The Benefits of Modesty

 

Let’s face it, Modesty is not a popular subject, but it is one that is one the Bible addresses. Even in the Old Testament God commanded the priests to make no stairs up onto His altar because He didn’t want the priest’s nakedness to be seen. Imagine what this really means. The priests’ garment reached to their ankles so there would be very little skin showing in this instance. (See Exodus 20:26)

I am not saying that we need to wear our clothes down to the ankles nor live under the regulations of the law. If we live according to the law of love, we will also live a modest lifestyle.

Benefits of Modesty:

1. We all know that there is great virtue in obeying the Word of God. Although I know that modesty is not is not a subject that is readily addressed, it is a step in obedience to Scriptural commands. II Timothy 2:9 commands women to be dressed in modest apparel. Obedience to God’s will leads to His peace.

2. Modesty leads to a clear conscience. My husband says that if a woman dresses indecently she may well be seductive to those around her. Therefore if she dresses as women who profess to be Godly she will have a conscience free of offense.

3. Modesty shows respect to God, to self and to others. In Colossians 3:17 the apostle Paul commands us to do all we do in the Name of Jesus Christ. He says that everything we say and everything we do needs to be for God’s glory.

4. Modesty helps prevent the fear of rape. I John :15-17 lists three things that are in the world (which will pass away). They are:

The lust of the flesh

The lust of the eyes

The pride of life

The immodest person dresses according to what their flesh lusts after, the eyes of others lust after their fleshly lusts. Modesty helps prevent the fear of rape or extra-marital sex.

5. Modesty can also help prevent our legalistic brethren from stumbling. We are not to use our liberty as an occasion to please our flesh.

There are also other benefits to being modest. It can help secure the marriage relationships. It can help prevent jealousy and it leaves a good example to the generations coming after us.

Perhaps you can come up with your own thoughts on modesty. I would love to see your comments.

Next time: What is modesty?

The Amish and Legalism

Having been raised in a strict Amish home, I was also raised with the bondage of legalism. I was afraid of almost everything. I was afraid of being rejected, of saying the wrong things, of doing something that would break the church rules and my list went on and on.

The way we dressed was about the biggest factor. As the only Amish-clad child in a public school setting, I often wished to wear the lovely colors of pink, red and yellow the other girls wore. I longed to wear a skirt, blouse and matching sweater, but then felt guilty for wishing for something so worldly. 

The fact that I adhered to the church laws, rules and regulations, did not quiet the guilty conscience within me. The harder I tried to please those imposing the law brought me under more bondage of fear and depression. I missed many days of school due to my distraught attitude.

Today I am thankful for the revelation of Galatians 5:13 which tells us that we are called to liberty, but we are not to use our liberty for an occasion to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Romans 13:14 also commands us not to make provision for the flesh to fulfill its desires.

Let me ask you a question: In today’s world, when the designers of our clothes are coming up with new patterns, are they designing them to cover the body or to reveal as much shape and flesh as they can and still sell their product?

You already know what the answer is. Sensuality, lust and seduction are behind their efforts. Their evil minds are always conniving ways to allure their victims, be it youth or the aged. This trap is set to get the consumer to buy their less-than-modest apparel.  Clothing that show cracks in the behind and in the bodice tops are NOT modest.

Let me ask you another question: Does the professing Christian in the church world today really dress differently from those who don’t darken the doors of our churches?

Again, I believe you know the answer to that question.

So in conclusion I would like to make an appeal to everyone who professes to be a born again Christian to dress as one. I am not being legalistic here. I am standing up for modesty. I am appealing to those who see this and who can forward it, to not give the Amish more fuel for their legalistic philosophies which will lead them to a dark death of not knowing God’s love and grace.

Watch for my blog “The Benefits of Being Modest.”

