Category Archives: Dignity

But We’ve Always Done It??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #353

01 Sunday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Deniable Truth? Really?, Dignity, Discernment, Distractions, Do all things decently, Do You See What God Sees?, Faithful, Faithful Father--heavenly and earthly, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithfulness, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, How much goodness is enough?, Modesty

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But We’ve Always Done It???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #353

“Charity suffereth long,

and is kind;

charity envieth not;

charity vaunteth not itself,

is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly,

seeketh not her own,

is not easily provoked,

thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity,

but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things,

believeth all things,

hopeth all things,

endureth all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 From the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul’s great treatise about love/charity, where we see not only the attributes of God’s love, but how God’s love is to be reflected in our lives.  Yet the thing I want us to consider today is the message that real love, God’s love, “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth”!  We are to stand for truth in all our ways, yet living and speaking it with love, compassion, and integrity.

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, even Christ:”  Ephesians 4:14-15

We must share truth, whether or not it is well received; our task is to preach, teach and live Jesus before a lost and dying world, even when we aren’t applauded or sometimes not even liked.  But we are to recognize that rejection isn’t necessarily failure, and there are those from whom we are to walk away when they don’t receive the message.  Jesus’ words not just mine.

“Give not that which is holy

unto the dogs,

neither cast ye your pearls

before swine,

lest they trample them under their feet,

and turn again and rend you.”  Matthew 7:6

“Behold,

I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:

be ye therefore wise as serpents,

and harmless as doves.”  Matthew 10:16

Jesus never sugar-coated following Him, but He called us to be wise—to be aware that not everyone is nice—to be discreet and discerning in all of our dealings, for we live in a lost world where we are to be a light in the darkness, and Jesus even told us about the darkness, as we live in a day of darkness and evil on every hand; a day in which even those who claim to be believers in Jesus, think it’s okay to behave, dress, act, and entertain ourselves like the world does.  We have forgotten the admonitions to “be ye holy, for I am holy”! (See 1 Peter 1:16)

“I will therefore that men pray every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.

9 In like manner also,

that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,

with shamefacedness and sobriety;

not with broided hair,

or gold,

or pearls,

or costly array;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness)

with good works.”  1 Timothy 2:8-10

Paul instructed Timothy to teach men and women to live what they profess, with prayer, holiness, and free from anger and doubts, that even our apparel should not be a distraction to others or from Jesus’ truth!  This seems to be a message that we have missed today, for there was a time when people knew the difference between modest and immodest—between tastefully modest and total exposure.  We are to be known for our good works and godly life not our skin show!  Just because it’s “fashionable” doesn’t mean it reflects godliness. Our speech is to reflect the God we serve not the gutter of this world.

“I have written unto you, fathers,

because ye have known him

that is from the beginning.

I have written unto you, young men,

because ye are strong,

and the word of God abideth in you,

and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away,

and the lust thereof:

but he that doeth the will of God

 abideth for ever.”  1 John 2:14-17

James also had much to say about the world and its effect upon our lives, may we take heed to his warnings.  Just because everyone else is doing it (even those who claim the name of Jesus) I must know God’s Word and what it calls me to be, to do, in being a faithful witness of my Lord!

“Let no man say when he is tempted,

I am tempted of God:

for God cannot be tempted with evil,

neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted,

when he is drawn away of his own lust,

and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived,

it bringeth forth sin:

and sin, when it is finished,

bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us

with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits

of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man

be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.”  James 1:13-20

James chapter 4 is where the rubber meets the road (as we would say!). May The Word do its work to lead us to be conformed into the image of Jesus instead of the world.

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”   James 4:4-8

In closing one of my favorite passages of direction, may it speak to you today as The Word does its work!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God

hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.”   Romans 12:1-3

Let’s be sure that we are being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and The Word, and not conformed to the world!

Amen and Amen!!!

Examples Of Godly Character!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #215

01 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Boldness without arrogance., Broad road or the Straight Gate?, Changed Lives, Dignity, Diligence, Discernment, Discipline, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Fearlessness, Godly Character, Godly Wisdom, Many or Few?

