Beauty Secret

Like many a young girl I spent countless hours cutting out paper dolls and their extensive wardrobes, and even branched out to design a few "originals" for them to wear. But there's a funny thing about paper dolls; while changing their outfits is fun, they only look okay if you're viewing them from the front, the facade, otherwise there doesn't seem to be much depth. I'm sure we've all seen real people who seem to keep changing their appearance. Changing and charging - clothes, jewels, hair, make-up, etc. Instinctively they know something is missing and keep seeking the right "look." The lack, of course, is not on the outside but on the inside - the emptiness and void not material, but spiritual. Unfortunately, unless the inner changes are made, they might continue for years to be somewhat like "paper dolls," surface appearance being the only aspect under attention. So much time, money, and energy misdirected, and still they're not satisfied with the results! It's almost heartbreaking to see, especially, when only 15 or 20 minutes of quiet time with the Lord each day, could bring about an almost miraculous "make-over." And this "beauty regimen" is the only one guaranteed to have deep and lasting results!

James 2.9 - If you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin.

2 Corinthians 5.16 - Stop evaluating Christians by what the world thinks about them or what they seem to be like on the outside.

Proverbs 31.30 - Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn't last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised.

Isaiah 40.6,8 - Proclaim that all mankind are like grass, and all their beauty fades like dying flowers. The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of God shall stand forever.

Matthew 6.31-33 - Don't worry about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all those things and are deeply concerned about them. But your Heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you, if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.

1 Peter 3.3-5 - Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on jewelry, or beautiful clothes, or hair arrangement. Be beautiful inside in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit which is so precious to God. That kind of deep beauty was seen in the saintly women of old.

Romans 12.2 - Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from you own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.

Ecclesiastes 8.1 - Wisdom lights up a person's face, softening its hardness.

Luke 11.36 - If you are filled with light within, then your face will be radiant too.

2 Corinthians 3.18 - We Christians have no veil over our faces, we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the Glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.

Matthew 17.2 - As they watched, his appearance changed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became dazzling white.