Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

Reputed Saint

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When teaching me about preserving a good reputation, my mother used to tell me, “Whatever you do, be able to look at yourself in the mirror in the morning.” This was her way of saying that I shouldn’t be ashamed to face myself, that I should accept whatever my life reflects to me and others. I used my mom’s mirror barometer for most of my life until a bad decision resulted in an unforeseen consequence for me, and I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror, and I wondered what others would think of me. I was ashamed of who I was and didn’t want to see myself. This didn’t change until I looked into a different mirror, the mirror of God’s word:

“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” Romans 1:23-25.

I wanted the reflection of my life to show that I saw my flaws and worked to fix them and that I avoided self-imposed standards because the barometer for my reputation was the mirror of God’s word. Doing so would garner me a good reputation, one that could tell other Christians, as the Apostle Paul did, “follow me as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). I wanted people to know that I was obeying God rather than man (Acts 5:29) so even non-believers in Jesus Christ would glorify God in the end (1 Peter 2:12).

God calls us to seek a good reputation, not for money and material items or popularity but so we will be a great example for other Christians and those outside the faith. This seeking is about God’s kingdom. We have to stop being concerned about whether we like what our personal mirrors reflect and allow the Bible to be the mirror that we use.

Copyright 2009 by Rhonda J. Smith

Lead & Follow Hard

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If you think it’s hard thinking about working hard so you can be pure and blameless upon Jesus’ return, try thinking about Jesus while engaged in everyday responsibilities. I’m not talking about the old cliché “What Would Jesus Do?” I’m talking about the Scriptures that command what your standard behavior should be when you work for and supervise others.

Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons (Colossians 3:22-25).

A similar scripture passage in Ephesians (6:9) includes how masters should treat their servants, but I want to revisit the scripture that I used in my last entry:

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds (Proverbs 27:23).

We see that whether you are working for someone or supervising someone, you are commanded to be selfless. Yes, there are great personal benefits for working hard, as we saw last time, but these scriptures show that keeping others in mind should be our focus: our supervisors, our subordinates and, above all, Jesus to help us do the right thing with both groups.

So the next time you want to sigh about your boss’ request, ask yourself would you sigh at Jesus. Or when you want to just sit your ADD son in front of the television instead of engaging him in a calming activity so you can have time to yourself, ask yourself 1) is watching TV doing him (or you) any good and 2) would you leave Jesus to Himself while you took care of personal pleasures.

What we see is that the Bible considers a hard worker as one who works at things they desire to do AND one who works hard to do the right thing even when they don’t want to (1 Peter 2:13-19). Working hard to please God and not man (even you) is the righteous standard. This is not always easy, but because God requires it and has given us His Holy Spirit, His requirement is more than fair; in actuality it should be a cinch. I don’t know about you, but I had to say ‘ouch’ to that.

Copyright 2009 by Rhonda J. Smith

Working Hard for Jesus?

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“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace” 1 Peter 3:14

How many of us have this as a theme scripture for our lives? Really, how many of us seek to work hard so that we can be undefiled, blameless and at peace upon Jesus’ return? For most of us it’s “work hard to get that pay check” or we do so for a personal sense of pride. I don’t think many of us are thinking about Christ’s return when we go to work every day, when we work on that special project or even when we are raising our children. Our minds may be far from Scripture when we go about our routine tasks even though the Bible tells us of other reasons we should work hard:

1. He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (Proverbs 10:4).

2. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute (Proverbs 12:24).

3. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and [hath] nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat (Proverbs 13:4).

4. The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want (Proverbs 21:5).

5. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men] (Proverbs 22:29).

6. Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds (Proverbs 27:23).

Being rich, in charge, and otherwise prosperous (1-5) are great benefits for us being hard workers, but we are also required to work hard for the benefit of others, as item six tells us: We should work hard to know how well those we are given charge over are faring and to do what we can to help them. We shouldn’t work hard just to reap earthly benefits but so that Jesus will find us the way He expects upon His return for us. This is the great challenge for us but one with an understanding of Scripture that will be easier to achieve.

