By: Chris V Makeup is one of the "key" things in this world's beauty standards. The first time I noticed this was when I was walking down the makeup aisle in the grocery store with my mom, going to get some mascara. Oh, wait, the aisle should really be aisles, because there was about three whole aisles dedicated to makeup. No, I'm not exaggerating. Makeup has become one of the bigger things in our culture in order to be considered beautiful, and while I'm not against wearing makeup, there are a few things us girls need to think about next time we grab that blush case. #1: Looks Don't Define Your Worth Many of us buy into the lie that looks define your worth. To be honest, it's hard not to with picture-perfect models on billboards, ads, and everywhere else on the media! So we'll reach for that makeup case and put on A LOT of makeup, to make ourselves feel like we're worth something. Girls, this is a deep, dark lie that the devil has created. Makeup doesn't define your worth. Your body doesn't define your worth. Your looks don't define your worth. So, who does define your worth? God! One of my favorite quotes from the Girl Defined ministries is "The One who designs you gets to define you". In Genesis 1:26, it says "Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God made you in His own image. And do you know what He said about His creation? "And God saw everything that he has made, and behold, it was very good..."(Genesis 1:31). God said His creation was good. Also, Psalm 139:14 says "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well". Girl, God made made your perfect in His eyes! You are a child of God. #2: Moderation, Dear Sometimes, we cake makeup on our faces. There are several layers of cremes, foundation, and blush. Don't forget all the mascara on the eyelashes! Once you think about it, is it really necessary to put on all that makeup? The Bible doesn't think so! In 1 Peter 3:3-4, it says "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious". Adorning doesn't just mean hair and clothes, it also means makeup! The verse is saying that instead of wasting all your time trying to make yourself look beautiful on the outside (although there's not a problem with that), you should be spending more time making your spirit and relationship with God look beautiful. One of the ways you can do that is instead of using a large amount of makeup to make yourself look beautiful, use a small amount. You may be shocked at how much extra time you have to dive into God's Word! #3: Are you Glorifying God? Makeup is used to enhance our God-given features. But do you ever think about how you can bring glory to God with your makeup? Instead of trying to "dress to impress" and wear your makeup in a way to impress other girls and romantic interests, is your makeup style used to bring glory to God through those enhanced features? There could be a potential heart issue here, and I strongly encourage your to take some time to think over these questions. It's Okay To Wear Makeup The Bible doesn't say we can't wear makeup. Instead, we should glorify God with it! We can enhance our God-given features with the right amount of makeup to bring glory to God through His perfect creation! You can also glorify God by obeying your parent's rules about makeup (Ephesians 6:1-3). Every waking moment, we should be trying to glorify God with our lives, in what we do, watch, and wear.
What are some ways you can glorify God today? Do you have any questions about wearing makeup as a Christian girl? Share in the comments below!
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Pxfuel, https://p1.pxfuel.com/preview/260/556/929/technology-social-media-technology.jpg By: Chris V This world is full of media, from movies to news and social posts. We have social media platforms at our fingertips: Snapchat, Instagram, Tic Tok... media is everywhere. Almost everyone tends to use some form of media, whether it be to catch up on news or "hang out" with friends in cyber-space. But do we ever think about what goes through our minds and hearts when we look at media? Do you think about how it affects your relationship with Jesus? Cautious Consumption This world has so many messages portrayed through media. While some of those messages can build you up, those messages can also tear you down. For example, Christian books, blog posts, and podcasts can build you up in your walk with God and encourage you in the faith. On the other hand, certain messages portrayed throughout the media (messages like "Your self- worth is defined by how many people like your social media posts" or "Parents just get in the way of you living your life") are a roadblock to growing in your faith and can often plant lies in your heart. The media can sometimes be a loudspeaker for Satan's lies he like to feed us girls! So, how can we filter our media choices to glorify God and grow in the faith? Check out the three tips below: #1: Check out reviews Before you watch Do you like to watch TV shows and movies? I do too! Unfortunately, some of the content in today's popular TV shows and movies are definitely not God honoring. For example, language (Ephesians 4:29), satanic activities (Leviticus 19:31), and sexual immorality (Hebrews 13:4) are some of the content found in some of today's media. So what are some ways to keep our viewing clean and God honoring? First off, you can ask a trusted Christian about a certain TV show or movie and if there's any content you should be wary of. You can also check out Christian reviews, like reviews from Plugged In, a media review site from Focus on the Family. #2: Check Out ACCOUNTABILITY Software Did you know that most girls find pornography