God blessed Elizabeth, Grace and I with a most amazing week during which He allowed for tremendous impact of our ministry onto people from all over the world. On a local scale, God worked through Gracie as she spread His word wearing a biblically inspired shirt I designed for yet another purpose driven venture appropriately named “Wear a Verse“.
In an effort to fulfill our mission as disciples of Jesus Christ Elizabeth and I started a Christian casual clothing business as a part of this ministry. More than a cool Christian clothing line, Wear a Verse is an important part of the Christian life style. After, all believers are called to be dressed ready for service…
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning. Like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.” (Luke 12:35)
Using our bodies as billboards, Elizabeth and I plan on sharing inspirational messages and bible verses everywhere we go. On our first day out at Disney World we were approached by several curious people asking where we found Gracie’s shirt. A simple baby blue cross and a bible verse turned a tedious wait into an opportunity to witness. An otherwise dull moment became an awesome gift.
This week’s message is about what you wear, about where your heart is. Whose message are you wearing? Understanding some of us are limited as to wearing uniforms or suits, we eventually all dress down for casual events. These instances are great opportunities to spread God’s word and more importantly, to shine your light bright on those around you.
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.” (Luke 11:33)
I noticed once Grace had on her inspirational shirt that I felt compelled to walk a straighter line, to speak more lovingly, to be more patient among a distracted crowd. Basically, I felt closer to God.
Almost any believer can divert from the righteous path without much guilt if no one around knows he or she is Christian. However, it’s far more difficult to put out a hateful message when you are wearing a bible verse on your back for everyone to see. Though anyone who claims to have a relationship with Jesus Christ should not need a biblical sweatshirt, I know for a fact a secular designer logo on a t-shirt does nothing for God or for your mission to spread His word.
Imagine the impact of the following verse on a t-shirt seen by one thousand people a year:
“One day every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.” (Romans 14:11)
Assuredly I know this to be the ultimate truth. Everyone will bow to the Lord either willingly or forcefully. Through God’s grace, those who bow willingly and repent of their sins will inherit the kingdom of God while those who deny Him and wait to be brought down to their knees by force will pay the ultimate price for their actions ending up in hell.
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)
Denying God before men is a conscious decision that results in eternal penalty. Every single person that sits in hell is there because they chose to be there. While this is a bold statement, it is the truth. What’s worse is that if you do not already have a relationship with Christ, you are headed to hell also!
No amount of good deeds or works will get you a ticket to heaven. Unlike Islam which teaches that more good deeds than bad will land you in paradise, Christianity is based on faith in God and teaches that only God’s grace allows people to enter heaven. The only way to heaven is through Christ.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
Believers are granted a place in heaven because of what Jesus did for us, not what we do for Him. We need to acknowledge He is Lord and savior and, that He died on the cross for our sins so that we may be redeemed. If you are ready to bow willingly, we invite you to so do at your church or to contact us so we can pray with you and assist you in your Christian walk.
If you have already done so but are struggling with the message you put out through the clothes you wear, we invite you to reach out to us so we may customize biblically inspired casual clothes for you to wear proudly or, provide you with neat graphics for you to print at home and transfer onto shirts you already own.
The worse thing you can do is continue to wear secular clothes that feed the devil’s purse. On the other hand, a single t-shirt or sweatshirt can become a seed that will save a soul. Think about this the next time you look in the mirror!
Let’s pray.
Father God;
We thank you for all that surrounds us
And for the rewards that await us in Heaven,
Where we will rejoice with you
And harvest the fruit of our labor.
Lord we pray you will continue to look after us
And our families, our friends and those in need,
We pray your light will guide us
In times when we are lost.
May there be a Heaven and a Hell
And a promise from above fulfilled,
A second coming of Christ Jesus
Returning to lead His children home.
God we love you and thank you for all that surrounds us!
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