Our Family in the 1960's

Our family all dressed up in our Sunday best.
taken in 1963
The Lord brought me up out of an horrible pit
 out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock
And established my going.
He has put a new song in my mouth
Even praise to our God
Many shall see it and fear
and trust in the Lord.
Taken from Psalm 0:2,3

That's me in the light blue

Faith Makes us Righteous

“It is a beautiful evening for a walk and if we get to the pastures early maybe your papa will have time to tell you a story.” Rachel tells her son, Joseph.

“I love Papa’s stories.Papa and his sheep are right over there. May I please run to him so he can gin his story?”

“I will run with you, Joseph!” Rachel answers.

Rachel hikes her long brightly colored skirt to her knees, and the two race across the distance as the horizon spreads an endless canvas of vivid pinks and lavenders high in the sky. The sight of his father energizes Joseph’s steps. As the two near the shepherd, it is easy to see he is also wearing his simlah, a sleeveless, loose-fitting robe. Joseph giggles at the sight, knowing that his father will toss him high into the air with those strong arms.

“Oh, Papa, Papa, we have come so you’ll tell me a story! Mama said we might have time for one.”

“What story would you like to hear?” Jacob asks, also being glad for someone to talk to.

“Tell me the story about my grandfather,” is Joseph’s ready response.

“I should have guessed the story you’d choose,” teases Jacob with delight as he tosses Joseph heavenward and catches him.

Knowing he is in for an eventful story, Joseph giggles as he settled onto a grassy spot left by the sheep.

“Come sit by me, my dear,” Jacob motions to a grassy spot as he starts his story.

“There are three important facts that you must remember as I tell you this story.

The first is that my grandfather heard God speak.

The second is that he obeyed the command of God.

The last is that God honored my grandfather’s faith and credited it to him for his righteousness. Do you know what righteousness is?”

Joseph is quiet for a moment as if in deep thought. “Didn’t you say that righteousness was like a robe that we put on by faith over our heart?” Joseph asks.

“Yes, son, when you put on your simlah, your shepherd’s robe, you use your hands to put it on. In the same way faith is a symbol of your hands and takes hold of righteousness to cover your heart,” Jacob explains. “Because we believe our outward clothes carry great significance to our identification and feelings, so it is important for our hearts to always have on the robe of God’s righteousness,” Jacob continues. “Just as ministers, educators, and wealthy men wear only the meil-type clothes of a high ranking professional, so we, as God’s children must never display anything from our heart except for God’s righteousness.”

From there the story unfolds, “Abraham recognized God’s voice as he commanded him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, and chose obedience to the command. My grandfather believed that God would raise his son from the dead if He actually required my father’s life,” Jacob says.

Joseph shivers as the sunlight wanes and at the thought of what could have happened. Jacob wraps Joseph into the folds of his own simlah robe to keep the young boy secure.

“God told Abraham to take wood, fire, and his promised son to a mountain in Moriah that He’d point out to him. Obediently Abraham took Isaac, his thirteen-year-old son, up the mountain. On the way Isaac asked him concerning the sacrifice, ‘You have wood and you have fire, but what about a sacrifice?’”

“Giving Isaac an answer of faith Abraham replied, ‘God will provide the sacrifice that is needed’”, Jacob recounts.

Jacob explains that Abraham took rocks that he found on the mountaintop and built an altar. Then he tied his son and laid him on the altar.

Joseph shivers within the folds of his father’s robe at the thought of his grandfather lying on the altar with his great-grandfather lifting the knife to slay him.

“It’s alright, Joseph,” Jacob reassures his young son. “Just in time God said, “stop! Now I know you’ll obey Me because you have not withheld your son from Me. You allowed your faith to lead you beyond your doubt and fear. Now look in the thicket and you’ll find a sacrifice acceptable to Me.’”

“Try to imagine how relieved your grandfather was when Abraham saw a ram caught by his horns in the thicket!” Jacob says.

Joseph sits in wide-eyed amazement realizing the goodness of God and how He had rewarded his great-grandfather’s faith and obedience.

