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 Trusts God to Take Care of Her

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:33-34

The world we live in can be a scary place. The media and internet report stories everyday on war, death, crisis, and sickness. Whether these stories are truth or just propaganda, it seems as though everyone is consumed with the issues of this world. Although we live in this world, we have to remember that though we have to live in this world, we are not "of this world". The people of this world are worried about the issues of this world, but the Set Apart girl knows that because God is with her, she doesn't have to worry (Isaiah 41:10). 

The girl of this world worries about what will happen tomorrow. The girl of this world fears about the future. God does not want you to walk around in fear, instead He wants you to be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6). He tells us "not to worry about tomorrow" (Matthew 6:34) because He will take care of us. We are not to worry about our life, what we will eat, what we will drink, or even what we are to wear. God says He will take care of all of these things when we focus on Him (Matthew 6:25-34). The more we receive the truth of God's Word, the easier it becomes to trust Him to do what He says He will do. When you focus your time, energy, and attention on God instead of worrying, He will give you peace (Philippians 4:7).

The Set Apart girl trusts God when He says he will take care of her. Psalm 24:1 tells us that "the earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him." Everything you need is in Him. God has the resources and the power to provide everything you will ever need. There is nothing too big or too small that God can not take care of. The bible says if you need something, ask God for it (Matthew 7:7). Psalm 84:11 tells us that God will not withhold anything from those who do what is right. God is our Heavenly Father and He takes pleasure in taking care of us. 

Think about it...

God tells us that He is our Heavenly Father, and just like an earthly father, He will take care of us. What are some things you have been worried about that you need to trust God to take care of? Pray and ask Him for His help. 

Focus Scriptures:

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.

Psalm 84:11

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 55:22

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

November Study: The Set Apart Girl

Do you know that you are special to God? Do you know that He created you for a special purpose, to make a difference in this world? You are hand-picked and loved by the Almighty God. He chose you, and wrote your story before you were even formed in your mother's womb. God spoke to Jeremiah and told him,

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations."

Jeremiah 1:5

Just like Jeremiah, God has a special plan for your life. You may not be a prophet like Jeremiah, but you have been chosen by God to leave your mark on this world, to make a difference, and to bring glory to God. Because you are so special, our enemy (the devil) is jealous and does not want you to fulfill your purpose, or receive all that God has for you here on earth. So what does the devil do? He puts in front of us enticing distractions and feel-good sins of this world, to keep us focused on everything but God. The devil tries to deceive us with the things of the world to keep us from the promises of God. When you decide to become"set apart" for God's use, He can move and flow through you everyday of your life to fulfill the perfect plan He has for you. 

The Set Apart Girl is a girl who is after God's purpose for her life. She sets herself apart from the things of this world and stays focused on the things of God. What is the difference between a girl of this world and a set-apart girl? Stay tuned as we search the scriptures and learn to distinguish the differences from a worldly woman, and a virtuous woman.

Scriptures about Being Set Apart:

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

Deuteronomy 7:6

The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

John 15:19

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

I John 2:15

Love Notes from God: Day 4

Love Notes from God:

I am With You Wherever You Go

This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

As a child, did you have a teddy bear or a blanket that you carried around for security? When you were a little frightened, you knew if you just had your "blankie" that everything would be OK? You found security in the unknown knowing that everything was fine once you held your teddy bear in your arms. As adults, we can't carry around  a teddy bear or special "blankie" daily. But we can receive a comfort and security that will keep us at peace day in and day out. That comfort and security comes from your Heavenly Father and believing that He is with you wherever you go. You best friend, your husband, or your mom aren't able to be with you all day everyday to comfort or assure you. But God is. When I awaken in the morning, God is with me. When I kneel to worship Him, He is with me. When I am at church, when I am at the grocery store, and even at the airport as I am about to board a plane, He is still with me. God is with me while I am in my car, and He is with me when I arrive at my destination. He is with me as I turn out the lights and go to sleep, and in the midnight hours as I rest. Whether you are in New York, California, Pakistan, China, or Brazil; He is with you. We can be confident that Christ is present with us and all believers in the United States, Canada, Germany, Russia, Indonesia, Egypt, and every other country—at the same time. God is not limited by time or space, time, height or depth—or even our level of faith. God is "omnipresent", meaning He is everywhere at all times. This may be hard to understand for some, but that is due to the limitations of our human mind. This is where our trust in Him should take effect. When we don't understand, or start to doubt that God is with us, remember the scriptures and know that God is with you.  Be strong and remember that He is with you wherever you go.

Other Love Notes on this Topic: 

Psalm 16:8-9

I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises! My body rests in safety.

Deuteronomy 3:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Love Notes from God: Day 2

Love Notes from God:

You Are Mine

There are over 8 billion people on this earth, and thousands more being born every day. And guess what? Each and every single one of us are special to God. He knew each one of us before the foundation of this world. He knew you before your parents met. He know everything about your past, present, and future. God is not just some mighty ruler who looks down at earth and sees a bunch of nameless people running around. He knows each one of us by name. He knows what we like, he knows our fears, and he even knows our wildest dreams. God knows our troubles and our happiness. He made each one of us special, and he wants to have a personal relationship with each of us. He is our Heavenly Father and we belong to Him.

Isaiah 43:1

But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

Write out Isaiah 43:1, replacing "O Jacob" and "O Israel" with your name. How does your understanding of this verse change when you understand that God is talking directly to you?

Love Notes from God: Day 1

Love Notes from God:

I Will Always Love You

God's love is always available to us, we just have to receive it. God loves you consistently, and unconditionally. Sometimes, we treat our relationship with God like we treat our relationships here on earth. If you get into an argument with your best friend, you may not speak to her for the rest of the day. If your child gets in trouble at school, you may punish him by taking away his favorite gaming system. Although we express our love in many different ways, the amazing thing about God is, He is not like us. There is nothing you can do that will cause God to stop loving you! God's love for you does not depend on if you read your bible enough, if you made it to bible study this week, or if you prayed enough today. Sometimes we can't help but wonder: Does God really love me? Even when I feel unloved and unlovable? Even when I really mess up? And the answer is YES. He doesn't love you any more or any less because of what you did or did not do. We can't earn God's love by the things we do. No matter how much or how badly people have sinned, God's love can still reach them. Even drug dealers. Even murderers. The worst person you can imagine can receive God's forgiveness by humbly asking for it. There's no such thing as a person God "no longer wants". There are only people who haven't accepted his love.