” is often used to describe God’s glory on earth. Perfect beauty is only glimpsed in His presence, for only He is altogether beautiful (Psalm 50:2).

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. (Psalm 27:4) 

Christ’s beauty was not reflected in His outward appearance as he walked on earth (Isaiah 53:2), but God’s glory within him radiated outward and pointed others to God.

If beauty comes from within, and God’s glory is perfect beauty, then by seeking Christ, submitting to the Lord’s work in our lives, and being filled with His spirit, we reflect His radiant beauty. Unlike external beauty which fades with time, our inner beauty increases as we grow in relationship with Christ.

Beauty is not something we make for ourselves through man-made products and services. Beauty was woven into every person’s perfect design by Creator God for His glory and good purposes. He knit us together in our mother’s womb. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139: 13-14) If He is the essence of beauty, then by making us in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1: 26), He made each one of us beautiful. Not only did He make us beautiful, He made us flawless! (Song of Songs 4:7)

Jonny Diaz reminds us of these truths through his song, “More Beautiful You”.  Selected stanzas follow. 

Well, little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart,
And you were made with such care, 
your skin, your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are.

There could never be a more beautiful you.
Don't buy the lies, disguises and hoops, 
they make you jump through.
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do,
So there could never be a more beautiful you.

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man, but He's got another plan,
Only wants what you will do instead.

The following closing prayer has been excerpted from Praying Proverbs 31: prayers for a daughter'svirtue by Tracy Glockle.

Father, may our daughters not confuse vanity for beauty or be distracted by the attention of others. Though, in a world obsessed with appearances, they may receive more praise for their appearance than their character, keep their heart attuned to Your praise. Help them to keep the priority of an attractive appearance in its proper place, to realize that serving others and glorifying God are not dependent on a hair style or make-up. May their desire be that others remember them for their character and their God rather than for their jewelry or their clothes.  Father, our prayer is that they would not dress to meet a standard but that they would clothe themselves from a motivation of love and worship of You. Help our daughters to see that their beauty is yet another way of bringing honor to You, and that it goes much deeper than what others might immediately see. 

Devotion originally written for Providence Baptist Church, Women's Ministry series on Proverbs 31.

For further examination of this issue as it pertains to modesty in dress, 

we recommend the Pool Modesty series which begins here.