TRUE BEAUTY COMES FROM WITHIN

TRUE BEAUTY COMES FROM WITHIN

Your soul is the essence of who you really are.

True beauty comes from within. The WORD of GOD is so very precious! It is bursting with a wealth of wisdom! I understand more each day why the Lord tells us to “hide it in our hearts, so we might not sin against Him… Only God can see into our hearts! “Man looks on the outside. But God looks at the heart.” resides. He knows us totally! God is LOVE! His Love is not in any way superficial it is imbedded deep into the fabric of who we are.

Life brings about a plethora of varied experiences, some bad, some good some just are simply incredible!

The Scriptures says:

“Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep His statues and seek Him with ALL their heart.” Blessed means to be happy and consecrated by God. God did not intend for His Word to just become mere letters on a papyrus (paper). He meant for it to become ALIVE within our soul to feed us and nourish us spiritually and emotionally so we could walk in His precepts. To help us go through whatever life presents to us, Blessed! One can then say Hallelujah Anyhow! Therefore this is why we pray

“Our FATHER, Give us today our daily bread…”

It is often said “What comes from the heart goes to the heart.” This actually is a quote given to Samuel Taylor Coleridge. There is a heartfelt sincerity when one speaks from the wellspring of their heart.

It is through the many experiences we encounter in life we grow one way or the other. It is important that we are not embittered by those experiences. It is important to have the right perspective. We can emerge triumphantly and rise above whatever has happened, is happening or will happen.

Life itself takes on a form of beauty when you access your heart’s wellspring. You perceive things differently. As you grow spiritually your soul is revived as well. Spiritual growth comes from spending time with God, knowing His Word and applying it to your life daily. Your soul is the essence of who you really are. It is the heart of you. It is were TRUE BEAUTY lies!

God knows who we are and who belongs to HIM!. When you are truly HIS you can expect much spiritual warfare on this side of heaven. But “our weapons are not carnal…” This is why it is so important to get to know Jesus as your personal SAVIOR! There is an inner peace that comes from knowing who you are in Christ. “He was born of the Virgin Mary He lived a sinless, life and was crucified, died and was buried, but he AROSE with ALL power.” Yes, He is ALIVE and so is HIS WORD! HIS WORD is our SWORD; it is sharper than any two edge sword. (Two edged swords are used by man.) Whenever a trial comes our way we must learn to STAND on the WORD of GOD.

When necesssary GOD WILL FIGHT YOUR BATTLES. His weapons are not carnal. We on the other hand must KNOW HIM and the POWER of JESUS CHRIST through HIS WORD! We never become the power we just gain access. During a battle we want to make sure our inner beauty is not suppressed. It is still possible for it to shine through… This is why we meditate, pray and ask to be filled daily. He has given us the gift of HIS HOLY SPIRIT as our COMFORTER! This is also what helps us to discern. He has promised to “never leave norsake us!”

Whatever comes our way in life know that our true beauty comes from deep within. True beauty is not worn it cannot be put on or taken off. It is from this rich place deep inside a wellspring comes forth. Here one discovers and retrieves the veiled beauty that has been pre positioned in one’s soul. It is within the depths of our soul one can encounter this precious internal, eternal fountain! That brings forth and emits a deeper beauty that has been coded into our souls by our Creator. It was knitted into us before we were in our mother’s wound. God has made us tri dimensionally. We are body, mind and soul! We are created in His image!

“For you created my inner most being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. ALL the days for me were ordained…” Psalm 139

Yes, there is also a surface beauty that one can see but sometimes you will find that it does not always go deep. This is the case when it is not embedded into the essence of one’s soul. I Peter says, that in order for our beauty not to fade away it has to come from our “ inner self, the unfading beauty of a quiet gentle spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” This does not mean one has to become silent or passive, rather it is quite proactive! It comes from a deep place that yields discipline! It is when we put our Hope and Trust in the Lord we can discover the True beauty that is deep inside, that beauty that comes from within! Yet, it is reflected in our lives and also on the countenance of our faces! “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers…”

Standing “Up” For CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES

God gave us healthy Christian marriage boundaries in which one man and one woman should live together. Marriage is still ordained by God. As the Originator and Creator of life God designed marriage to be a monogamous relationship between a man and a woman. For the last couple of years I have been journaling about the significance of a committed CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE!

