Why I Dress Up For My Wife!
I’m getting ready to go to the airport in a few minutes. I am wearing dress slacks, a sport coat, a dress shirt and a tie. The occasion? I’m going to see my wife in Indianapolis tonight. I ALWAYS dress up when I come home to my wife! Why? I would hope that the fact that I took extra time to dress up, tells her I think she is someone worth dressing up for. I want her to think, to know, and to feel that I consider her the most important person in this world. I will always dress up for her. I try to show her, that I think she’s very special! I might add that my efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
So what’s my point?
My point is that we are living in a very casual society. My travels have taken me to churches wear adults and young people wear clothes that not even a golf course would permit. Flip flops, tee shirts, curlers in the hair, and clothes that no one bothered to iron or maybe even wash, are seen in too many churches. What’s the deal? Why are Pentecostal churches looking like “Nothing special is going on here.”
There Is A Curse In Being Casual About The Things Of God:
1. CASUAL IN ATTITUDE
UZZAH:
- Touch Ark to steady it and God killed him. He was too familiar and too comfortable.
- Casual Attitude brings Familiarity
ESAU:
- Heb 12:16 Profane = to treat as commonplace.
- Later he sought for God carefully with tears but never found help.
- Casual brings Unconcern
- Next is Contempt (He traded birthright for something to eat)
- (Heb 12:17 KJV) For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
- He got careful too late.
ATTITUDE
- Gum chewers – almost never respond, and never receive.
- Demonstrates an attitude of a spectator at an event.
- A watcher.
DRESS
- Carelessness about attire tells God you don’t think coming to His House is important
- Some are very careless about modesty
- Many are careless about adorning themselves with jewelry like Israel did when it backslid.
Wear your best to church
- Dress up for God
- He hates casual!!
God said to Moses, “Take off your shoes,” you are on Holy ground. God wanted Moses to be respectful in His presence.
2. CASUAL IN OBEDIENCE
- Casual in Giving: Tithe/Offerings
- Sacrifice: God got tired of Israel bring him 2nd rate lambs. He wanted the best. No Blemish.
- Don’t be Casual in what you give God or Do for God
CAIN:
- Offered what he felt was OK to God. It was good enough for him; it should be good enough for God.
SAUL:
- Casual in obedience
- Destroyed as he saw fit. Used his own judgment. Didn’t obey the prophet and let Agag live.
3. CASUAL IN WORSHIP
- Pharisees – whited sepulchers, worship with lips, but heart is far from me
- Half Hearted worship too common in Pentecost
4. CASUAL IN FAITHFULNESS
- Why did he have to say, forsake not the assembling of yourselves together if they weren’t casual about their attendance?
- (Heb 10:25 KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
5. CASUAL IN COMMITTMENT
AMAZIAH:
- Did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a perfect heart as did his father David
AHAB
- (1 Ki 16:31 KJV) And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
- (1 Ki 16:33 KJV) And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
- Your Casualness will cause you to provoke God.
- Fools make a mock at sin.
- Are you Casual with God? You’ll be casual with sin
YOUR CASUAL LIFESTYLE ANGERS GOD
- Churches without conviction (are they casual?)
- A Casual ministry brought Strange Fire
- Some silly preachers wearing shorts and tank tops in public.
- Even preaching in them.
- God is NOT pleased.
REPENTANCE IS THE KEY
- (2 Cor 7:11 KJV) For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
- Yea what carefulness it wrought in you.
- Only Repentance removes the casual attitude
Apostolic Expository Series
Christy Ballestero (My Beautiful DIL)
http://marciaballestero.com/
Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero, New Destiny Worship Center, Clearwater, FL (My Son)
Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero, Temple Of Pentecost, Raleigh, NC (My Son)
James Groce Blog – "Toward The Mark"
Kenneth Bow Blog
Kingdom Speak Podcast
Philip Harrelson – "The Barnabas Blog"
Verbal Bean Ministries
Holy Ghost Radio
The Ballestero Blog 
Well said!!! On both fronts..your wife and the church. I am so thankful we instilled in our daughters the importance of dressing to be in the presence of the King of Kings!!! And that we have a pastor that teaches it! Always giving God your best. Thank you for a great blog 🙂
Denise Billings
April 19, 2010 at 12:15 pm
This observation is so very true. I often say “our attitude dictates our altitude”. Our appearance reveals who or what we are within. It is abominable to come to God’s house dressed like we are heading to the church picnic. If we are expecting to visit with the King of Kings then we will dress accordingly.
Gerald Adams
April 19, 2010 at 12:36 pm
You touched a button here. I was thinking, the most casual that I ever saw my dad was, he exchanged his dress coat for a vest to go over his dress shirt. FB gives you quite a view of the conditons that prevail.
Marian June Davis
April 19, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Thank you for this blog, “Why I dress up for my wife.”
It is so right and helpful. I am sure Pastor Les Murphy will read it, and if not I intend to print enough copies for each family and young person in the church. Thank you for your time and efforts to help our church grow. We love you at Truth Tabernacle Apostolic Church here in Medford, Oregon.
