Clothed with christ

Week Thirty-Three, 2020

What Uniform Do You Wear?

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14

Clark Kent puts on his cape and Superman suit. Bruce Wayne puts on his Batman cowl and cape. Our military heroes put on their uniforms and body armor. Policemen and Firemen put on their uniforms. Doctors and nurses have their uniforms. In sports we have Practice Uniforms and Game Uniforms

The average Joe Citizen may wear a business suit and tie, or casual shirt and khakis, or whatever the uniform of the day may be. While Ms. Jo Citizen will likely wear similarly styled apparel appropriate as her uniform of the day for her work environment.

Every day, we wake and put on our uniform of the day and go. Whether we are stay at home parents or top executives, or fall somewhere in between, we each have our uniform of the day. We put it on, and we go and work.

But, in Romans and in Ephesians, we’re reminded to “Put on the Lord”, reminded to put on the “Full Armor” of God. For our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Knowing this, why would we ever rise in the morning and not put on our uniform… not put on the Lord along with His full armor so that we are ready for the day, and ready for battle?

We’re directed to put on the Lord and the Full Armor of God… reminded to take up our cross and follow Jesus… reminded to glorify God in all that we do and say, even as we prepare for battle against the enemy, prepare to battle our own flesh and earthly desires.

What if Batman went without his cowl or the Lone Ranger without his mask? Then, they were just another man and their weaknesses became abundantly apparent to their enemies.

Much the same can be said of us when we leave behind the Full Armor of God… when we fail to put on the Lord.

Always make sure that you are wrapped in the full armor of God as you begin each day. Marty Stubblefield.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

If you’re feeling stressed this morning, know that you’re not alone. A recent General Social Survey shows that just 14 percent of American adults say they’re very happy, down from 31 percent who said the same two years ago. That year, 23 percent said they had often or sometimes felt isolated in recent weeks. Now, 50 percent say that.

In total, fewer Americans are likely to call themselves happy than at any point since the survey began in 1972. The study aligns with research analyzing words on Twitter, which reported that Americans’ happiness in recent weeks was the lowest ever recorded.

According to a new report by the American Psychological Association, more than 70 percent of Americans say this is the lowest point in US history they can remember. And the percentage of Americans who are “extremely proud” of their country has fallen to 21 percent, the lowest since Gallup began measuring this sentiment in 2001.

— o —

“So, don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:31-33

What is your primary concern? Safety? Food? Shelter? Security? Tomorrow? Is the Kingdom of God my primary concern or is everything else primary? Are all these other concerns and worries and pressures of the moment what I primarily live for and/or live to resolve, or is it the Lord first and foremost?

Where does Jesus really fit in my personal order of importance?

— o —

From Facebook, launched in 2004, to other platforms like Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Tik-Tok, it is estimated that over one billion people use social media in some form.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Whenever you stop being thankful in your spirit, you begin to push God to the perimeter of your life. David Jeremiah

The courage to continue is what distinguishes success from failure. Winston Churchill

Would you ask your Father to make you more like his Son than ever before? Jim Denison

Our eternity somewhere, is determined by our choice today. Scott Whitaker

First, we form habits, then they form us. Ron Gilbert

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant. Robert Louis Stevenson

Do we trust God enough to wait patiently for Him to bring good out of bad situations? Marty Stubblefield