True Beauty Part 1

Hey girls! So we had a amazing night this past wednesday for the girls in our youth group, we had a glamour night which was super fun seeing all the girls get their hair and makeup done by some young ladies in our church. They had a blast!! But the reason we did this, of course for fun, but also to  learn what it means to have true inner beauty. So  I want to share 6 characteristic that I think describe what inner beauty looks like.

1. Selflessness- This means thinking of others first before yourself. For Example, is there a girl  who tends to be by herself or considered weird according to the other kids, or maybe someone is being bullied and you can help stand up for that person. This is selflessness.

• Philippians 2:4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
• Proverbs 3:27-28 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don't say “Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you."
  
• John 15:12-14 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.You are my friends if you do what I command.

2.  Integrity- This means being honest, It also means being trustworthy, not only to speak the truth, but to do the right thing. They are conscious of what is right and wrong.

• Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. 
•  Proverbs 4:23-27 Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Take heed to the path of your feet, then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
• Proverbs 11:20 The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity

3. Diligence- This means giving 100% in everything we do, and doing it conscientiously, with care,persistency and to the best of our abilities.

• Proverbs 10:4 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

4.Kindness- This is a huge one girls. Listen closely. It means being genuinely warm-natured and loving. To be kind means to be caring and considerate of others’ feelings. It means helping others when they're in need, regardless of who they are.  Which also takes courage to take that step towards helping someone who is hurting.

• Colossians 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
• Luke 6:35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
• Proverbs 3:3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!Tie them around your neck as a reminder.Write them deep within your heart.
• Proverbs 31:26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

5. Forgiveness- this is a fundamental asset for any christian, but I think it is especially important for us females, since we tend to hold on to grudges, hurts, and bitterness. So forgiviness is when we put aside feelings of bitterness toward someone who hurt us, by replacing it with a feeling of love and well being of the person. We need too be able to forgive and let it go. (I have  an urge  to sing "Let it Go" from Frozen!!!) Even if he/she doesn't apologize.

• Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 
• Matthew 6:15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
• Proverbs 17:9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
• Mark 11:24-25  I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

6. Prudence- is knowing right from wrong, based upon knowledge, founded upon reading and learning what God's Word says and applying to our daily life.

• Proverbs 13:16 In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. 
• Proverbs 8:12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.Stay away from every kind of evil. 

Alright girls I know, this is a lot of information but I really want you to study these characteristic of true beauty, they will be challenging to learn at times because of our sinful human nature, But God doesn't want perfection, all he wants is our willingness to not give up , but alway try to learn and grow in these traits, because I can guarantee that we will stumble many times, but the important thing to remember is no matter how many times we fall, we need to jump right back up, dust ourselves off and continue to build on these because we want to bring glory to God in all we do. I can't wait to share with you Part 2. Stay tune because there is more to come!!