Copyright by Rhonda J. Smith

10 Physical Grooming Tips

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Being well-groomed for God must start with a spirit that’s well-groomed. So if we want to reflect godliness in our look, we have to first have godliness in our heart. Always know that whatever actions we have come from what’s in our heart. Once we get our hearts together, we must make it our business to be well-groomed physically. I have listed 10 tips to help you get started or to reinforce your focus:

1. Pray that God will give you balance. Remember you want to be well-groomed, not for self-adulation but for God’s glorification.
2. Shop at high-quality discount stores. You can have high quality looks without high quality prices. Don’t ever forget stores like Marshall’s and TJ Maxx.
3. Buy from consignment shops. When you can’t afford to buy new, even at a discount store, consignment shops are a good option. These are typically better versions of run of the mill resale shops; donors get paid for the clothing they give to consignment shops so to get the most money for their wares, they usually make sure to offer high quality clothing still in good condition.
4. Swap clothes with friends. Whether you trade clothes because your sizes have changed or you borrow an item to add to your look, friends can be good options when you don’t have time or money to shop.
5. Use coupons. These can be a hassle for me because of the time it takes to get them. But the time to buy a newspaper, check a website or ask for in-store coupons is worth the savings.
6. Care for items. Clean them immediately. Don’t allow stains to set or they may be permanent. Dirty wool attracts moths, thus holes. Also to prevent moth attacks, use cedar chips or wood hangers to avoid the smell of moth balls. Replace buttons. Repair holes. Use a lint brush and shaver.
7. Buy classic pieces. These are items that don’t go out of style, like a white shirt, dark suit, black dress and loafers. Make sure they are well made (i.e., stitching is strong) and you purchase clothing in good fabrics, like wool gabardine, silk and cotton. If you build your wardrobe on trends and not classics, you’re likely to have to change your wardrobe instead of simply updating it a bit.
8. Mix and match. Don’t wear the same shirt with the same skirt all the time. Change the shirt; add a blazer. Wear a hat. Add different color hosiery. Do something to give an old outfit a new twist.
9. Consult professionals or stylish friends for ideas. If you don’t have a clue about what I said in the previous items or you just don’t know how to put your look together once you follow the tips, get help. We all have a friend or know someone who is always well-groomed and stylish. If you don’t, check out fashion websites that have great tips. One is Possess Your Style by my childhood friend and always fashion forward Kalyn Johnson.
10. Always remember, your look is not for you but it is to attract people to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are His representatives. Let’s represent Him well.

Copyright 2009 by Rhonda J. Smith

Spiritual Grooming Tips

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When I attended a fundamentalist church, the women were required to wear head coverings. Most women wore lace doilies but being the quasi-fashion conscious maven I am, I refused. I bought a number of stylish hats so that I could be in compliance with the practice and not compromise my look. But many Sundays not compromising my look cost me time; I would build my outfits around a hat or search for the perfect hat to match my outfit. My focus was off. I wanted to get glory for my look instead of seeking to give God glory for following the standards set in that house (1 Corinthians 11:3-16). So please understand that I am well aware how we can easily be drawn into vanity when trying to give God glory. I think a look at 1 Peter 3:3-4 and Isaiah 3:16-4:1 will help us have balance.

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is incorruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:3-4). This scripture teaches that a woman’s focus should be on a heart (mind, will and emotions) that strives to express meekness and quietness. Meekness acknowledges that someone has power but that she has it under control and quietness suggests tranquility, that she shows no signs of anxiety or agitation; she is composed. So in addition to striving to be neat and clean a woman must strive to be meek and quiet. Her appearance and attitude should reflect a heart that doesn’t need to take physical control or express that she is upset because she was unable to take physical control. As we know, some Christians have misappropriated this scripture, requiring women to be homely, forcing them to be ascetics. Others have suggested that these verses are passe’ but these people are in danger of being like the Israelite women in Isaiah 3:16-4:1.

The Lord said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; the signet rings and nose rings; the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils. Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty. Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle. And her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground. And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.”

If we don’t seek balance, we end up homely, threatening to repel people from us and God or we end up flashy, being a hindrance for people’s true salvation and shaming God. To have balance, we must ask ourselves questions: Why am I wearing this? Why do I want to wear this? Why am I not satisfied wearing this? How does dressing like this make me feel? How does dressing like this make me act? Who will get the glory from me wearing this? Does wearing this make me look homely? Would wearing this make me act haughty? Once we can be honest with ourselves we are able to make the necessary adjustments so our look reflects godliness and a woman striving only to give Jesus Christ glory.

Copyright 2009 by Rhonda J. Smith