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I will write more about this in the coming weeks, but ahead of this week’s “Israel Watch,” I feel compelled to say to those of you afraid or stressed about the world right now: Be of good cheer! Yes, things are “bad.” Since January, every day feels like waking up in some Hollywood epic thriller. But the Christian has the Blessed Hope. Since the 1^st century, believers have watched for this day! We are privileged by the Lord to live when we live. Let’s encourage each other this week!

Israel’s Genius Enemies

Proof that the enemies of Israel and the Jewish people have a satanic origin is the millennia-long network that always follows the same playbook:

Delegitimize the Jews.

As I’ve written many times in the last several years, the most dismaying plan of attack against the Jews is what I call the “Israel problem” for American evangelical leaders. In the last 20 years, since many of the “icons” of Evangelicalism have passed from the scene, the Church Growth Movement gurus—men like Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, and Andy Stanley—have injected their models into countless congregations. Like it or not, these models have totally changed once-great denominations like the Southern Baptist Convention. And none of the men I just mentioned are pro-Israel. Far from it.

(I am SBC, so feel that I have a right to say this!)

Even Pentecostal communities, including the Assemblies of God, have been hijacked when it comes to teaching Bible prophecy and the Jews’ role in history.

Right now, the dark forces seeking to change America (including and especially the Church) are laser-focused on evangelical Millennials, even “Baby Boomers.” This is done in myriad ways, but always with a smiling, attractive face.

I recently read a piece on the Catalyst website that illustrates this, and shows clearly the connection between Marxist/totalitarian agendas and Israel-bashing. Remember, these traits perfectly rest in Barack Obama, still so popular with young audiences.

This quote comes from Brenda Salter McNeil, and it appears at Catalyst:

“So I’ve been struggling to understand that, and articulate that, and I’m beginning to understand that we tend to stay in our own silos unless something shakes us out of them. They’re catalytic moments, and whether we like the black lives matter movement or not, it is hard to dispute that it was a catalytic event in our time. That it got our national and global attention. When I was in Ferguson, I met a woman from Palestine. I was shocked that people all around the world are watching us, and wondering how we’ll respond to the unrest and the injustice that’s around us.”

Let’s break this quote down a bit. First a quote from Frontpage:

“The Michael Brown case was arguably the fruit of the poisoned tree for the Black Lives Matter movement. Its hate rallies still incorporate the spurious, “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” slogan. The Brown case was so fundamentally fraudulent, built on propaganda and lies, that even the Obama DOJ ended up having to boot it and stop the persecution of a police officer whom eyewitnesses testified was clearly defending himself.”

Now, let’s look closer at McNeil’s statement.

Brenda Salter McNeil makes it clear that she aligns with the Black Lives Matter “movement.” She “went to Ferguson.” That means she went on pilgrimage to the town in Missouri where Michael Brown was killed by a police officer. Forensic evidence puts the lie to several points made by BLM activists, namely that Brown was just an innocent fellow murdered by the Establishment.

Next, McNeil oddly mentions that she “met a woman from Palestine.” You need to understand that Palestinian activists/terrorists journey to America and insert themselves into civil unrest, so as to agitate the situation. For a long time, PLO operatives have sought to get American blacks to identify with their “revolutionary” movement, ostensibly aimed at overturning “racial injustice.” Just as the Israel Defense Forces brutalize innocent Palestinians, so they say, American law enforcement is systemically involved in brutalizing minorities.

On July 31, McNeil tweeted this meme:

“I am convinced that we can no longer preach Jesus without JUSTICE.”

Of course, this is false teaching. We are to preach Christ crucified. That’s it! No tacking-on of pet issues from social justice warriors.

Among the left-wing, self-professing Christians touting McNeil are Fuller Theological Seminary President Mark Labberton, radical Shane Claiborne, Ruth Haley Barton, and Eugene Cho. She is published by mainstream Christian publishers Brazos Press and Intervarsity Press.

Point being, all these people move in circles that are anti-Israel to the core. McNeil visits “Palestine.”

