"God's Measure of Beauty"

By: Lindsey Kane,

Christian Music Artist

1 Samuel 16:7, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (NIV).

Let’s face it. Living in today’s culture is hard. We have media and Hollywood telling us what their definition of beauty is. Everywhere we turn, there are paper-thin models on the cover of every magazine and starring in almost every movie. No wonder our perception of beauty is completely off-base! We have been taught in our society that beauty is only skin deep and that we should do whatever it takes to look like the people we see in magazines, on TV, and in movies. The world tries to tell us that we have to look and act a certain way in order to be considered beautiful.

The Bible has a very different message than the world, however. In order to win this battle that the world is waging on our perception of beauty, we must find what God’s Word has to say about how He measures beauty. After all, His measure is the only one that lasts and the only one that matters!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and been discouraged by what you see? Have you ever flipped through the pages of a magazine only to find that you are deeply saddened that you do not measure up to their standards? I have good news for you.

You are not alone!

Many girls today struggle with their appearance and image because of the misrepresentation we see in media. While the world tells us we need to be a size double zero and wear the latest and coolest kind of jeans, God is looking at our heart. He says in Psalm 45:11, “The King is enthralled by your beauty” (NIV)!

Take heart my female friends! Even when the world lies to you and tells you you’re ugly and worthless because you don’t fit the typical beauty mold as designed by the world, dig deep into what the Word says! Some day, all of this world will fade away, but God’s Word will last!

I want to challenge both you and myself to look at ourselves differently from now on. Instead of seeing ourselves as girls who just don’t measure up, I want us to see ourselves the way God sees us! He thinks we are the most beautiful creatures in the world because He made us! He is the Author and true image of Real Beauty. This Beautiful God is the God who created you in His likeness. Genesis 1:27 tells us, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female, He created them” (NIV).

So the next time you look in the mirror and you become discouraged by what you see, I want you to remember that you are beautiful just because God made you in His image and He is Beauty!

Let’s stop compartmentalizing our bodies, and let’s start remembering that our bodies are God’s dwelling place, the essence of true beauty. God made you just the way He wanted to make you, and He made you with a very specific and special purpose in mind. You are unique and beautiful exactly the way you are in Christ! Daily, may we echo King David when he said in Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (NIV).

My Prayer for Today:

Lord, Thank You for creating me in Your image and for making me beautiful! I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made and I know that all Your works are wonderful! Help me to listen to and rely on Your Truth and what Your Word says, and help me to not pay attention to the lies of the world. Remind me of my worth and beauty in Your eyes, and Jesus, give me Your eyes to see the way that You measure beauty! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Listen to “Measure of Beauty” on Lindsey’s Myspace Page

Move Me Aside, CD by Lindsey Kane

Think About It:

What kind of lies concerning your beauty and image are you hearing from the world through media and Hollywood?

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is this how God sees you?

How do you think God sees you?

What can you do actively fight against the lies of the world and focus more on the truth found in the Bible?

What is beauty? Who/what determines this?

Live It:

Begin each day by looking in the mirror and reminding yourself of what God says about you.

Stop allowing the world to define beauty for you. Make an effort to read more from the Word than from magazines.

Find a friend who can remind you of God’s measure of beauty when you are struggling with doubting who God has created you to be. Encourage your friends with these truths, as well.

Thank God for your body each day and actively praise Him for how beautiful and unique He has made you inside and out.

Power Verses:

Song of Solomon 4:7, “All beautiful you are My darling. There is no flaw in you” (NIV).

Psalm 119:73, “Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands” (NIV).

Proverbs 31:30, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (NIV).

© 2008 by Lindsey Kane. All rights reserved.

ATTENTION * ATTENTION * ATTENTION * ATTENTION

This is your last chance to win a scholarship to attend the

She Speaks Conference, Next Generation Track this summer – June 20-22, 2008!!!!

You don’t want to miss it! Lindsey Kane will be there!!!

For more information about the devotion writing contest, see announcement below and contact Kristen@proverbs31.org.

*All completed applications must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 2, 2008.

Devotion Writing Contest!

Are you a young woman between the ages of 12 and 17? Do you have a desire to impact your generation and future generations for Christ through speaking, writing, or simply by setting an example for those whom God has placed within your sphere of influence? If this speaks to your heart, then the Next Generation track of our annual She Speaks Conference was designed especially for you!

Proverbs 31 Ministries is offering a number of full scholarships to the conference for young women who submit winning devotions similar to those you have seen on this blog site.

Contest ends Friday, May 2, 2008.

For more information about this contest, please contact Kristen@proverbs31.org.

Conference Information:

She Speaks:

Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Annual Speakers’ and Writers’ Conference

She Influences…

The Next Generation Track

(Living with Purpose: A Radical Revolution)

June 20-22, 2008

Concord, North Carolina

$275

Gain the confidence you need to make a difference

within your own sphere of influence!

