Skip to main content

Inside Out


    In this world we live in, there is a lot of focus on outward appearances. Businesses advertise based on our vanity; trying to sell us the next new face cream or exercise equipment guaranteed to make us look better in no time! We are all bought into this system to some extent. And it really isn't bad to want to look nice, as long as we aren't extreme and keep our focus where it should be… on the one who made us all! As a simple reminder today,  I looked into what the Bible says about beauty.

1 Peter 3:3-5 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. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. (NLT)

    We are not made beautiful from how we present ourselves outwardly, but rather from how we present ourselves inwardly, to God. We are made beautiful from the inside out. We are made beautiful by doing His work here on the earth and for abiding in Him wholeheartedly. For the things of this earth will fade. Beauty does not last, nor will anything else of this world. If we cannot take it with us into eternity, it isn't worth much. Beauty is fleeting.

Ezekiel 28:17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. (ESV)
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! (NLT)

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (ESV)

    However, we can confidently say that we are all beautiful for we were created in the image of God. If God were not an accurate representation of beauty, I don't know who would be! Look around at the other works of His hands-- the sunset, the trees, the oceans, the flowers, the birds-- and we are worth so much more to Him! He created us in His own image. We are more beautiful than all those things.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. (HCSB)
Psalm 27:4 I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple. (HCSB)

    Now this topic may be more geared towards the ladies, however, there are some things to consider as a man as well. What kind of women do you find attractive? Women who find their beauty in clothing and makeup? Or women with hearts truly after God? We all are to look at one another with pure hearts and not to be deceived by outward appearances and lust for one another. Seek to examine others' beauty the way that Jesus does-- through the heart.


Proverbs 6:24-25 It will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman. Don’t lust for her beauty. Don’t let her coy glances seduce you. (NLT)
Matthew 5:28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (NIV)
Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. (ESV)
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (NIV)

    Today and every day, let us strive to find the beauty of the heart. Let us seek to see what Jesus sees in those around us. Let us appreciate them according to the depths of their hearts. Let's start looking at beauty inside out.





Comments

Popular posts from this blog

He Time

     We have now gone over me time and we time, so today I want to address He time. It's a pretty simple concept-- that we have to spend time with Jesus to grow our faith. Just like anything else we want to get better at, you have to spend time doing it. In the case of Christianity, we are changed into the image of Jesus as we spend time with Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (ESV)     My message is as simple as this-- make sure that you are setting time aside for Christ. You will never change if you don't continually immerse yourself into His presence. We need to be spending time in His word so we know His promises and guidelines for our life, in prayer to speak to Him for individual direction in our circumstances, and worshipping Him for His goodness.     Do not le...

Here's to New Beginnings!

    As 2014 begins, with it comes talk of a fresh start and new beginnings. Resolutions are made to eat healthier, save money, travel, learn a new skill etc. But as Christ followers, the new year is always a good reminder of who we are in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. (HCSB) Galatians 2:20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (HCSB) Ephesians 4:22-24 You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. (HCSB) Galatians 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let...

Knock-Knock

Revelation 3:20   Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (ESV)     When you think of a gentleman what comes to mind? A man who holds open doors, pulls out your chair, and helps you with your coat? Whatever your definition is, one thing I think we can agree on is that a gentleman is never pushy. He is "gentle" and meek, respecting all those around him. To me, Jesus is the perfect example of a gentleman.     A gentleman never pushes for his way, but respects your thoughts and opinions even if they disagree with his own. But that doesn't mean that he lets his own beliefs fall to the wayside because of what you believe. Does that not describe Jesus? He waits for us to make our choices, but remains the same perfect, faithful and unchanging God. We were always created to have free will. We have a choice to have a relationship with Jesus, or not. To sin, or not. To...