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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalms 139:14 NIV
Flip through the pages of almost any newsstand magazine; watch almost any television show or commercial and it's easy to see our society is consumed with beauty. It's almost an unwritten rule that says, "It's the beautiful people in this world that have it all – fame, fortune, love, success, money, prestige, power." Everywhere we turn this idea is forced upon us… magazines, TV shows, commercials, movies, society and sometimes even our friends and family unknowingly join in. Unfortunately, many of us buy into this belief. "If only I could lose weight…" "If only my nose was smaller…" "If only I was prettier…" Satan has perpetrated a lie and too many of us believe it. And that's exactly what it is… a lie!
What many people don't know is that in most of these magazines the models are airbrushed. What you're looking at and defining as "beautiful" doesn't even exist.
So if those things aren't true "beauty" – what is? And where can I go and find out the truth?
For me personally, one of the most beautiful things in the world is to watch the sunset in the evening… no matter where I am… I am awed by the transformation that takes place each day as the day begins to fade and night has not yet begun. As the sky goes from vivid to pale and the shades of purple, pink, yellow and orange erupt from the sky, I am never more aware of God's magnificent beauty.
And despite the fact that God created all of this for us to enjoy - the world is not His most magnificent creation. You are!
Did you know the Creator of the Universe is "enthralled by your beauty"? Did you know you were "fearfully and wonderfully made"?
Psalms 45:11 NIV
God made you with a purpose in mind. I have heard many of my friends question aloud, "Why am I here?" "What is my purpose in life?" Even I have asked those questions on many occasions. But one day it hit me like a lightening bolt and I knew exactly why I was created.
Colossians 1:10-12 NIV
Colossians 1:27 NIV (emphasis added)
This is why you were created too! Read the previous verse again. Christ is in you and He wants you to reveal His glory! That is the reason He created each and every one of us.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
God made each of uniquely. We are His glorious and magnificent creation. Believe it! Don't doubt it! Don't believe the lies. It's important you guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Don't let your thoughts be filled with these lies from Satan. You have the power of Christ in you and you can overcome all these evil thoughts and make them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Don't listen to the world (1 John 4:4-5). You are greater than that… you are Christ's masterpiece… and YOU my friend… are absolutely beautiful.
when You saw my shame
and You placed me on the wall
anyway
Nicole Nordeman
Father God, I pray the blood of Jesus over anyone who is reading this today and is wondering if they are beautiful… because You Lord created them, they are Your masterpiece and they are beautiful. You love each and every one of your children with a passion that defies human understanding. Please bind up any of the lies we've chosen to believe that go against who You created each of us to be. Help us to overcome doubt, fear and worry. Reveal Yourself to each of us in a whole new way today. Let us show the hope we have in You to everyone we meet. Lord, I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!
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Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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