All Dressed Up And No "Power" To Go (SPIRIT)

All Dressed Up And No "Power" To Go ( SPIRIT)

  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 

Romans 8:5

 God Takes The Foolish Things To Confound The Wise 

I Corinthians 1:27

Right in the middle of Paul's own writings, God shows how He (GOD) can take the foolish things and confound the wise,  I Corinthians 1:27.  Within just a few chapters in II Corinthians, Paul is found defending his person or ministry if you will. How can Paul the writer of Corinthians and many other expository books of the bible be considered a "timid" man? Remember Paul was the man blinded, a destroyer of God's people.  If we look at his writings we can believe the very opposite. It is as though he was a Christian all of his life, with years and years of experience. In fact Paul is known for being a prolific writer of many books of the Bible.  And he is known for his very powerful, explosive and weighty letters. And yet when people meet him they aren't impressed and is almost repulsed by the man that they meet.

 How could this be?  

⁷ Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
⁸ For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
⁹ That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
¹⁰ For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

In the scriptures II Corinthians 10: 7-10

 Can you believe the word "contemptible" was used to describe Paul's speech and the word "weak" was used to describe his appearance; no energy?  Paul the Apostle. I'm sure you have met a person like this.  You listen to them speak and wonder how in the world could this be the person that is representing this large Fortune 500 company. They could barely even get their words out or when they did you  barely understood it or could even tolerate it. They are poorly dressed, shoulders bent over and tattered appearance, sort of broken down.  But isn't that just like GOD and HIS Awesomeness. He took a man that didn't look the part, that didn't act the part or could even be the part and made him who He (GOD) wanted him to be. He basically made Paul over and yet it wasn't visible to the eye or ears for that matter. We always make it seem as though GOD does a @MTV or @TLC What Not To Wear makeover. Or we want them to live in our gated communities, join our clubs, or shop the same boutiques.  And GOD does just the opposite in many cases. It is the "internal" man that GOD changes. And the changes are made obvious in the POWER of the DELIVERY of the GOSPEL.  We have shiny new Christians dressed in @Armani @Prada @Marc Jacobs etc., and there is not an ounce of GOD's POWER present.  And yet some have the gall to not interact with others who are not visibly able to afford the fine clothes or have a college degree who do. This is a valuable lesson for us Christians who are fortunate.  Some of us have been so blessed and are doing exceptionally well, praise GOD.  But please be very careful that you are not in the presence of God's angels unaware. Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

There are people are suffering because of the very manner that you treated them. Can you recall an instance that you weren't so sweet to the sister or brother that visited your church or said hello ? You looked at how they appeared and were reluctant to even smile at them. You were afraid that you would have to entertain them further. Or you assumed that they would want to be a part of your clique and you might have made a very big mistake.  You are wise but God is wiser. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

I Corinthians 13:1 

Can God use you ? 

Are you available ?

Do you even hear Him ?

You look good but . . . 

Where can you go in the Spirit?

 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 

Romans 8:5

Lovingly Submitted, 

Alethea J. Brown