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Discover the profound message of The Book of Joel for Christians today. Explore the powerful insights and timeless wisdom within this biblical treasure. Gain a deeper understanding of God's faithfulness, repentance, and restoration. Unveil the significance of Joel's prophetic words and their relevan
Today's post includes responses from Roxanna Elden, Sally J. Zepeda, Christopher Lehman, Jennifer Abrams, PJ Caposey, Patricia Reynolds, and Sharon Milano. In addition, I've highlighted comments from readers. All make suggestions about how to make professional development more effective learning…
(Photo Credit) Modesty is one of those hot button issues–especially in today’s American culture. Even Christians can’t seem to agree on modesty’s relevance or what the definition of modesty is. Some will say that it is not an important issue today; we are more advanced in our culture, and women do not need to be oppressed by layers of clothing. Others will say that we need to follow every word of the Bible and dress like we’re from another century. I’m not putting either of these extremes down. I am just calling them what they are–extremes on the ever confusing spectrum of the great modesty debate. And let’s face it, now that it’s summer and bikinis and shorts are being thrown at us, Christians really do need to evaluate what modesty means. So where do we begin to tackle this issue? I think that modesty can be broken down into two parts: 1. What is Modesty? According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the definition of modesty in regard to apparel is, “the quality of behaving and especially dressing in ways that do not attract sexual attention.” That is pretty blunt and straight to the point. It also goes against pop-culture and society’s desire to make women and teenage girls sexy. So we can see why modesty would clash with women and men who are not Christians. It goes against cultural values. So what does modesty mean for Christians? The Bible says: “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9-10 NKJV). There’s a lot to these verses, but the two words that stand out the most (and what I think can help us the most) are moderation and propriety. We know that moderation is avoiding extremes. A common example would be not eating too much or too little–but in moderation. So when it comes to dressing, having moderation would mean avoiding extremes with clothing. This would obviously mean nothing too short, revealing, or showy. It also would mean nothing too extreme on the other end of the spectrum. In other words, you don’t have to dress head to toe in a paper sack to be modest. Propriety is also a word that is important here, but it’s also one that you don’t hear very often. Propriety is basically being proper. It means to act/do things in a just manner. So if we dress with propriety, then that means we are dressing appropriately. We are to follow the Biblical standards of dignity and purity with our clothing. 2. Is Modesty Important? Although there are plenty of non-believers who dress modestly, if you don’t live your life by the Bible then modesty might not seem that important to you. After all, it’s already been established that our culture does not value modesty. Christians, however, are held to a higher standard. The Bible tells us to dress modestly (guys aren’t off the hook either, but this blog is for the ladies), and if we dive into scripture, we can find out why. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Even though this verse was talking about fleeing from sexual immorality, it can also be applied to any behavior a child of God exhibits. We have the Holy Spirit in us. We belong to Jesus…we are not our own. If we dress like everyone else in the world–showing off all of our body parts–how does that glorify God? If our bodies are temples, then it is time to start dressing like it. I find it funny that when women argue against modesty, they often talk about not being ashamed of their bodies and showing themselves off to prove it. If your body really is that precious, and it is in the Lord’s eyes (Psalm 139:14), then you wouldn’t want everyone to see it! Pop-culture has managed to promote the exploitation of women by idolizing skimpy clothing, but we don’t have to follow this trend. Now I’m not saying that you can’t wear jeans or that the hem line of your dress has to be a certain length. Let the Holy Spirit convict you of what is modest. When you get dressed and look in front of the mirror, ask yourself, if Jesus was in the flesh standing next to me would I be embarrassed by what I’m wearing? The more you practice this, the more it will become a habit. Modesty does not just involve dress–it’s a way of living. In fact, modesty is not really about clothing, guys, or your body. It’s about Jesus, and we need to be glorifying Him in everything we do–including how we dress. If you’re a daughter of the King, then dress with the dignity that a royal lady should! Thanks for Reading! I know this post was a bit late–I’m getting used to my new summer schedule! Please comment below 🙂 Love, Emily <3
To understand how is Pentecost still relevant today, we must first understand the history behind Pentecost and how it relates to other Jewish feasts.