“Now remember, Son,” Jacob breaks into his young son’s deep thoughts, “my grandfather’s faith was accounted to him for righteousness. Our faith in God becomes our righteousness in His sight. It wraps us in with God, just like I am wrapping you in my shepherd’s robe. Your great-grandfather’s faith was the spiritual robe he always wore. His symbolic robe is referred to as the ‘robe of righteousness.’ We can obtain our own robe of righteousness by faith and obedience.”

Good Bible Stories

Did you ever question why we have the ancient accounts of the Old Testament patriots?

We all like a good story, don’t we?

I know my grandchildren love for me to read their little books to them, but shouldn’t the Bible be more than just reading stories of history, poetry and great conquests?

Why then do we have the accounts of Abraham, his son Isaac, Jacob and Joseph? Why the account of the children of Israel’s journey through the wilderness? What is the importance of Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s accounts of rebuilding the temple and the walls of Jerusalem?

You are right, there is much more here than just a story laid down in history. There are lessons to be learned from these stalwart men and women of God. This is why I love the account of the life of Joseph. This is also why I have studied extensively about him and also written about him.

Joseph, I believe, is our best figure of Christ Jesus. He shows how to fulfill the call that God has called him to. Jesus also did this. Joseph was despised by his brothers, as was Christ. Joseph saw his dreams fulfilled and became a savior to his family. Jesus became the Savior to the whole world. He came to seek and to save that which was lost.

Every Bible account has a purpose to lead us to becoming Christ-like. No matter what the mess we see ourselves in, we can find ourselves in an overcoming position. These Bible accounts can help us reach those goals.

Review: Walk in Jesus' Abundance

Check out this review. Sorry I couldn't copy the nice format that Rev. Shipman had.
I can forward it in an email if you ask me for it.

"How to Walk in Jesus' Abundance"

Review written by Rev. Lydia Chorpening on Rev. Robert Shipman newest book about to be released. The book title is, "How to Walk in Jesus' Abundance".


Rev. Robert Shipman has a strong prophetic voice. In his book 'How to Walk in Jesus' Abundance' Shipman shares a compelling vision that the Lord gave him of His empty throne room. God is yearning for us to come into His very presence. He compels us to live a higher level of living through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rev. Shipman points out the importance of the body being connected to the head, which is Christ Jesus. Of equal important of our connection to the head is our connection to the body of Christ. This connection is made through the work of the Spirit of God.

Shipman points out the big mistake we make in exchanging 'money' for 'life.' The 'abundance' of this message is not in the abundance of money, riches and earthly treasures, but it is in the abundance of life which can only be ours as we enter into the throne-room of the giver of the Holy Spirit.

This book voices a powerful prophetic call which God has poured into the heart of Rev. Shipman. His persuasions, based on Scriptures, are to move us into the balance of the 'love-mode' and 'war-mode' which are both equal components for moving into God's presence.

On the cross Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" Rev. Shipman points out that the work of Calvary gives the believer every right to press into the presence of God through the authority of the Holy Spirit. We must move away from passivity in the man-made church into the powerful realm of the Spirit-the church Christ is building. There we will be supplied with our spiritual weapons and spiritual gifts.

Robert Shipman shares many visions, prophetic words, warnings of things to come and the ultimate victory of Christ's church! Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it." Shipman has been around long enough to know, experience and declare these truths.

This powerful message will compel anyone with a heart to hear what God is saying to His church, to enter into God's presence where we exchange the facades of earthly possessions for the abundant life found only in Christ Jesus and the power of His Holy Spirit.

Written by Rev. Lydia Chorpening

Free Copy of 1st book if you didn't get yours

There have been problems downloading my book because of different reasons. If you were not able to download my book, "God is more than an Aspirin" just email me your e-mail address, your name and where you live and I will email you a copy direct from my personal draft. I promised a free copy to all who receive my newsletter "the Voice of Livings Stones". I am still working on making my promise good.

Love in Christ Name

Robert Shipman

robertshipman@get-hope.org


Author Lydia Chorpening

Rev. Chorpening is a freelance writer, a speaker and licensed minister. Her many experiences in life have built her faith and her Scriptural authority to minister wholeness and faith.

