“I know how to get beautiful,” bragged little Julie.

“How?” asked her neighbor.

“You rub this lotion on your body,” she answered, “just like my Mommy does.”

Julie must have had a beautiful Mommy. And she believed that her Mommy’s beauty was some “thing” that could be applied on the outside and a miracle occurred.

Beauty means many things to many people. For some it is a life-long, never-ending, relentless quest. Some individuals try to get rid of every flaw and blemish, believing that eventually perfection will be achieved.

God’s Word says that outward beauty is of no consequences unless the beauty comes from the inside. His Word reminds us that we “should clothe ourselves with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is so precious to God.”

God created us to have purpose and reason for being. Therefore, we are His work of art? Everything about us has been designed to reflect His glory.

“People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.” Beauty is something internal that is created by Someone Who is eternal. Said David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Prayer: Lord, we ask that our lives might reflect a gracious, God-given beauty that comes from living a life of holiness, worship, prayer and surrender that comes for knowing and being with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-10

A boy in North Carolina broke a record. He jumped 26,439 times in four hours and twenty-six minutes on a pogo stick.

Say what you will, he had his ups and downs.

And so did a king in the Bible. But one day he turned his life over to God. Then he said, “I waited patiently for God to help me; then He listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path and steadied me as I walked along.”

Why sink in the mire when you can sing in the choir?

Turn your life over to God, won’t you?

Prayer: Too often, Father, our minds are easily led astray, our hearts are easily swayed, and our wills are so weak. Just now we submit ourselves to Thee. Take over in our lives and guide us in the things we should do for Thee. In Thy strength we will resist the devil: through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today's video devotional:

Read Psalm 119:133

It was one small misstep for a technician, but it was a big setback for our space program.

The workman tripped on the tail of his lab coat, stumbled and cracked the exhaust nozzle of a space rocket as he fell against it.

The cost to fix this small misstep? Six million dollars.

It was one misstep for King David. He was feasting at home when he should have been fighting at the front. He tripped over Bathsheba and committed adultery.

The cost? Three sons and his kingdom.

Let’s pray with the Psalmist, Lord, “Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”

Prayer: We long, Father, for a more satisfying sense of Thy presence and power which will make us equal to all of our problems and perplexities, all of our tasks and troubles. Hear us, we pray: in the name of Jesus. Amen.