Una de las características fundamentales del idioma hebreo es aquella correspondencia numérica que tiene para cada letra del alfabeto. Para calcular la equivalencia de cada letra y su respectivo nú…
“So what?” If someone asked me this question, I’d probably be offended. It sounds snarky, slightly rude, and in your face. Yet I include this question in my list of questions to answer each week in my adult Sunday School class. We’ve begun a comprehensive survey of the Bible, studying a book a week until we’ve covered the entire Bible. So far, it’s been a blast. When I prayed about how to approach each book, my training as a newspaper reporter kicked in. Ask the five W’s and an H—Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Of course, brilliant! Who wrote the book and to whom is it written? What was the main theme? When did the events take place? Where did the events take place? Why did the author write the book? How did the events unfold? Looking over my list of questions, I knew I was on the right track to teach the historicity of each book, but something was missing. That’s when I added, “So what?” “Now that I’ve studied the facts of the book, so what? Why does this matter? How should this impact my life?” “So what?” might just be the most important question at all, because if we read the Bible for information only, it probably won’t change our lives. And we should never leave an encounter with God’s Word unchanged. The Bible is a living book, one that has the power to bolster faith, transform people’s hearts, and make us more like Christ. But studying the who, what, when, where, why, and how of Scripture can be more like reading a biography of Lincoln instead of meeting Lincoln himself. It’s only a shadow of everything it could be. This is why we must also ask, “So what?” Here are a few examples of what this looked like in our study of Genesis: FACT: God deliberately created mankind in his image instead of human life spontaneously occurring. SO What? My life and the lives of those around me aren’t accidents. They’re part of God’s plan and purpose for the world. Every life matters, because God creates every life. FACT: God created Adam and Eve with a free will, even though he knew they’d use it to sin against him. SO What? God doesn’t force people to love him. He gives us the ability to choose. FACT: God made a promise in Genesis 3:15 that he would send a Redeemer to save mankind from their sin. Thousands of years later, God kept his promise by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of the world. SO What? I can trust God to keep his promises in my life as well. FACT: God called Abraham to offer his only son as proof of his love for God. Abraham was able to be willing to obey his command because he believed God was a promise-keeping God. SO What? Sometimes God calls me to do difficult things. If I truly trust God, I’ll demonstrate my trust by obeying him. FACT: God used the unjust circumstances of Joseph’s life to bring deliverance to thousands of people. SO What? God can use the difficult circumstances of my life to bring about good in other people’s lives. FACT: God placed the infant nation of Israel in the incubator of Egypt so they could grow and begin to establish themselves as a people without interference from dangerous nations. In Egypt, they grew from 70 people to 2.5 million. SO What? Similarly, God can orchestrate unlikely situations or circumstances in my life for good. Studying the facts of a book gives us vital information to help us understand God’s message. Asking “So what?” helps us apply God’s message to our lives. So the next time you open your Bible to study a passage, I encourage you to learn the who, what, when, where, why, and how of a passage. Then, prayerfully and intentionally, ask God to show you how each passage applies to your life right now. You’ll be amazed at how God’s Word comes alive. Now it’s your turn. What is your approach to studying the Scripture, and how has it enhanced your understanding? Leave a comment below and share your insights. If you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online and leave a comment. Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord. Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE. Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive. Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address. Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
Are you read to dive into a short but impactful Ruth Bible study lesson? Ruth's life in the Bible, exemplifying faithfulness, resilience, and integrity, offers practical lessons for our daily walk with God.
As the popular adage says, “the times they are a changin.’” Good or bad, there’s no denying that the world is constantly changing—whether it’s politically, technologically, environmentally, socially, etc. One thing that remains unchanged is the relevance of the Ten Commandments even through modern times. Although some of the words and phrases are archaic—thou, false witness, shall not, etc.—the message of these centuries-old commandments are as relevant today as they were when they were first presented by God to Moses, well before Jesus’ time.
Introducing the S.O.A.P Bible Study Tool: Dive deeper into the Word of God S.O.A.P, which stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer, is a simple yet powerful method that will revolutionize your personal study of the Bible. structured framework to engage with Scripture, enabling you to extract meaning and relevance for your daily life. Here's how it works: S - Scripture: Begin by selecting a passage or verse from the Bible that resonates with you. Write it down in your S.O.A.P journal or use our printable templates specifically designed for this purpose. O - Observation: Immerse yourself in the Scripture, carefully examining its words, themes, and context. Take note of key details, symbols, and messages that stand out to you. Reflect on the historical background, literary style, and any relevant cross-references. A - Application: Next, consider how the Scripture applies to your life. What lessons can you draw from it? How can you incorporate its teachings into your relationships, work, or personal growth? Write down practical steps you can take to implement these lessons. P - Prayer: Finally, conclude your study with prayer. Communicate with Jehovah , expressing your gratitude, seeking His guidance, and asking for strength to live out the truths revealed in His Word. Pour out your heart in prayer and listen for His voice. THIS IS A DIGITAL ITEM, NO PHYSICAL PRODUCT WILL BE SHIPPED TO YOU.
Our lessons in church have been over the Ten Commandments, and their continued relevance, so I have been looking at what the New Testament has to say. Today’s Scripture Doodle is from John 1…