The Next Generation Track will equip you with skills that will enable you to answer God’s call on your life to impact others through speaking, writing, or simply setting an example for His kingdom. For more information or to register for this life-changing conference, visit us at www.shespeaksconference.com or call 877-P31-HOME.

Guest Speakers Include:

T. Suzanne Eller * Rebecca Ingram Powell * Jordan Helou Eichler

Guest Worship Leaders Include:

Lindsey Kane * Danya Powell

Testimonial:

"When the Next Generation Conference began, I felt shy and uncertain about what it would be like. After getting to know everyone, rather quickly, I calmed down and enjoyed the entire weekend. I loved being able to talk about my faith to other girls. I can't wait to attend again."

– Rachel I., 2007 She Speaks Conference, Next Generation Track Attendee

She Speaks 2008

DON’T MISS IT!

"Dare to Be Different"

By: Alyssa Avant

Matthew 7:13, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (NIV)

When I was a teenager, I just wanted to fit in. I thought to myself most days, “Why can’t I be more like ________?” (You know her girls, so fill in the blank). To have the shoes she wore, her perfect skin, or just the right haircut would make everything perfect. I would strive to be more and more like her. I soon discovered that it was not really helping because no one was taking notice that I was dressed like her or that I wore my hair in the same style.

So, I soon gave up and went on to try to be myself. After all, what everyone says works right? “Just be yourself.” Then, I began to get heavily involved in my church youth group when I was thirteen. I began to truly enjoy going to Bible study, youth choir, and my youth minister’s house after church, and making trips to the Taco Bell in a nearby town with the older youth. Those were good times.

The best part is that in the Bible studies, I learned that I did not really want to be like “that girl” at school and that, in fact, I wanted to be different. The Bible tells us that we are “made in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27, NIV). This is a true privilege that only humans can claim. When God created the world, humans were the only part of creation that he created in His image. He also made each of us unique.

The only person God wants us to try to be more like is His Son, Jesus Christ. When I discovered this truth, I began to pursue it with all that I had. I began to “dare to be different” from my friends and peers. Surprisingly, this was much more fulfilling than trying to be like the girl at school. I began to stand out. People took much more notice that I was doing things differently than when I was conforming to the norm. It might not have always been easy, but I soon discovered that it was the way to go.

I challenge you to take the road less traveled. There may not be as many people on the path, it may seem a bit rockier or more difficult to maneuver at times, but I assure you that it is worth it. I know that you will benefit from taking the proper path. I sure did!

My Prayer for Today:

Dear Lord, Thank You for making me in Your image. Help me to realize that I am unique and that being different from others is okay. I pray that You would give me the strength to be different and to take the path that You have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Think About It:

Am I focusing on being like someone else?

How can I be different from the norm?

What steps can I take to begin following the path God has for me?

Live It:

Pray about the decisions that you make.

Find good Christian friends who will choose to take the path of being different with you.

Pray for each other.

Power Verses:

Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)

2 Corinthians 3:18, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (NIV)

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Alyssa Avant. All rights reserved.

"I Am a Princess?!"

By: Angela Parsley

1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (NIV)

Our eyes glimmered and our hearts leapt with excitement as we entered the door to our favorite weekly hangout, Chuck E. Cheese. Although the vast array of colors and sounds there always seemed to pull us in a million directions, that day there was something different which caught our eyes: beautiful princess cups. They were the loveliest shade of purple and had princess crowns on top that were adorned with shiny blue, purple, and pink jewels. Something in our hearts would not let us divert our gaze. They connected us with our inner longing to be princesses. That day each of us purchased one of those princess cups and every time we returned to Chuck E. Cheese, we would proudly use our cups.

It seems that anytime we girls see anything princess-related we are immediately drawn to it. We all want to be princesses! We all desire to be considered special and beautiful in the eyes of others. This desire is one that is in us to the very core. God made us with this desire because it is what represents who we really are. It is who God fashioned us to be.

What am I talking about? Let me explain. All of us were created by God for God, but we are responsible for whether we choose Him or not. When we choose to follow Him, we are adopted into His family. We become God’s gals. Since our Heavenly Father is the King of the universe, that makes us princesses. We are royalty by blood, not by our earthly blood line but by our spiritual one in Christ Jesus who shed His blood for our adoption into His family. That means that you and I, in Him, are royalty.

Some of us may walk around never realizing who we really are, like in the movie The Princess Diaries. Mia lived her life for fifteen years not knowing that she was royalty and was made to rule a kingdom. When she found out that she was, all she could say to this shocking news was, “I am a princess?! Shut up!” All she could think about was that she was a freak and being a princess would just add more attention to that – people would think she was an even bigger freak. Eventually, though, she embraced her royal beauty and others did too.