Palestine hasn’t existed (even then it was a regional name, not a sovereign entity) since 1948. Why continue to call it “Palestine”? Why refer to “Palestine” as if it is a current sovereign entity?

Because leftists hope for that. They thirst for it. For them, it means the end of Israel. That is the goal.

And American evangelical celebrities are helping drive that bus.

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Immodest: lacking humility or decency. Synonyms: improper, indecent, indiscreet, immoral, forward, bold, brazen, unblushing, unchaste, unvirtuous, shameless, loose, cheeky, naughty, saucy.

Immodest Women, whether a Christian or in general, will be judged not only in this life but in the one to come as well. Back when I was in Middle/High School, girls who wore tight clothing, heavy makeup, had big hair and flashy jewelry were called ‘judgmental and degrading slurs’ either to their face or behind their back. Basically, they were ‘looked down upon’ for dressing in such a ‘forward or promiscuous’ manner. Some felt shame and changed their way while others did not seem to care and continued on in this behavior. The payoff it seems was in ‘getting attention,’ albeit the ‘wrong attention,’ but ‘attention nonetheless.’

Humble: having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance. Synonyms: meek, respectful, submissive, modest, free from vanity, servile.

As Christians, we are to honor God with our bodies and let our adornment be of a meek (humble) and quiet spirit, which is of ‘great price’ in the sight of God. The World tells us to be flashy, showy, and the ‘more skin exposed’ the better (leaving little to the imagination) without any exaggeration! Now, instead of ‘old-fashioned dating’ before starting up a relationship, the youth these days send what is called ‘nudes’ to each other through Snap Chat or other methods; and if they like what they see, then they will ‘hook up.’ So much for liking someone for their personality, mind, sense of humor, or anything of substance!

Whatever happened to the good ol’ days where the young man came to the door with flowers in hand for the young lady and to ‘respectfully meet the parents’ before taking her to a nice dinner and an event or a movie? Apparently, all such ‘respect and formality’ has been ‘thrown out the window’ due to gross immorality, immodest women, cheap sex, and disregard for God’s Word and all authority! The world does not want to do things ‘God’s Way’ anymore and clearly has not for some time now!

Instead of ‘growing and evolving’ as a human race as some would have us to believe, we are actually ‘devolving’ and literally becoming ‘less intelligent’ mentally, emotionally, physically – and more importantly – spiritually with each and every subsequent generation! The enemy has been successful at ‘dumbing us down,’ to put it mildly! This should prompt us to wake up to the enemy and his ‘wiles and schemes’ and to change not only our course in this life but our ‘mindset on this issue’ before it is too late!

1 Timothy 2:9-10 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”

When God tells us something in the Bible, it is not to ‘limit or stifle’ us or our fun, but instead it is to ‘protect and help us’ to value who we really are in Him! The World teaches Women to ‘devalue themselves’ by cheapening their worth through exposing and giving themselves away bit by bit and piece by piece until they forget who, what, when, why they are even here or were ever created!

As a Woman, I have had my fair share of Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, and being Taken Advantage Of; and I have to say I have come to hate being viewed as a ‘piece of meat’! Growing up, I sometimes wore dresses, even though I never really liked to wear them, and it is even worse now because I have experienced what it feels like to be ‘helpless and vulnerable.’ Another aspect of vulnerability, or in putting one at risk, is when a Christian Woman or any Woman, for that matter, exposes her cleavage. Not only is that the ‘height of immodesty,’ it is manipulative because we know that men are visual beings and that will draw ‘immediate yet sinful’ attention all around!

1 Peter 3:1-4 “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

From rubyintherough.co.uk: 10 Ways Women Dress Immodestly

Some of you might be thinking: ‘What right do men have to share with me what they find immodest. Modesty is between me and God.’ If that’s you, I would ask you to consider what it means to dress with decency as required by the above text. The Greek word for decency means: ‘a sense of shame or honor, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect.’ Thus, to dress with decency is to dress in a respectful, reverent way with regard for what others think. Modesty is not all about us and our own standards. If most men find our clothing indecent, we should care.

