Does God Care About What I WEAR?

Does God care about what you wear? In this dispensation, it seems our dressing is becoming MUCH MORE revealing. It could be argued that individuals that wear indecent clothing, such as; extremely body hugging clothes, clothes showing one's cleavage, sagging trousers, micro mini skirts, etc are insecure in themselves.

A young person shared the below:

"As a teen, holiness was irrelevant to me. I had a desire to please God, but I didn’t think dressing immodestly was a big deal. Obviously, it was to my parents, but they just seemed to be stuck back in the dark ages anyway.

It took me several years to grow into an understanding of the 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “great exchange” that took place when I asked Jesus to rescue me from my sins:

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” 

When we embrace the truth that Jesus wore our sinful robe to the cross so we could wear His righteous robe, we make the “great exchange” and become a daughter of the King of kings! From then on everything we do, say, and wear should reflect who our Father is". 

One of my male friends, who is a Lawyer by Profession and a Born Again Christian wrote the below article from a male's perspective in respects to Christian dressing. 

The world today has evolved with diverse fashion styles which suite different occasions. Traditionally appearance defines an individual and reflects the sort of association such individual keeps. 

World religions seem to have particular dress codes which identify them and persons around them can say where another belongs to. Christianity though classified as a religion by some has being stated to rather be a lifestyle or a way of life governed by the scriptures.

Being a Christian disconnects one from the ways and patterns of the world as a whole and connects one to the kingdom of God. Scriptures draw the divide between light and darkness. God is light and darkness does not thrive then. The language of the kingdom is holiness which affects the appearance of the Christian in the society as a whole.

Individuals can’t call themselves Christians and appear in like manner as the world which is common to see today. The dress code of the kingdom of God is moderation and in moderation must be such as would not cause a fellow brother or sister to sin. Cleavage exposures or sensitive parts exposure can be classified as indecency as when others see such it brings negative thoughts to mind. More so the unbelievers or non- Christians delight in bodily exposure and use such as seductive mechanisms. Christianity teaches that one is called out from the world and called into the kingdom of God. 

Times call for clear line of distinction between who belong to the kingdom and who belongs to the world. It is appalling to find ‘Christians’ appearing as prostitutes or gangsters or pimps in the society and even carry same into the church thereby desecrating the alter. God is holy and from all indicators in the scriptures does not accept anything not holy. 

2 Corinthians 6.17 implores all followers of Christ to be separate from the world which includes dressing or appearance. Romans 13.14 implores Christians to put on the Lord Jesus Christ as a garment (dress) making no provision whatsoever for the flesh to fulfil its lust. If Christ be a garment we put on as believers then the nature of Christ need be manifest for our lives are living epistles which men read so when men see us that call ourselves Christians what are they able to read from us? Is it the worldly pattern or the Christ pattern?

Arguments may abound on issues of dressing today but the truth remains that there is a dressing that glorifies God either worn by the male or female gender. Either of the genders have their dressing and none ought put on what pertains to the other (Exodus 22.5) for such stand as abomination to God. The Christian must pay attention to the spirit of God on issues relating to dressing for the fact that everybody dresses in a particular manner does not make it right or acceptable to God.

The above is just informative but I would trust it has thrown certain light on the topic and one that would set your heart on thinking mode.

-   Oluwatosin Olatoye

About the writer: Tosin is a trained Lawyer. He is single and lives in Warri, Nigeria.  Tosin has a passion for God and everything to do with living right for God.  Since I have known Tosin, every conversation that we have always revolves around building our faith in Christ.  

Thank you so much Tosin.

Do you think God cares about your appearance? Or do you feel it’s about the inward appearance only?

You can be modest in your dressing and still look glamorous! Dare to be different, and look good for Christ.

Include your voice.  Share your views below.

Be sociable and share this post!

Is this right? Sex abstinence

A friend of mine shared the below article with me.

Basically, Jon and Darla Crocker abstained from sex during their 14-month courtship, however they have remained abstinent after marriage and plan to do so indefinitely. 

The couple are Chrisians, they have been married for 2years, they have chosen to abstain from sex within their marriage. They have abstained for two years.

Is it scriptural for married couple to abstain from sex? Or can people abstain from sex within their marriage in order to restitute where they may have erred in the past? 

Jon and Darla have now completed 25 months of marriage without any sexual contact, going about their normal lives, jobs and social calendar with no hint of relational strain. NO HINT OF RELATIONAL STRAIN? Really? 

