“Make the most of your time...........When we fail to operate in what God has given us we become stagnate which is to cease developing; become inactive or dull,…… bitter, jealous and just plan unfruitful. We were designed to work be creative. When we are not doing the work of the Lord we become idle and ineffective”- Pearle

This past Wednesday I spoke to the young adults for the first time at my new place of fellowship. It had been about 3-4yrs since I have spoken on something other than praise and worship. I was called as a preacher in my early teens but did not answer until I was 18. It was awesome to share what God had been speaking to me and is still speaking to me. I just wanted to share in my blog with everyone. I find that is still developing and I am being challenged everyday by it and in this blog I added a lil of what is being said.……The word the Lord had given to me was “Make the Most of your Time”.

Ephesians 5:15-17 says

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

God’s desire is that we all make the most of what He has called us to, but we can’t do anything until we start doing something. For some of us we know exactly what God has called us to do. Some still maybe seeking the Lord, but I guarantee it is already in you. God is not just calling His people to be preachers, singers or anything else that may be in the front. For many of us our dreams goals visions calling all look different. It could be anything from athlete to pastor but the main purpose of all of them should be to glorify God. Whatever we have been given to do we have to be disciplined stewards. We must make the most of our time here on Earth. His desired is that His light shines through us so the world may know who He is. Our gifts and our talents are not just for us but for others. Whatever God has called you gifted and anointed you to do is first to His glory and for kingdom building. We are called to be world changers. The world is hungry for something but it is not sure, but we have been given an opportunity to impact this earth by showing people Jesus.

Many of us have dreams and visions that we have given up on or figure because someone else looks like they can do it better or it’s just not working out so it must not be the will of God. The dreams and desires that we have, that are in line with God’s word, are not by given to us by accident. Sure sometimes they seem too big or too much, but that’s ok it’s not too big for God to fulfill. Personally I am being challenged in my faith walk in this area of giving up too soon on what I know God has placed in me to do. I figure I’d just take the backseat because clearly if it were God’s plan for me I would have already been doing it and I am doing too much so maybe I just need to “wait on the Lord” and stop pursuing the vision. I realized it’s nothing but a distraction and the laziness of my flesh and sometimes the enemy of our soul. Giving up is easy it takes no effort, but it will take everything from you.

1Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Some of you may literally have had the words of prophecy spoken over you, things that were confirmed because you know God spoke it. It is not entirely up to us to figure out how it is going to be fulfilled. But know Number 23:14 says

God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good.

Here’s another verse for encouragement sake.

Isaiah 55:11

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

When we fail to operate in what God has given us we become stagnate which is to cease developing; become inactive or dull,…… bitter, jealous and just plan unfruitful. We were designed to work be creative. When we are not doing the work of the Lord we become idle and ineffective.

When we fail to operate in God’s will for our lives we not only deprive ourselves but we deprive others. When operate or spend our time being unfruitful we cannot be effective and we can’t be spiritually healthy. You’re just occupying space. The children of God are supposed to be fruitful we are supposed to be growing and actively doing the will of God.

The people of God are special we are chosen predestined. Ask God to pour His Spirit upon you and in you until you filled with the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for everyone. I always want to encourage this because you need the Holy Spirit in you to do the work.

In whatever you desire to do actively seek God in prayer and in reading of His word. Saying prayers is not enough. Communicate with our God and Savior.

I could say a lot concerning make the most of your time and do the work now but I leave you with this.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.-Colossians 4:5

But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.-Daniel 11:32

Making the most of your time, because the days are evil- Eph 5:16

The Modesty Issue

"Modesty is a respectable manner of adorning one’s body and carrying oneself, born out of a freedom from a worldly definition of beauty and worth, and motivated by a hatred of sin and a desire to draw attention to God.........When it comes to the subject of modest clothing, the first question we should ask ourselves is: What am I trying to accomplish by what I wear?"

