D.R.E.S.S.E.D.

It is a book of my journey and some of the lessons I've learned along the way. As a bride is dressed and has prepared herself to meet her groom, this book is a personal directory for the true believer who is serious about meeting the soon coming King. The Bible has informed us as Christians to prepare and look forward to meet the King of Kings and Lord of Lords but we recognize that the enemy is sowing seeds of deceit by allowing many to disregard the most important element of Christian preparation. The writer is giving the reader a thought-provoking and uplifting view of important insights pertinent to soulwinning, and Godly living.

Life is not a problem to be solved, it is a mystery to live. You cannot solve life's problems. But you can be dressed (prepared) for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). "So, if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21). We wake up and use the bathroom and relieve ourselves, brush our teeth, shower, dry off, use lotion and deodorant and we begin the process of layering our clothes. This is what we need to do for our spiritual walk with God in the Kingdom. Wake up, be alert, pay attention, spend time in prayer, spend time listening for His voice, Accept Christ as our personal savior and Relieve ourselves of every weight and sin that doth so easily beset us. (Hebrews 12:1) Clean your mouth of any corrupt, filthy, and negative communication. Clean your mind of any stinky thinking. Be washed in the blood of the lamb through God's word. Then begin the process of putting on Christ by seeking Him daily through prayer and supplication making your request known unto God (Philippians 4:6). Studying the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15), applying that word in your daily life, For God's word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway (Psalms 119:105). Therefore, as God's chosen people, Holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12). If we draw near to Christ, He will draw near to us. Then we can take on the characteristics of Christ which is the fruit of the Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) The fruit of the spirit is unified whole not independent characteristics. As we grow, all the characteristics of Christ will be manifested in our lives. Yet, like physical fruit needs time to grow, the fruit of the Spirit will not ripen in our lives overnight. Like a successful gardener must battle against weeds to enjoy the sweet fruit they desire, we must constantly work to rid our lives of the "weeds" of our old sin natures that want to choke out the work of the Spirit. You see the goal of all the children of God is for us to be like Christ. Let your root grow deep in the Lord, for the deeper the root, the sweeter the fruit.

Carolyn V. Kinard born and raised in Camden, NJ to the late Bishop and Mother Sherman Diggs Sr. She is the eldest of five children. Married for 45 years with three adult children, one son in law and one grandchild. Her favorite bible verse is 2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. And Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." D.R.E.S.S.E.D. was birthed out of a love for God's word and the people of God. The desire to be prepared for every good work and pass that message to all who will hear. This is a tremendous time to show forth the love and power of God on the earth. Arm yourselves in righteous living. God has given us everything we need that pertains to life and godliness. You can find all the weapons you need to fight with in the word of God. There is freedom for those who are bound, victory for those who feel defeated, love for those who feel unloved, Spiritual Healing for those who are wounded and sick. And power to overcome the fiery darts of the enemy. I have lived in several states and European countries, but in all of the beautiful sites I've seen, one thing holds true to me "without Christ . . .Nothing."