Jon and Darla also stated that: 

“If it was holy before, it must be double-holy afterwards,” Darla says.

Sometimes after dinner they will kiss in the kitchen and “start having bedroom thoughts,” Darla says, but they never fail to pull back. Darla breaks away to spray cool, misted water on her face. Jon eats a whole raw potato to take himself out of the mood.

They don’t know when they’ll finally break the pledge, and they feel no pressure. After abstaining so long before marriage, “a few extra years is nothing,” says Darla.

“Of course, we don’t lord it over any other couple who decides to have sex after marriage, but for us it’s about staying faithful to the abstinence message and the holiness involved with that,” says Jon who seems unbothered. “For us, true love waits, and waits, and waits.” 


Reference: www.larknews.com/archives/217

What's your view?

Include your voice below.

Be sociable and share this post! 

It's all about me..and also getting to know you...

It's a new day, it's a new week. Don't be stressed this new week; have a fun and productive week!

I'm going to use the template to give a fun snapshot about me.

I will ask you 7 questions in order to get to know you (my readers):

1. Last drink? WATER
2. Last phone call? Femi
3. Last text message? Someone from church
4. Last song you listened to?  There is none like you Lord. You are the God of Heaven and the earth.
5. Last time you cried? This month
6. Dated someone twice? That's a NO NO..
7. Laughed until you cried? Erhmm.. Yes
8. Met someone who changed you? Changed me in somewhat. 
9. Found out who your true friends were? DEFINITELY 
10. Found out someone was talking about you? Yes, the least person that I expected but majority stemmed from jealousy and being envious.
11. Do you have any pets? No, but I used to have a Dog.
12. Most visited webpage? FACEBOOK, Yahoo, GOOGLE, Bible gateway, UCB Word For Today, Bella Naija, etc 

RIGHT NOW:
13. Eating... Chow Mein with BBQ Chicken
14. Drinking.... Water
15. I'm about to? SLEEP
16. Listening to? Nothing
17. Thinking about? Work

And Here are the Questions for my Readers!

1. Do you believe in Yourself? 
2. Do you believe in Miracles? 
3. Do you believe in Love at first sight? 
4. Do you believe in Heaven?
5. What is the best thing that has happened so far to you this year?
6. Your most visited webpage?
7. What did you eat last night?

Prayer for the week
Heavenly Father! Thank you for this new week!
Lord Jesus, as I start this week, guide me in all my decisions.  

Help me through this new week, and be with me.
May I not engage in any wrongdoings. 

May this week bring me closer to you in Jesus' name.

- Myss Lafunky

Should I confront Person B?

It's nearly Friday. Should I start thanking God that it's nearly Friday? I can't wait for the weekend.  It's going to be exciting. I'm going to be undertaking a task that I love so much.

You may be wondering why I'm publishing a post during the week, given that I usually post an article on Sunday or Monday.  Basically, there's something that is very heavy in my heart, I need your advice.

Here it goes:

A friend of mine was on the phone with me, and my friend had a visitor (who is also my friend too).  For the purpose of this post, I will refer the visitor as Person B, while my friend is Person A.  Basically, Person A opened the door for Person B.

Person A put my phone call on hold, person A was chatting with Person B while I was still on hold.

Person B was not aware that I was on the phone, person B started talking about me, person B was saying things that were not so nice about me.  I was flabbergasted! I became upset and I got tired of listening to what Person B was saying, I eventually dropped the call.

After the incident, I later saw Person B, Person B was extremely friendly towards me. However, I was fuming inside, I didn't confront Person B.

Should I confront Person B?

How do you handle friends that gossip about you and you later found out? How do you ensure that there is no animosity between you?


-Myss Lafunky

Be sociable and share this post!

Is Your Heart Healthy?

Hello readers & followers!

Jesus said: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” - Matthew 5:8 (NCV). 

The Message version Bible elucidates it better, it states: “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world” (Matthew 5:8).

How was your weekend?  Hope your new week is going alright? I have been occupied with so many things and I’m still trying to recuperate

What’s on my mind?  Last weekend, I hung out with a couple of friends.  While we were conversing, unexpectedly, I started singing ‘a worldly song’ (The scripture that sprung to my mind immediately was 1 John 2:15: Do not love the world or the things of the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him). The room stood still, friends in the room were shocked. Some of the comments that were made are: ‘Lafunky, who taught you the song? Where did you learn it from? I didn’t know you listen to music like that?  I was puzzled; I had no response, I became speechless and  if you know me in real life, you would know that I’m seldom short of words.

