by Melanie Basham

US Researchers have backed this up with several studies finding that the saying “its better to give than receive” is true.  ”Most people would think that if you make more money you are going to be a lot happier,” said Michael Norton, a professor at Harvard Business School. “Our results, and a lot of other people’s results, show that making more money makes you a little bit happier, but doesn’t really have a huge impact on you. Our studies suggest maybe that little changes in how you spend it make a difference.” The conclusion of the study showed that regardless of income level, those people who spent money on others reported greater happiness, while those who spent more on themselves did not. Isn’t that how our Lord works. His ways are not our ways. Our own wisdom is upside down to how He works. He exalts the humble (Matt 23:12), He chose the poor on this earth  to be rich in faith (James 2:5), His power is shown in our own weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9), and on and on…

Think about a time when you gave someone something they didn’t even know they needed, but  they fell in love with the item as soon as they saw it in the box. I imagine that this is the feeling that comes over God, whenever we accept His gift of salvation and respond in love and then obedience to it.

Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15: 1-7. In this parable he likens salvation to a lost sheep being found by its shepherd. “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Ultimately, this is the heart of the idea that it is better to give than receive. God gave us the ultimate gift of salvation through the birth and death of Jesus Christ. For many of us, it is a gift we went along without, not realizing we needed it until we finally received it. God desires our gifts of praise and service to Him, but actually rejoices when we accept His gift to us. Whenever we give to those we love this year, let it serve as a reminder that we have already received the greatest gift and let it motivate us to share that gift with others.

Part 1

This is not a new battle. It’s not a new attitude. This is a need to be like everybody else….”Please don’t ask me to transform my life!” And that statement is not new either.

Do you remember what Eve did the moment she realized she had disobeyed God? She clothed herself. She felt shame. And she had not known the idea of shame prior to her submission to Satan. Therefore, we can conclude that covering our bodies is done so because of the shame it would be otherwise. And also let it be said that initially, God created us without shame and without clothes.

There have always been women who took it upon themselves to use their partially clothed bodies to attract men.  The daughter of Herodias danced for men in order to please and attract them. It is believed that she performed the Dance of the Seven Veils. It doesn’t take much imagination to figure out the veils were removed during the dance to show as much skin as possible…probably to the point of being naked. So…attracting men by showing of the body has been among men and women for a long time.

How Did We Get This Far?

It has been said that each generation goes farther than the previous. Skirts got shorter. Jeans got tighter. Blouses got lower. Music blasted more vulgarity. Movies that once were rated “X” are now “R’s” and some Pg-13′s should have been left in the “R” category. So…who decided it’s acceptable to make the skirt shorter, the jeans tighter and the movies with more sex and nudity? Answer…somebody with money, media connections and greed. And that somebody knew that if television and magazines put those in front of us over and over and over…we would want it. Worked didn’t it?

As we fast forward to our present time, we see an influx of “society says so” into the church. What used to be embarrassing has become norm. And the greater sadness is knowing that church leaders nor older women will say anything. Silence seems to be golden.

I will have to tell you that this particular topic has not always been well received. I’ve taught it in ladies Bible classes and have been yelled at, ridiculed, called a liar and excluded from functions of a select group of women. While all of that is painful and truly shows immaturity, I had to conclude that the hurls of insults were about the message and not necessarily the messenger. Needless to say…this is a “HOT” topic.

SPEAKING TO YOUR HEART
We will take the next few weeks to address this sensitive subject. It will be direct. So be prepared. My hope is to make you think the next time you are deciding about what to wear for any occasion. I will be using several resources from various backgrounds. And the purpose of that is to try and help us understand how this affects people from all walks of life. Do your best to keep your heart soft.

Thank you for your interest and patience. This subject of Modesty must be addressed. I know that my husband has become disgusted with the latest wedding dress fashions. And that is something we will discuss also.

In the mean time…take a double look at what you are wearing. Will it bring glory to God? Are you distinct from the world? How is your attitude?

Blessings,

Julie
reprinted from Java with Julie

Modesty Part 2 - A Heart Issue

Modesty Part 3 – What Guys Think About Modesty

Modesty Part 4 – Brides &  Young Ladies

Modesty Part 5 – In Desperate Need of Leadership

Some things just need a woman’s touch.  This corner of our website is dedicated to women – helping us learn, serve, fellowship and grow deeper together.  Are you a first time mom or an empty-nester? Are you still seeking God’s choice in a mate, are you single again or are you celebrating many years of marriage?  Are you the volunteer extraordinaire or in a fast-paced career? We want to serve and support you – wherever you are in your walk with God!

