How to shine with God's glory

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(Wives) do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear--but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 1 Peter 3:3-4 Have you ever known people who just glow? I’m talking about those men and women whose faces just glisten with Christ in their lives. And while their outward features, that is, their external beauty, may be great, the glory of Christ that shines through them is so much better. You see, our world today has such a twisted and distorted view of beauty. That's why when you stand in line at the grocery store and look at the cover of those magazines, all you see is airbrushed and photoshopped pictures of people who look nothing like that in real life! The truth is that God is making something beautiful out of your life if you are in Christ. And as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, the Bible says you are adorned like a beautiful bride. While there may be some spots on the outside, Christ has made you beautiful so that you might shine for Him forever. So let me ask you this question: Where do you seek your beauty? Do you spend more time on your outward appearance or your inward condition? Follow God and He'll make you shine like the stars as He transforms you into His glorious bride.   IN CHRIST, GOD HAS TRANSFORMED YOU INTO HIS SPOTLESS BRIDE. SO LIVE EACH DAY BY REMEMBERING THAT TRUTH AND FINDING YOUR REAL BEAUTY IN HIM!

Being Shocked at Sin

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice. And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God, And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.”
Ezra 9:4–6

One of the greatest dangers of sin is the way in which we slowly and subtly become accustomed to it. When there is sin all around us, as is true in our day, it is easy for us to stop thinking that it is shocking and horrible. Alexander Pope wrote:
“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.”
Sin is still just as wicked as ever, no matter how much of it there is or how accepted it may become by society. When Ezra returned from Babylon to teach the Jewish people the law of God, he found that they had ignored the commandments God had given concerning marrying foreigners. This practice was widespread and had become culturally acceptable. But it was shocking to Ezra who had committed his life to live by God’s law and to teach that law to others.
Because he refused to accept or downplay or normalize sin, Ezra was able to lead the people to repentance and revival. One of the great needs of our day is Christians who are shocked and appalled by sin.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

If we find sin acceptable in the lives of others, it will not be long before we find it acceptable in ourselves as well.