Elder L.N. Murphy
Noel Murphy
April 19, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Elder…I couldn’t agree more. As Pastor Bow might have already told you, we were invited to sing at a Christian Music Festival at a local county fair last Friday eve. 10 groups played. All of the groups, except for FPC were totally casual. Our group, under the direction of Pastor Bow…dressed up. We dressed in our best, because we wanted to do our best to simulate a church service and promote worship. The many compliments we received were to the affect, “You guys looked sharp.” It made the difference.
Larry Billings
April 19, 2010 at 1:13 pm
God bless you more….our generation needs this….keep up the good works,God is with you.
salome maaliw (@SMaaliw)
July 12, 2014 at 7:34 am
Amen Elder,
I am just privileged enough to have mentors in my life! I have First and Foremost Brother Johnson, You, Brother Thomas, Brother Buie, and other great Men of God to look up too! I appreciate your boldness! I also appreciate that no matter what you say or where you are you are YOU! Thank you Brother Ballesero, can’t wait to see you at the Connersville Bethel Apostolic Church soon!
God Bless you and Keep you while you travel!
Ryan
apostolic765
April 19, 2010 at 1:53 pm
That word was truly a blessing. I think that sometimes we don’t realize how casual we are being until someone brings it to our attention. Thank you for that word.
Sonja
April 19, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I think I should give this to my hubby to read I think sometimes he forget….
:)
April 19, 2010 at 6:58 pm
wow….amazing….outstanding!!!!
kennethbow
April 20, 2010 at 12:15 am
Wow, now I understand why John the Baptist beheaded!
(Sent with love and humor to my friends the Ballestero’s)
🙂
Nathan Reynolds
April 20, 2010 at 5:14 pm
We just had a study about being faithful to the gathering together especially in this last days, we need to be even more faithful than ever. Appreciate much the sharing of the Word of God. Praise God for the truth.
Surjanto Tirtabudi
April 21, 2010 at 7:54 am
Im so glad I found this post. I have been thinking the same thoughts myself on *Pentecostal Sloppiness*. Makes one wonder why would anyone outside the Church would want to even visit with the way some are looking today in our Churches! Why isnt it being taught more? So many of our women are falling out beacuse they think they have to look sloppy to be a Christain. So therefore they just go all the way & completely have a makeover , but the wrong way! Modesty is not being taught the right way Im afraid. I would love to speak on this subject beacuse way to many are falling away. Thank you for this post, it is so true!!
Candy Heflin
April 21, 2010 at 2:39 pm
So true sister , I wonder the same why isn’t modesty taught now and skirts / dresses are getting way to short !
Rowella Budgell
March 24, 2016 at 9:53 am
I posted this on my facebook page. I hope that my generation reads it! I dont ever want to dress up more to go out to eat or attend a wedding than I do going to the house of the Lord. There are some things in life that need to be kept sacred! Wonderfully written!
Marisa Hartzell
April 22, 2010 at 6:55 am
Thank you, Elder!
Casey Jones
May 3, 2010 at 10:09 am
God is so good for providing His people great God fearing preachers!Gid bless you and am always looking forward for your posts….
salome maaliw (@SMaaliw)
July 12, 2014 at 7:36 am
Just want to say thanks for those messages wensday Thursday and Friday in summit ms with my pastor Kenneth patten the first message about 10-D has really stuck to me.. Thank u for all your preaching I am praying for you and your family as u travel…
Alisha Marbury
October 30, 2014 at 9:02 am
I have been raised in this beautiful truth and I was taught to take my walk with God very serious. I have done my best. I have noticed that I must be careful because if I allow just one little slip up in my faithfulness to Him it can become easier each time. I want to be faithful to God!
Rachel Hillhouse
March 23, 2016 at 2:19 pm
My mom and dad always taught us when we went to the house of God, to dress our best. To give God our best! He deserves our best! I want to give God what I can and do what I can for him! He deserves my highest praise! Well said Bro Ballestero.
Joanne Walters
March 25, 2016 at 1:26 pm
So good to hear this. Every church needs to read this message.Thank you both for your faithful dedication and for upholding the standard of holiness!we have always enjoyed your messages .may God bless you and your family !
Victor and Ann Taylor
March 25, 2016 at 2:09 pm
The brother Ballesteros…..
I met you recently in Auburn Washington I am the nice of Reverend Lemon T Reynolds of National City…my question is. ..
Are there any more like you at home?
Hee Hee. ..I love your article on dressing up…Louetta Mills
Louetta Mills
March 26, 2016 at 5:20 am
The problem is that we as a church (as a whole) have grown too comfortable in dealing in God, worship and praise, even in being a living witness. Church and living for God was never meant to be comfortable. People easily get offended and walk out on God because a preacher would preach down the line, trying to wake them up spiritually, most of the time. Lord, if that is what it takes for me to be saved, to stir up the gift that is within me, by offending me or to take me out of my comfort zone, then please keep me on my toes. As far as dressing up for the wife, the Bible says to present yourself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, so in church and for that special ONE, be holy unto one another through undying love and respect.
Bro. Robert Shamonski
October 5, 2019 at 5:21 pm