Today has been a lovely day. Although a few seconds after I typed that the enemy tried to disturb my peace...smiles. I won't allow that to happen. okay enough of that.
I don't put much emphasis on OUTWARD appearance usually. After all it is the inner man (and woman) that matters most. But lets face it...how we look outwardly is what people see first. We all have our own unique look and that's a beautiful thing. Most people just need to put on a smile and there would be little need for makeup. I see way too many scowling, sour, and angry faces. Back to makeup. My personal choice is the more natural look. Some eye makeup minus the eye shadow, and some lip gloss in a neutral shade. When I was younger my mother always fussed at me for wearing what she thought was black lip gloss. Sure it looked black but it was actually a very very deep dark purple. I was an adult so of coarse I did not stop wearing it and besides I always got so many compliments so how bad could it be. My mothers choice of lip color was a coral orange and trust me...I would rather where the black...to each their own...smiles. Yesterday I was trying to figure out my style in clothing and I must say, I still don't know but I will work on that in the next few months. Today was play in makeup day. Mainly eye makeup choices. I do not expect any major changes but I do believe I could use some pointers in this area. Mascara, which many women can't live without, is something I have only experimented with now and then. It reaches the expiration date long before it gets used. I think I have finally solved the issues I have with it. I feel it and I don't like that. I forget its mascara and mess with it. A trick I learned a couple months ago but never tried until I saw it again today...use a business card behind your lashes and then apply. Works wonders! Maybe tomorrow I will experiment with hairstyles. Then I will have the whole OUTWARD appearance thing out of my system. Monday I will be back in deeper touch with my inner woman when I start the Joyce Meyer U teaching series for the month of August. You can sign up at joycemeyer.org if you like to be a part of this wonderful opportunity. I know it is only day 2 of this month but I have completed the 2nd day of my 31 day exercise commitment. So have fun on occasion, with your OUTWARD appearance. Just remember that we are all beautiful (and handsome) no matter what your ethnicity, body type, social status, or age. Embrace the beautiful you...see yourself the way your creator sees you. We are His masterpieces!
Wow its AUGUST! The 8th month of my 365 Word Journey! This is the 213th day of the year and there are officially 152 days remaining. I am over halfway there! I have learned so much...much more than if I had made resolutions. Without God, it is impossible to change oneself, but with God, all things are possible! Today is the 1st day of my 31 days of working out. It just so happens that it is also the kickoff of the Today Show's 30 Day Detox. Although working out is adding something and not taking something away (detoxing) it does add to my overall health and well being. For the detox I am giving up negative talk (inspired by a T.S. viewer), sweet treats...I do indulge in the occasional ice cream, and salty treats which is rare because once I started limiting my sodium, snacks with added salt are way too salty tasting for me and I don't enjoy them. AUGUST will be a very busy month for me with all this going on. I am sure the month will go even faster than July. Here's to a wonderful new month filled with blessings in Jesus Name! Embrace AUGUST as a month for new opportunities and spiritual growth and adventures! Enjoy your AUGUST...I intend to enjoy mine.
Amos 3:3 says, How can two walk together except they be agreed (in AGREEMENT). When we read that scripture we may have thoughts of a spouse, a close friend, or perhaps a business partner or AGREEMENT (contract) we have entered into. But did you know we can be in AGREEMENT with satan? If we are not in AGREEMENT with God and His Word and promises and what He says about us, we are in essence, in AGREEMENT with the enemy. I know I want to be in AGREEMENT with God. That means my words, my thoughts, as well as my actions, need to be in AGREEMENT (in a covenant) with Him. I can not go by what I think, what I feel, or what I see, or don't see. If God said it, I have to believe it! I will remind myself of this daily. Who are you in AGREEMENT with?
This is something I have found myself working on for at least a few years. I even went to a seminar. The world has used this Bible teaching because it is highly effective. God just did not intend for us to use this knowledge to get everything you want. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7) This scripture has spawned such books as "The Secret," The Law of Attraction," "Think and Grow Rich," and an abundance of others. I have learned however, through Bible teachings, that we really do PROPHESY our future by what we think and say today. I am always praying that God will help me with this because often my idle thoughts (I have learned not to speak it out loud) are often negative about certain situations in my life. So once again I find myself asking God to help me PROPHESY my life. I don't even try to attempt this on my own without the Holy Spirit. I know it won't work. I can not go by what I see, I have to go by what God's Word says. I am a work in progress.
There is an old saying that says...You can run...but you can't hide. How fitting that is of the world today when everything from crimes, infidelities, drug use, etc. are often done in SECRET. When people do something wrong...they run. Too many people don't own up to their sin. For (we)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) No one is perfect. All we need to do is confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness with a sincere heart, and repent (turn away) and God is quick to forgive us. The Bible has many scriptures concerning SECRET sin...that which is done in darkness (SECRET) will come out in the light. Luke 8:17 says, For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. (NIV) The NLT is even more straightforward...For all that is SECRET will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. Other scriptures you may want to read on your own are Matthew 10:26, Mark 4:22, 1 Corinthians 4:5, and Acts 17:11. So although we can run from things, we can never ever hide. I would rather confess my sin, ask for forgiveness, repent and if necessary take my punishment than die in my sin. There are no guarantees you will live long enough to do so.
I ask that you would join with me in praying for the mother whose 3 children were hit and killed by the two carjackers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. May God heal her and comfort her in this time of her greatest loss and that those involved will turn themselves in...in Jesus Name Amen.
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