Jesus is Ravished With Your Beauty || A Valentine’s Day Reminder

[NOTE:  This is a follow up blog for the above Periscope video that I posted yesterday.]

The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them.

People judge by outward appearance, 

but the LORD looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7b NLT

The most beautiful part of us is our heart—the inner life that is hidden from the view of people, but on display for our Lord. Christ is our Bridegroom; we’re his Bride. And what he finds truly beautiful is a life of FAITH: our persevering under trials, our worship and trust, our confession of his goodness, our obedience to Scripture, our service to others, a confident prayer life, the witness of our love to a hurting world. All these things are opportunities to love the One who loved us first and loves us best. With each act of belief, each move in His direction, the flicker of our love catches His attention. Faith’s light glimmers from a solitary bead of our necklace. When we lift our eyes to look into his, his heart beats faster. How can it be that our walk of faith and loving obedience can ravish the very heart of Christ Jesus?

Song of Solomon 6:9 NKJV says:

You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse;

You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes,

With one link of your necklace.

I searched for scriptures about the beauty of the inner life and what things Christ would consider beautiful. What might happen if I spent as much time beautifying the inside of myself as I do the outside?

Sanctification (the process of being conformed into the image of Christ; being made holy) is initiated by God. He gives us the desire to please him. Not only that, but he gives us what we need to follow through. Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” The things in our lives that ravish Christ are the gifts and graces that he put there to begin with. Those virtues grow through the power of his Spirit. And he’s faithful to complete this good work.

And I am certain that God,

who began the good work within you, 

will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.      Phil. 1:6 NLT

Any virtue described in the bible is attainable if—through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me—I continually surrender my flesh and choose to clothe myself in the attitude of Jesus.

Read through the list below. Do any of these verses speak to you? Determine to put on new adornments of beauty and holiness this year.

What other Scriptures can you think of?

 

 

Beauty Treatments for the Soul

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (Prov. 31:30)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  (2 Cor. 4:16) (See also Rom. 12:2)

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good.  (Titus 2:3)

A kindhearted woman gains honor…  (Proverbs 11:16)

The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil [He will not lack anything good].  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  (Prov. 31:11-12)

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  (Phil. 2:4)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  (Gal. 5:22-23a)

That you may become blameless and pure, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, holding up the word of life.  (Phil. 2:15-16a)

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.  (Prov. 3:3-4)

Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.  (1Tim. 4:8)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  (1 Thes. 5:16-18)

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.  (1 Pet. 3:3-4)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.  (1 John 1:9)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  (Eph. 2:10)

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.  (Matt. 5:23-24)

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.  (Prov. 4:7)

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  (1 Tim. 6:6)

 

Travis Cottrell

www.traviscottrell.com

http://twitter.com/cottrelltravis