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…”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DeBorrah K. Ogans is a Marriage Educator, licensed Christian Counselor, life coach and ordained minister. She is certified through the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling in Creation Therapy and holds a Master’s Degree in Biblical Clinical Counseling. She is the author of a pre-marital guide “How Do I Love Thee: Things You Need To Know Before You Say I Do,” and just released her second book “Holy Matrimony: Now That You’re Married”.

DeBorrah has written extensively and has a plethora of columns and commentaries on life subjects that are widely published. DeBorrah along with her husband is co-founder of Alpha 7 Ministries, a Counseling and Music Ministry that reaches “Beyond The Walls”. There are times when we all need some encouragement in our walk with the Lord. The Counseling Ministry was designed to encourage, motivate and uplift you in your journey. The Music Ministry produces and records music for every musical taste: Contemporary Christian, Gospel, Praise & Worship, Instrumental Gospel/Jazz, and Easy Listening.

Learning The Art Of “Being Still”

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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! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DeBorrah K. Ogans is a Marriage Educator, licensed Christian Counselor, life coach and ordained minister. She is certified through the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling in Creation Therapy and holds a Master’s Degree in Biblical Clinical Counseling. She is the author of a pre-marital guide “How Do I Love Thee: Things You Need To Know Before You Say I Do,” and just released her second book “Holy Matrimony: Now That You’re Married”.

DeBorrah has written extensively and has a plethora of columns and commentaries on life subjects that are widely published. DeBorrah along with her husband is co-founder of Alpha 7 Ministries, a Counseling and Music Ministry that reaches “Beyond The Walls”. There are times when we all need some encouragement in our walk with the Lord. The Counseling Ministry was designed to encourage, motivate and uplift you in your journey. The Music Ministry produces and records music for every musical taste: Contemporary Christian, Gospel, Praise & Worship, Instrumental Gospel/Jazz, and Easy Listening.