I was extremely embarrassed. I asked myself, why were my friends shocked? I’ve been thinking about what goes into my heart. I’ve noticed that, when I feed or dwell on things that are enlightening, they build me up. It’s like those things are kept in storage boxes and when I need them, they appear. Or when people that I come across need information stored on my mind, I freely share them openly.

I had previously questioned why I read books, why I listened to gospel music, why I engaged in conversations. I’ve come to a conclusion that the purpose is to do things that are pleasing to God.

What should I allow to come into my heart?  How should I guard my heart?  How should I not allow things that are not pleasing to God come into my heart?  Even if I am around people that may influence me negatively?

In the Bible, Proverbs 4:23 states that: “we should GUARD our heart DILIGENTLY, for out of it spring the issues of life” (New King James Version).

How do I damage my heart?

I’m not a health professional but from research, one’s heart could be damaged if you smoke, do not exercise and eat junk foods amongst others.

But how can we damage our heart from a Christian perspective?

Neglecting our character, getting upset easily, being unforgiving, listening to non-edifying music, listening to and spreading gossip, constantly worrying, comparing yourself to your friends or other people, dwelling too much on your appearance.

What do you think of worldly music? Is it okay for Christians to listen to worldly music?

How are you guarding your heart?

Say this short prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you Jesus for today. I lift myself unto you, Father, create in me a clean heart. Help me to guard my heart in line with your word.  Help me to carefully sift information appropriately in JESUS' NAME!

          -   Myss Lafunky

Be sociable and share this post

E.V.A.L.U.A.T.E...

Hi readers and followers,

How is your week going?  What's the weather like? In England, most of our discussion tends to revolve around the weather.  It's May shower, or shall I call it 'Spring rain'. My area is gloomy and wet.

I was Whatsapped this afternoon, to read UCB Word for today (check out: http://www.ucb.co.uk/word-for-today.html).

Below article can be applied to your relationship with families, friends, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, your beloved, your fiancée/fiancé, and also within the work place.

How often do you appreciate your spouse?  Are you always moody at your work place or cheerful?  Are you understanding when you are working within a group//team?

A successful marriage is based on two things: ‘finding’ the right person, and ‘becoming’ the right person. And the second thing is harder than the first. 

Just because two people share the same bed and the same name, it doesn’t guarantee harmony.

Here are some practical suggestions based on the word E-V-A-L-U-A-T-E

Enjoy- Do you enjoy the same things? Maybe it’s not a big deal now, but later when your husband is glued to the big match on TV and you want a little conversation, it will be. 

Values- The Bible asks, ‘Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?’ Are you able to agree on major issues such as intimacy, parenting, finances, in-laws, goals, and your relationship with God? You may disagree over many things, but these are make-or-break issues. 

Accessibility. Are you both emotionally accessible, or is he the strong silent type who doesn’t communicate— or understand your need to?

Love. Do you really love each other? Not the Hollywood version but the kind that listens to your spouse’s opinions and concerns, overlooks their faults and failings, values them, and expresses itself through kindness?

Understanding. As surely as God doesn’t make two snowflakes alike, He doesn’t make two people alike. So, can you understand and handle each other’s differences? 

Appreciation. Your partner can’t read your mind, so get into the habit of expressing your appreciation for one another. This speaks volume. I'm not very good at showing appreciation.

Temperament. If you’re naturally upbeat but they’re moody and introverted, you may have an oil-and-water mix. How will you handle this? 

Environment. If you’re from different backgrounds, are you comfortable in the same social and spiritual settings? 

                          If you want a happy relationship/marriage, E-V-A-L-U-A-T-E these things.

Reference: http://www.ucb.co.uk/word-for-today.html

I recently read a prayer on unveiled wife (a blog that I follow). I really like the prayer, it can be prayed within a marriage or while you are courting.  Below is the prayer. Personalise it and be blessed!

Prayer
"Dear Heavenly Father. I lift up my marriage to you right now. Although I love my husband, you made him and I very differently. In addition to your design, we were raised differently. 

We have preferences and opinions that do not always align. In fact, sometimes they cause great tension between us. I pray that these differences will not tear us down. 

Please help my husband and I to be compassionate and humble towards each other. May we respect our differences and still be on the same page! Help us learn how to thrive in our marriage despite these differences in Jesus name AMEN!


To get weekly updates, kindly subscribe to my blog.

Be sociable and share this post!

Why do you have to trim me? It hurts...

