Presentable

 Happy Sunday!

"So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re PRESENTABLE inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He ALWAYS keeps his Word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."(Hebrews 10:22-25, Message).

Life is precious.  Time is valuable.  As we are becoming more like Christ, we must remember to be wise in our dealings.   We are representing our Father, God!  My daughters enjoyed the Disney movie, Mulan.  I have never watched it but I'm familiar with the theme and many of the quotes from the movie because we jokingly repeat them.  One quote we frequently use is, "Dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow, dishonor on your whole family!"  We use it when someone does something that we don't approve of.  But think about it. There was a time when our parents would warn us about going out in public and embarrassing the family!   We cared about having a good family name.  We realized that we were representing our family!  How much more should we work to represent Jesus Christ? Proverbs 22:1 says, "Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold."(NLT).

Dr. Bill Winston told a story about a guest minister arriving at the airport in another city. He waited for an hour, then called the church.  The pastor assured him the driver was already at the airport to pick him up.  Another hour passed, and a man walked up to the guest minister.  He asked if he was the man. The guest minister replied, and asked what took so long.  The driver replied, "You don't look like your picture!"  The guest minister had provided a photo that was many, many years old.   In this world of social media, and AI, where photos can be manipulated, do we look like our picture? 

As believers, do we look like the picture painted of us in the Word of God?  Are we always triumphing?(2 Corinthians 2:14).  Are we always abounding, do we always have sufficiency in all things?(2 Corinthians 9:8).  Are we in health, and prospering in every area of our lives?(3 John 2).  Are we bold as a lion?(Proverbs 28:1).  Are we the lenders and not the borrowers?(Proverbs 22:7).  Do we have an excellent spirit, are we 10 times better than our co-workers?(Daniel 5:12, 6:3).  Are we a Blessing to those around us and those we meet?(Genesis 12:2).   Do we Love our enemies, bless them that curse us, do good to them that hate us, and pray for them which despitefully use us, and persecute us?(Matthew 5:44).  Ouch!  If you are like me, there is still more work to be done.

Love and prayers, Cynthia