Put on Jesus Christ

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and don't let yourself think about ways to indulge in your evil desires.   Rom 13:14 NLT

Sister, you know how we love to dress up every opportunity we get. I don't know about you but, I've even saved a dress or a jacket for a special occasion that I haven't even been invited to yet.  The thrill of color coordination and accessorizing is what some of us live for.  To walk out the house feeling confident in your freshly laundered apparel, Jimmy Choe shoes, Louis Vuitton bag and those shades you got on sale at Target makes you feel like you are walking on clouds. Oh! and especially if that was the week you got your hair done at the salon. You feel like a billion dollars! 

But what about the inside... your soul and your spirit? Ask yourself, "Did I take time dressing my attitude, washing my thoughts and clothing my spirit?" What did I do to the inside of me so that it looks better than the outfit I took so much time putting together? How much time did I spend with the Lord in prayer? What scriptures did I saturate myself with like that lotion I put on in the morning? 

 It is easy to get caught up in the things that are forever fading and forget about what's eternal. You would never continue to put on dirty clothes day after day; or ignore the stench coming from you for not bathing. So it is with God. He doesn't want us to walk around with dark deeds like dirty clothes as explained in Rom 13:12.  God would rather you clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ and not to make provisions to indulge in evil desires. The outfit your heart wears far outweighs the freshly laundered apparel we mentioned earlier. Verse 12 references putting on Jesus Christ as putting on the shining armor of right living.  Our time with God and Godly character will always permeate to the outside, leaving the Light of Jesus Christ as the center of attraction for anyone who turns to look at us. Let's put more intention on putting on the Lord Jesus Christ daily. So, when we do walk out of our homes we will feel even more confident in the woman God is creating us to be instead of the clothes we choose to wear.

Prayer Focus:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for who You are. Thank you for Your great love for me. You never leave me ignorant.  Thank you for showing me where I should place my confidence.  Help me to place all my confidence in You. May I be a reflection of the beautiful work you are doing in me... from the inside-out. To You be all the Glory

In Jesus' Name
Amen

Application Exercise

Sister, this is a very easy exercise for you to do. You might find it challenging but very liberating.  I want you to go to the store and intentionally don't put on earrings, lipgloss/ lipstick, don't fix your hair... not a hat or a headband.  Just walk out the door as plain as possible.  What I would like you to do is to pay attention to how you talk to people in the store. Are you fussing at the people in other cars while you are driving? Are you kind and considerate to the cashier? Pay attention to your character and what is coming from you. Then when you get home, think about which matters most?  Your character or your physical appearance? You decide. We will be praying for you Sister as you continue  to refine your character more and more until we all end up resembling Jesus Christ Our Lord.

The Team of Push Pause & Pray