when just doing homework? Or maybe when surfing through social media platforms? In Psalm 51:10, David says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." How can we do that when we see (or hear) all the nasty junk, like hate comments and suggestive photos, on social media, in songs, etc. One way we can filter media sources is to get accountability software. Accountability software filters out the junk you find on social media... or even just researching for your next paper that's due! In Focus on the Family's Brio magazine (June/July 2019 edition), Jessica Harris gives examples of several different accountability software sites that your parents can install: Net Nanny, Covenant Eyes, and Bark (a social media filter). The best part? They work on your phone! Another option is to get one of the phones Gabb Wireless sells. It doesn't have an app store or the Internet, which removes a whole lot of temptation from the picture. (I have one, and it works really well!) #3: Limit Your ACCess To The MEdia I have a friend who deleted YouTube from his phone because it was taking over his life. I once asked him how many hours he spent on YouTube so far in a day (keep in mind this was around 12:30 p.m.) and he was shocked to see he already spent four and a half hours on YouTube. Okay, you may not be spending as long as different social platforms, but it can be problem! You can easily become addicted and enslaved to your phone, preventing you from using your time to do other things, like glorifying God by serving Him with the God-given talents that He's given you. (See 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.) One way you can limit your time on media platforms (this includes the Internet!) is by setting timers on your phone. Most phones are able to set timers that allow you to spend a certain amount of time on the different apps you have. Once you limit your time on apps, you may realize how much free time you have! God Cares about media Girls, I can't express how important filtering your media choices is. God cares about your media choices and how it affects your heart and mind. He even left instructions in the Bible! The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:1-10 that we need to "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (v.5). One way we can do that is by filtering the media we look at every day. David prays to God in Psalm 51:10 to "Create in me a clean heart... and renew a right spirit within me". David knew that his relationship with God can become "gunked up" without a clean heart, and that he can't keep a clean heart (because of sin) without the help of God. Will you make Psalm 51:10 your prayer in your life?
How have you filtered your media choices? What are some ways you can filter your media choices? Tell us in the comments below! By:Chris V If you've grown up in the church, you've probably heard about daily devotions. Parts of daily devotions can range from reading the Bible and meditating on God's Word to praying to God. Sometimes, though, it can be tough to find time to do your devotions every day. Sometimes, we buy into Satan's lies about how we don't have enough time to read the Bible. But, I can't even to begin to tell you how important reading the Bible is! In fact, I've made a list of five points to express how important daily devotions are. 1. It brings you closer to God Do you remember when you first met your best friend? How did you get to know them? If you're like most people, you probably asked them questions! So, how do you get to know God? It's like when you met your best friend! You get to know God through reading the Bible and prayer. When you ask questions about God, you can find the answer in the Bible. When you want to have a conversation with God, pray! (He'll always listen!) Also, James 4:8 says "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need." Not only will God draw closer to you as you draw closer to Him, but He will give you comfort and grace during a rough season in your life. Isn't that great?! 2. You Will Produce the fruits of the spirit Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that the fruits of the spirit are "...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...". How are we supposed to grow and produce these fruits in our lives if we're constantly drinking up the junk (magazines, TV shows, movies, social media...) of this world? The answer is to dig into God's Word! The Bible says that "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:9-10). When you increase in knowledge of Christ, you become more Christ-like and start to produce the fruits of the spirit. 3. It results in Peace Do you ever feel like you're stressed out, weary and exhausted? Maybe after a hard week at school and/or work? Do you ever wish there was peace in your life, mentally and spiritually? I've got some great news! The Bible says you can grow in peace! In 2 Peter 1:2 it says, "May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." Having grace and peace in this hectic world sure sounds nice, doesn't it? We can grow in grace and peace by growing in the knowledge of our Savior- Jesus Christ! How do we gain knowledge of our Savior? By reading the Bible! 