GODLY WORLDLY
SELF-CARE
Self-care should not be used as a means to "increase" your beauty because you are already wonderfully and fearfully made (Psalm 139:14)!
Self-care is taking care of Your Body: The SACRED Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:9, 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
In the princess movie "Cinderella", the Fairy Godmother makes cinderella “beautiful” by putting her in a pretty dress , doing her makeup and her hair. The Truth is: Jesus came down from heaven to tell us that we are already wonderfully and fearfully made (Psalm 139:14). We don't need make-up, creams or perfumes to "look/smell better."
The power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus works beyond physical products and substances. Jesus healed and worked miracles without medicine! Jesus Himself is our cure, our healer, and our doctor. Let your supplications be known to Him.
Remember, any statement that does not come from God's Truth about you is a lie. Do not listen to lies about your identity e.g. you are ugly, or not good enough;
Trust God's never-changing, absolute TRUTH about you.
Reflection:
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Do you believe that it is possible for God to change you the way that He changed Moses?
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Pray to God and invite Him to show you what you mean to Him.
Romans 3:23-24 | Psalm 23:3 | Psalm 49:8-9
We ALL Fall Short of The Glory of God
But your soul is costly & redeemed by Jesus
God is love (1 John 4:8). He loves you wherever you are in your journey. Nothing you do will make him love you less or more, we are not saved by our works but God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). God doesn't expect you to be perfect and holy, that is why He sent us Jesus. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Jesus helps us become worthy to come to God (II Thessalonians 1:4-6, II Thessalonians 1:11-12). Through His sacrifice, the Lord Jesus shows the high value and worth we are to him. Your life is worth Jesus who is loved dearly to God (John 15:9). So, despite your past, your sins, your pains and your feelings of worthlessness, God invites your to draw near and in return He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Your soul is costly redeemed by Jesus (Psalm 23:3, Psalm 49:8-9).
In Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He invites us to come to Him regardless of the state we're in.
Our relationship with the Lord is incomparable to any relationship on earth. There is absolutely no expectation of perfection. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Apostle Paul affirms how the Lord told him, ”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." We will never be able to achieve perfection; yet in our sinful state, God still says “come to Me.” We don’t have to put on our best or cover up parts of our life we aren’t satisfied with. God is for you.
"I Am Not Good Enough" - Moses (Exodus 4)
God chose Moses to free His people, the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Moses was filled with fears that he would be unsuccessful/incapable to complete the task. We learn from God's interaction with him that God will equip us with the strength and resources to do all that He has purposed us to do e.g. God gave Moses a staff to prove He spoke with God if the Israelites did not believe Moses (Exodus 4:1-5).
• “Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?’” (Exodus 3:11)
• “Then Moses said, ‘What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you’” (Exodus 4:1).
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Moses says to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)
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God reminded Moses of His control over everything: “Who gave human beings their mouths? ... Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exodus 4:11-12).
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Focus on God's power instead of your shortcomings. Your competence comes from God: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). God's grace is sufficient in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
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"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 4:11).
Trust God, Not Self:
God didn’t spend time trying to boost Moses’ self-confidence. Rather, God reminded Moses that he should put his confidence in Him. God wants us to put all of our trust in Him. After all, God is the only one who is powerful enough to overcome the Pharaoh in our lives.
As Moses grew in his trust in the Lord, God used him to accomplish a great deliverance. Moses is now known as one of the greatest leaders in biblical history not because he was such a brave guy but because of his faith in God’s great power of redemption. What God did for Moses, He can do for you. You can rest in the knowledge that if God is calling you to do something, His grace will be effective in your life too!
When the Enemy Attacks Who You Are:
1. Come to God's Word (The Sword of the Spirit): What hurtful words have been spoken over you? Bring these statements before the Word of God. Reflect and ask yourself: Is there anywhere in God’s Word where it is written that this statement is true about me? Ask the Lord to reveal who you are to Him: You are loved in Christ Jesus (John 17:26). Therefore make every thought and every word obedient to Christ with full submission to God's Truth.
2. Pray in Jesus' Name: Through Jesus, we attain righteousness in God (Breastplate of righteousness). “In the strong name of Jesus, whose I belong, who lives in me, and who is helping me become like Him, I break the curse of these words and its impact on me. I surrender them at your cross and choose to forgive as you have forgiven me in Jesus' name, amen."
3. Focus on the Grace of God in Jesus: God suffered much for us in the flesh of Jesus. He took on the punishment for all of our sins. Whatever has been used against you; will be used for your good (Genesis 50:20). Put up your shield of faith in Jesus' love for you and keep your mind on the salvation of Christ (Helmet of Salvation). Choose to come to Jesus and ask Him to help you walk in peace (Shoes of peace).
Bedtime Routine
It can be hard to sleep/rest. Try use this time as an opportunity to talk with God.
Psalms 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.
Morning Routine
Invite God to talk to you in the morning. His voice bring will bring you peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).
God is your Heavenly Father who loves you. Our God of Peace invites us into His peace (John 14:27)
Bible Devotionals, God's Word + Worship music can uplift your mornings with God.
ONLY GOD YOUR CREATOR DEFINES YOU
YOU ARE NOT DEFINED BY:
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Who your parents were & say you are
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People's opinion about you
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Relationships where you were not your best self
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Mistakes you have made in the past
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Your trauma, fears & anxieties
GOD SAYS..
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You are Loved (Romans 8:38-39, John 3:16-17)
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You are chosen, God's special possession (1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 1:11)
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You are Worthy to be Alive ( Psalm 139:16, Psalm 139:13)
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Wonderfully and Fearfully made (Psalm 139:14)
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You are more than a conqueror in Christ (Romans 8:37)
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You are the Holy Spirit's Temple (1 Corinthians 6:19)
