Inspirational Thought of the Day:

True beauty is more than skin-deep.

Scriptures of the Day:

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

John 8:15 (NET)

“You people judge by outward appearances; I do not judge anyone.”

John 8:15 (ESV)

“You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.”

John 7:24 (NLT)

“Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”

John 6:63 (NIV)

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you–they are full of the Spirit and life.”

The eyes have it. Boy do they. Our eyes tend toward all things flesh – except for the grace of God. We come by it quite naturally. God gave us the ability to recognize and enjoy beauty for His glory, but this world corrupts this natural pleasure and turns it into idolatry.

What was meant to be enjoyed becomes a burden when the focus is on perfecting that which is fading. Let’s face it – gravity takes a toll on us and there is no avoiding it. All the money and effort going into polishing the exterior is sadly wasted and never achieves the ever-changing new definition of what is beautiful. The world’s standards of beauty are not fair or realistic.

Our culture emphasizes external beauty because that is all it has.

The focus of our world is on perfecting our appearance while the substance of who we really are – our character and personality – can become unkempt.

The pressure put on girls in this society to have perfect flesh is ridiculous and a tool of the enemy. When beauty is fading and our flesh will ultimately be in the grave, it would make more sense to invest in the unseen, which lasts forever. But that is hard in this world that focuses on what it sees.

But those who have seen the beauty of the Holy Spirit and what God does to transform our flesh understand true beauty. Although we are living in flesh which is easily corrupted, we have One greater than our flesh living within us.

Do you recognize your beauty, friend? Notice, I did not ask if you “feel” beautiful or “look” beautiful. These are not dependable measures. Your beauty is not defined by outward appearances. At all. At least not according to eternal measures. I get it – we live in this world and it is hard. We can groom ourselves and look nice for God’s glory, but our identity cannot come from the pursuits of the flesh. No, we were made for so much more than that simple pursuit.

You are beautiful, friend, because of the One Who made you.

And He said your worth was so great that He had to come die for you. No one can ever take that beauty away from you. Walk in it. Invest in your inner spirit and avoid extremes on either side. The beauty of a soul in love with Jesus is the most beautiful sight to behold – the world needs to see more of it. Trade the world’s remarks which rate our beauty according to failing scales and embrace the beauty God has placed in you.

1 Peter 3:3-4

“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.”

Lord, open our eyes to understand that we have been duped into desiring the praise of men rather than to live to please You. Help us to see the beauty that really matters and help girls growing up in our society to know where their worth and beauty really comes from.