The topic of modesty is something I have decided to look at again and I am pushing for more than ever, especially when I survey the world and it's desires to make lust and pride our motivation for why we do things. As believers we are to be set a part and sometimes that means looking different but ultimately carrying ourselves different. My desire and ultimately God's desire is that as a body of believers we continue to teach and live Godly principles so the young ones, those who are young in faith, and the unsaved see that there is a better way for us to conduct ourselves. I believe that Luke Gilkerson did a wonderful job of writing about modesty in 6 steps. While his focus is mainly on females, males are not exempt

-Pearle 

6 Marks of Biblical Modesty: How God Brings Sexy Back

 Friday, August 16, 2013 | Written by Luke Gilkerson

Modesty is a controversial topic, especially when you throw God into the mix. For some, they simply cannot fathom, amidst all the great injustices in the world, that God actually cares if a girl wears skin-tight pants with the word “Juicy” written on them.

But in the end, it is the Word of God that should drive our discussions about modesty. What has God revealed about it?

First and foremost, a biblical definition of modesty must focus on the heart. Modesty is primarily about our motivations. In addition, modest dress is also about discernment, having an awareness of others and our environment.

Modern Modesty Controversies

In a recent conversation, a woman I spoke with seemed deeply offended when I suggested a woman’s manner of dress could tempt a man to lust. She wasn’t denying the claim that men lust after women, but she was emphatic that women are not to blame for a man’s lustful thoughts and actions.

She’s right, of course. A person is never guilty of another person’s sin.

This woman’s protest is, in part, motivated by a desire to fight various rape myths in our culture. When a girl dresses scantily, goes to a college party, gets drunk, makes out with a dozen guys, and then is raped, for some there is a tendency to say, “Well, she was just asking for it.” This kind of victim blaming, sadly, leads some to temper any compassion for such women when they are abused.

Let’s be clear: victims of rape are not guilty of their rape. The girl who walks across campus at 2 a.m. and gets assaulted is not to blame for the crime committed against her. Similarly, victims of another’s lust do not thereby mean a woman is guilty of lust. She should never be made to account for another person’s sin.

Where then does modesty fit into the Christian ethic?

Paul on Modesty: 1 Timothy 2:8-10

“I desire…that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.“

Christian women should concern themselves with modesty because the Bible does. This text is a primary example.

For the purposes of this article, I am writing about women because Paul is writing about women in these verses. I recognize that men should also embrace modesty.

1. Modesty is not anti-pretty

At the outset, we should take note that Paul is not anti-adornment. The force of his statement is positive: “women should adorn themselves.” These are not the words of an anti-fashion prude. The same word “adorn” is used to speak of a bride beautifying herself for her husband (Revelation 21:2). It is a term that expresses being ornamented, well-kempt, and put in order.

The question for Paul isn’t about whether a woman should ornament her body, but how.

2. Modesty is about who you worship

In the context, Paul is talking about how women should prepare themselves for gathering at church. Women are commanded to adorn themselves in a way that is fitting for worship. If they “profess godliness”—that is, they desire to show God honor and reverence—how should they dress?

Paul puts his finger on the trigger of the problem. In Ephesus, the original destination of this letter, the cultural elite were known for their gaudy and extravagant wardrobes, their elaborate hair styles, and their expensive clothing that communicated extraordinary wealth. Paul paints a picture of this for the Ephesians Christians and says, “Don’t mimic that. When you come to church, come dressed in a way that shows you desire to the attention to be on God, not yourself.”

A person’s manner of dress, or even their preoccupation with clothing itself (Matthew 6:28-30), is often indicative of a heart that loves self more than God.

3. Modesty is about behavior and attitude, not just clothing

When Paul says that women should wear “respectable apparel,” the term “apparel” is probably translated too narrowly: it is a term that encompasses not just clothing, but one’s whole demeanor, attitude, and actions.

Ultimately, what should adorn a woman is not just clothing but “good works.” As Christians, we are being remade by God for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Christ died so that we might be zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). Women should seek to dress their lives in works that do good to others, marked with godly love.

This means modesty is not simply about what we wear, but how we act, how we communicate, and how relate to others.

4. Modesty shows sensitivity to sin

In this text Paul says a woman’s apparel should be worn with “modesty.” Other translation opt for the word “decency.” The King James Version translates this “shamefacedness,” which gets more to the heart of the word.