Rev. Chorpening is a gifted and anointed author of the 21st century. She believes and writes with conviction that the Church Christ is building in the end-time will not just be the status-quo.

Lydia's newest books are "Beyond the Colorful Coat: Living Out Your God-give Dreams".

And " Bigger than Impossible: Keys to experiencing the impossible Through God."

For information of ordering her books call her at (715)731-0035.

News break: Her book "Bigger than Impossible" is currently a free download on Amazon Kindle.

Living Stones Ministry
Robert and Ann Shipman
voiceoflivingstones@get-hope.org
Visalia
CA
93277

Does Life just happen

By Lydia Chorpening



Life! Does life just happen or do we choose it?

Do you ever feel you are pushed into the farmer’s pig chute and prodded to head in a direction you didn’t intend to go in?

Or maybe you feel you are on a long, crowded escalator and can’t find a way to turn around and get off. Sometimes it seems to me that I’m crammed into a tiny spot in the evening traffic on 694 in the Twin Cities. Everyone wants my spot, and I don’t want to be in the lane I’m in. Maybe if I could get over I might eventually find a way off this rat race.

Do you know what I mean? Laundry, and vacuuming, time clocks to punch -

the decisions to make what’s for dinner or lunch.

There are spills on the counter and beds unmade and babies that tumble and stream till the house shakes.

Then there is house cleaning to do, and yards to rake, bills to pay and decisions to make.

Your best friend’s in the hospital needing a visit or perhaps it’s the neighbor who needs help because he’s just not quite with it.

Christmas is just around the corner and there are grandkids coming. You know you gotta get busy – no more bumming.

But listen, life really a beautiful thing. The other morning I peeped out my kitchen window and saw a brilliant pink glow spread above the housetop of my neighbor. I grabbed my journal and pen and headed for the lake shore. As I moved beyond the houses I saw a sight that made me gasp for my breath!

Oh, where was my camera? I knew there was not time to run back for it, but that I had to scribble quickly to capture a few of the vast impressions. The beach was empty except for a few ducks that flew off into the distance as invaded their privacy.

Life was giving me a beautiful gift as I listened to the heaven declares the glory of God.

• Waves relentlessly speaking volumes

• As day breaks through the darkness

• I feel the wonder of the strong breeze that pushes the waters upon the lakeshore.

• The bluest azure peeks though a deep hole in the amazing canvass of wispy, pink-tipped clouds as feathers on the wings of wind.

• The sky is full of downy softness, changing colors waltzing in the firmament.

• These rippled, brilliant-edged clouds with flumes of gray spoke of a rainy day.

• Before I can capture the moment the pinkness was chased away

• And a sun-spot appeared where the sun was just calling out a smiling, “Good morning!”

• How fast the day dawned as gulls soared silently overhead and the silhouettes of a charcoal shoreline still remains unawakened.

• And now today’s sun has arisen flanked by its pillowy colors of pink velvet and lavender.

• There she sits on the horizon - a blazing ball of magnificence declaring the glory of God!

A few weeks ago autumn was calling me to stop and smell - the falling leaves, in this case. I entered the silence of the cemetery where I sat up against a tree, trying to take in the beauty. My world was surreal as I journaled…



I’m kissed by sun-pecks on my cheeks

By branches which are golden clad

The whisp’ring breeze of autumn days

Warm my heart and make me glad



The sun shine leaves float softly down

And mix with crimson on the ground

Earth’s floor is covered in crunchy mounds

Arranged by nature in tones of brown



How short this day of blissful warmth

For soon the trees now decked with light

Shall stretch out arms all bare and grey

Await the cold of winter’s white



I must capture this sun-filled day

With vivid colors of autumn’s best

Green turned gold and orange and red

Will fill my dreams in winter’s bed



Yes, life, even with it’s unexpected bumps, bungles and bruises is still beautiful!

I am so blessed that my parents chose not to abort me or I would never have witnesses such fathomless beauty!