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Examples Of Godly Character??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #215

One of my favorite characters in the scripture is Daniel, who not only came out of the lion’s den unscathed, but he also served God and man with honor, wisdom, discretion, and dignity; so I’d like to consider some of the evidence of his character from the book which bears his name.  Character which I think we can pursue to emulate!

“Now among these were of the children of Judah,

Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah:

7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs

gave names:

for he gave

unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar;

and to Hananiah, of Shadrach;

and to Mishael, of Meshach;

and to Azariah, of Abednego.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God had brought Daniel

 into favour and tender love

with the prince of the eunuchs.”  Daniel 1:6-9

Here we find this amazing teenager who has been taken captive, brought to a faraway land to serve a pagan king, behaving with a genuine devotion to God Almighty and willing to take a stand—but not a fit-throwing stand—but a stand with respect for those in authority over him, he “requested” permission to be excused from the King’s ordered diet to honor his God.  Oh, that we could learn from Daniel to be respectful, honorable, and humbly submitted to those in authority, even when we disagree.  We have obviously created a culture of what I think is responding to misbehavior, just to have peace and quiet (so to speak), and it makes me sad.  Daniel shows us how to be faithful to our God without acting like a spoiled child.  Daniel stood with dignity, respect and I believe humility as he asked to be allowed to have a special diet—a simple one not something extravagant or unreasonable.

God was already working on behalf of Daniel and his friends and had given them favor with the one directly over them, and yet when this official was fearful to give Daniel an exemption of different food than the king had commanded, Daniel went respectfully to the next higher official and offered him an alternative to endangering their lives in changing the king’s order.

“Then said Daniel to Melzar,

whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee,

ten days;

and let them give us pulse to eat,

and water to drink.

13 Then let our countenances be looked upon

before thee,

and the countenance of the children that eat

of the portion of the king’s meat:

and as thou seest,

deal with thy servants.

14 So he consented to them in this matter,

and proved them ten days.

15 And at the end of ten days

their countenances

appeared fairer and fatter in flesh

than all the children which did eat

the portion of the king’s meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink;

and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children,

God gave them

knowledge and skill

in all learning and wisdom:

and Daniel had understanding

in all visions and dreams.”  Daniel 1:11-17

How sad that we don’t have people in our government with this kind of skill in diplomacy!  It breaks my heart that we seem to have only extremists (on both sides) and very few, if any, real diplomats—diplomacy is a skill that is so needed in our culture and our world—prayer and personal obedience is the only key that I can find to resolve the needs in our world!  May we be faithful “pray-ers”!

Yet consider Daniel, he offers himself and his friends to be tested and let God’s power, provision and work be made manifest.  We are often so busy promoting our own agenda, that we don’t give God the opportunity to shine through our humble obedience with Daniel-like diplomacy and faith!  It saddens me when I hear songs, and messages calling for real spiritual revival with “shouting, handclapping, and other physically obvious indicators” while leaving unmentioned the fact that real heaven-sent, Holy Ghost revival starts on our knees, in personal repentance, tears of regret and a heart that is willing to let God “show me” what I need to repent of as I seek to yield to HIM!  Oh, my friend, let’s seek our God on our knees with an open heart to HIS revelation of our own needs before we can meet other’s needs!

Read this passage again and notice all that God did for these faithful, bold yet humble young men!  They said (in Blanche’s paraphrase), test us for ten days, and give us just plain food and water to drink, and then judge with your own eyes how we fair compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food and drink.  Oh, my friends, this isn’t giving us a “Daniel Diet”, but revealing four young men of faith, stepping out in faith, trusting to their God to use their faithfulness to display His power.  And remember they were among a group of young Jewish captives of maybe 50-100 young men, yet we only see these four stand up for God’s ways!  We won’t be in the majority when we follow God.  Jesus makes that clear in Matthew 7.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

