This morning was like most other mornings. I got up, ate breakfast, read the Bible, got dressed and drove to work. There was, however, something in the passage I read this morning that caused me to rethink the idea of getting dressed.

It seems that there is more to getting dressed than putting on the clothes we plan to wear for the day. There is a spiritual aspect to being well-dressed for the day as well. Every morning we wake up with our old self on. This old nature, with all of its sinful desires and motivations, is not what we want to be wearing when we go out into the world. So just as we wouldn't go to work or school dressed in what we wear to bed, we mustn't start our day until we change out of the clothing of the old self.

The first step in changing spiritual clothes is to renew our attitude. It's probably a good idea to spend a couple of minutes realigning ourselves with our heavenly Father before ever getting out of bed. And then, before we begin whatever is on the agenda for today, spend some time reading and meditating on his written Word and letting it sink into our hearts and minds. Finally, it's clear from this passage that putting on the new self is an act as deliberate as changing clothes in the morning. How do we do that? I think it's as simple as a short prayer:
Lord, as a deliberate act of my will, I set aside my old nature with all of its sinfulness and ask you to clothe me in your righteousness and holiness. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to walk in step with Him today. Amen.

If we make it a habit to deliberately change our spiritual clothes in the morning, we'll always leave the house dressed for success.

Fear is the embodiment of self-centeredness. "Hold on, Eric," you're probably saying right now, "that doesn't make sense. Isn't self-centeredness when a person thinks too highly of himself? How can fear be the embodiment of self-centeredness?" That's exactly my point but let me explain. I'm not talking about being afraid of snakes or being fearful of what would happen if you walked out in front of a car. That's not self-centeredness; that's self-preservation. But have you ever been given a task that scared you because you didn't think you could do it? Have you ever wanted to try something but didn't because you were too afraid of failing? Have you ever been turned back by the "what ifs"? What I'm talking about is the fear that results from relying solely on oneself but not having enough confidence in oneself to go forward.

In his benediction to the Ephesians, Paul teaches us that we don't have to or shouldn't rely on ourselves. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord can do more than we can ever imagine (especially when fear prevents us from imagining too much) with us and through us. Because He is able, He makes us able.

Father, please forgive us for the times when we have ignored your voice because of fear. Help us to come to the realization that you are able to make us able. Cause us to turn our eyes from our own weaknesses and inadequacies and rely on you for everything.

A young woman was nervous about meeting her boyfriend's parents for the first time; she wanted to look her absolute best. As she glanced at herself in the mirror, she noticed her black pumps looked a little dingy, so she gave them a fast swipe with the paper towel she had used to blot her breakfast bacon. When she arrived at their home she was greeted by the parents and their spoiled, cranky poodle. The dog got a whiff of the bacon grease on her shoes and followed her around all evening. At the end of the evening, as she was getting ready to leave, her boyfriend's parents said, "Cleo really likes you, dear, and she is an excellent judge of character. We are delighted to welcome you into our little family."

What does it take to be accepted by God? It's not shoeshine tricks or the opinion of pesky poodles. It doesn't even have anything to do with looking or being our best. The answer lies in Jesus Christ and Him alone. Belief and trust in Jesus is what swings wide the door to heaven's throne room. Because we are in Christ, we are free to enter in at any time; our Heavenly Father will welcome us and hear what we have to say. John 16:24 says, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." Pause for a moment and let this sink in - Jesus makes it possible so that whenever you bow your head in prayer, you have the ear of the Creator of the universe.

Although we may have the freedom to enter, we may not always have the confidence to do so. Sometimes we sin and start thinking that God doesn't want to hear from us. But that's when He wants to hear from us most of all. He wants us to come to Him for forgiveness and restoration. And when we do, He will grant it.

Have you been a stranger to prayer lately? Don't neglect this indescribable gift. Is there something in your heart that makes you feel unworthy of praying? Bring it to the Father and let Him clean you up. Remember, because of Jesus' work on the cross, God always has an open-door policy.

Boats in the tops of trees, semi trailers tossed around like toys, houses reduced to nothing but the slab - such are the things I saw in Mississippi last week. People were picking through the rubble of their ruined homes, their dazed expressions advertising that they were still trying to wrap their minds around the enormity of the destruction. But in the midst of the devastation, I also saw hope and optimism.

I was standing in line at one of the few Wal-Mart stores that was open. It was a Super Center with every register open and longer lines than the day after Thanksgiving. Despite the crowd and the long waits, I didn't see any complaining or impatience. There were smiles and cheerful banter and the lady standing in line behind me struck up a conversation.

"Where are you from?" she asked.

"Lakeland, Florida. We're going to be working over in Waveland. How about you?"

"I live in Long Beach."

"Did you make it through OK?"

"I was lucky. I only got six inches of water in my house and I got my power back on after just two weeks. I'm staying in a tent in the front yard though because my house isn't dried out yet." She went on to tell me her story. "I decided to stay and ride the storm out at home. I was huddling in my closet when I heard a hissing sound. At first I couldn't figure out what it was but I when I put my hand down on the floor it was wet. The water started rising and I thought at that point I was done for. I ran through the house screaming, not knowing what to do. The water came up about six inches and then started going back down. A half-hour after the storm, I didn't have even a puddle in my yard."

"How did your roof hold up?"

"I only lost a few shingles so I'm alright there. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the inside of the house though. The carpet is ruined. Everything that was in a bottom drawer got soaked. I don't want to tear all of the sheetrock out although that's what my brother told me I should do."

"You need to be careful about mold growing inside the walls if you don't get everything completely dry."

"I know. It's just that I don't know how much money I'm going to get from insurance, if any at all. But I try to look on the bright side. The other day I was going through some of my stuff, trying to decide what to keep and what to throw away, and I started getting depressed. So I jumped in my car and drove down the street and around the block. When I got back I felt a lot better because at least I still have a house. I'm the fourth house from the beach now. Everything closer than that is gone. So I'll stay in my tent - I decorated it up a little bit and I have power so I have my TV out there - and see what happens. I'm sure everything is going to work out."

Please remember to pray for all of those who were in the path of this year's terrible hurricanes. Please pray especially for the congregation of Shoreline Park Baptist Church in Bay Saint Louis as well as Pastor and Mrs. Ed Murphy. And don't forget that for many people, like the lady I talked to in Wal-Mart, it will be a financial struggle to rebuild. If you haven't already done so, consider making a monetary gift to the relief agencies working in the disaster areas.