November 7, 2022
Published by Deborah Negron – Child of God by His mercy and grace.
The people person for lack of knowledge.
The enemy has them living as fools. They believe they are in the right but, they are but confused and fooled in to believing they are well.
Think. Reason. Use your God given ability.
The outward condition is but a reflection of the inner heart.
But we, who have been blood bought and delivered from sin, see things wide eyed and in clarity of mind. Our eyes have been opened. We can see the truth clearly.
Let’s get this right.
I am not saying that we simply become different by the attire we wear. I am not saying that dressing in the best clothes makes us saved. Absolutely not.
We need an encounter with God. We need to be repentant. This means, we commit to God. We cry out acknowledging our sinful hearts and know and believe He is able to forgive us and make us new creations.
1 John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says,
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
II Corinthians 5:17
Thus, our change is first internal. The Lord works in our hearts and restores us to himself. Then the outward begins to reflect the inward condition that has occurred. The sinful heart is made new. We are Born Again.
So, we do not judge people or mistreat them because of their outward appearance. We share the love of God freely with every one we are able to.
The thing is, that there must be a transformation in character, behavior, habits and associations. The places we used to frequent, may have been places that were not pleasing to God. So, we do not follow the old patterns of our old thinking.
When I worked as a Substance Abuse Clinician for some time, we had a daily mantra. There was a phrase we used to repeat in therapy and Group Counseling. It went like this,
For true Recovery – I must Change Myself… My Walk, My Talk and My Whereabouts – I Must Change Persons, Places and Things.
In Christ, we too, have to change our way of being. But we do not do it alone. We really can’t. Only a relationship with Christ Jesus can make us new.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2
We manifest, that is, we begin to have a new way of life in Christ.
We can identify the firefighter. We can identify the transit personnel. We can identify the ball player.
We can identify a good soccoer mom. We can identofy the nurse. We can identify the EMS worker.
We also should be identified as people who have been with Jesus.
Our way of speaking and carrying ourselves is a direct reflection of whom we have spent time with.
Rebellion has a certain look. The non compliant person, never follows the rules. The loud arrogant person is one whom others see coming and choose to avoid.
We should be Christlike. In our demeanor and in our treatment of others. The fruits of the Spirit must be evident in us.
I examine Me…
Me myself and I.
I am not always the best representative of Christ.
I sometimes fall so short of who I am called to be.
For this reason my daily prayer must be part of my day in daily agenda. It must be penciled in to my daily schedule. Apart from the Lord I cannot live as I ought to. I might try to change my behaviour. But I need the Lord and His Holy Spirit to empower me to live right. I am not perfect.
I also, must consider learning and looking at the Word of God for instruction. I need to familiarize myself with what God’s has spoken through his people. I need to become acquainted with the Word in order to grow in my understanding. It is one keys to remaining in the faith.
At times I listen to a preacher. At other times, I listen to gospel music. At other times I may read a book about growing in my faith. But picking up God’s Word must be a daily time I separate to read and speak with the Lord. The reading of God’s Word enables me to know what pleases God. It helps me steer clear of temptations and to run from things that may cause me to fall. God’s Word also empowers me to do His will. It teaches me to stand firm and be brave and serve God with diligence. Not allowing myself to be malnouridhed and weak. It is must be our daily bread.
Changing Persons, Places and Things is essential for our spiritual walk. It is what helps us to stay grounded in our faith.
As a believer, surrounding myself with those of like precious faith is helping me to build up my walk.
The Word of God keeps us in one mind and in one accord. Attending a good Bible Believing church is another way to increase in faith and walk wisely. Fellowship with those who love God encourages us to stay connected. To grow in knowledge and also to participate in service for the Kingdom if God.
Today, I pray for me and for all who will read these lines.
If you like, you can pray as well and consider these thoughts.
I ask you, you, right where you are and where you are able to read what the Lord inspired me to write today.
I ask you, to forgive me.
I want to reflect His Beauty but I do not always put my best foot forward. His Mercy, His Truth, His Gospel is transformong. It is a game changer. It can bless your life abundantly. Ihope I am able to communicate this well.
Only Jesus can change us from the inside out.
If all you have, are ragged memories of a life wasted. Jesus comes and says, He desires to dress you. He wants to clothe you in His righteousness.
Isaiah 61:10 states,
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Oh how awesome. As children of God we too will be decked up in his salvation.
But there is more to this Wardrobe. Yes, it also has a specific Armour.
The Lord dresses us then gives us the tools to walk this walk.
In scripture we read what the prophet Isaiah wrote,
Isaiah 59:17.
He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.
Oh my goodness, Talk about some awesome attire. We can read further about this in Ephesians 6.
Yes, read on, it’s pretty amazing wardrobe. Fit for those who know who they have believed in. Those whom the Lord wants to make strong and desires to have them prepared for the days of trouble.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Ephesians 6:10-17
Yes, from rags to the riches of His Mercy and the greatness of His Power and Glory by His Grace and this Heavenly Connection.
We are reminded that the Lord is with us all the time. In every place and in every season of life. Whether we are going through a personal trail at school, at work or at home. The Lord is ever there to equip us with the strength for each day and the capacity to win. Yes, He is our covering.
Jesus is the one who has won the victory over sin and death. He becomes our very attire.
The Apostle Paul wrote it this way in Galatians 3:27 says,
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Writing the the Romans he wrote,
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Romans 13:14
You see, its like we have heard for years…
Dress for success. Right, you go to a business class and they teach us how to change our minset to a professional stance.
Well, we are not dressing for some earthly Business or Company.
As children of God we represent the one who gave His life to save us. He surrendered his freedom for ours. He loved us un to death. Then he rose on the Third Day.
He has the answer to our great need.
His desire is to cover us in his majesty and his splendor and make us shine for His glory.
He will dress us, as we become humble and undress our hearts before Him.
Today, Lord, I need to be clothed in your love. Cleanse my heart. Dress me in your righteousness. I know I am not good enough. That is okay. You got this for me. As ypu to forgive me for being less than I was designed to be.
Your Word say you have had a plan and a future for me. Help me to walk in that. I have utterly failed. I may have tried to dress my outward appearance. But you know my heart. I can’t hide this from you. You can see whether there is hurt, anger; if there is bitterness or even pride. You know where there is the type of thinking that may cause me to think, that I can make it without you.
You see it all. My heart is naked before you.
Forgive me, Lord. Wash me and dress me.
I need your covering. I need your forgivenesses. I want to be dressed in your light and have no darkness in me.
Jesus, Be the Light of my life. Be the one I put on daily. Be my armour and my shield. Be the Word that sustains me.
Then I too, can be more than a conqueror in you Lord.
This, I pray, Amen.
Life and Faith By Deb 
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