 and few there be that find it.”   Matthew 7:13-14

We must dig into God’s Word to be able to recognize the “strait gate”, for there are many today that are painting signs that “say” “strait gate”, but if you look around and compare what they are teaching to God’s Word, you’ll find that you are on the wrong road.  We need to be consciously choosing the way that leads to life, not the road that the “many” are taking that leads to destruction.  If you find that something draws a great crowd of “many”, you may need to investigate what they are purporting!  Don’t be misled by the size of the crowd.  Daniel and his three friends are the only ones that God records for us who were faithful in the midst of overwhelming temptation.  What are you standing on?  God’s Word or sinking sand?  Are you running with the many or the truthful few?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.  And Daniel and his friends passed their test.  Look how God showed up and showed Himself faithful and able!  Is your God able?  If you want to see “able” read these first six chapters of Daniel.  But for now ponder the results of the faithfulness of these four young men!  WOW!  Our God is able and faithful.  Then at the end of their three-year training program did God ever show Himself faithful—and if you take the time to read these first six chapters I think you will be amazed, humbled as well as finding yourself desiring to draw near to this God!

“And at the end of ten days

their countenances appeared

fairer and fatter in flesh

than all the children

which did eat the portion

of the king’s meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat,

and the wine that they should drink;

and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children,

God gave them knowledge and skill

in all learning

and wisdom:

and Daniel had understanding

in all visions and dreams.

18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said

he should bring them in,

then the prince of the eunuchs

brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 And the king communed with them;

and among them all

was found none like

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding,

that the king enquired of them,

he found them ten times better

than all the magicians and astrologers

that were in all his realm.”   Daniel 1:15-20

Oh, my what a mighty God we serve!  Do you know Him?  If not, you can, by repenting of your sin and trusting in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—yours and mine!  Then the blood of Jesus can and will transform you into His child.  He came to give us life!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

 and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Dignity Or Dishonor??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 03

11 Sunday Feb 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Dignity, Dishonor, I Can Do All Things?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, The Only Way, Thy Kingdom Come, Trials, Vision

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.03 Dignity Or Dishonor???

 

Dignity: “bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of a situation or occasion…”

Antonyms of Dignity: “dishonor, indecency, bad manners, worthlessness….”

Dishonor: “lack or loss of honor; disgraceful or dishonest character or conduct… a cause of shame or disgrace….”

We hear a lot these days about dignity or the lack of it around us, particularly in the public arena, and while it is often connected with ‘pomp’ or ‘ceremony’, it is also something that we ought to practice in our everyday living. One of the songs that I sing regularly in my private time with God (And yes I think singing is a wonderful way to worship God privately as well as corporately—it’s amazing what singing privately to God will do to create an atmosphere of intimacy with HIM!) has a verse I’d like us to consider today; “Be Thou My Vision”, by Dallon Forgaill.

“Be Thou my battle Shield,

Sword for the fight;


Be Thou my Dignity,

Thou my Delight;


Thou my soul’s Shelter,

Thou my high Tower:


Raise Thou me heavenward,

O Power of my power.”

The first two verses talk about God being our “vision” and our “wisdom” and then it comes to this third verse and talks about God being not only our “vision”—how I see and look at things; and our “wisdom”—the truth of the “Word” put into action in our daily lives; bur also when we come to the third verse we can call on God to “be” our “battle Shield” and our “Sword for the fight”! Like Paul mentions in his call to take up the “armor of God” in Ephesians 6, we are in a spiritual battle whether we realize it or not. There is an enemy of our souls who desires to destroy our usefulness to God—but when we put on the armor of God we have the Spiritual power to live abundant life through Jesus!!!

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves

and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.” John 10:7-11

Jesus came to give “eternal life” to those who will come to Him in repentance and faith, and He said that He would not only give us “life”, but that we would “have it more abundantly”! Amen! Life that’s all about Jesus—not about me! He is the One who supplies our every need, and without Him we are working in fleshly vanity. Paul helps us understand that we must lean on Jesus, to walk “in the Spirit” not the flesh!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh……..

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”    Galatians 5:16 & 25

Walking in the Spirit is where our victory is, because we are His and He is ours, but we must take up our armor and walk in HIS power, not our own! Jesus clearly calls us to “abide” in HIM!!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken

unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch

cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”    John 15:1-5

Pretty plain isn’t it? Jesus said, “without me ye can do nothing”, and yet there is a reverse side to this equation that Paul boldly proclaimed to the Philippians.