Come back often to explore new articles, thoughts, devotionals and studies into God’s Word, especially for you!

The Loss of Shame in Women: Culture Invading the Church

A five part study on the subject of modesty. A sensitive subject, but one that must be addressed…In the mean time, take a second look at what you are wearing. Will it bring glory to God? Are you distinct from the world? How is your attitude? (More...)

Two Uniquely Feminine Challenges

I sometimes become tired of self-help books that suggest marriages would be harmonious if we understood that there are innate differences in men and women. It’s not that I don’t believe we have differences, it’s just that often these books address stereotypes rather than useful differences. (more…)

Prayer

Let us follow David’s example of overflowing praise to our Lord and King most High. May we learn to express our great joy and recognition that our Father is worthy of PRAISE!! (more…)

Motherhood is a Calling (And Where Your Children Rank)

Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for. (more…)

Meditation

What is meditation and how will it help us to confront the daily challenges of our faith? (more…)

Shine

“…therefore you all shine like stars in the universe to this crooked generation…’ Philippians 2:15 I read the verse last week and to be honest, I just wasn’t feeling it.  (more…)

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” (NLT) Proverbs 31:30

To live the Holy Life, we simply need to:

1. Be Sanctified

2. Abstain from Sexual Immorality

3. Use Self-Control

4. Show Brotherly Love

1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12: Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

“On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” ” Luke 17:11-19 ESV

Listen to the series: Living in Gratitude

SUN 10AM – Why We Should be Grateful

SUN 5PM – Grateful Christians Come Out of the World: A Culture of Perversion

MON 7PM – Grateful Christians Come Out of the World: A Culture of Stuff

TUE 7PM – Grateful Christians Come Out of the World: A Culture of Anger

WED 7PM – Grateful Christians Come Out of the World: A Culture of Pride

We hope you’ll join us!

Click Here for the Flyer with additional information.

First off, Peter encourages us to be gentle. When you read this, you might picture someone who never says no when asked to do a favor or who only speaks when spoken to. You might even picture someone who has trouble making eye contact or who would never initiate confrontation. If this is all you think of when you think of gentleness, you might be missing out on a powerful tool that God is encouraging women to unleash. Gentleness does not say “Yes, steamroll here,” but instead says, “If you steamroll me, that’s okay because I am a child of God, and He is in control.” Meekness is a calm confidence, not in yourself, but in God.

Perhaps Peter gives this admonition to women because we often have trouble with confidence. In fact, many cultures and societies today degrade women who live with great confidence. We need to understand that confidence in ourselves through God’s is something we are called to have. This godly meekness prevents ungodly fear to which women are particularly susceptible. When you find yourself being fearful, ask: Am I trusting in God or myself? Fear is a product of trusting in self because we know we can never be perfect, but trusting in God allows us to draw confidence from the ultimate, perfect source. Gentleness is also ultimately a product of the Holy Spirit, not ourselves (Gal. 5:23). We cannot force gentleness; we must yield our will to God’s.

Secondly, Peter encourages us to have a quiet spirit. If gentleness didn’t conjure visions of averted eyes and a bowed head, surely this idea does, but what if Peter means something more life-changing than “don’t talk too much”? What would it mean if your spirit wasn’t quiet? Would it be loud? Probably not. The idea here is that your spirit shouldn’t be “disquieted,” or anxious. How many times have you been so worried that you are rendered spiritually ineffective? Maybe you worry about your family; maybe you worry about what others think of you. This is not the Christian woman you are meant to be. God wants you to derive such trust in Him that you are free from anxiety. Again, this cannot happen if you rely on any other source than God. Neither your husband, your therapist, your medication, your children, your job, nor yourself can provide relief from anxiety. Don’t just lean on God for support; place all of your fears and hopes in Him. He will produce in you the peace that is the fruit of the spirit. The next time someone tries to convince you that women are just worriers and shrinking violets, remember that “God gave us [men and women] a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

Written By Melanie Basham;
Melanie and her husband, Shane, live in Huntsville, AL

It’s back to school time and our children have their supply lists: pencils, pens, folders, paper and on and on. But there are things that we need help our children carry to school that aren’t found in Walmart or Target, we find them in God’s Word…

Listen Here: Back to School