4. It Gives You the Heart to serve Others Lately, I've been running from place to place serving others. First thing on the day's agenda is helping Student Council sell things as a fundraiser. Next, I race off to see if anyone needs help setting things up for a project, a military recruitment booth, etc. By the end of the day, I'm exhausted from severing others and I wake up the next day and do the same thing. Part of what keeps me going is knowing that Jesus experienced the same thing when He was on this earth! Mark 1:33-35 says, " And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." Did you catch that? After serving all day the day before, Jesus got up, early in the morning, to go meet with His Heavenly Father. When we do daily devotions and meet with the Lord every morning (or night, depending on when you prefer to do your devotions), we have our "heart check" for the day. God helps prepare us to serve others by giving us grace and peace throughout our day when we meet with Him. As 2 Timothy 3:17 says "...that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.", we need to be in God's Word daily to prepare our heart to serve others. 5. Your day starts off in the right direction Psalm 119:105 tells us that "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.". The Bible clearly points to the ways God wants you to lead your life. For example, in Matthew 17: 13-14, it says, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." In this world, we often chase after things (like beauty, popularity, etc) and, sometimes, it takes over our lives and our minds off of what really matters-God. The way you act and think throughout your day is determined by what you set your mind on. If the main focus of your day is Christ and glorifying Him-because of daily devotions- you're more likely to think about how you can glorify God throughout your day than how you can benefit yourself with selfish gain. The Importance of Daily Devotions You may be able to tell that the points above all connect in some way. And they do! I don't even know where to begin on expressing how daily devotions impact your life, your relationship with God, and your walk by faith. If you want to start your day right, start by reading the Bible, going through a devotional, and praying! Not only will you grow in faith, but in grace and truth as well. I hope you'll join me in a thirty day bible reading challenge, and over the next thirty days, choose a book of the Bible and read through it! In the comments below, let me know what book of the Bible you chose to read and let me know what you learned!
For more information on this topic, check out Nancy Leigh DeMoss's book A Place Of Quiet Rest! By: Chris V "Why should I have to do all the work?" I grumbled after my parents told me to do a particular chore I'm not a fan of- pulling weeds. (There's always so many of them!) Later that week, I ended up getting in trouble with a teacher because I refused to do some of the class work and instead, read a book. By the end of the week, I was thinking, "Why would God put authorities in my life? And why should I listen to them?" Have you ever asked yourself that? The real problem with the scenarios above was not the authorities God put over me (Romans 13:1), but my rebellious heart. You see, we rebel because we live in a fallen, sinful world, and we often respond with a terrible attitude. For example, when your parents ask you to wash the dishes, do you immediately go and do them with a joyful heart (you're doing it for the Lord! (Colossians 3:23-24) or do you immediately go and do them while complaining under your breath? What about when your teacher assigns you a 5 page essay? Do you respond with "I need to write HOW many pages?!?!? There's no WAY I'm doing that." or do you respond with a joyful heart and do the essay? (Side note: Rebellion in never an excuse for sin.) Joy Instead of Rebellion What does the Bible say about rebellion? In Romans 13:2, it says "Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement." Another verse says: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you" (Hebrews 13:17). That sounds like some big stuff! Notice Hebrews 13:17 says "Let them do this with joy and not with groaning...". So instead of saying, "Why do I have to go to this place with this person?", you could say "I get to go this place with this person; how can I serve God to the fullest in this situation?". Why Should I Submit? Now that we have addressed the heart issue, let's talk about why we should submit to authorities. (I used to wonder about why we should submit to authorities a lot when things in a situation didn't go my way.) We should submit to God-ordained authorities because God commands it! In 1 Peter 2:13-17, it says, "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." Paul is saying that God says to submit to authorities, even when you don't agree with them (like when your parents say no to you going to a certain party, or when a youth leader tries to help you correct a sinful habit). If you truly love God, wouldn't you want to try to keep His commands? Submission= Best Freedom Ever! A few years ago, I got a copy of the book Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth and Dannah Gresh as a present. (I was super excited to read it!) One thing that stuck out to me in the book (and still does!) is a sidebar on page 190. The side bar featured an acronym that reads T.R.Y. (Totally Relinquishing and Yielding). This basically means you are surrendering to God. Surrendering to God is saying "Okay God, I'm giving you control of this situation because you know what's best for me." That may sometimes mean submitting to your parents, youth leaders, teachers... the list goes on. The best part of surrendering to God? You have the best freedom ever! When you submit to God, you remove any reckless thought or action that could ruin your future and takes the freedom God has already given you. Submit to God (and God-ordained authorities), and He will give you freedom beyond belief.
Have you ever struggled with submission? What did you learn? Share in the comments below! |
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