Many Christian leaders and congregants have fallen prey to infidelity and adultery. Sex practiced outside the confines of marriage is rampart in the Churches as well as in the world. LORD Help us! I have observed how this has resulted in a real breakdown in the overall quality of relational dynamics in many marriages. Over the last couple of decades the significance of marriage has been slowly watered down. This has allowed strange and disturbing beliefs about marriage to come to the forefront. There has been a steady but sure deliberate attempt to redefine marriage. There has been a successful evolutionary transition to blur the once clearly defined lines of marriage and minimalize the need to reinforce its healthy boundaries. Allowing its boundaries to become grayed and frayed by encouraging open marriages, unisex dress, the acceptance of male to male and female to female relationships and gender choice lifestyles.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life committed to the ways of our Father, was crucified, died and was buried. But that was not the end. He arose with all power! When He ascended to heaven He left us His Holy Spirit, His Comforter to come and reside within us. To help us live victoriously over sin. Sin is what separates us from God. God knows us inside and out. He knew us before we were even formed in our Mother’s wound. He knows what is best for us. He could have made us robots and forced us to be a certain way. But because of His graciousness and His mercy He allowed us free choice. He gave us healthy boundaries because HE knew not everyone at all times would adhere to His will and His way. His Holy Spirit is readily available to help us make proper life choices that please Him. For a man and woman desiring to live together marriage is His way. Galatians 1 tells us that Jesus Christ gave Himself; “for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever…”

It is becoming increasingly clear that the world in which we live wants to ensnare and entrap the children of God. To offer any and every smorgasbord or appetizer that the flesh desires and present it as an alternative way to live. I encourage you to really take some time to “Be still and know” to take a personal self evaluation. To deeply gaze internally where no one but GOD sees and examine where you are spiritually. Not in respect to someone else but to see if you really are growing spiritually. Is the Fruit of His Spirit apparent in your life? Not just on a surface level for others to see. I mean are you really walking closely with the Lord? Be honest with yourself because God already knows! If you truly are you can expect some type of persecution. This is why it is so very important that you know the WORD of God for yourself. So you can distinguish, recognize and discern when something is not of God.

Many have abandoned the Faith and now embrace a liberality that is not God sanctioned. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been evaded by encouraging the acceptance of perverted lifestyles that are sanctioned and practiced by many Christians. Perverted meaning to change what was once considered unnatural or abnormal to normal. PLEASE slowly but surely read and ponder on this passage of GOD’S WORD expressed in Romans 1 “Therefore GOD gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the TRUTH OF God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised, Amen. Because of this GOD gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged NATURAL RELATIONS for unnatural ones. In the same way the men abandoned NATURAL RELATIONS with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion…” What or who do you believe?

Marriage how God designed it is becoming increasingly unpopular! This is why it is so important to STAND UP for Christian Marriage! Paul vehemently expounds on the necessity to not “trying to win the approval of men.” Paul constantly throughout the Scriptures rebukes the Church to stand on God’s principles.Paul knew that by taking this very unpopular stance some would attempt to negate his credibility. He knew that they lay in wait to discredit him. But he also knew that God knew the TRUTH!
 
There is no spiritual value whatsoever in using the Scriptures to justify something that God has not ordained nor sanctioned. Slowly but surely many continue to allow the healthy boundaries that God designed for marriage to be treaded upon by the unacceptable desires of the flesh. This does not have to be! Allowing the sanctity of MARRIAGE to be reduced to a relationship between same sexual partners who want to justify a relationship contingent on their personal sexual preferences. LORD HELP US! Why not simply call it something else? Why redefine the definition of marriage. Why take something that was meant to be HOLY MATRIMONY and make it totally UNHOLY.

Many marriages have gone shipwrecked. The fulfillment of the flesh has taken the forefront and many will do whatever is necessary to fulfill the desires of the flesh. Many Christians are evasive and negligent at discussing sex openly in a healthy manner, although we know that sex outside of marriage is widely practiced within the Church. Many relational issues are skirted and the financial concerns have in many cases become the dominant priority. Divorce, adultery, infidelity, promiscuity, pornography, living together, same sex relationships are on the rise. Pandora’s Box has lost its lid and just about every and anything goes. Family values for Christians are continually laid aside. Relinquishing and abandoning the principles that God originally intended. In many instances many of us who have been charged to proclaim and live out the Word of God have sat on the fence and allowed any and everything as acceptable and hidden it under the trendy term “unconditional love”. “GOD is LOVE”. Study I Corinthians 13 here you will find a description of what HIS LOVE really entails. Self Control is a part of His Fruit!

