culture
how we receive information.
how we dress.
how we communicate with each other.
what we know of health risks, healthy eating, and diets.
how we travel.
this is all shaped by the culture we live in.
culture shapes us.
we see the negative and positive affects with each passing year.
some of us use alarm clocks and wristwatches tell you the time.
cell phones by the bedside and in the back pocket tell others the time.
some of us have groceries & diapers delivered. others of us make the trek to large-mart to stock up.
culture shapes us.
culture is our civilization. it’s characteristics of where and how we live. there’s an American culture. there’s an east coast culture. there’s a "name your town" culture. there’s a culture at the school you attend. the places you work. there’s a culture even in your home.
Let’s back up and see the bigger picture:
God created the world. God created you. He placed you and me in this world. He knew what our culture would look like today since the beginning of time. the imbalance happens when you and i give culture more credit than the Creator. when we make culture foundational and bring God in. culture can’t hold God. remember the song, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands? that’s how we must see this!
culture shapes us. God defines us.
culture can speak to us. culture will shape us. our worldview is affected by our culture. the many voices we hear a day are predominately from culture.
how do we raise our kids in the culture?
how do you filter truth and stability in a culture that is always changing?
so what does culture say about you?
if you do this, this, and this, then you’re accepted.
you can do better than that.
believe who you want to believe. follow who you want to follow. be you.
accept and be loving to all peoples.
what’s right for you might not be right for me.
what does God say about you?
Psalm 18.16-19 says, “He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me because he delighted me.”
Romans 12.2 says, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
1 Corinthians 6.19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
1 Thessalonians 5.5 says, “for you are all children
of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.”
what does culture say about God?
God is old-school.
God is in the synagogues.
God is alive on Sundays when you’re at church.
God was for your nana’s generation and He sort of got passed down.
God is who you want Him to be, no matter what religion you practice.
God is up on a cloud somewhere looking down. He’s far removed.
what does God say about culture?
Matthew 6.24 says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Joshua 24.15 says, “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” {great theme for your home}
1 Peter 2.11, “beloved, i urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
notice that what culture says about God is fluid. it changes constantly. Yet, God never changes. It says so in Malachi 3.6, “I, the Lord, do not change.” So while culture is ever-changing around us, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You do have a CONSTANT in your life.
Culture always clashes with God when it goes against God.
How do we live in the culture, and live as His daughters?
my decisions should funnel through one filter and one filter only: how do I live today as His daughter? this includes {go back to the list above} how I dress, how I talk, how I travel, how I eat, how I spend my time, how I give of myself, how I relate to others.
I can only live for one. remember that...you can only live for one. The beautiful redemptive piece is that we can live in this world with all that is changing and be constant in our character because of Christ who lives in us at work in us.
1 Peter 3.3, “do not let your adorning be external-the braiding of hair,the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing-but let your adornment be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
you are a beautiful creation He has made. you add to our world. voices around you always change their mind about you depending on what you give or don't give back. know this, my friend, the Voice we need to hear is from the One who says You are loved. You are valued. You matter. and that's the voice of God.