Fashion affects the culture aspects of life. According to Luciana Zegheanu, fashion causes changes in social, economic and political landscapes. Thus fashion benefits and stimulates culture in the process promoting creativity. Fashion also has negative impacts. For instance, it diverts peoples' attention from other important activities and affects the self-esteem of people who cannot afford certain clothing.


When fashion distracts people, especially youth, from more productive activities, they focus more on acquiring the latest and the most fashionable wear rather than on education or work. People who cannot afford certain fashionable items sometimes have diminished self-esteem and do not feel adequate among their peers. At times people are bullied for not having the latest fashions. Some people believe fashion is harmful since it creates a society in which appearance is often valued more than character.


This is beginning to shift from the invent of personalized styles, no more are the days of the only latest designer (some circles this can be seen) But with the internet and reduction of labor cost to produce personalized clothing, this is more and more becoming a norm or a fashion statement.  So when you mother in the mid 1900’s would make your clothing and alter your style to fit you they were on to something!


On the positive side, fashion is an art, which stimulates and inspires people to express themselves. People often show off their personal identity, talent and culture through their fashion choices. Often people use what they see on fashion runways and in the stores to create their own unique looks, expressing their creativity. Fashion also promotes creativity as designers endeavor to outdo one another through their unique and intricate designs.


My encouragement is that we create fashion as a statement of our belief and faith as kingdom ambassadors, let it be the leading and cutting edge of style.  As believers we have the greatest inventor and creator known to man, “The Holy Spirit!”  Now lets create some fashion.


Share with us some of your work or ideas, by commenting below. 

  
Thoughts on the message

The parable of the mustard seed is my favorite parable of Jesus. Something small and insignificant becomes something big, fruitful and blesses in ways we do not expect. All because there is life inside of that tiny seed. It is not the shell, not the size, not what people see or expect. It is the presence of life that makes the difference. 

The parable of the yeast. This is both wonderful and scary. It only takes something small like yeast to “infect” the whole bowl of flour. This is the impact that we can have—both for good and for evil. Be careful. Let God use us to release blessing that touches and blesses our world.




Prayer

Father, we get so caught up with seeing the impact of great people. You show us here that the ability to impact our world is not based on the opportunity life gives to us. It is based on the presence of life inside us. With that life, You can do amazing things in us and through us. Father, grow this life inside me until it touches my world—all of it. Let it touch my marriage, my children, the church, our neighbors, our city and yes even this country. It is not me—it is the life inside me that matters. Release it, grow it, bless it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you want to receive from God?

​“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”(see Matthew 6:33)
What do you want? Help with your finances? Patience? A bit more energy? To forgive or be forgiven? Everything you need, God can give you. He knows your needs sometimes even better than you do, and He will never fail to provide!
The Bible boldly declares, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
All your need! According to His divine riches! And in glory!
“Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.” (see Psalm 119:90-91)
Yes, all things serve Him. And when we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He makes all things work together for our good to fulfill us.
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (see 2 Corinthians 9:8)
Never be afraid of “annoying” God with the details of your life. Often, we don’t involve God in every aspect of our lives for fear of bothering Him...yet He is our loving Father who takes pleasure in meeting each of our needs.
Don’t be afraid of involving the Creator of all things...in everything!
Be blessed!

Vision and Hope in leadership

Jesus exemplifies that Kingdom-style leadership is about having a vision that centres on people. Vision is the response that flows from the question ‘How can I make the world better for others?’ Whether you consider Noah, Moses, David or Daniel, John the Baptist, Mary, Peter or Paul, all these biblical heroes had vision that aimed for cultural transformation. 

What’s the vision God has placed in your heart to make tomorrow a better place? Spend time with him and allow God to fill your heart with his plans for you until your heart feels like it will burst if you do not respond.

Vision creates vitality, focuses energy and clarifies purpose. It creates hope and hope creates and energises the vision. Hope brings a sense of expectation that something good will happen and builds a feeling of trust. Hope flows from our faith in God and the confidence and security he provides based upon his truths and promises. Hebrews 11:1 expresses such Kingdom Hope: ‘Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’. How are you doing on your hope barometer and is it based on biblical truth or earthbound constraints?

A visionary, hope-filled leader is consumed with making tomorrow better than today and settles for nothing less. They refuse to be pessimistic and gloomy because they understand today’s challenges are one step closer to tomorrow’s solution and vision. Discontent breeds hopelessness that, left unchecked, turns into resignation; giving up and conceding defeat that the undesirable is inevitable. 

Living from your identity as a beloved child of God gives a sense of peace that you can lean into as the day unfolds. Let’s not allow the circumstances around us to dictate our stance on life and instead remain visionary and full of Kingdom Hope. 

Learning from Children

At the center of Luke 18 is a thought-provoking, countercultural lesson. As people crowded around Jesus that day, the disciples were shooing away the children, assuming that Jesus had more important people with whom to spend his time. However, Jesus encourages the children to come to him and he uses the opportunity to teach a lesson that is at the heart of the entire chapter. Jesus tells those gathered around: 

“You will never get into God’s kingdom unless you enter it like a child!” (Luke 18.17). 

What? Did they hear Jesus right? Jesus’s words were a complete reversal of what they believed. What, then, are some of the childlike qualities that we must possess? Early in life, we are trained to be independent. Each activity we learn is designed to make us less dependent on our parents or caregivers. Yet, Jesus used the example of children to teach us a different lesson. Consider these character traits of a child: humility, dependence, eagerness to learn, and expectant hopefulness—even in a world filled with grown-up pain and problems. 

There is no place in God’s kingdom for those who are self-sufficient, prideful, arrogant or cynical. To be assured of our place, we need to adopt a childlike faith as we humbly depend on God to lovingly take care of us and teach us how to be more like Jesus 

Reflect

Do you struggle with pride? In what ways can you adopt a childlike heart as you follow Jesus? 

Pray

Lord Jesus, help us to embrace the knowledge that all who humbly accept you are welcome in your kingdom. 

Respond 

Review decisions that you will make this week. Depend on God for guidance in these matters. 

Father, sometimes pride gets the best of me and I try to go it alone. Help me to depend on you only and grow in childlike faith and humility. ​