~*~More Beautiful You~*~

Hi,

I want you to take a look at: Live performance – More Beautiful You

Ok I couldn't figure out how to download the video so I guess you will have to click the link to see it! (Sorry)

So I wanted all of us to hear this song, if you haven't already heard it make sure you listen to it. Why you ask!?! Because I said so! (Ha Ha Just kidding) It's a great reminder to us that we (You & Me) were created by God, Beautiful! Do you believe it? Well if not here is some proof:

Ephesians 2:10
10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ecclesiastes 3:11
God has made everything beautiful in its time--a reminder that God has a purpose for everything in His creation, and that people exemplify true beauty when they're working in tune with God's plan.

Ephesians 1:11-12
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother's womb.14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.


1 Peter 3:3-4
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 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.

~*~When I read this it tells me that I am beautiful because I am God's creation not because I am wearing designer jeans or the latest fashion. I am beautiful inside. (I know we all hate to hear this, but it's true!) When I allow God to change my heart and my thinking then His Love shines through me and that's what makes me beautiful. Do you see that? Do You Believe it? ~*~

OK let me know what you think! Oh and I have a challenge for you! Are you Ready? Too Bad! :) Here it is: Look yourself in the Mirror.... go ahead look right into your eyes, and repeat after me: I am BEAUTIFUL!, I am WONDERFULLY Made!, REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT until you believe it! Do this at least once a day! Need help with this? Write one of these scriptures on your mirror, or find one that speaks to you! You can do it! I believe in you!


Have a Beautiful Day!

Christina

Faith and Action

Got this Devotion a few weeks ago and loved it! Hope you will to! Let me know what you think! Leave a comment!

Put Your Faith Where Your Action Is!
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17, NIV

Friend To Friend
I remember a time, back in 1993, when I was swept up in the whimsical world of wedding planning. Every detail mattered. I was excited to be marrying Brad Smith, and wanted our wedding day to be a magical springboard to a life filled with amazing adventures and deep years of God-centered love. From the cake choices - to the dress choices - to the music choices - to the guest list choices - to the bridal registry choices: I was all about the business of wedding prep!

The bride of Christ is purposed to be all about the Father's business. To prep for eternity by making choices to bring Him glory throughout our days. To intentionally worship the Lord through our service. As daughters of God, we are called to connect our believing to our behaving. Our convictions to our conversations. Our lip-service to our life-service. The Biblical mandate for each believer is this: put your faith where your action is!

"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:17)

Hear me out here. Service is not the key to gaining salvation. Salvation comes by faith in Christ alone (Romans 10:9-10). Service is, however, essential for the believer as a response to her salvation. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).
No matter who you are or what your platform is in life, the truth remains that whatever you do and say is being watched. Everyone emanates something. A radiant Christian woman - a radiant bride of Christ - emanates the saltiness and light of Jesus through her life, as displayed through the things she does and doesn't do.

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16, NIV).

Today, I pray that you are spurred on to be a woman of action for Christ - no matter what the circumstances of your life or the complexities of your relationships may be. From your word choices - to your tone choices - to your television choices - to your music choices - to your service choices - to your activity choices - be all about your Father's business. Go in His strength, and put your faith where your action is!
Let's Pray
Holy Father, I pray that You will help my actions to line up with Your perfect will. Help me to be Your hands and feet to those around me. Shine through my actions so others might be drawn to Your healing hope.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
What does your life radiate? What are your actions saying about your faith? Are you salty for Christ in what you do and say? Spend a few moments reflecting on this and then spend some time in prayer.
How can you serve someone today? Perhaps God is leading you to bless someone in your household ... or someone in your church ... or someone in your neighborhood. Could you reach out to a single mom, a family member, a widow, or a hurting friend? Ask God to direct you to opportunities to put your faith into action in the lives of others.

More From The Girlfriends
Trust me, friend, in no way am I trying to place the burden of "you-must-do-more-things-in-order-to-please-God" on you. I just want to encourage you to make the most of every choice and every action. If you feel so drained and weary that you can't imagine being able to give anyone anything right now, be sure to get alone with God. His presence and His Spirit will strengthen you for each moment.

Want to see more devotions like this? Check out the link: http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/


Have a Beautiful Day!
Christina

Younger Cuter Stronger...

