The Set Apart Girl has Inner Beauty

Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

I Peter 3:3-3

Have you seen Rihanna on the cover of that new magazine? Did you see the Victoria's Secret fashion show? I absolutely have to have that new shade of Cover Girl lipstick!

As women, we love to look beautiful, and  feel pretty - and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! God created women to be beautiful, delicate, and special in so many ways. The bible speaks about many "beautiful women." In fact, I encourage pampering yourself as much as you feel you need it. 

Daily, we spend time and effort in looking beautiful for ourselves and others. Day in and day out, we critique ourselves and others on the way we look. It is true that when you leave your house, you should take time to make sure you look neat a presentable. However, the problem that the girls of the world face is that they focus all of their time, energy, and money on becoming false image of "beautiful". They loose sight of who God says they are, and begin to become blinded by vanity, ego, and self-admiration. There is no sin in looking classy, fabulous, and glamorous. However, conceitedness, narcissism, and self-worship, are sin. Girls of this world put the love of "self" before their love of God.

When I was in high school, I wore long hair extensions because I felt having long hair made me feel pretty. I spent hundreds of dollars each month to make sure my hair was beautiful, so that I felt beautiful. During one of my routine styling appointments, I removed the extensions and had my natural hair washed. After my natural hair was blow dried and styled, I looked in the mirror. Instantly, I burst into tears. I hated the way I looked. My own hair wasn't good enough, and I did not feel beautiful at all. I went home, and added more extensions to my hair.

The problem was not the hair extensions. The problem was not what other people thought of me. The problem I had was loving myself for who God made me to be. I had fallen so in love with this "false appearance" of myself that I could not even look at myself in the mirror without crying. I had been blinded by vanity. 

God does not want you to have an experience like I had. He wants you to love His creation (you) whether you have on a full face of makeup, or just woke up and hopped out of bed. The Set Apart girl realizes that her beauty comes from within. The bible tells us that "People judge by outward appearance, but God looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). God sees you just as you are. He loves that you are a kind, and giving person. God loves that you are good with kids and that you pray for others. Those are qualities that make you beautiful to God. He created you and every beautiful feature on your body. Start seeing yourself as God sees you. Love yourself for who God created you to be. Your smile, your personality, your sense of humor, are all things that make you who you are. Don't hold back, and don't be afraid to stand out. Be you, and shine from the outside in. 

Think about it...

Why do you think God created you the way you are? What can you do that no one else can do? 

Focus Scriptures:

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.

Proverbs 31:30

A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

Proverbs 11:16

Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 22:24

There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!

Proverbs 29:31

The Set Apart Girl Finds Her Identity in Christ

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10

When we are born, our identity comes from this world. Our parents give us a name, we belong to a family, and we learn how to live from our environment. As we grow, we learn to like and dislike things, foods, and people. We live to have experiences that mold and shape who we will later become. When a person becomes born again, they take on a new identity - a Heavenly identity.

Girls of this world will find their identity in the things they own, or the accomplishments they have achieved. The girl of this world brags about the degree she earned from the prestigious university she attended. The girl of this world bullies and gossips about others because she believes she is better than the "average person". The girl of this world will exalt herself and all that she has done, and can do. Although it is good to have goals, and work hard, Jesus tells us "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be" (Matthew 6:21). If your desires are in and of this world, your heart will follow the unGodly patterns of this world. 

When she becomes born again, the Set Apart Girl now takes on her new identity through Jesus Christ.  Her desires change from wordly desires to Heavenly desires. She no longer brags about what she can do, but she lives just as Jesus did. Christ died on the cross for our sins so that we can live again in Heaven with our Father God. The bible tells us that those that belong to Him will reign as heirs along with Jesus in Heaven (Romans 8:17). When the Set Apart girl realizes she is already royalty in Heaven, the things of this world become less important. 

 heir (n.) [air]

a person who inherits or has a right of inheritance in the property of another following the latter's death.

The Set Apart girl lives to store up her treasures in Heaven. She commits her time, resources, and talents to God's plan for her life. She lives this life here on earth to live again in Heaven. She behaves as an heir to the promises of God. 

Think about it...

When we get to Heaven, we will rule as joint heirs with Jesus. How does this change your opinion about how you should live your life here on earth?

Focus Scriptures:

And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right, to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:29-30

Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Matthew 6:19-21

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

Ephesians 1:4

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

The Set Apart Girl Lives to Please God

Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.

Galatians 1:10

Growing up, we were taught to be obedient and do what our parents told us to do (Ephesians 6:1). At our jobs, we are rewarded by our bosses for following the rules and doing great work. As we grow older, since the desire to please others was implanted into our minds from a young age, it needs to be put into perspective before it begins to control our way of living. For example, a girl of this world who wants to impress her friends by wearing fancy clothes, and having expensive things may work long tiring hours just to be able to buy these things that do not make her happy. A man of this world may want to impress a special lady by purchasing a fancy sportscar that he can not afford, then later goes into debt for doing it. That is not the life of joy that God wants for you. God does not want you to work hard to impress others. He wants you to work hard to love them. 

There is nothing wrong with wanting friends and family to be proud of you. The important thing when making decisions is the motive behind the decision you are making. Ask yourself, "why am I doing this?" "Who am I doing this for?"The Set Apart girl does everything she can to please God. Everything she does, she does it with her best effort, with the sincere desire to better others. She decides what to do based on what will please God. 