God’s Holy Spirit was intended to give us the ability to overcome sin in the flesh and live out our lives to please Him. Today you can find a support group for just about anything you want to help you find some comfort to indulging the weaknesses of the flesh. It’s sad to say but true; it’s as though for many going to worship has merely become a social club. Just join, pay your 10%, do as told and you can do as you please, acceptance, no problem. Many just go to Church then go right back home to live very worldly lifestyles. LORD HELP US! Jesus dying on the Cross paved us a WAY TO THE FATHER! Grace and peace is acquired through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We the Church, His Church is supposed to be His Bride.

We are also called as Believers! Do you believe the Word of God? Do you believe in Marriage? What do you really believe in, or do you even know? God wants us to surrender every aspect of our lives over to Him. When you do, just know that there is a vehement attack lodged to discredit the testimony of faithful believers who have sincerely committed to the “Narrow Road” lifestyle. HALLELUJAH anyhow! It goes much farther than singing, shouting, talking and preaching about it. We must make a sincere effort to live out our lives pleasing God daily. The CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST! Think about this for a moment or should I say for a while. This is really deep stuff!

The enemy has really pulled out all stops to deceive, distract, camouflage and get a stronghold on the people of God. God’s standards have been compromised and the ways of the world have been embraced. This is what I mean when I say that the “world is now within God’s CHURCH.” In man’s unquenchable thirst for power, bigger sanctuaries, larger congregations and wanting to control others, there has been a huge shift in spiritual priorities!

Many have subscribed to undercover manipulation, worldly ways means and methods and allowed them inside of God’s House of Worship. All too often just to gain a position. The most important position spiritually is your position in Christ! God knows the posture of our hearts. God has given us guidelines to live by as Christians. Marriage is one of those guidelines.

 There is but one CHURCH and that is the one that Jesus is coming back for! Did not God say “BUT Seek ye first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well…” What does this mean that we are to seek HIM first for EVERYTHING? What is anything anyway without Him? According to His Word when we “seek Him first” something will happen. This means that we should seek to do things His way. Marriage is His way for the believer to live together as man and wife. We cannot change what has been done. But stop right where you are and see where you are? What and who do you support? Who do you really live for? God’s way or man’s way? Be honest with yourself because God already knows!

We must pray for our young people. The world has any and everything to offer them except Jesus! “Jesus is the WAY the TRUTH and the life!” Think about it; They are now encouraged to “dress down” for Jesus and “dress up” for prom? God has given us His Holy Spirit to lead guide and protect us. Have you really thought about what eternal life means? It all does not happen on this side of heaven. But while we are “still here” we need to get busy living to please Our Heavenly Father. Proverbs 22 tells us to “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” He did not say may? He said won’t depart!If you do not stand for something you will fall for anything. ALL God’s Word is true! He does know what is best. His inheritance according to I Peter 1 “can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in HEAVEN for you, who through FAITH are shielded by God’s power…”

Where is your FAITH? WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM! For Christ sake we will suffer in this world. Trials are a part of His refining process. They yield and teach us patience. There is no greater gift that you can give your children as a model of a committed monogamous Christian marriage! God wants us to follow His moral standards. “As obedient children, do not conform to evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. BUT just as HE who has called you HOLY, so be HOLY in all you do; for it is written; “BE YE HOLY BECAUSE I AM HOLY.” Being HOLY means to be set aside for His purpose. Not to blend in for the sake of acceptance. Hallelujah! His unspeakable joy is available! God’s plan for mankind was set in motion way back in the beginning. We who claim to be Christians need to really begin to live as though we really believe that Jesus is coming back! We really do need to consult embrace and support His view for marriage. Don’t give way to anyone’s false teaching. It is never too late to start. Please begin to spend some quality time getting to know the Lord through His WORD. “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the GOSPEL OF GOD!”

MARRIAGE = ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN = GOD’S WAY = HOLY MATRIMONY!

