1.  Shorts must be knee length.
2.  No tank tops. 
3.  No short dresses.
4.  No sun dresses.
5.  No shirts with obscene language or pictures.
6.  No see-through clothing.

      WHY would this be such an important notice to visitors of a jail?  Obviously they (of the world) are aware that the way someone is dressed could have an adverse impact on the people they are charged with housing and controlling.  They are aware of the problems that improper dress can create and they want to avoid them with the people for whom they are responsible.
       Shouldn’t Christians be even more concerned when it comes to the way we dress?  Our dress is to portray an image of godliness.  (NOT  to “be sexy” as is the social norm.)   Should a jail be more concerned  with modesty than a Christian?
       So, what does God require?  Are shorts OK?  If so, how long must they be?  What about skirts and their length?  What about swimming attire?  (Considering “bathing suits” and the skimpy yardage used in them, male and female, isn’t the problem here one of “mixed nudity” more than “mixed swimming?”)  The list goes on and on.
       The Bible, of course, gives no specific legislation in terms of modest dress.  You won’t find a list of “approved” clothing items.  But, let us also recognize that we do find principles concerning the way we dress.  We are to dress “with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly.”  Let’s be careful.
                                              
                                              (Greg Holly, via Pecos Proclaimer)
 
 

The authors of the psalms frequently used the Hebrew word for lovingkindness—at least 127 times in all.  It is the word “chesed”; and it is translated with such English words as “lovingkindness”, “mercy”, “goodness”, and “kindness.”  It is a powerful, beautiful, and inclusive word, much like the “agape” of the New Testament.  In the psalm for this study, it is exalted as a virtue of God that is “better than life.”

Let us learn the message of Psalm 63 by noting four connections that the lovingkindness of God has with our lives.

      I. I will arise every day with it (63:1,2).
      II. I will live every day with it (63:3-5).
      III. I will go to sleep every night with it  (63:6-8).
      IV. I will overcome with it (63:9-11).

In this first section, David repeats his lifelong commitment to begin every day with God on his mind and in his heart.  His longing for God involved every part of his being, just as Moses had commanded in Deuteronomy 6:1ff.  As Christians, we must remember that Jesus required that we have God in every part of our being (Matthew 22:34-40).  David vowed that he would think of God at the beginning of every day, whether he was in a “dry and thirsty land” or in God’s “sanctuary.”  He knew that if he lived up to his vow, he would see the power and glory of God.  We should do a serious self-examination on this point—do you begin each day thinking about the lovingkindness of God?  Do you approach Him in prayer every morning with thankfulness for His tender mercies?  Do you see in your Bible and in your life that He is powerful and full of glory?  Will you keep on doing this every morning for the rest of your life?  Will you start today if you have not been doing this?  Hint: Keep your Bible open to Psalm 63 and keep it at your bedside until you are able to wake up every morning with a prayer on your lips.
  

In this second section, David comes to the main point of the whole poem: “Thy lovingkindness is better than life.”  In this section, he teaches us that a true appreciation of God’s “chesed” is to be seen in every part of our lives.  It is not to be merely a statement that rolls of the end of the tongue at the beginning of the day. “While I live”—this includes a lot!  He means that he will love God in life—no matter how long or short life is; no matter how good or bad life is; no matter how life turns out in light of plans, money, health, others, etc.  He was going to be satisfied in life because of the lovingkindness of God!  Here are more questions for you and me:  Do you lift up your hands to Him in all circumstances?  Have you allowed the Bible to train you so that your first response is to bless God (see Job 1)?  Do you look at life as being a very good thing?  Do you look at the lovingkindness of God as being better than life?

In this third section David comes to the end of the day.  It is at this time of the day that he reflects on the past, including the day that is ending.  His reflections bear out the fact that the lovingkindnesses of God have been his help (aid, or assistance).  Following God closely has resulted in God’s upholding of him.  Some questions for us come to mind here, too:  How do you and I end the day?  Do we end every day the same way—with a private and personal meditation about the One True God?  Do we see the connections between His promises and our lives?  Do we realize that if He is “not keeping His promises” it is ALWAYS due to our failure to follow Him closely?  Do we understand that God does not ever fail to keep His promises—therefore, if the appearance is that He has not done something, the reality is that we have taken one or more steps in the wrong direction?  Am I willing to live today so that when I reflect on it, it will be a pleasant experience?  Am I willing to live today in such a way that I will not hesitate to end it with prayerful meditation?

In this fourth section of the poem, David (who was in the wilderness of Judah at this time, according to the heading of Psalm 63) affirms that he can and will overcome.  The clear implication is that this overcoming is due to the lovingkindness of God.  Even though David was a king, he knew that he needed God when it came to dealing with his enemies.  Sometimes David’s enemies were pagan tribes, sometimes they were trusted friends, and sometimes they were his own sons.  All of these were difficult to handle, and apart from following God closely, David knew (from the Bible and from experience) that he would fail.  Final question:  Will you make your vows to God and bask in His glory?

Interestingly enough, the way for us to return the lovingkindness of God is to love Him back by keeping His word.  Jesus taught this, and He has a right to expect obedience from us (John 14:15, 21,23; 15:14).
                                                 Skip Andrews
 
 

  SICK LIST:  Belle Oliver  and Val Lowe were able to be with us last week.  Debbie Gaylord’s problems were caused by a new medication which she has now stopped.  Sam Grubb had a biopsy which was positive for melanoma; he will have another biopsy in September to make sure they got everything.  Josh Reid has injured his ankle and is on crutches again.  Electa Wilson (Room 140, Gwinnett Extended Care) and Steve Fishel remain in our prayers.    
GROUP 3:  Group 3 is in charge of the services at Plantation South at 1:30.  Also, please meet up front following evening services for visitation assignments.
CHILDREN’S CLASS:  5:30 today.
LADIES’ CLASS:  Evening ladies’ class will meet August 28 at 7:30.  Our regular weekly class will begin after Labor Day—ladies, please review “What We Know.”
FOR THE RECORD: 
AM Class   129
AM Worship   148
PM Worship   106
Wednesday Class  136
Contribution   $6251
Budget   $6500 
AWAY:  Ernest and Carolyn Burnette are in the Ukraine.  John Grubb is in Taiwan.  Let’s remember them in our prayers.   
 

  BIRTHDAY:  Electa Wilson’s birthday is August 27.  Let’s all be sure to send her a card!