Do you know that when you help someone else you are pleasing God? Did you know that when you pray and talk to the Lord He is smiling down on you? Do you know that every time you are obedient to God, He has a blessing waiting in store for you? Can you imagine God dancing and singing over you because He takes delight in you? Because He does! (Zephaniah 3:17)

Girls of this world seek the attention of people around them because they have no idea that their #1 Fan, their Heavenly Father, is already pleased with them. God created you, and He loves everything about you. No one in this world can love you more than God. When you realize that God Almighty smiles with joy at the thought of you, you will try less to impress others, and spend more time doing things that are pleasing to Him. Spend time in prayer and talk to God. He loves you. 

Think about it...

God loves you more in a moment that anyone could in an entire lifetime. Before you do something, check your motives? Are you doing it to please God, or to impress someone else? 

Focus Scriptures:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:24

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4

I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10:33

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:17

My Beautiful Life: Day 25

God is Always Moving

To give thanksgiving unto God we must recognize His hand in our lives. The hand of God is not speaking of a literal body part. Just as a father lovingly guides, helps, and patiently disciplines a child with his hand, so are we guided by the hand of God in different circumstances in our lives. What blessings has He given to you? What miracles has He led you to? It is easy to recognize a miracle when someone walks up to you and gives you an envelope full of money. But what about the miracle of life? What about the blessing of having a meal to eat every night? We have to train ourselves to see God moving in our lives in order to truly be grateful for all that He has done. A great idea is to get out a piece of paper and literally number your blessings one by one. As you count your blessings be specific. Name individual family members and friends. Think of your life, health, home, city, and country. Ask yourself what  exactly about your home or country is a blessing? How about your skills, talents, education, and job? Think about those times that seemed like a "coincidence". Did you overlook God's hand moving in your life? Did you think of God's greatest gift to us, His Son, Jesus Christ? You will be amazed at how many blessings you truly have. The more we recognize the hand of God, the better we will be able to follow His lead. Even you are not powerful enough to stop God’s plan for your life. Nothing can snatch you out of God’s hand; no accident or opinion of another can stop God’s plan. God is in complete control of your life. God is working behind the scenes, arranging things in your favor; He’s making a way where you don’t see a way. His hand is always moving in your life, even when you don't see immediate results. All you have to do is keep God first place in your life. Honor Him with your life, and you will come into these destiny moments where you see God supernaturally protecting you, where you’re at the right place at the right time, and experiencing the favor of God moving you towards your divine destiny. It’s not your lucky break, it’s almighty God saying, “I’ve got a destiny for you to fulfill, My plan will come to pass.” Through the study of God’s Word, a strong prayer life, and an having trust in God, we can learn to recognize quickly the hand of God moving in our lives. When you are able to recognize all that He has done, you can easily accept and begin to show thanksgiving towards God for all that he has done.

John 10:27-28

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for trying to run my life my own way. I forget to let go and give you control. When I wonder why things aren't going the way I want them to go, help me to remember you. Help me to stop and ask what you want, Lord. Please help me to give you control, Father. I want to have what You desire for me. Lord, let me accept each day as a gift. Let me follow the path You choose for me. Help me to be thankful for what you give me and not to worry about my needs. I trust you will take care of all my needs. I m confident that You have a plan for my life. Remind me daily that my role is to trust and obey You.

Amen

My Beautiful Life: Day 24

He Deserves Our Gratitude

When we are thankful for the goodness of God in our lives, it touches the very heart of God and encourages Him to shower even more blessings upon us. A thankful heart is truly a floodgate to the blessings and goodness of God in our lives! Let's say that you had a granddaughter, and you went out and bought her the prettiest dress in town. You spent thousands of dollars on it, and invested countless hours hunting to find the perfect dress. When you're all done, you gifted your granddaughter with her new surprise. She first screams with excitement and then she cries for joy, and gives you the biggest hug you've ever received. Then for the next month, she can't stop talking about how you surprised her, and she continually thanks you up and down for such a wonderful gift. When she wears the dress, her eyes light up from happiness. Wouldn't that make you feel good inside for blessing her in such a way? You would probably want to run out and do it all over again, just because she loved it so much and was so thankful for everything you did. Now consider if you went through all that work to spend all that time and money to find the perfect dress for her, only to have your granddaughter act as if she couldn't care less for the gift you had given her. Never once did she show any appreciation, or thankfulness for all you've done. She didn't even stop to say thank you when you gave it to her. Wouldn't that make you feel awful? Wouldn't that make you think twice before blessing her in the future? How do you think God feels, when He's done so much for us (He made us, gave us such wonderful bodies and minds, then when we messed up, He sent His son to die for us, etc.), and then we go throughout the day not even stopping to think about all He's done for us? We're too busy watching TV, too busy complaining, and countless other things...that we don't even stop to think about all God's done for us. How do you think that makes God feel? The good thing is that God is not like us, and  He loves us despite of what we do or don't do. He shows mercy to us day after day, and He continues to bless us, even when we don't deserve it. Take time to show love to your Heavenly Father and thank Him for all that He has done for you. He deserves it. 

Psalm 86:15 

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

A Prayer for Today

Thank You Heavenly Father for being patient with me. You continue to bless me with your grace and mercy when I don't deserve it. Please help me to show continuous gratitude toward you, and not take for granted my many blessings. Help me to have a thankful heart. You deserve all of my praise for all of the wonderful things you have done for me. 

Amen.