Learning The Art Of “Being Still”

Whenever you are amidst spiritual warfare or when a crisis arises, it is important that  you  seek and learn to “BE STILL”.  Being still does not mean that you are unconcerned or oblivious to what is going on, or simply just doing nothing.  Nor is it some delusionary state of  unconsciousness  of  being in denial, or having  any erroneous illusions of  grandeur.  Quite  the contrary.  It is a non combative state.  During spiritual warfare or a crisis, usually there is much stress, people often respond in ways that are counterproductive.  They make hasty decisions, become easily angered or result to over indulgence in drugs or alcohol, or may even become passive since they lack coping skills.  Instead it really is very important  to  always strive  to  be aware, alert and  attentive  to your surroundings as well as  those about you.  Learn to become flexible and resilient.   So you will not get towed along.  Being still is a state of mind that helps you remain focused and stay in a cognizant preferred  chosen state of  tranquility.  Not walking  in  self indulgence or weakness,  but  making a sincere attempt to submit to a disciplined practice of walking  in “meekness” where your faith and trust is rooted and grounded in the Lord! 

It helps sometimes to also keep a  sense  of  humor about it all.  Just know, a bit of  appropriate  laughter is good for the soul, it helps to keep things within a healthy responsive balance.  Readily enlist earnestly the opportunity to “pray unceasingly”.  To be aware that the often orchestrated  situation at hand, really wants you to “act out”  or respond in an unseemingly, improper or inappropriate  carnal manner.  Which  really only  wants to cast you in an unfavorable light to simply mar your testimony.

One must learn to depend and call upon the Lord, often in an inaudible way, momentarily and meekly  inwardly bowing, knowing that your heart becomes an immediate altar.  Since we cannot avoid crisis learn to invite God into the messiness about you. It is possible as the Word says; “to be angry and sin not.”  Trusting and knowing that God knows your heart and  always hears your cries. Remember Psalm 27; “The Lord is my Light  and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid…”  In His time He can and will deliver you from any and all evil!  Ephesians clearly tells us to  “Finally be strong in  the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on your spiritual armor of God so when the evil day comes, you may be able to stand your ground…….”

The Greek word for crisis is krinein, which means “to decide.”   Crisis and spiritual warfare can come at unexpected moments. Usually the decisions that you have to make are life changing.  Deicide  to  take some time and “BE STILL.”   See this as an opportunity to put in  practice what it means to exercise “patience” .  His  Blessed Assurance can truly be experienced, once born of  His Spirit! Always  keeping  in mind that God knows and has everything  under His complete control  really helps.

Once you become a child of God   it is important to get to know Him.  To avidly commence to grow in the grace and  knowledge  of  Him and  to read, ponder, dwell upon His Word and implement the principles therein.  To desire to respond in a way that pleases Him. To know the difference between the  “works of the flesh”  and the “Fruit of His Spirit” that is discussed in Galatians 5.  His Word truly is meant to be our Life  Manual !  It is essentially, imperative to keep in mind that the people, situations and scenarios presented really did happen.  There is a plethora of wisdom in the Scriptures.  So much so to a degree, that it can boggle your mind.  This is why it is important that we ask for His promised Comforter  to fill us, to illuminate our understanding while journeying through its tasty, appetizing, palatable pages. 

The Book of Proverbs candidly informs us that understanding comes from our Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omnisicent  God!  This is why we must approach His Word interactively,   somewhat differently than  any other book as we navigate through its many passages.  Humbly and sincerely asking  Him to open our spiritual understanding while reading comprehensively with the intent to glean  and appy its intended messages which is not of man’s interpretation. 

Whenever  life presents,  it’s  inevitable  challenges and bombards you on every side it helps to be prepared or they will take you under.  This is the time to draw even nearer to the Lord and polish up your spiritual armor.  To put into practice  all that you have learned thus far. One must adorn himself  with a willingness to be attentive, conscientious, open, focused, ready to hear, open to conviction and enthusiastically listen from the deepest depth of your being. It is His Truth that keeps your loins protected and your mind sharp!  His Spirit transforms us from the inside out. It is also here where you are internally reenergized, become more aware, your mental telepathy tuned in to Him.  Your  inner  peace resonates  and  becomes amplified,  your God given joy and  encouragement  fortified. Remember grace and peace is multiplied by the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Keep in mind, the Word of God is “Quick and powerful” meaning it is alive, active!  Hebrews  8 tells us that God really will  “put His laws in your minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people…”   Hebrews also goes on to say that this is  the  “New Covenant…”  Life was not meant to be an aimlessly ephemeral,   simple transient   excursion.  The people of God went through some things.  This is why Praise and Worship was meant to be a daily lifestyle to keep us connected to who we are and for whom we were created.   To “lift up holy hands”, inside, outside, whenever or wherever,  His Church assembles together large or small, or when “two are three are gathered in My name…”  He is in the midst. Jesus should be praised, thanked, edified  and  magnified.  “To GOD Be the Glory!” 