Here is the list they came up with along with their reasoning. They were real and raw in explaining how the male mind is wired. Obviously, the list was subjective. You won’t find a place in the Bible that says ‘Thou shalt not reveal thy cleavage.’ However, I have spoken to a number of men about this list, and they have been in agreement. See what you think. If you disagree, why not ask your brothers in Christ for their opinion…

Dresses or skirts with lengthy slits
Dresses, skirts or jeans which tightly cling to the butt
A skin-tight upper garment
Unbuttoned blouses, low neck lines or cleavage
Sleeveless tops with large, gaping arm holes
Low-rise skirts or jeans
Skirts and dresses that are just plain too short
See-through clothing
Skin-tight trousers or jeans that tightly hug the buttocks, the thighs and the crotch.
A bare midriff and back

Well, I don’t know about you, but I was certainly challenged by this list! I’m aware some of you may be thinking, ‘It’s not my fault if men lust after me… that is their problem.’ Yes, men are fully, 100% responsible for not lusting after us (Matt 5:28). Yes, some men will lust whatever we wear. However, that does not take away our God-given responsibility to try and dress modestly and decently (1 Tim 2:9-10). I think to love our brothers is to say, ‘If my tight, figure-hugging, see-through, short, cleavage-baring dress with a slit up to my butt could stumble you, however much I love it, I will not wear it.’ Is it really loving or Christ-like to say, ‘I don’t care if my dress is overtly sexy and distracts your mind. That’s your problem…deal with it. It’s my right to wear it?’ Is it really loving to say to our married sisters in Christ, ‘I don’t care if my dress distracts your husband. I am free to parade my body in front of him if I want?’ –Source

On that note, it also really bothers me to find that certain ‘Christian Celebrities’ who name the Name of Christ but at the same time, with their ‘worldly actions,’ they are essentially taking the Lord’s Name in vain. By identifying themselves through certain behaviors such as dressing immodestly and acting provocatively, they are, in essence, saying God’s Word about practicing ‘godly behavior’ does not matter. By their practicing these ‘liberties and influences,’ they are essentially confusing young girls, women, and not to mention new Christians to the Faith! This should not be for those who identify themselves with God’s Name!

From gotquestions.org: What Does it Mean to Take the Lord’s Name in Vain?

If we profess to be Christians but act, think, and speak in a worldly or profane manner, we take His name in vain. When we misrepresent Christ, either intentionally or through ignorance of the Christian faith as proclaimed in Scripture, we take the Lord’s name in vain. When we say we love Him, but do not do what He commands (Luke 6:46), we take His name in vain and are possibly identifying ourselves to be among those to whom Christ will say, “I never knew you. Away from me” in the day of judgment (Matthew 7:21-23).

The name of the Lord is holy, as He is holy. The name of the Lord is a representation of His glory, His majesty, and His supreme deity. We are to esteem and honor His name as we revere and glorify God Himself. To do any less is to take His name in vain. – Source

For example, there are certain celebrities who claim Christianity, but one quick look at their Social Media accounts and you will see photos of them donned in bikinis, swimsuits, short shorts and skirts, among other ‘immodest apparel.’ Did you know that in the Bible ‘exposing your whole thigh’ is equated with ‘uncovering your nakedness’? Let us get real for a moment, shall we? Wearing a bikini is basically like wearing an ‘intimate undergarment’ out in public for all to see, which is ‘unmistakably immodest’!

Isaiah 47:2-3 “Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.”

Ladies, we need to realize our worth is in Christ and not in our outward appearance! Instead, we are to put on Humility, Compassion, Kindness, Gentleness, Long Suffering, and Patience. To ‘esteem others higher than yourself’ means that we are not to be ‘high minded’ or to think that we are better than anyone else. Godliness is to serve others through Love, Mercy, Grace, and Compassion. This is way easier said than done, and I know that I ‘fail miserably’ at times; but I also know that through Christ we can do all things, even put off our worldliness!

Colossians 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”

Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Until next time… Maranatha!

(JESUS = THE WAY, THE TRUTH, & THE LIFE!)

Jesus is Coming!

3 Aug 2020

Immodest Women :: By Candy Austin