Modesty Without Hypocrisy...

There was an interesting statement made in the morning's sermon...

Conduct without character = hypocrisy

Character without conduct = disobedience

Scripture puts it this way...

...Faith without works is dead.  James 2:20

You will know them by their fruits.  Matthew 7:16 & 20

We can outwardly appear righteous to men but inwardly be 

full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

 Matthew 23:28

Dressing modestly and wearing a headcovering are things we do 

'outwardly'.  But dear sisters - anyone can do them.

  They do not make our 'faith' - nor do they mean we have good character.  

Rather - they need to be the result of our faith and be part 

of the evidence of our obedient and Christ-centered character.  

Likewise - when we have wonderful things to say for the Lord
to whomever we meet - even with much joy and grace - 
but our appearance does not at all line up with His Word - 
we cast doubt on the name of Jesus by our disobedience.
It's like saying I love Him, but not enough to obey Him.  It flaws our testimony.

It's a true challenge to juggle it all.  Most of us tend to err on 

one side or the other.  How do we keep it all in check?  

By seeking the Lord's face daily and letting Him be the Lord 

of our days & ways.  (That mean He leads.... we follow!)  

It also is critical to maintain a humble walk before God and others.  

It's hard to admit our wrongs.  But when we repent and resolve 

with Christ's help to again walk in a manner worthy of a

new life in Him - what blessed testimonies we can be.

 

Jesus has not asked anything of us that He has not faced himself...

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,

 but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrew 4:15

Lord - help our witness be true - from the inside to out.  Amen!

I struggle too! I would love to hear your stories of victory  ~Joyce

Linking to Modest Monday

Another Sweet Headcovering Testimony...

Let me introduce you to Farm School Marm and her Cowboy...

(aren't they cute?)

Her blog is full of good things - anything from recipes to 'farm'schooling'.

According to her profile - she's all about breaking out the box.  

"The box I'm breaking out of is the one in which Christians 

look very much like non-Christians in their choices about family life, 

career planning, family planning, vacation planning,

 retirement planning, and caring for their elderly parents."

She's been taking God and His Word seriously.

  Recently she posted about her somewhat new practice 

related to a particular 1 Cor. 11 passage (you know the one!).  

Her summary is pretty simple.... 

Who:  "[A]ll who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours." (1 Corinthians 1:2)
"Every woman...Every man..."  (1 Corinthians 11:4 - 5)

What: Men are to uncover their heads while praying and prophesying while women are to cover their heads while engaged in those functions.

When & Where:  Any time or place that praying or prophesying are taking place.

Why:  According to Paul, these practices are part of God's plan for us because of:
The headship order designated by God.  (1 Corinthians 11:3)
The creation order enacted by God.  (1 Corinthians 11:8-9)
"The Angels."  (1 Corinthians 11:10)

Go check out her whole post and more of her conclusions here.  

I love it when Christians simply read, study and obey.  

Imagine how Jesus must love it! 

Would that were me too - more often in more areas.

Stay diligent my friends.... ~Joyce

Standing Alone - A Great Thing For God...

Many of us want to do something great for God.
  There is much concern and effort put into trying to discover God's plan 
for our lives.  But this past week it occurred to me...

...what if the great thing God has for me to do is to simply be obedient 
to His Word?  What if my wearing a headcovering and dressing modestly 
is my great testimony for Him?  I was reminded of three certain 
young men from Israel and a big firey furnace. 
You know what they did for God?   They stood up (literally)!  
Among the whole assembly- they were the only three who obeyed.  
And they were willing to do so even if it cost them their lives!!  
This 'little incident' is the only thing we read about them in scripture.  
It was how they made God famous.  

I know many of you stand alone in your family, communities and church.  
I can relate to some degree... and it hurts, terribly.
  But the Christian life is not about us - it's about Jesus.  
And if He asks us to do something - can we be ready to do it - no matter what?
I trust that with God's help - the answer is 'yes'!

Standing with you.... ~Joyce

Scripture Sunday - The Heavens Declare...

Taken on the way home from church today

We're enjoying all the snow we're getting this year.

  The Psalms tell us that nature itself declares that there is a God.  

He is a God that desires our worship.   

He wants to be involved in the most intimate details of our lives. 

Let us say with the Psalmist...

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

Psalms 19:14

An Awesome Headcovering Teaching...

This morning I was blessed to have some time to listen  

to this sermon on the teaching of headcovering.  

It is the first message on the page the link will direct you to.
(If you have trouble opening it - try clicking on the download link on the right hand side.)

from WengerMinistries.org

Good stuff and answers every strong argument I have ever heard 

against headcovering - in one sense or another.

Let me know if you listen to it and still have questions.  

May the Lord give us willing hearts to obey Him this day ~Joyce

A Modest Wedding...

We attended a beautiful wedding this past weekend.

  I loved everything about it.  But I for sure wanted to show you the 

bride's modest wedding gown.  It was handmade, simple and gorgeous!

This wedding was not outrageously extravagant - 
but loveliness was everywhere (just perfect!) ...

The Lord bless you my friends...

To see more of this lovely wedding... visit the post at my other blog - Quilted Nest Antiques.