Colossians 3:12-14
So, chosen by God for this new
life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion,
kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered,
content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as
quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what
else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never
be without it.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
I
used to watch a reality TV show about a professional stylist named
Rachel Zoe. Fashion was her “thing”...and her job was to dress some of
the world’s most famous people for events and appearances. She combed
the world for just the right items of clothing, shoes, jewelry and
accessories to make her clients look their best...she tried to make them
memorable! She wanted people to say, “Rachel Zoe” dressed me...and she
ALWAYS makes me look good!
Now I will also have to say that
there is often nothing humble about these celebrities...and their
stylist is anything but even tempered and quick to forgive offenses!
She takes her work personally, and every criticism is an affront to her
sense of style - if not her personal self-worth!
I love how The Message
translation depicts the fruits of the Spirit as our wardrobe...and how
the Apostle Paul tells us that our basic,
go-with-anything-never-leave-home-without-it garment is love.
And while I may have appeared harshly critical of Rachel Zoe and how her
work is ego-driven, I fully acknowledge that we are all exactly like
her in many ways.
We are front and center to make the other guy
look good or feel better about himself...as long as WE look good in the
bargain! If we are honest, there are plenty of times when we reach out
to others out of an effort to propel ourselves to the top of the heap
and boost our own egos – more than a deep love and concern for anyone
else. And heaven help the person who offends us or even attempts to
one-up us in some way!
I can’t help but think about Jesus. The
more I study Him and get to know Him, the more I see how effectively He
operated in these very traits...compassion, kindness, humility, quiet
strength, discipline – and most certainly, LOVE! Yes, there were times when Jesus asserted His position... “Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.”
(Matthew 16:24) But His proclamation was in a factual context...not a
show of arrogance. And let’s face it...Jesus could back up His claim
with definitive actions and demonstrations.
I’ve been thinking
for a long time that my “closet” needs a good cleaning...both literally,
and spiritually. I need to take out the things that fit poorly or are
worn and outdated. And maybe you need to do this, too. You may even
have some “vanity items” in your closet that need to go...items that
say, “Hey, look at me and how special I am!” Maybe you have some
attitudes that need to go on the “discard” heap. Maybe you need to add a
few things or upgrade your “basics”...especially love and humility.
To
be completely truthful, many of the outfits Rachel Zoe assembles for
her clients look pretty bad to me. I struggle to see where there is any
“style” to them...or where they flatter the person who wears them. And
when we do our own “styling” and leave God out of the mix, the results
may not be all that attractive, either. There is no time like the
present for cleaning up our wardrobes and making a fresh start. And the
logical place to begin is with a simple prayer.
Ask God to be
your “stylist”...to show you how to weed out the unnecessary garments
and accessories... and to pare your “closet” down to His basic “love
suit” and only the best accessories and enhancements. When we allow God
to “dress” us, we are always in style...and others are blessed in the
bargain. What are YOU wearing these days?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label dressed in wardrobe of love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dressed in wardrobe of love. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 25, 2013
1 Corinthians 13:3-7
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
The quote for this date in my desktop flip calendar came from the late Gilda Radner… “I base my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch.” I like that… and I would add, “…or cinch me too tightly, creep or crawl!” The truth is that our lives are filled with “itchy, scratchy, creeping, crawly, too-tight situations”… and not just in our fashions! The only “garment” that will always fit is the “robe” of love in Christ Jesus. This is the “full armor of God” – but it is never too heavy or uncomfortable. Jesus’ love is easy to wear… and “one size fits all.”
Our pastor reminded us again yesterday that there is at least one broken heart on every pew. You may think you have problems… but wait until you hear the next guy’s! No one is immune to struggles and challenges. I have been asking God to reveal Himself to me and answer several questions… and this scripture popped up on my outline. In a word…God’s answer seems to be… “Love.” I’m not talking “pie-in-the-sky-let’s-just-love-everybody-and-all-will-be-well” love. I’m talking 1 Corinthians 13 love. And there is a difference.
In this passage, Paul isn’t telling us that a “peace-and-love-mumu-type-love” from the 1970s will make everything okay. He is saying that the love of Christ is our “one-size-fits-all” garment… because this love has many facets. The love Paul speaks of is patient, kind, calm and enduring. So when you are struggling in a relationship with another person – friend, family member, co-worker, classmate or teacher, significant other, or even a fellow believer… remember to put on your “love robe.” When you have challenges of any kind, don’t forget to put on your “raincoat” of kind, humble, self-less, trusting, optimistic, persistent love. Even though others give up on you and your relationship... God never gives up. He keeps on loving… and so should we.
This does not mean that we allow others to walk over us… or that we look the other way when there is injustice or disobedience. But we are called to handle every situation with the love of Christ. Sure… there will be times when you are angry, frustrated, insulted, and deeply wounded. You may be the person on the pew with a broken heart! But the love of Christ is what will sustain you… and you must never stop extending that love to others. I’ve talked to God a lot lately about how hard this is… how I often find it difficult to be a loving disciple when what I really want to do is yell, kick and scream! And each time, I hear Him saying… “Now you know how I feel most of the time!” And I am truly humbled.
I feel so shrouded in the protective love of God… covered by the “robe” of Jesus’ grace, mercy, kindness and forgiveness. I know that God has a closet full of “robes” that He wants to distribute to others… and we are the vehicle for this circulation. How are you doing? Are you fully operating in 1 Corinthians 13 love? Does the love of Christ fit you like a silken, flowing robe that never binds, creeps, crawls or itches? What are you wearing these days? Do you need to make a “wardrobe change?”