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”    Philippians 4:12-13

I can—but only “through Christ”–not on my own! And that is the whole idea behind the third verse of the song that I shared earlier, Jesus will be our “Battle shield”, and when He is my Lord and my defender, He will “Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight”, because HE is my all in all! Apart from Him, I can do nothing, but in, through and by HIM; I can do anything He calls me to do. I thank HIM for His faithful provision when those trials and difficult times come—and they will come, they do come; but our God is always faithful to the task! And when we “walk in the Spirit” we will find victory in HIM!!! Always! Even when it doesn’t look like we think it ought to look—remember it’s about Jesus, not me! “Thy Kingdom come….Thy will be done…”

“And have put on the new man,

which is renewed

in knowledge

after the image of him

that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew,

circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian,

bond nor free:

but Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:10-11

It is by His life in me that I can live victoriously—and for Him to live, I must die to “self”—each day, every day, just as Paul testified to the Galatians so long ago—true then—still true now!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”     Galatians 2:20

As I learn to walk with The Lord Jesus, yielding to His Spirit, resting in His grace and provision, trusting to His care; then I can truly learn to rely upon Him who “is all, and in all”! In Him I can find the strength and courage to respond to trials with dignity and not dishonor—dishonor to my Lord, or those to whom I am to be a witness and reflection of the glory of Jesus. And as that third verse of our song says, we can truly proclaim to the world that we desire HIM to:

“Be Thou my vision…….

Be Thou my wisdom……

Be Thou my battle Shield,

Sword for the fight;


Be Thou my Dignity,

Thou my Delight;


Thou my soul’s Shelter,

Thou my high Tower:


Raise Thou me heavenward,

O Power of my power.”

The “Power of my power”, the One who gives that victory, is also my:

 battle Shield—

Sword—

Dignity—

Delight—

Shelter—

Tower—

Power!

The choice is yours—will you walk in victory with Jesus, and reflect His power and Dignity to the world? Or will you go your own way and find that you’re wallowing in dishonor and disgrace? Jesus is calling—will you respond to His call? Questions only you can answer. But remember there is a test at the end!

“Behold, I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!

#4 Of The 5 “D”s Of Readiness???Bible Ballistics: BBs #663

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in A Father's Love, Decency, Dignity, God's love, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #633   #4 Of The 5 “D”s Of Readiness???

An Edited Repost of Bible Ballistics: BBs #14\

 

As we discuss this 4th of our 5 D’s, Decency, (Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence) what does it really mean? A big question in our culture.

Decency– “Behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability; modesty and propriety”.

For our purposes, “God’s standard, and Biblical respectability”.  Because we are called to live ready for the return of our Lord, ‘decency’ is imperative.  Our behavior is to “conform” to God’s standard.  Remember what Paul reminds us of:

“And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed 

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, 

will of God.”   Romans 12:2

I know we’ve used this verse a lot lately, but I believe it is one we need to keep before us, as ‘conformity’ seems to be the order of the day for most in our culture, our world.  Yet we need to remember we are called to be ‘non-conformists’ in regard to the world’s ways, but rather evidence of God’s transforming work before a lost and dying world (which by the way, isn’t our home)!

As Paul told the church at Corinth:

“Let all things be done decently 

and in order.”  1 Cor. 14:40

Simply stated, in context, this refers to the use of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, but it also has a general application to our individual daily lives.  We are called to practice ‘decency’:

in all that we do;

wherever we are,

to every one,

all the time!!!

A seemingly small order but a big demand.  It means I must think about my actions—all of them —moment by moment, Biblically!!!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Yet we will only succeed in this challenge as we pursue the “mind of Christ Jesus” as Paul instructed us in his letter to the Philippians.

“Look not every man

on his own things,

but every man also

on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery

to be equal with God:

7 But made himself

of no reputation,

and took upon him

the form of a servant,

and was made

in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient

unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also

hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”    Philippians 2:4-11 

All because “God so loved” me, how can I do less than reflect His love and character to all, and in all I do.  May my life be a testimony of the life-changing redemption of Jesus my Lord; as I behave with decency, considering my love for HIM, and the effect it may have on others….   Love always affects others—God’s love that is!!!  

So?  Keep looking up. Remember the acrostic

J-Jesus (died for me)

O-Others (need to see HIM)

Y-You (are His messenger to the world)!

Simple but profound.  Amen and Amen!!!