5/17/06
Encouragement for Today
(Principle #1)
“Internal Makeover”
Tanya Zollinger, Director of Proverbs 31
Key Verse:
2 Corinthians 3:18, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (NIV)
Devotion:
I was walking to my son’s day care center last week when I realized that many houses in our area are undergoing 'external makeovers'. Over the last year I have watched one house in particular being totally transformed from a small mediocre single story to a large grandiose two story. Two others have undergone facelifts with renovated gardens and an outer cement render to give a completely new look.
It looks so appealing to undergo an external makeover; even with all the work involved, it looks easy, and has an almost instant result. These houses got me thinking about the transforming power of Jesus Christ in our lives. Many of us would like to have the chance to undergo a TV makeover to improve our bodies, change our looks and revamp our image, but the ultimate ‘makeover' starts on the inside. Romans 12:2 says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. . .” For most of us, this isn't an instant process!
In her book, The Ultimate Makeover, Sharon Jaynes writes, “We were born with a dead spirit, but God didn't leave us that way. Before we were even born God made an appointment for us to undergo the ultimate makeover. He has a unique beauty regimen designed for each and every one of us – to make us beautiful from head to toe.” This change can only take place when our lives are surrendered to the Spirit of God and His working inside us. The ‘ultimate makeover’ creates an inner beauty, which then reflects Jesus’ love to the world.
After I came to know Jesus Christ as my Savior, I underwent a radical transformation. I didn't have surgery or change the way I looked. I underwent an internal makeover, which transformed me from the inside out. This showed outwardly in dramatic lifestyle changes and people could see that something had taken place in my life.
Some of my ultimate makeover beauty regimen has taken years, unlike the houses within my tiny suburb. However, these houses, though outwardly impressive, still hold the same old and used furniture, the same family too, with their problems, habits, hurts, and difficulties. Thankfully, with Jesus, our makeover begins on the inside with a beautiful spiritual makeover resulting in a great new faith-lift!
My Prayer for Today:
Father, we pray for Your glory to be reflected in our lives, that each day as we surrender to You we will be transformed into Your likeness with ever-increasing glory. Thank You for loving us enough to transform us from the inside out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Many of us may feel more like the interior of the houses I was describing, looking great and transformed outwardly, but still carrying the pain and hurts of life on the inside. Why not pray today for an 'ultimate makeover' through the power of the Holy Spirit?
Consider writing down the parts of you that need transforming within your heart or mind. Begin to believe that the power of the Holy Spirit will transform you from the inside out.
Reflection Points:
Are you holding hurts and pain from the past?
Are you walking in love?
How can you outwardly reflect the transforming power of forgiveness in your life?
Power Verses:
Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (NIV)
Isaiah 4:2, “In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in
Isaiah 52: 7, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to
Additional Resources:
The Ultimate Makeover, by Sharon Jaynes
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_ultimateMakeover.htm
Shaped with Purpose (workbook), by Renee Swope
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_shapedPurpose.htm
Every Woman’s Battle, by Shannon Ethridge
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_everyWomans.htm
Proverbs 31
Originally published Wednesday, 17 May 2006.
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