©2013 Debbie Robus
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
The quote for this date in my desktop flip calendar came from the late Gilda Radner… “I base my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch.” I like that… and I would add, “…or cinch me too tightly, creep or crawl!” The truth is that our lives are filled with “itchy, scratchy, creeping, crawly, too-tight situations”… and not just in our fashions! The only “garment” that will always fit is the “robe” of love in Christ Jesus. This is the “full armor of God” – but it is never too heavy or uncomfortable. Jesus’ love is easy to wear… and “one size fits all.”
Our pastor reminded us again yesterday that there is at least one broken heart on every pew. You may think you have problems… but wait until you hear the next guy’s! No one is immune to struggles and challenges. I have been asking God to reveal Himself to me and answer several questions… and this scripture popped up on my outline. In a word…God’s answer seems to be… “Love.” I’m not talking “pie-in-the-sky-let’s-just-love-everybody-and-all-will-be-well” love. I’m talking 1 Corinthians 13 love. And there is a difference.
In this passage, Paul isn’t telling us that a “peace-and-love-mumu-type-love” from the 1970s will make everything okay. He is saying that the love of Christ is our “one-size-fits-all” garment… because this love has many facets. The love Paul speaks of is patient, kind, calm and enduring. So when you are struggling in a relationship with another person – friend, family member, co-worker, classmate or teacher, significant other, or even a fellow believer… remember to put on your “love robe.” When you have challenges of any kind, don’t forget to put on your “raincoat” of kind, humble, self-less, trusting, optimistic, persistent love. Even though others give up on you and your relationship... God never gives up. He keeps on loving… and so should we.
This does not mean that we allow others to walk over us… or that we look the other way when there is injustice or disobedience. But we are called to handle every situation with the love of Christ. Sure… there will be times when you are angry, frustrated, insulted, and deeply wounded. You may be the person on the pew with a broken heart! But the love of Christ is what will sustain you… and you must never stop extending that love to others. I’ve talked to God a lot lately about how hard this is… how I often find it difficult to be a loving disciple when what I really want to do is yell, kick and scream! And each time, I hear Him saying… “Now you know how I feel most of the time!” And I am truly humbled.
I feel so shrouded in the protective love of God… covered by the “robe” of Jesus’ grace, mercy, kindness and forgiveness. I know that God has a closet full of “robes” that He wants to distribute to others… and we are the vehicle for this circulation. How are you doing? Are you fully operating in 1 Corinthians 13 love? Does the love of Christ fit you like a silken, flowing robe that never binds, creeps, crawls or itches? What are you wearing these days? Do you need to make a “wardrobe change?”
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 5, 2012
Colossians 3:12-14
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My closet is probably a lot like most people’s… overflowing with garments for all kinds of occasions. And yet, I seem to wear the same things over and again. I bet if you were honest, you would have to admit that you have things you wear occasionally that you don’t even really like all that much. They don’t make you feel good about yourself... something isn’t quite right. Maybe the garment is too tight – or too loose. Maybe it’s the wrong color, out of style, or starting to show some wear. Conversely, you most likely have at least one item you can reach for that always makes you feel happy and ready to greet the world.
Our attitudes… and our Christian faith… are something like our wardrobe. God has given us all new “Spiritual clothing.” When we wear His garments, we always feel good… and our attitudes reflect this. We are especially happy and well-prepared for the challenges of the world when we put on love.
But sometimes, we drag out old “clothes” that don’t fit right or suit us… offense, unkindness, a quick temper, gossip, foul language, bigotry, and more. Let’s be honest, none of these “garments” are pretty on anybody!
I would suggest that we all consider a good closet cleaning. Sure… we may need to do this to our actual closets, too. But I’m talking about our “Spiritual closet.” Let’s take a really hard look at what is in our wardrobe and weed out anything that wasn’t placed there by God. Let’s dress in the beautiful “garments” He has provided… and be sure to wear love every day! I’m fairly certain our overall attitude will improve… and others will notice! Better yet, God will be pleased… and He will reward our efforts to “dress for Spiritual success.”
When was the last time you cleaned YOUR closet? Don’t you think you should?
©2012 Debbie Robus
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My closet is probably a lot like most people’s… overflowing with garments for all kinds of occasions. And yet, I seem to wear the same things over and again. I bet if you were honest, you would have to admit that you have things you wear occasionally that you don’t even really like all that much. They don’t make you feel good about yourself... something isn’t quite right. Maybe the garment is too tight – or too loose. Maybe it’s the wrong color, out of style, or starting to show some wear. Conversely, you most likely have at least one item you can reach for that always makes you feel happy and ready to greet the world.
Our attitudes… and our Christian faith… are something like our wardrobe. God has given us all new “Spiritual clothing.” When we wear His garments, we always feel good… and our attitudes reflect this. We are especially happy and well-prepared for the challenges of the world when we put on love.
But sometimes, we drag out old “clothes” that don’t fit right or suit us… offense, unkindness, a quick temper, gossip, foul language, bigotry, and more. Let’s be honest, none of these “garments” are pretty on anybody!
I would suggest that we all consider a good closet cleaning. Sure… we may need to do this to our actual closets, too. But I’m talking about our “Spiritual closet.” Let’s take a really hard look at what is in our wardrobe and weed out anything that wasn’t placed there by God. Let’s dress in the beautiful “garments” He has provided… and be sure to wear love every day! I’m fairly certain our overall attitude will improve… and others will notice! Better yet, God will be pleased… and He will reward our efforts to “dress for Spiritual success.”
When was the last time you cleaned YOUR closet? Don’t you think you should?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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