It is talking about a demeanor of reverence, showing respect to oneself and a regard for others. It even carries the connotation of “bashful.” Connected to the term “shame,” the word implies the idea of grief over sin that is in the world—that a woman would be so sensitive to sin, knowing that sin is offensive to God, that she would never come close to trying to provoke it in others.

No, a woman is not guilty of a man’s lust if she dresses with the intention to allure him. Let him account for his sins. But she is guilty of a lack of shamefacedness, for treating sin lightly. A heart of modesty is motivated by a love for one’s fellow man.

5. Modesty involves cultural discretion

Paul didn’t just paint broad strokes when talking about modesty; he gave specifics. He said braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire were out of place for a truly modest woman.

Some knowledge of Roman culture is helpful for understanding what Paul is saying. In Paul’s day, Greek hairstyles for women were fairly simple: hair was parted in the middle and pinned in the back. But a culture change was sweeping the region. Women in the imperial household were wearing their hair with elaborate curls and braids, covered in expensive ornaments. The elite throughout the empire copied this style.

For Paul, the appearance of braids and ornaments was more about what the fashion communicated. They carried connotations of imperial luxury and conjured up images of notoriously immoral Empresses like Valeria Messalina and Poppeaea Sabina, ancient equivalents of Cosmopolitan cover girls.

The poet Juvenal, a contemporary of Paul, gives a vivid description of this cultural trend:

“There is nothing that a woman will not permit herself to do. Nothing that she deems shameful. And when she encircles her neck with green emeralds and fastens huge pearls to her elongated ears, so important is the business of beautification. So numerous are the tiers and stories piled one another on her head that she pays no attention to her own husband.”

Similarly, the philosopher Philo gives a description of a prostitute in his writing called “The Sacrifices of Cain and Abel”:

“A prostitute is often described as having hair dressed in elaborate braids, her eyes with pencil lines, her eyebrows smothered in paint and her expensive clothes embroidered lavishly with flowers and bracelets and necklaces of gold and jewels hanging all over her.”

Paul’s description of immodest dress conjured a picture of someone preoccupied with appearance, fashion, luxury, and sexual prowess. Similarly, modern modesty standards are not about arbitrary rules of how much skin is shown or how low-cut something is, but about the messages and values our clothing communicates.

6. Modesty is about true freedom, not repression

More often than not, modesty standards are seen as repressive, arbitrary rules that restrict a woman’s creativity and freedom. But when modesty is motivated from the heart, the exact opposite is true.

Paul says women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel with “self-control.” This might be better understood as “self-mastery,” being of sound mind or sober, being in control of one’s impulses and appetites. In extra-biblical literature, this word has sexual nuances: being able to totally control your romantic and erotic desires.

Immodesty is often, though not always, a kind of slavery. A woman may be enslaved by her desire to attract a man. She might define her worth by her fashion sense, her sex appeal, her image, her bust size, her weight, or the brand names she wears. This kind of slavery is widespread because sin impacts us all, and in today’s sexually charged, media-saturated culture, many women fall prey to this kind of slavery.

But as Christians we are free from the slavery of sin because we are united to Christ. Paul exhorts us to live out this freedom: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions” (Romans 6:12). When it comes to modest dress, we can follow Paul’s next statement quite literally: Do not present the members of your body to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present your members to God as instruments for righteousness (v.13). Paul wants Christian woman to have self-mastery in their wardrobe choices, to be totally free from worldly ways of defining worth, beauty, and sexiness.

Ironically, it is not just those who are scantily dressed that are enslaved, but even those who pride themselves on their modesty. “Modest is hottest,” they say, unaware that in their own hearts, they are still enslaved to a preoccupation with their physical image, still defining their worth by their outward adornment.

Defining Modesty

Taken together, these aspects of modesty help to give us a working definition. Modesty is a respectable manner of adorning one’s body and carrying oneself, born out of a freedom from a worldly definition of beauty and worth, and motivated by a hatred of sin and a desire to draw attention to God.  