OK Ladies I gotta believe that someone is reading this but you must be too shy to comment! It's OK I understand! But we do Luv Comments! Now onto our Devotion! This Devotion couldn't have come to me at a better time! I am sure I am not the only one who feels blah when I start comparing myself to the other's around me. It can easily drag me down and make me forget that I was created in God's image, as a masterpiece, His masterpiece! Ephesians 2:10 is a verse that I cling to when I start to notice myself going down this path! Another way to combat those thoughts is to Look at yourself in the Mirror (straight in the eye) and say "I AM BEAUTIFUL!" now repeat this until you mean it! It may take a few times for this to really sink in, but know that you are Beautiful,Loved, and Prayed for!

Younger, Cuter, Skinnier
by Melanie Chitwood


"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)


Devotion:
While I waited in the carpool line to pick up my 10-year-old son Tyler, I watched the other moms coming and going with their kids. When Tyler got in the car, we talked about his day. Abruptly changing subjects, I asked, "Tyler, do I look 46?"

He quickly answered, "No, mom, you look ... 37." I smiled, wondering how he came up with that number, but liking that it was much lower than my actual age.

I said, "Good answer!"

"Except for those wrinkles," he added as he studied my face.

"What?!"

"And ..."

"Okay, we are finished with this conversation!"

As we drove back home, I wondered what prompted me to blurt out that question. Instantly, I knew the answer. While watching the other moms, I had started comparing myself. My comparison led me to think that the other moms were younger, cuter and skinnier.

Can you relate to these thoughts? We can fall into the comparison trap in an instant. For example, we flip through the pages of a magazine and compare our bodies to the images of skinny models. We go to a new Bible study and hesitate to speak up because we're sure the other women know more than we do.

Comparison usually leads us down a dangerous path of feeling insecure and "not enough," or else prideful and "better than." Neither path of thinking is one God wants us to take. God's Word tells us exactly what to do with faulty comparison thinking in 2 Corinthians 10:5, "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (NIV).

What does this mean in practice? First, we have to become aware of our thoughts. Next, we clarify if our thoughts are God's truth or the enemy's lies. We can be sure that any condemning or prideful thoughts are not from God. Finally, when we recognize a thought which is a lie, we need to replace the lie with God's truth. The verse I memorized to combat the lies resulting from comparison is a personalized version of today's key verse in Ephesians 2:10: "For I am God's beautiful masterpiece. He has created me anew in Christ Jesus, so I can do the good things He planned for me long ago."

Take time today to ask God to reveal to you any lies you believe about yourself. Confess pride or insecurity, and ask God to fill you with His truthful perspective.

And don't ask your child how old you look!

Dear Lord, keep my mind centered on the truth of who You say I am. Don't let my thoughts be tossed all over the place by the lies of the enemy. I know I am not defined by my circumstances, what I see in the mirror, or even what other people say about me. Let me rest in Your confidence as I acknowledge who You say I am, a masterpiece, fearfully and wonderfully made. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Did you like this devotion? You can find it at: http://www.proverbs31.org/ or http://www.crosswalk.com/


Have a Beautiful Day!

Christina

Come Join us...

Want to be a part of the Women's Ministry team? Join us this Sunday October 11th @ 2 p.m. We are planning the Christmas Tea/Luncheon, as well as looking at doing some more events! Let us know what you want! Leave a comment, and or take the survey on the bottom right of this blog... all results are confidential!

Want to help with just a specific event... the Christmas Luncheon, Spring Luncheon, Dinner & a Movie, Retreats, etc... Come on Out and join us! We would love to have you there!

The Girl I Used to Be...

She came tonight as I sat alone...

The girl I used to be...

And she gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully:

Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes I had for you?

The great career, the splendid fame,
all the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height
With all its gardens rare?

The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad
For I wanted her pleased with me...

This slender girl from the shadowy past

The girl that I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand
And guided her up the stairs

Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay
Innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;

That silken robes is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know

Is serving each day in these sheltered walls
For the dear ones who come and go

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me.

And I saw the woman that I am now
Pleased

the girl I used to be.

~~ Author Unknown ~~


Ever feel like you are not enough? I do, I recived this poem several years ago from a dear friend who reminded me that I was good enough! You see we were created by God in His image for his purpose. He is who should determine our value but all to often (me included) we look to others around us, the world to determine if we matter if we have made a difference. Isaiah 43 is a great passage of scripture that shares God's love for us as well as sows us God's Mercy Check it out Here: >


My Prayer for you is that you will begin to see yourself as Gos does, Beautiful, Valuable, Lovable, Loving!

Have a Beautiful Day!
Christina


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.


Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Isaiah 43:18 18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.