January, 2009
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Clothed In Righteousness
When we think of an example of a woman being “clothed in righteousness”, we most often think of Dorcas (Acts 9:36-43). But did you know that it was Job, in Job 29:14, who said, “I put on my righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.” We can read of Job that he was respected by the young, old, wise and rich. He helped the poor, the fatherless and the widows, the needy and strangers. All spoke well of him. Job was truly a person clothed in righteousness. A person who did what was good, proper and upright.
With this pattern we can see that although Dorcas was not specifically mentioned as being clothed in righteousness, she certainly exhibited those qualities. In Acts 9:36-43, we read that Dorcas was always doing good and helping the poor. When Dorcas died, people were so distraught that Peter, when called to her side, raised her body from the dead by the power of God.
There are many other examples. We find in II Timothy 1:3-7 Eunice and Lois, Timothy’s mother and grandmother, “women of sincere faith” who instilled this faith in Timothy. Women who did what was upright and proper to raise a child in the Lord. In Luke 10 and in John 11 and 12, we see Mary and Martha. Women of faith, loved by our Lord. Acts 18 gives us Priscilla, a woman able to teach what was right to help others searching for the truth. We read of many women by name who practiced righteousness, but what of the women not referred to not by name but by character. In 1 Tim 2 and 3 we see women dressed with good deeds, continuing in faith, love and holiness. Elder’s wives worthy of respect, temperate and trustworthy. These women walk among us today; our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters and friends. We can all think of women “clothed in righteousness”. Loving women practicing good deeds, doing what is right, proper and just, we see them all around. Women we can speak well of, women we can respect; women we can imitate as they imitate Christ. What do we see when we look in the mirror? Do we see a woman “clothed in righteousness”, or someone who needs to change her clothes?
By Edi McCrady
Originally printed in the winter 2009 issue
“What does it mean to be “clothed in righteousness”?
If you are clothed, then you are covered and everyone can see your clothing. The type of clothing you are wearing is visible to everyone. Therefore, you should ask yourself, “Am I wearing clothing that reveals who I am? Does my clothing say that I respect myself and people around me?”
So, to be clothed in righteousness would mean you are wearing your righteousness where everyone can see it. You are wearing your righteousness with a fashion that reveals your respect for yourself, your respect for the people around you and most importantly, the respect you have for God.
~ Brandy Mann
Being clothed in righteousness is having your heart and soul full of God’s word and love and always being active in trying to fill your heart with good things. Any void that we may have in our lives will be filled by Satan if we don’t continually battle him. What would happen if we were not fully dressed and went outside in freezing temperature? We would not survive the elements for long. We would eventually freeze to death.
The same thing will happen if we are not clothed in God’s righteousness. We cannot survive the elements of sin for long. We must have the proper clothing. In order to be protected we must be wrapped and covered to shield ourselves from sin. When our guard is down, Sin will sneak in at times, but we must immediately ask God to forgive those sins. Isa. 61:10 says – He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, He has clothed me with garments of salvation. Job 29:14 – I put on righteousness; and He clothed me; my justice was like a robe. Heb. 4:13 – Nothing is hidden from God’s sight. All is open. If our heart and soul has the right clothing we will clothe our bodies in acceptable clothing. Rev. 3:5 – He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life.
~ Mary Stonebarger
Originally printed in the Winter 2009 issue
Clothing Yourselves in Righteousness
When getting dressed or dressing your children in the morning, think about the following as you encounter each one.
Foundation Garments
Meant to give physical support to the body as well as make the outer garments look and fit better. Is your spiritual foundation strong enough to support the trials that come your way? Does your outer appearance reflect a Christ-like person because of that spiritual foundation?
“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:11
Zipper
Are your lips “zipped” against gossip and rumors?
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit”
Psalm 31:18
Snaps
When hurtful or angry words are spoken to you, or about you, are you able to snap your mouth shut so you don’t react with hurtful words of your own?
