Some people are always on the search for something new or different. As a result they are often found focusing on things of secondary importance, rather than what matters most—all because they are trying to satisfy their curiosity.

Author Fred Sanders gave this good advice: “Our great need is to be led further in to what we already have. The gospel is so deep that it not only meets our deepest needs but comes from God’s deepest self. The salvation proclaimed in the gospel is not some mechanical operation that God took on as a side project. It is a ‘mystery that was kept secret for long ages’ (Rom. 16:25), a mystery of salvation that goes back into the heart of God, decreed ‘before the foundation of the world’ (Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:20). When God undertook our salvation, he did it in a way that put divine resources into play, resources which involve him personally in the task. . . . The deeper we dig into the gospel, the deeper we go into the mystery of the Trinity.”

Now, that’s something that will provide help, hope, and happiness. Dig deep!

—put off the former conversation the old man—put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.-Eph.4:22,24

For centuries the aristocracy of Europe showed off their wealth in a number of pretentious ways. Not only did they live in mansions and travel in ornate coaches, but upper-class women spent lavish amounts of money to have small dogs bred. They were referred to as “lap dogs” and became as much a part of the fashion of the day as the expensive gowns worn by the elite.

Over time, it became a trademark of the wealthy for a woman to have her portrait painted with a little dog nestled in her lap.

In America, the late 1800s brought times of financial prosperity for many people. Men became millionaires almost overnight through the development of the railroad, oil, and real estate.  Many of the wives of these businessmen desired to emulate their wealthy counterparts in Europe and not to be outdone, they acquired lap dogs of their own, spending large amounts of money in the process.  One of the most popular dogs bred and owned during this time was the poodle.

Cynical observers took notice of this practice and coined the phrase, “putting on the dog”—a phrase which still exists today, meaning ostentatious activity by someone who is attempting to show off his/her wealth or position in society.

Unfortunately, this same principle is carried over into our churches every Sunday morning.  We  put on the dog more  often than we would like to admit . . . and in more ways than perhaps we even know.

Consider these examples: faking a pious attitude in the service when our hearts are far from sincere; flaunting our clothing or accessories in an unseemly way; using spiritual vocabulary to make people think better of us than we deserve; making an exaggerated display of dropping the gift in the offering plate—the list goes on.

Pretentiousness takes many different forms and we all struggle with it in our lives.

Frankly, it’s a lot more comfortable to put on the dog than it is to expose who we really are. Transparency is extremely difficult, and sometimes it’s just easier to hide behind a poodle!

But while everyone else might be fooled into thinking that we have it all fluffed up and under control, God sees past the makeup, the expensive suit, and the bleached smile.

God sees our hearts and knows exactly who we are at any moment.  God sees past the gimmicks and the props . . . you can’t hide from Him behind a poodle.

So, let’s stop putting on the dog and get real.  Let’s start by developing the habit of genuine, transparent conversation.  Let’s admit to one another our failures and ask for prayer for specific needs and accountability between brothers and sisters in Christ.

When the body meets together, it should be without pretense and show; there should be honest expressions of both praise and pain—needs as well as niceties.

The truth is the Christian experience should be a breeding ground for godly partnerships and persistent prayer . . . not for posing with lap dogs for pious portraits.

The church is simply no place for putting on the dog.  Maybe we ought to hang a sign in the lobby that reminds us all: “No Poodles Allowed . . . Come Just as You Are.”

Maybe it’s been awhile since you looked in the mirror of God’s Word to see what you really look like. Perhaps there are still poodles in your own portrait that you need to pray for God’s help to remove. Will you pray for God to reveal them to you today?  Once He does, pray that He will give you courage to make the changes.(By Stephen Davey)

I shall never understand, even in heaven,
why the Lord Jesus should ever have loved me.—

There is no love like it, and why was it fixed upon me?

Have you never felt that you could go in, like David,
and sit before the Lord, and say, “Who am I, O Lord God?
and what is my house, that you have brought me hitherto?”

Yet wonderful as it is, it is true; Jesus loves you,
loves you now at this very moment.

Do you not rejoice in it?

I assure you that, in the least drop of the love of Christ
when it is consciously realized, there is more sweetness
than there would be in all heaven without it.

Talk of bursting barns, overflowing wine-vats, and riches
treasured up; these give but a poor solace to the heart.