When it comes to the subject of modest clothing, the first question we should ask ourselves is: What am I trying to accomplish by what I wear?


To check out my latest blog
http://pearlealivenhim.blogspot.com/2014/08/reasons-why-women-expose-themselves.htm

Forsaking All to Find Myself in Him originally written 8/13/06 unedited

Forsaking all I Trust Him

‘’What is Keeping you from Doing Gods Work?’‘

‘’Finding your Place and Purpose in God’‘

8/13/06

Luke 5:4-11

To some individuals the word forsake in the bible can be scary. Personally for me

I had a hard time defining it. I felt it meant that I would have to stop living like a normal person and be by myself all the time. At first I thought that God would take away my desires that I believe he has given me. So what I would do is pray constantly for him not do away with them. One day I heard a pastor say that prayer is not to remind God of you needs and desires. God already knows our desires Psalm 37:4 delight thyself in the lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. So if we obey Gods word and his mandates he will give us what we desire. I am now learning that when you take care of Gods work he will give you favor and make ways that you could not even imagine. The problem is we don’t delight ourselves in God nor are we in his will. When we begin to seek his kingdom and his righteousness, we will come to find that all we need is in the kingdom!!! Matthew 6:33. In order for us to understand what our purpose for this time is we must seek God in everything that we do from our waking up till our lying down.

How do you know what you purpose for life is unless you seek God and come into fellowship with him??? At times we can act like (even if we know it or not) God doesn't really know what we’re supposed to be doing??? That is where have to trust God Psalm139:13-17 The psalmist David begins to talk about how God formed him in his mother’s womb. He tells us he was not hidden from God and that Gods thoughts are precious towards us.

 But what about when you find your purpose, or at least a piece?? What do you do, what do you say? What do you do when you find yourself being separated from individuals, because they are not in tuned to what God is doing?? What about when you try to tell love ones and close intimate friends what God needs you to do??What do you do when the advice they give is conflicting to his word??? What about when you want to be separated from foolish youthful experiences?? Well you move on... It’s not easy all the time, but when you want what God has for you drop people and things.(It’s a part of FORSAKING) Many people will come against you especially when you know who you are, TRULY KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHO’S YOU ARE. And if you are young they will tear you up with advice. But thank God for wise consul from those who are not just old but actually seasoned in Christ. And thank God for Jesus the ULTIMATE LOVER AND FRIEND!!!

Just a reminder when you are called out (not talking about just preaching but being saved) you should change who you are around. Meaning you won’t allow those so called saved people; you know the ones who say they’re saved but there’s no change, no fruit, no power. They have no real relationship with the Father, because they’re not reading His word and ALLOWING IT TO CHANGE THEM!!!!! You should not allow them to help terminate your future.                                           

In the book of Jeremiah chapter 1 verses 5-10, again the Lord God tells someone else. ‘’ Before I formed you I knew you”, he goes on and tells young Jeremiah, before you were born I sanctified and ordained you to be a prophet to the nations. You know what, Jeremiah tried used his age as a way of to get out of what God had called him to do. God was like don’t say that, for you shall go to all to whom I send you And whatever I command you, you shall speak. God told him don’t be afraid of their faces. God said that he will put his words in our Mouth, just to let you know we are still in Jeremiah 1. He will set us over nations and kingdoms to break and rebuild. You know some people’s faces can scare you but don’t fear them(2Tim 1:7)God has no given us a spirit of fear. 

Jeremiah wasn't the only one who was called in their youth.(Youth ranged from birth until 40yrs of age.) In the book of 1 Timothy 4:12-16 Paul encourages Timothy (age 30-40) and tells him not to let anyone despise him because of his youth, but to be an example to the believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. Paul also told him to give attention to reading and exhortation and doctrine. He basically wanted Timothy to stay in the word and not get caught up in other things but to be an example. Many times as youth we give ourselves to foolishness. Rather it be for attention or just curiosity. As believer we must give our attention to the things of God and stay out of the face of evil things. We must stay in the word of God it is the only possible way to know who he truly is!!