 John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine; my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit.  And he trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit” (New Century Version).

John 25: 4 “Remain in Jesus, and He will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in Jesus” (Paraphrased of New Century Version).

 I have a special tree in my garden, in order to protect my tree, I need to prune it; I feel the tree needs to be trimmed.  How I wish my special tree can actually remind me that it needs to be trimmed.  

Why do I actually need to prune this tree? Some of the reasons why I need to prune my special tree:

·         To remove branches that may be impeding its growth

·         To reduce its height

·         To remove damaged branches

·         To permit new growth

·         To shape the tree so that it will fit perfectly for the garden.

Now I know the underlying principle behind trimming trees but the question again is how do I trim my tree?

 Do I need a gardener or a vine-dresser?  If I was to trim my tree independently, do I start from the stem, the branch side?  Hmmm... I have no idea.

Also, which tools do I require?  Surely it’s important to use the right tools so that my tree can be trimmed appropriately, and to prevent harming my tree.

Where do I start from? I might need to hire a vine-dresser or a gardener to prune my special tree. The gardener or vine-dresser is likely to trim it exceptionally well; but then I hope I will be able to recognise my tree after it has been pruned, as my tree is distinct.

Like this special tree needs pruning, we Christians also need to be trimmed by Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the vine-dresser that prunes us.  The Bible says in John 15:1-8 that, Jesus Christ is the best vine-dresser to prune us (His children).  He knows the best way to trim us individually, allowing new growth and for us to flourish.

Jesus Christ prunes things that are not positives in our lives. He prunes our anger, our temper, our bitterness, our impatience, pride and sins that usually entangle us.  

The scripture says in Hebrews 12:1b that “We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back”.

We must ALLOW Jesus to remove those dead branches, those things that are not making us ready for various growths and those things that may be obstructing us from living a life that is pleasing to God totally.

Is Pruning easy?

From experience, going through the pruning process is not easy even if we know that, it is for our own benefit and for God’s glory.  Whilst God is pruning us, it is sometimes difficult to accept the pruning, sometimes one may want to be stubborn and act as if one does not need pruning. 

I myself, I am currently going through God’s pruning.  The pruning is not easy, especially if you have some habits that you have been struggling to stop. 

Nonetheless, the Bible wants us to count it all joy when we are being pruned, as the outcome builds our faith, teaches us patience, which as a result enables us to be made perfect and complete in Christ (James 1:2-4 Paraphrased).

How does God prune us?

1)   God prunes us through the Holy Spirit.  The scripture says in John 16:13a that “when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth” (New Century Version).  Therefore, the Holy Spirit will teach us the truth and directs our minds.

2)   God also prunes us through the Word of God (Bible) - God prunes us through the Word of God spoken whilst we are in church, whilst we listen to sermon online, whilst we read Christian blog, amongst others. 

God’s Word is so powerful that, through His Word, His Word broadens our knowledge about the right things, gives us the right instructions, changes our thoughts and the intents of our heart.  

No wonder the scripture says in Hebrews 4: 12 that “God’s word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts” (New Century Version).

3)   God also prunes us through the trials, challenges, sufferings, corrections from God, amongst others.  The outcomes of trials, challenges, sufferings usually increase our strength and perhaps remove lack of patience, worrying, anger, amongst others away.

Did you know that, even Jesus Christ was also pruned? 

The book of Hebrews 5:8 says that, “Even though Jesus was the Son of God, he learned obedience by what he suffered" (New Century Version).

Are you asking yourself: why do I need to be pruned?

• So far, I have noticed that, the pruning process that I am experiencing is building my character, its allowing me to continue to have godly character in relation to the fruits of the Spirit.  God wants to prune us so as to become like Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:10).

• Are you allowing God to prune you? Do not resist God’s pruning, the pruning will make you a better person.  Through pruning, we change inwardly, which will also allow our actions to change.

• Before we can serve God genuinely and rightly, we must be pruned by the Lord Jesus Christ, who through the pruning moulds our character into His and He develops His strength in us so that we can serve Him.

Say this short prayer

Heavenly Father! Thank you for today.  I lift myself to you today. I want to be made perfect in you.  Please, remove things that are not pleasing to you in my life.  I know that, I sometimes struggle with characters that majority of people are not aware of.  Please replace the ‘not so nice’ characters that I have with godly characters in JESUS NAME!

-Myss Lafunky

Be sociable and share this post

Photo credit: ourshelteringtree.blogspot.com