I have to be in a bathing suit around a whole bunch of people. I have been so stressed about finding the right shaver that would not leave me with any bikini rashes so I would feel more comfortable walking around in front of others. I have invested in several different shavers to try different techniques over the last couple weeks to prepare for this day. The other day I tried one that left my inner thighs absolutely raw and so sore that I could barely walk. Any clothing that touched my skin was excrutiating. It was awful!

I was lying in bed thinking about how this search for the "perfect" shaver has consumed me. I was praying and asking God to take the pain on my legs away so I could walk comfortably in my own home. I have been so consumed by this desire to not have a rash and wanted the "perfect" look in a bathing suit. I was quite convicted in my pursuit of Jesus. Just a couple weeks ago I talked about how we can take so much time as women preparing ourselves for the day and how much time do we take for Jesus in the morning? Now, here I am allowing myself to be consumed once again by my appearance in the quest for the perfect shaver.

Do I pursue Jesus and allow myself to be consumed by Him and how he walked? What is my life's testimony saying to others? How much time am I putting into my heart and making it as in tune with Jesus? This shaver situation has so distracted me.... all over the fact that I need to be seen in a bathing suit around other people.

Isn't it easy as a woman to do this? We do this so often, changing our clothing, asking our spouse or friends for an opinion. We want to know if it might make us look slightly bigger than we want to be perceived. We choose a favourite shirt that makes us feel better about ourselves and save it for when we need to go out so we look put together. There are so many quirky things us women do all in the name of appearance and perception.

Unfortunately we do live in a superficial world where people do judge on appearance. We would all love to say that we are not in the majority, and that we all look beyond what's on the outside, but virtually all of us are influenced by appearances.

It's important to keep our appearance in perspective. God tells us in the Bible that it is important to present ourselves as nicely as possible, but not to go to extremes. It is important that we remain aware of why we do the things we do to look good.

Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Proverbs 31:30 - "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting: but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

I asked myself and will ask you.... do I focus on my appearance, weight, clothing and makeup more than I do on God? Does my focus on my appearance take my eyes off of Jesus?

I've been convicted.... even though there's nothing wrong with wanting to find the "perfect" shaver, my priorities have been in the wrong order. I've allowed this to take my eyes off Jesus and consume me. As women (and men) we need to take a closer look at our heart and actions, rather than our appearance and presentation.

The Lamb of God

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:19

Father God, today as we behold Jesus, may we look and see Him as the One who took and takes away all of our sin. Every single one of them - those that we are so aware of and those we don't even recognize as sin.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4

Father, may this truth permeate our hearts and minds and be our shield from the lies of the enemy that speak a different message. There is no condemnation. The required righteousness is fully met in us through Jesus Christ! Thank you Father that it really isn't about us, but about You and what You HAVE DONE.

You are our precious Saviour! We love you and thank You for your great love. Keep us walking in Your righteousness.

New Year... New Beginnings

As always, another new year brings in thoughts and ideas of new beginnings and a chance to improve our lives, improve our health and improve our relationships with other people. We all have a certain amount of regret that we failed to be the person that we wanted to be this past year, we did not meet our own expectations. We push the pan of God's grace onto the back burner and allow the pot of condemnation to come to a full rolling boil; it's steam filling the air and infiltrating the whole room of our lives. We breathe it in and it saturates us, leaving us with no hope that things will ever change or get better.

Yet, our senses are brought to life by an aroma that can be compared to no other. It has been there all along. Through the mist and steam, we not only smell the aroma of God's grace, we begin to feel it; the peace, the joy, of God's faithfulness that has brought us through unimaginable circumstances and trials that we could not have borne or endured alone.

I am here this day, I breathe, I feel, I love, I touch, I hold... and I am surrounded by God's grace and mercy. Let us not forget how God has lead us through the wilderness but continue to look ahead, knowing that He is there to guide us, protect us and love us. How blessed we are to know this wonderful and awesome God!

"And the God of all grace, who called you to

His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered

a little while, will Himself restore you and

make you strong, firm and steadfast."

I Peter 5:10

My prayer for you this year is Psalm 20

"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;

May the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

May He send you help from the sanctuary

and grant you support from Zion.

May He remember all of your sacrifices

and accept your burnt offerings.

May He give you the desire of your heart

and make all of your plans succeed.

We will shout for joy when you are victorious

and will lift up banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;

He answers him from His holy heaven

with the saving power of His right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall,

but we rise up and stand firm.

O Lord, save the king!

Answer us when we call!"

Do not allow your life to be filled with regret or condemnation but trust in the One who gives us victory through His Son, our beautiful Christ!

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those

who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus

the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the

law of sin and death."

Romans 8:1-2