“The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit”
1 Peter 3:10
Elastic
Are you flexible enough to drop everything to do the work of the Lord like supporting your husband in church work if he needs your help or to go to someone in immediate need?
“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself”
James 2:17
Sleeves
As you slip your arms through your sleeve, pause to consider if your arms push people away or bring them closer to your heart in compassion, encouragement and love.
“By this all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another”
John 13:35
Velcro
Are you part of the whole that works with others to keep the body of Christ strong and sound?
“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body and be thankful.”
Colossians 3:14-15
Shoes
Are your spiritual shoes strong and sturdy enough to enable you to stand up for what is right? Do your “running shoes” offer the support needed for the spiritual race? Are they comfortable enough to keep you going?
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1
Shoe Laces and Hair Bows
If laces and bows are not firmly tied and pulled together, they tend to undo and tangle. Are you loosely “tied” to Christ? Do you get easily tangled and knotted up with the world? Do you need to go back and “re-tie” yourself to Christ and your church family with a firmer grip that does not easily undo?
“For if we have been united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection”
Romans 6:5
Make-Up
Make-up hides our flaws. Is it a mask you wear or does it enhance your Christ-like demeanor?
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps”
1 Peter 2:21
By Beth Turner
Originally printed in the Winter 2009 issue
WHO ARE YOU WEARING?
As an actress walks down the red carpet at an important event, one common question asked by reporters is “Who are you wearing tonight?” In the world of Hollywood, the name of your designer means something and who you are wearing is just as important as what you are wearing. Even in the every day world, your brand of clothing means something to many people who pride themselves on the labels they wear.
If you are a Christian, you wear a much more important label. Christians wear the name of Christ, and this “label” should be just as obvious to others around you as the label stitched to the back of your jeans.
When a model walks the runway at a fashion show, she must put on the clothes created by a certain designer and in so doing, she represents that designer. When you are baptized into Christ, you put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). The name “Christian” is not a label to be worn only on Sunday mornings or only with certain groups of friends. When we put on Christ, we represent Him in every area of our lives – in what we wear, what we say, and where we go.
If we allow Christ to clothe us, we will have garments of salvation and robes of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Salvation and righteousness are certainly labels we should be proud to wear and to share with those around us.
As you go through your daily life, you may wear the names of many different designers and you may feel a certain amount of pride when someone notices the name on the buckle of your handbag. But the physical garments we wear, regardless of the brand, will someday fade, tear or go out of style as worldly things tend to do.
Instead of collecting more name-brand treasures to lay up upon this earth, let us clothe ourselves with the salvation found in Christ and lay up our treasures in Heaven. For as Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
By Valerie Enoch
Originally printed in the Winter 2009 issue
5 Ways To Keep Your Family
1. Create an Indoor Obstacle Course
Create an indoor family obstacle course with lots of activity stations – hula hoops, jump ropes, pushups, or jumping jacks. Time each family member to see who can complete the course the fastest.
2. Step Contest
Give each family member a pedometer and hold a competition to see who can accrue the most steps. Or try to beat your family’s total steps each week. Treat yourselves to a movie night to celebrate your success.
3. Wintry Walk
Winter walks can be fun too! Bundle up the family and take a brisk walk through the neighborhood. You may even want to pick up the pace when you know a warm cup of hot chocolate is waiting back at home.
4. Move to the Music
Turn on your kids’ favorite music and join them while you all jump, bend, and twist until the song is over.
5. Activity Zone
Create an “Active Zone” in your house by removing all breakables and encourage your kids to run and tumble.
Originally printed in the winter 2009 issue
A Christian’s Beauty Box – Luxurious White Robe
Today is the day to become a beautiful woman for God. Now is the time to prepare our “beauty box”…our hearts. We want to put in our boxes only the things that will make us truly beautiful.
Luxurious White Robe
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:27
“He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Revelation 3:5
Contributed by Amy Ellis
Originally printed in the winter 2009 issue