What are you wearing?

When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his CLOTHES, put on SACKCLOTH and ASHES, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king's gate because no-one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it Esther 4:1-2 NIV Capitals mine

Mordecai left the KING's PRESCENCE wearing ROYAL GARMENTS of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of FINE LINEN Esther 8:15a (NIV) Capitals mine

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his FILTHY CLOTHES.". Then he said to Joshua, "See I have taken away your sin, and I will put RICH GARMENTS on you." Then I said, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by. Zecheriah 3:3-5 (NIV) Capitals mine

When he had said this, Jesus called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the GRAVE CLOTHES and let him go." John 11:43-44 (NIV) Capitals mine

Thank you Lord for your word. Alpha and Omega, author and finisher. You are worthy of all praise. I like watching makeover shows, for me it's not really about the cosmetic surgery or what not but just the observation of the difference a change in hairstyle, makeup and wardrobe can make to an individual.

I love being African..hmm so many textiles to choose from, so many styles, when I see what young Nigerian women are doing with our fabrics, I am blown away!!Yes o, African women, we love to dress. The clothes we wear are indicative of our personality (ouch to me, what is this raggedy boubou saying about me?Lol!), they are also indicative of the place and function we are attending. We need to dress the part. I love the fact that irrespective of how 'modern' times are, strict observance to dressing etiquette is still observed at institutions like Royal Ascot..no hat, no entrance, dress way up above the knee, no entrance and it doesn't matter who you are!

Brings me back to my question, what are you wearing? Are you wearing garments indicative of the pain that you are going through at this moment like Mordecai, in Bible times the wearing of sackcloth and ashes signified that the person was mournful, sorrowful and was waiting on the Lord to hear their cries. We are blessed to have a God who accepts us as we are, where we are. Unlike the king in the story, you can enter His gate no matter what you wear. What I love about Him is that, He loves us too much to leave us in a fashion faux pas. He too is fashionable, the Bible says the train of his robe fills the temple (Isaiah 6:1)! He takes us into His closet and clothes us with royal garments, garments of praise, garments of joy, garments of peace and garments of testimony!When Mordecai finally found his way into the king's presence, his garments changed. So do not be worried, sackcloth and ashes are for a season but a new season is coming, so rejoice!

Some are wearing garments of shame like Joshua the high priest, these are filthy garments indicative of sin. Even then He still asks that you come, confess and repent of those sins and ask for His grace to live the life He has called you to live. I am not perfect, no one is, daily I must ask for grace to carry the cross and follow him. Forget about the past and reach forward to the future He has for you, He will clothe you in clean garments, garments of purity, garments of righteousness.

Are you Lazarus, wearing grave clothes? A dead relationship, a dead business, a dead dream or a dead loved one? your clothes have got you bound. You are alive but not living as life goes on around you and you are unable to move, unable to love, unable to BE. I think it's interesting that the first thing Jesus asked was that they removed the grave clothes, they had to be removed so that Lazarus could go, leaving the place associated with death and walking into the destiny the Lord had for him.

Brothers and sisters, it is well. At different points in my life, I think I have worn some if not all of these garments but I thank God that He has become my consultant and always gives me a wardrobe makeover!!Removing things that should not be there, putting in things that should. Like the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, designer shoes from the house of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation. Most importantly in this season the garments of humility, patience and prayer. It doesn't matter what you are wearing now, feel free to enter the throne room. He will change your garments.

Amen and amen. Welcome to a new month. I'm so excited 08/08, double confirmation of new beginnings every single day of this month.Hurray! Remain blessed and highly favoured. 2008 continues to remain our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONIES in Jesus name. Ayo, we will surely testify!

What chapter are you on?

The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in CONFUSION, As the king's order reached every area, there was a great SADNESS and loud CRYING among the Jewish people. They gave up eating and cried out loud, and many of them lay down on rough clothes and ashes to show how SAD they were Esther 3:15b, 4:3 (New Century Version) Capitals mine

It was a time of HAPPINESS, JOY, GLADNESS and HONOUR for the Jewish people. As the king's order went to every state and city, there was joy and gladness among the Jewish people. In every city and state to which the king's order went, they were having feasts and celebrating. Esther 8:16,17a (New Century Version) Capitals mine

They received a letter
An edict from the king
He was a great king
who ruled over 127 provinces
from India to Africa
Sounds of wailing
filled the land
and they were thrown in utter confusion

But they remembered they had a God
who was unlike any other
He ruled from Everlasting to Everlasting
A King over all Kings
They called upon Him
In prayer and fasting
In ashes and sackcloth
He heard their cries
and turned things around

They received a letter
An edict from the king
He was a great king
who ruled over 127 provinces
from India to Africa
but this time
sounds of JOY
filled the land
laughter and celebration

So what chapter are you on? The same people who in chapter 3 were crying and wailing were rejoicing and celebrating in chapter 8 because they served a God who is both Alpha and Omega. He is God at the beginning of the story and He remains God at the end and everything in between. Amen. Be encouraged, whatever 'letter' or 'report' you may have received, no matter how powerful the signature underneath or the letterhead above it may be, God is more powerful. Seek God's face, lay it at His feet, wait and obtain instructions from on High and watch Him turn things around. Don't despair because you are in a chapter 4 season, rejoice because the bestseller called your life aint finished yet! VICTORY is your portion in Jesus name.

Remain blessed and highly favoured. 2008 remains our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONY in Jesus name.

N.B A very big CONGRATULATIONS to Jaycee (and boo) on the announcement of their engagement. My dear sis, this is just the beginning of God's reward to you for your faithfulness. More is to come. You are indeed a blessing! In case you haven't please go and show some love on her page!

What are you looking at?

Then He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and two fish, and LOOKING UP to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. Matthew 14:19 NKJV Capitals mine

Looking down He saw
Five loaves and two fish
Looking around He saw
5,000 hungry men
Looking up He saw
Jehovah Jireh

Looking down He saw
His loved one in a tomb
Looking around He saw
A disbelieving crowd
Looking up He saw
Zoe*

Looking down I see
An empty bank account
Looking around I see
Bills yet to be paid
Looking up I see
The great Provider

Looking down I see
A heart that has been broken
Looking around I see
others just like me
Looking up I see
the One who will make me whole again

Zoe: Greek for life but used in scripture to denote the God kind of life (abundant) encapsulated in man!

As believers we rejoice, not because the fire is not real, but because we know we serve a God who has promised to be with us THROUGH IT ALL. Be comforted this week, knowing that God sees and all you are going through is for a season and you will come through SHINING with the VICTORY.

It is indeed well. 2008 continues to remain our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONIES.

Rinrin...thank you so much. I'm getting back on track!