But “the love of Jesus” -this is another word for heaven;
and it is a marvel that even while we are here below

we should be permitted to enjoy a bliss beyond what the angels know, for
“Never did angels taste above,
Redeeming grace and dying love.” (By Charles Spurgeon)

Each year millions of people visit the holy Indian city of Hardwar to bathe in the River Ganges. These multitudes come believing this Hindu ritual will wash their sins away. They bathe in waters with many others who want desperately to be forgiven of sin, but have only the hope of the washing of physical water to clean their sins. Christian missionaries in India spend much time witnessing to these people, telling them of God’s forgiveness, begging them to trust His cleansing power rather than the waters of an earthly river.

These Indian people will do anything to gain forgiveness of sins, washing in water, praying prayers, putting themselves through torturous rituals, and even offering their own children as sacrifices. One story is told of an Indian woman who believed that offering her newborn son would appease her god and grant her eternal life. Ignoring the instinct that is in each mother, she traveled to the Ganges River, and saying goodbye one last time, she threw her son into the waters and watched him drown. She felt no forgiveness, no grace, no peace. She only felt sorrow.

On her way home, she met a missionary whom she told what she had just done. Having a Bible with him, the missionary was able to show the mother how God says she could be forgiven. Believing God’s promise and accepting Jesus’ free gift, the woman was saved that day. After she felt the peace of God, she asked the missionary one poignant question: “Why were you late?” Confused, the missionary asked what she meant. “I just lost my son to a god who didn’t care. Why were you so late in telling me of the true way to Heaven? Had I known, I wouldn’t have lost my boy.”

Sometimes we lose perspective on the dire need of people around the world. Many, like the mother, are living in spiritual darkness and are experiencing unthinkable horrors for the sake of forgiveness and peace. We can become so blinded by our comfort that we ignore the needs of those around us.

Jesus has given us the answers to every life problem we will face. He wrote the Bible to help guide us through the difficulties. But He also wrote a command for our dispersion of His truth. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Granted, not everyone is called to be a missionary, to travel to distant lands, and to spend their life in the front lines of the Christian battle. But God calls each of us to tell others of His hope. Just like the Indian woman in the story above, there are hurting, blinded people around you wherever you are. They need to hear of God’s forgiveness and salvation, and God wants you to tell them.

Too many Christians are unwilling to step outside their comfort zone to tell someone of God’s hope. Have you ever ignored God’s moving to witness to someone? You may struggle with shyness, loss of words, or fear of rejection; yet God promises to help you overcome your fears if you will obey Him.

Don’t be too late with your witness. Someone needs that message today, and you never know when their time on earth is up. You may be the last chance they have to accept Christ. (Dr. Paul Chappell)

God says what He means and means what He says. When He says, “all” He means “all”. End of story! Notice all three “all’s” found in this verse–“all grace”—“all sufficency”—“all things”. In every case nothing is lacking, incomplete, or excluded. God said “all”. One preacher called this “is a three-fold link in a golden chain, let down from the throne of grace by the God of grace.”(John MacDuff)

Notice that grace doesn’t just exist–it abounds. It is inexhaustible–like a great river that just keeps flowing. At this very moment millions are drawing from its vast supply, yet it is not diminished in the least, not even a drop! Regardless of how much we receive there is always more, more than enough.

Do you live in the sunlight of this precious promise? Or are you in a dark corner of despair, dwelling on the magitude of your miseries? Do yourself a favor and get your focus off of self and set your sights on God. Regardless of our situaton we may receive “grace upon grace”. There is “grace in all our circumstances and situations, in all vicissitudes and changes, in all the varied phases of the Christian’s being. Grace in sunshine–and in storm; in health–and in sickness; in life–and in death! Grace for the old believer–and the young believer. Grace for the tried believer, and the weak believer, and the tempted believer. Grace for duty–and grace in duty; grace to carry the joyous cup with a steady hand–and grace to drink the bitter cup with an unmurmuring spirit; grace to have prosperity sancitified–and grace to say through tears,’May Your will be done!’.”(John MacDuff)

Indeed, there is grace enough for everyone, at all times, in all places, and all circumstances. It is absolutely amazing abounding grace. Keep your focus there and your life will be blessed with rainbows and roses.