Am I beautiful?

  Ok, again -- it is summer and I have more time to think and write so ....these fingers are ready to blog away again.  However,  THIS blog post is from another Guest blogger.  She is indeed a woman of faith and has a gift to express an understanding of God's Word. 

I did not have time to read this before I left for a trip NORTH....but today, when I got to my old emails and caught up, I was so blessed by this reminder.   I am beautiful IN HIS sight! 

 And I know  several women that need THIS reminder -- YOU are beautiful!  

Today is my mother's birthday - she is 71.  I have watched her FIGHT for her children and for much over her 50+ years of marriage and  I believe THIS would bless her as well. 


To whomever is drawn to this blog this evening, I know it is a long one --
This sister has a gift and when she expresses it, I often have to ask her to give me the 5 minute version, but EACH word typed here ....now...is needed....  there is a woman out there tonight that wants to GIVE up and GIVE IN....

THERE is a woman out there, reading this that needs Jesus - but she is so prideful and stubborn and believes that 'he will never change'....

THERE is a woman out there, that will read this tonight and think, "that is too much work"...

BUT, there is a woman out there, this evening that will hear God's tender voice through this blog and know that she knows.... she is beautiful and that as long as she clings to HIS robe...and seeks HIM...HE will be faithful and give her every desire of her heart. 

THAT woman -- is indeed beautiful!

  The others are just as beautiful but there is something within the one whom is humble...seeking God...seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and comfort -- that places a special glow and particular beauty within those that seek HIM!

-- Let's be honest -- you have seen that beauty or that hardness....which do you want to be?


Amen.

I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I did!  - Michelle


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Faithful no matter the cost

 

A very close sister in Christ is going through a difficult time.

She is one of the most amazing women I know and she is fighting in prayer for her marriage.

I am quite partial to her and when I look at her I see her as one of the most disciplined, beautiful ladies I have ever met. Last night I kept thinking about WAR Room and I seen my sweet sister fighting just as Priscilla Shirer did. And I saw my sweet Mema as Ms. Clara, encouraging her to fight in this war with the tools of prayer and the word of God!

 

I pondered the thought of a “beautiful woman” as I have listened to my sweet sister pour out her heart and cry. Questioning what she did, didn’t do or could’ve done to make her marriage work.

At times she would say in a moment of defeat…I’m just not beautiful.

Everyone thinks I am crazy for standing by him….he doesn’t even care or notice I’m here.

So the question arose, what really is a beautiful woman?

 

The world’s idea of a beautiful woman and the biblical view are two totally different designs.

You can turn on the TV or pick up a magazine and see what the world portrays as a beautiful woman.

 

But have you looked at what the bible calls a beautiful woman?

Dear sister, the one whom doubts her beauty. …

To the one who keeps questioning who and what she has done….

I pray you will be encouraged by the inspiration in God’s word.

 

1 Peter 3:1-7

3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, ² when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ⁵ For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, ⁶ like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

⁷ Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

 

Peter wrote this to Christians who were suffering. They were doing what was right but they suffered because of it.

 

SUMBIT….

There it is in black and white…right out of the word of God.

When a husband is not functioning in line with the word and what he is called to do, what often happens?

What do most do? I’ve been there and done that….I’ve walked away. Thrown in the towel and said—that’s it- I’m done!

But here in scripture we are clearly instructed to be submissive.

There are no exclusions that say if and or but. Now I am not saying anyone should ever stay in an abusive marriage, be used or become subject to a domineering male-- you should certainly seek Godly counsel if that is happening.

Peter’s instruction here to women is to reflect good behavior…..to be submissive even if some of them do not live according to the word of God.

 

WHY????

Because in doing so you may win over the unbelieving husband.

It does not mean the wife doesn’t hurt.

It doesn’t mean she doesn’t wonder why he does what he does and what he is thinking.

It doesn’t mean in an instant change will be seen.

