A woman will spend a fortune buying the latest beauty preparation if it guarantees her a perfect face, perfect hair or a perfect body. Fashion and beauty magazines, television infomercials and billboards everywhere are touting the newest product that promises to revive, refresh and renew you or save you from bulges, bags or blemishes.
Over the years, I have suffered through a number of makeovers when I felt I needed to change something. Often the experience turned into a horror story.
I can remember wanting to do something different with my hair when I was 15—so I cut off my 13-inch pigtails. Not a good idea. When I was done, I looked like the bride of Frankenstein!
At age 22, I left a perm in too long while I chatted on the telephone. That makeover resulted in my having to wear hats all summer long.
Eventually I began to realize that there was a limit to what I could do to make myself over on the outside. Change that is bottled, sprayed or packaged is only temporary. True makeovers, I learned, have to be done on the inside by the Spirit of God.
As Christians, we should seek a more excellent way to permanent, lasting attractiveness. We must pursue the beauty of a holy life. What we desire comes only from God.
Power in the Blood
From Calvary’s cross, the blood of Jesus Christ flows continually. It is a powerful beautifying agent. It is produced in heaven and is delivered daily. It cleanses, purifies and removes every spot and blemish.
The blood of Jesus heals every ache and banishes pain. This rich blood, “drawn from Immanuel’s veins,” is a perfect match for every woman’s complexion. It’s a foundation for day or evening and never loses its power.
This same blood kept Corrie Ten Boom through the years she spent in a German death camp. It helped her survive all of the terrors, and after her release, it brought beauty to her life and forgiveness to others.
Following her husband’s death, the late Coretta Scott King appropriated the blood of Jesus as her beauty secret. Depression never overtook her. The power in the blood of Jesus our Savior helped her to keep bitterness out of her system and preserved her in beauty and peace.
Daily awareness of what Jesus has done for you will strengthen your spirit on the inside and beautify your countenance on the outside. It will renew you and give you the youthful vigor you desire to have.
Don’t stop at the foundation. Get the entire program. Receive His beauty for the ashes of your life—condemnation and guilt over past mistakes. Apply the oil of joy and exchange your heavy garments of despair for His robes of praise (see Is. 61:3).
Ladies, forget Paris and New York. The Holy Spirit has the best regimen of all. Let the radiant beauty of the Lord come upon you (see Ps. 90:17).
Apply God’s grace to all the flaws you think you have. It will eliminate every wrinkle. Each day receive His new mercies and walk out of guilt and regret. He will remove even the fragrance of your past. The old scars will be gone—not just concealed.
Glory to God! When you look in the mirror, your countenance will reflect the joy of the Lord, and your eyes will be bright because of His radiance shining from the inside.
Admit it, you are beautiful. The Lord has done it! “He will beautify the humble with salvation” (Ps. 149:4, NKJV). You won’t recognize yourself because you’re a new creation (see 2 Cor. 5:17).
God’s program works. At one time, poorly applied makeup and bad hair decisions caused me to hide, but God has beautified my life with His blood and His Word.
Choosing to live a holy life will give you a spiritual makeover and allow His glory to be revealed in you (see 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14). For enduring results, I recommend that you:
* Cleanse daily, confessing any sin or disobedience quickly (see 1 John 1:9)
* Use these spiritual products generously; don’t substitute bargain brands (see 2 Cor. 7:1)
* Stay away from dark, evil places (see Matt. 6:13)
* Be thankful (see Ps. 100:4)
* Hide God’s Word in your heart and apply it to your life (see Ps. 119:11)
* Share your secrets (see Luke 6:38).
Each day allow the Lord to make you over into what He needs you to be. Because of His great love for you, He will seal you with His Holy Spirit. He will beautify your life continually, and His splendor will be displayed in you.
Cheryl McBride Brown is senior pastor of Believers in Christ Ministries, Inc., based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has conducted revivals and retreats nationwide and is a frequent speaker for Women of the Word conferences. Pastor Brown also serves as general overseer of pastoral development for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.
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