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 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 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