It means keeping yourself in line with what God expects out of reverence for WHO HE IS!

 

 

 

A gentle and quiet spirit….

Oh mercy God is still working on me in this area.

A gentle and quiet spirit is very precious in the sight of God.

This is a true reflection of a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.

She isn’t a threat to those around her. She doesn’t compete and she doesn’t demand her rights….

 

WHY???

Because she’s secure in WHO she is in CHRIST.

Disciplined, chaste, discreet, gracious, controlled…

This talks about control, patience and not having fits of outburst and panic. It is being kind at all times and not letting insult and belligerence turn off that kindness.

A calming demeanor….This only comes from the internal strength of faith, reverence for God and love for her husband.

 

 

….great worth in God’s sight…

 

Did you read that sister??? YOU are great worth in God’s sight!

Nothing or anyone determines how you carry yourself and present yourself.

If you are following HIS words and pressing in close to Him, YOU are great worth to HIM.

 

During great times of uncertainty…fear…doubt…hopelessness…hurt…pain and suffering…

Return to The King, with ALL your heart.

 

Is it easy?

Of course not.

Anything worthwhile, worth fighting for and the best…never is.

His Holy Spirit in you will give you the self-discipline to keep your focus on HIM and not the surrounding circumstances.

Keep HIM as your “top priority”…at your central core—the REAL BEAUTIFUL YOU!

 

 

….. holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves…

 

Think of Sarah who was physically described (Genesis 12:11) as one of the most beautiful women of the bible and how she was humbled before the Lord and honored her husband with her actions. Like Sarah, some of us have not always made the best decisions in honoring our husbands. Sarah laughed at God’s words in disbelief and she lied, denying it. She was also jealous of her maid—BUT GOD extends mercy to the repentant heart and redeems. Guilt and condemnation do not come from God. True repentance brings about a change in action and behavior.

 

I challenge you to study some of the women of the bible who reflected HOPE in God.

Anna, Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, Rizpah, Lydia, Priscilla and many more.

Beautiful women were the closest to the cross when Jesus died and the first to see Him when He rose again!

 

Don’t discount your story, situation and suffering for a lost cause!

God’s beautiful women have been used all throughout history to create a mass turn of events that have changed generations and nations!

Through time, God’s beautiful women with meek and quiet spirits have suffered hardships, rocked babies, experienced loss and at times unimaginable pain and yet GOD USES THEM!

 

As you look at your situation, I encourage you to see yourself as the victorious, beautiful woman of God that YOU ARE!

 

Imagine meeting Jesus in heaven and being crowned for your obedience….for suffering well with Him during this time in your life.

To be crowned the sufferers crown (scriptures below), the runners crown (1 Corinth. 9:24-27), the soul winners crown (Daniel 12:3; Prov. 11:30), the watcher’s crown (2 Tim. 4:8; 1 John 3:2-3) and the shepherds crown (1 Peter 5:1-4).

Paul tells us in scripture that there are 5 heavenly crowns that believers can receive.

 

 

James 1:12

Blessed is the man (woman) who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to.

 

Matthew 5:10-12

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Revelation 2:10

¹⁰ Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

 

Even when you don’t feel like it, you take up the sword and fight with scripture and prayer.

Your FAITH is strong and not weak.

Never think that meekness is weakness. Meekness is GODS strength in you under control.

You have a mighty band or prayer warriors who stand with you and we battle in prayer!

We cast our ALL in with Jesus.

As beautiful women of GOD we will labor, watch and pray while we are here.

We believe the word of God and act upon and live by its precepts.

 

We could do no better than to emulate the words of Jesus when HE said John 9:4.

 

God is chasing you sweet sister.

Cast all your cares on Him and let Him carry this burden.

Neither death nor life can separate you from the LOVE God has for you (Romans 8:38-39)!

 

You’re a woman, handmade by GOD to fulfill the call on your life and this current suffering is nothing compared to eternity with Jesus.