Modesty

As summer rolls around the question of dressing modestly comes up. Being a girl and loving fashion I struggle with this greatly! It seems no one cares about modesty any more and I am tempted to go along with the world's view 'if you've got it, flaunt it'. Here are verses that spoke to me and the questions I have to ask myself DAILY!




I encourage any readers to open up your bibles and read 1Timothy 2:1-10.
Paul's desire here is God's desire. (verse 4 to 6) "who will have all men saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
He say's verse 9 and 10 because of the gospel!

Any biblical discussion of modesty begins by addressing the heart NOT the hemline!

How does a girl discern proper dressing? Start by asking yourself these questions.
Whose attention do you desire? Whose approval do you crave?
Wardrobe choices start by your intent. Examine your goals and motives for dressing the way you do. Does it show the grace and beauty of womanhood? Does it reveal a humble heart devoted to worshiping God? Are you flaunting your beauty? Who inspires your clothing? Who through your clothing are you identifying with? Are your role models godly women of scripture or worldly woman of our culture?
A woman's attitude and motive is emphasized by what she wears. Your wardrobe is a public statement of your personal and private motivation. Modesty is humility expressed in dress.

1Timothy 2:10b "becometh women professing godliness with good works."
Modesty in clothing choices and a woman characterized by good works is a result of desiring what God wants. Serving others is more important than what you wear!

How I understand 1Timothy 2:9-10:
Paul's not just addressing modesty, but that more time and energy needs to be devoted to our spiritual lives, specifically through good works. 
Ask yourself these questions.
What am I noticed for? Clothing or good works?
What am I more pre-occupied with? Serving others or shopping?
What am I known for? Fashion or good works?
What is eye catching about me? Clothing or Character?
One day, what will my daughter be learning from me? Latest fashion or a heart for God?

Proverbs 31:30-31(KJV) "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

An evaluation

Yesterday's church service was amazing!

It made me take a good look at myself... am I truly living for God or am I just a Sunday christian. Can people tell by the way I act and what I do that I am different from this world? When God's name is spoken in vain, do I stand up or, do I let it slide just one more time? Am I afraid to tell people that I am a believer? Is God only in parts of my life and not all of them? Do I continue to sin even when I know its wrong? Do I forgive as Christ forgave me? Am I too accepting of wrong that is going on around me? Is Christ the centre of my life?
An example the pastor used was acceptance of homosexuals posters being placed in the classrooms of young children. A question he asked is this: are we doing something about it?

 Romans 1:21-32 made me see that even in the Bible times they faced the same things that we face today.
 Matthew 6:14-15 reminded me that I must forgive.
As I was reading my devotions I came across Matthew 21: 12-13. Jesus didn't just stand there and let the wrong happen, he took action.  

 God calls us to share the good news and stand up for what is right, and stand on truth. To often I am afraid to say anything for fear that I will be persecuted for my beliefs. I don't trust God to do the speaking for me and rely on my own strength.Through reading more I have found great encouregement. I believe there are others who struggle with the same things I do and I hope this helps.

We were challenged to share Christ's love with others. He wants the lost and broken.

If you wonder if there is a God, look around you, nature shows there is a God. Go out on a clear night and look up in the skies. The beauty is breathtaking. If you think the Bible is just a book, then I challenge you to read it.

Blessings

Sometimes it's hard to see someone you love so much suffer and endure pain. It makes me want to be able to take it away and place it upon myself instead of them. I ask God why... and wonder. My roomate has a note posted on the wall that says: Sometimes God doesn't calm the storm, He chooses to calm His child. I realize how true this is. Trusting, hoping and trying to stay positive throughout sickness is a hard thing. It is only done through God's strength.

I would like to share with you two of my favorite songs.

A Plan...

God has known what I have needed from the beginning.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

Jeremiah 29:11

I found a beautiful christian song that  I would like to share with you.
The link to hear it is below.
The lyrics are as follows:

I hear it in a love song or see it on a movie screen
The kind of perfect love story
That I have always dreamed
Would somehow come into my life
And yet it seems so out of reach
Its all I think about sometimes
Will I ever find a love thats meant to be?
Maybe these thoughts seem foolish
To a holy God who made the sea and land
But you were the one who created
Love between a woman and a man
And deep inside I hear you say
You see all my hopes and fears
And if I give to you the pen of my life
Youll write a tale that all heaven can cheer

Far beyond my deepest hearts desire
Far beyond what I could ever dream
Far beyond my fairy tale imaginations
Is your perfect plan for me
Theres no limit to romance in all its beauty
When the author of love shapes my destiny
Far beyond the most that I could long for
I will find the dreams you have dreamed for me

I could search forever
I could look for true love everywhere
If all my dreams were answered
They still could not compare
To the beauty of your ways
And all your plans for my life
cause youve been scripting out a stfuory for me
Before the very foundations of time

I do struggle with trusting God fully with every aspect of my life. It seems when things are going great I forget that He is leading my life and I try taking hold of the reigns. Soon my world comes crashing down and I wonder why. It reminds me about a Sunday School lesson on the Children of Isreal when I was little.  I remember the teacher saying how when they fell away from God things went badly for them, but when they were right with him everything was ok. I asked why would they fall away and the teacher said it was because it is our nature. I look at myself now and know that I am exactly as the Children of Isreal, always having to be taught lessons. Some are harder than others.

Sarah

P.S Eric and Leslie Ludy sing amazing songs! I have definitly found encouragement through them. They also write wonderful books. I recommend looking them up on you tube and listening to their other songs and clips of what they talk about.

Starting Something New

This past year I have come across many different blogs and that have given me inspiration and encouragement. For some reason, others' real life stories of laughs and struggles help me to put perspective into my own life. I enjoy putting thoughts and moments on paper, only to throw them out a little while later because of the clutter. I figured blogging is a good substitute for the papers I never keep, a way to share and a way to encourage.

First a little about myself... I have been blessed with a wonderful family and fiance. A mom and dad, a twin brother, another bother just a little behind us, then two great little siblings. Last but not least the love of my life, Stuart who, Lord willing, I will soon be sharing a life with.
 I have started my bachelor of nursing and hope to become a nurse. I currently work as a health care aide and love helping people. I have a wide variety of interests which include everything from creating, designing, and building, to just plain doing! I love being outside, riding horse, cooking, gardening and so much more!

My goal is to live for God, be more thankful to those around me, (often I fall short and don't appreciate them as I should) use what God has given to me to serve others, and live each day like it were my last. A verse that has meant a lot to me is Hebrews 12:1. A verse my Grandpa lived by. Too many times I loose patience and forget that God is in control. It reminds me to stop, take a breath, and refocus on the task set before us.

Sarah