 His Covenant is a promised  agreement.  In your leisure take the time to see how throughout the lives of His people God was always meant to be their  “Central Theme”.  The  many preparations, numerous  offerings and sacrifices  that were made in the Old Testament were mere reminders of  the sins of the people and the need to be mindful of God and His principles daily.    God always leaves a remnant of His people .  Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior through which all was spoken into existence, who is Holy, sinless, blameless, once and for all sacrificed His life for us so we could live life differently.

This is why it is vitally important and so relevant  to know Him and what He has done for all  of us!  “God  is not a respecter of persons.”  As a believer it is significantly important to know that you have a place with Him that is specifically meant for you within His body,  His Church  not made by hands.  His nurturing presence is readily available where ever you are and His plenteous manna accessible ripening the Fruit of His Spirit within your life.   Just   know with confidence, no one can take it from you.   Know Him personally, who He is and what you believe,  put your faith and trust in God.

God is awesome!  He intended for us upon receiving the precious gift of His Holy Spirit, to come inside  and internally reside within us and   to become  our Spiritual Teacher. “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offer Himself unblemished to GOD, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the LIVING GOD! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a New Covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from…..”   Oh but there is so much more I cannot tell it all. So,  but taste and see  in His Word for yourself that the Lord is GOOD!   Did you know there truly is power in “The Blood?”   Take some time and learn to “BE STILL”.

It really can make one ask  at times, “If you really believe how did we get here?”  You see it is not,  nor has it ever been popular to really “Believe” in God.   The idea is still quite abstract to many.   There are consequences for living as a true believer.  Your spiritual eyes must be open to discern the spiritual warfare that is about you.  His  disciples were, misunderstood, rejected, abandoned,  and  treated horrendously on many occasions.   We as believers are really supposed to be  faithful modern day disciples. 

The masses have always ignored what God has to say,  from Genesis to Revelation.  The scriptures record over and over that “man did what was right in his own eyes.”  Or simply went along with whatever was trendy or popular.   When you decide to “stand up” for what is right  many  will sit on the fence……..  It was one of Jesus disciples that betrayed Him.  Have you ever thought about where were all those people Jesus helped, and healed when they crucified Him? Look all around, we are in a crisis,  the news, the economy, the world in which we live has reached  catastrophic   proportions on many levels.   Crisis always brings about a change.   “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof the world and them that dwell therein…” Yet in the midst of it all God has a way of getting our attention and showing us ALL He can use who and whomever He pleases to bring about “CHANGE”. 

Throughout His Word you will find spiritual warfare involving, nations, countries, families, relationships,  personality conflicts, false teachers, misunderstandings, manipulation, sexual sins, slander, you name it and it’s there. If you are looking for a case history to profile  or  evaluate it’s there.  God did a  marvelous thing when He left us His Story, this splendid, spectacular, awe inspiring, priceless Word.  He also left us the Promise that “He would never leave nor forsake us”. 

In life, God genuinely makes all the difference in the world!  Getting to know God helps you to cope with what has gone on, is going on and is to come. It is here that one can rest and find comfort and “BE STILL” even within the most difficult situations.  But I must warn  you it is not an easy thing to do.  Where ever you are or whatever your situation good or bad it can change at anytime, just know that God only has you there temporarily for a season.  But year in and year out, know that  “Jesus is the reason for the season” whether you are a believer or not!  Know that wherever you are Jesus knows.  When you accept Him as your Savior, Lord and Shepherd, He will and can take you through this valley of the shadow of death and when necessary lead you to the still waters.  The peace of God does surpass the understanding of man. Know  some  things will not be understood on this side of Heaven. But always keep in mind absolutely nothing that comes your way gets by Him.  “It is in Him we move and live and have our being.”  God is always speaking we just have to get better at listening. This is why discipline  becomes so important. 

Be encouraged!  We can “do all things through  Christ  that strengthens me.”  Oh taste and see  that the Lord is good.  His TRUTH is everlasting  throughout all generations and yes; “BE STILL” and know that He is the Great “I AM” who always was, has been and always will be.  He is worthy of  all the praise. To GOD be the Glory!