Much of the time, we walk around like Mia thinking about how much of a freak we are and do not realize the truth of who we really are in Christ. We are princesses of the high King of the universe!! It is this King whom we call Daddy. Let’s embrace this precious truth and gift and begin living like royalty!

My Prayer for Today:

Father, thank You for allowing me to be a part of Your family. It is a high honor to be considered royalty. Thank You for choosing me! Help me know and believe that so that I can bring glory to Your name. Father, I love You. You are my Daddy and King. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Related Resources:

His Princess: Love Letters from Your King, By Sheri Rose Shepherd

Think About It:

Do I walk around believing I am a freak or do I believe I am a princess?

There are many responsibilities that come with being royalty, like loving, honoring, and serving the King and others. Do I walk these out by following the instructions given to me in the Bible?

Live It:

Every morning when you wake up, thank God that He chose you to be His.

Ask God daily what assignment He has for you to fulfill for His kingdom that day.

Spread the word to others who aren’t saved about who they can be in Christ. Ask God to put people in your path with whom you can share this news so that they too can be part of the royal family.

Power Verses:

Romans 8:15-17, “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike ‘What's next, Papa?’ God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!” (Message)

2 Corinthians 6:18, “’I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Angela Parsley. All rights reserved.

"Quiet Places"

By: Autumn Sisk

Matthew 6:6-8, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (NIV)

We all know people who always want to be the center of attention. They do whatever is necessary to draw attention to themselves. I have seen people who are constantly picking fights with school mates or pretending to get hurt while playing a sport. They just have to be the center of attention.

In the days when Jesus was here on earth, there was a group of “holy” men who always had to be in the spotlight. In these verses above from the book of Matthew, Jesus talks to His disciples about these attention seekers. These “holy” men, or Pharisees and Sadducees, as they were called, made huge scenes in public when they prayed each day.

Jesus explained to His followers that neither God nor He approved of this type of behavior. He told His followers that God wants His children to pray to Him sincerely, not as a way of gaining attention or showing off. After all, bragging about oneself or showing off is usually a sign of insecurity. However, sincere people don’t usually have to tell anyone how great they are because those around them will see it.

Therefore, Jesus says that it is best if we go somewhere quiet where we can be alone with God. That is when we can spend quality time with Him. No one else needs to know what we say to God. He knows what we need and hears our prayers even if they are short and sweet. Fancy prayers shouted to God in public don’t mean as much to Him as our silent prayers that come from our own bedroom. Public prayers often are seen as showy and insincere.

I’m not saying that we should not pray with others; what I am saying is that we need to examine our motives for doing so. Jesus knew that the Sadducees and Pharisees were actually turning people away from God by their overzealous public displays of prayer. However, real faith is shown by the way we live and honor God in our day-to-day lives, not in the eloquence of our prayers spoken in large crowds or groups.

While it honors God when we meet together with other Christians to pray with sincere hearts, God also loves it when we tell Him our secrets and spend time in His presence without others around. Just like I love spending time just talking with my best friend (just the two of us), God loves to spend time with you when it is just the two of you.

Many people go to church and love to talk about their faith in God, but truly, your relationship with God depends on YOU and GOD…not all of the people at church who think you are so faithful. Our Lord is pleased with people who do not put on a front about their faith, but who live out their faith in quiet humility. These people do not need to make a huge display in public, but prefer to keep their time with God sacred and intimate.

Even Jesus regularly went to a quiet place to pray, away from His disciples. That way, He could focus on His time with God. As the verse above says, “The Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:7, NIV).

Would you prefer to have the praise of men or of God? Take the time each day to spend a few quiet moments alone with God. It will be time well spent.

My Prayer for Today:

Dear Lord, I am coming to You right now, in the quiet of my room. I want to know You in a more intimate way, and I want to spend time with You without others around to distract me. Help me to always be sincere in my faith, never trying to draw attention to myself. All of the attention should go to You. Thank You that I have the privilege of sharing my heart with You and knowing You intimately. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Think About It:

When and where do I usually pray?

Do I have lots of distractions when I pray such as the television, radio, computer or family?

How can I make my prayer time more intimate and meaningful?

Live It:

Make a point of going into your room alone to pray. Be sure to turn off the television, computer, etc…and get away from other people.

Write in your journal each day about how you feel after being alone with God.

Be sure to tell a few friends or accountability partners that you are trying to have alone time with God. Have them ask you how it is going at least once a week so you don’t get slack about it.

Power Verses:

Luke 22: 39-42, “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed Him. On reaching the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’” (NIV)

Mark 1:35, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place, where He prayed.” (NIV)

Matthew 6:5, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Autumn Sisk. All rights reserved.