The Set Apart Girl Follows Jesus

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

1 John 2:6

 People of the world believe that going to church every sunday makes one a "Christian." Sometimes even as Christians, we believe that going to church or serving in ministry leads to a relationship with God. The term "christian" was given to those who followed Jesus when he walked on the earth.  Going to church every sunday won't get you into heaven. Singing in the choir won't get you special privileges with God. Living and loving as Jesus did makes you a true follower of Him. 

God sent His only begotten son, Jesus, here to earth to be an example of what we should be. Although the Son of God, Jesus was human just like you and me. He got hungry, he got tired, and he was tempted by the devil. There is nothing that you and I go through that Jesus did not also have to face. Jesus prayed, so we are to pray. Jesus showed unconditional love to others just like we should. In bible times, Jesus' disciples were those who not only followed Him around, but they also studied Him and lived by following His example. To be more like Jesus, you have to first learn about Jesus and how He lived His life. 

The Set Apart girl lives the set-apart lifestyle, just as Jesus did. She follows the example of Jesus and truly lives to please her Heavenly Father. To receive the promises of God, you have to first be obedient to God. Just as a mother rewards her son or daughter for good behavior, our Heavenly Father is pleased with us when we are obedient to Him. Jesus says that if we love Him, we will do what He says to do (John 15:10).

Think about it...

What can you do to be more like Jesus?

Focus Scriptures:

If you love me, obey my commandments.

John 15:10

When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love.

John 15:10

Jesus replied, "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.

John 14:23

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

John 15:4

Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

Philippians 3:17

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1

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

The Set Apart Girl is a Rare Gem

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Proverbs 31:10

Are you a good woman or a Godly woman? 

The Set Apart Girl can be described as a virtuous woman. 

Virtuous is defined as:

vir·tu·ous

ˈvərCHo͞oəs/

adjective

• having or showing high moral standards. 
• conforming to moral and ethical principles; 
• morally excellent; 
• upright:

A virtuous woman is one who lives an upright life. She lives to please God, and she practices high moral standards. So why does the bible say that a virtuous woman is hard to find? In the society we live in today, living by high moral standards is not a top priority. Even though women of good character and high moral standards are hard to find today, they DO exist. Abigail is a perfect example of a virtuous woman read her story here. 

Being Set Apart for God's use means that although you are a woman who lives in the world, you do not act like the other women who live in the world. For example, the media shows us images and examples of women who are beautiful on the outside, but are angry, promiscuous, and belligerant. Look at shows like "The Real Housewives" or movies such as "Mean Girls", (just to name a few), where the women are very pretty, but mean towards others. These women are examples of girls of "this world". These women use their charm, money, and good looks to gain attention and things from others. The bible tells us that "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised." The scripture is teaching us that charm and beauty one day will fade away, but a woman who loves the Lord will be loved by others. Now hear me clearly, there is nothing wrong with pampering yourself by wearing makeup, nice clothes, or fixing you hair to look beautiful on the outside. The difference between a "girl of this world" and a "virtuous woman" is that the virtuous woman is beautiful on the inside first. She focuses on her character before she focuses on her outer beauty. 

As a Set Apart Girl, you have to make the conscious decision to live an upright and moral life. God is not going to do it for you. The world wants us to believe that being "good" is good enough, but a good woman is not necessarily a virtuous woman. When you decide to become Set Apart for God's use, it means that you decide to live a morally upright life. A virtuous woman is a woman who God can trust to do the right thing. She thinks about others before she considers herself. She loves unconditionally. She is faithful in her commitments. She meditates on God's words. She is not focused on the things of this world, but the things of God. She follows God's direction for her life, and loves doing good because it pleases God.

Think About It...

Think of the virtuous woman in contrast of today's "modern woman". What are the distinct differences? Why do you think the bible says it is hard to find a virtuous woman?

Focus Scriptures:

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

Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above rubies.

Job 28:18

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

Proverbs 31:30

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Galatians 5:22-23

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8

My Beautiful Life: Day 23

Trusting God When We Don't Understand

Can you think of a time when you felt like, "What in the world is going on in my life? Why did that happen to me? When will I finally get what I've wanted for so long? Why, God, why? When, God, when?!" If we can be honest with ourselves, we have all probably had an experience like this at some point. We all understand the feeling; and you’re not alone. There is encouragement for you today. Here is something to always remember. Mankind is fallible; we fall short and at times we’re unable to keep our promises. Man can give you instructions that are misleading and imperfect. Thankfully, God is not like man. With God, all things are possible. God keeps His promises, God gives you right instructions according to His perfect will and He won’t mislead you. If He instructs you to do something, its for your benefit, even if you don't see immediate results. No matter how much you don’t understand life as it is right now; no matter how uncomfortable it may seem or how hard it gets, don’t give up. If God is with you - the same God who spoke life into you, the same God who IS and knows the beginning and the end, the same God who knew you before the foundation of this world -is with you. When you learn to trust the Lord, you will begin to have a sense of rest in the Lord knowing that He has everything under control even when life seems to be out of control. Mountain climbers could save time and energy if they reached the top of the mountain in a helicopter, but their ultimate purpose is conquest, not efficiency. Sure, they want to reach a goal, but they want to do so the hard way by testing their character and resolve. God could create scientists, mathematicians, athletes, and musicians and place them here on earth. He doesn't. He creates children who take on those roles over a long process. We learn to excel by handling failure. Only in cultivating discipline, endurance, and patience do we develop Godly character. God does not look upon trouble as we do. Where we see stress, He sees opportunities. Where we see crisis, He sees growth and betterment. God's purpose in times of crisis and trouble is to teach His children precious lessons. They are intended to educate, and build us up. And when we learn from them and ride out these storms of life, we will see the great promise He has fulfilled in our lives. When bad things happen, know that God has not abandoned you, and see it as a time to trust Him even more. When it is over we can look back and see that our learning lessons were necessary for His master plan for our lives.

Job 23:9-10

When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Isaiah 48:10-11

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another.

A Prayer for Today

Thank You Lord for every trial and tribulation I have faced, it has made me who I am today. Thank You for bringing me out of the rough times with a testimony that will bring glory to You. I know that my helps comes from you in all situations. Please strengthen my faith and open my mind to the truth that everything is unfolding according to your divine plan. Let compassion and love for my brothers and sisters flow from me and may we all be uplifted by your glory. 

Amen.