Summer Is Here

When the weather gets hot, the world wants you to take your clothes off. Just because others are doing it, doesn't mean you have to. Less clothes does not mean "fashionable." Summer is here and although the weather is warm, do not forget to stay true to yourself and who you are. No matter what time of the year it is, it is important to behave in a manner pleasing to God. What you wear can reflect you in a good or bad way. How you dress effects how others view you and ultimately treat you. What do you want people to think about when they see you? If you want to be respected, dress in a respectable manner. If you dress too revealing, you may attract the wrong attention from the wrong people. Let your personality shine through and you will attract the right attention. Find a style that will look great on you, and feel confident in what you wear. You are awesome just the way you are, so keep your private parts covered and show off that beautiful smile. You are precious, and your body is a temple that belongs to the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Circle of Friends

It would be a perfect world if everyone we knew would just get along. However, the truth of the matter is everyone has different personalities, ideas, and beliefs that sometime make it hard for the ones we love most to see eye to eye. As Pretty Girls, we know that the bible teaches us that we are to love everyone, despite our differences (Luke 6:27). Even though we love everyone with the love of Christ, we must also use wisdom in who we choose to call our "friends". Everyone you know may not have your best interest in mind. The power of words can build you up or tear you down (Proverbs 18:21). It is important that the people around you are speaking good things and encouraging words to help make you a better person. Those who gossip, lie, and slander others will have to answer to God. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us that no corrupt talk should come from our mouths, only good words that build others up. Be aware of those who you interact with, and do not pick up any bad habits that wouldn't be pleasing in God's eyes (Psalm 19:14). You have a right to choose your friends. You can choose what information you decide to share about yourself. You are a daughter of God, and you deserve to be loved and respected by everyone around you - even your friends.

Strength

Life throws us some pretty tough challenges when we are least expecting. Sometimes the problem can be easily fixed, while other times there is nothing we can do but watch what is happening around us. Even though times may get tough, we can be encouraged that with the Lord's strength we will be able to endure hard times. True strength is keeping it together when everyone else expects you to fall apart. True strength is the power of persistence to keep going on when all the odds are against you. Strength doesn't come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming things you once thought you couldn't do. Allow God to become the source of your strength when you cannot pull it together for yourself. Philippians 4:13 says that we can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens us. With Him, no feeling is too hard to overcome and no situation is too hard to endure. Psalm 18:2 says that God our my rock, our fortress, and our shield. You can be confident that with God you do not have to worry. You are always stronger than you think you are - you never know your true strength until you are forced to be strong. Rely on God and you will always have the victory.


"This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

No Limits

As Pretty Girls, we all have ideal expectations of what we want out of life. We know what cars we would look good driving and we know what our perfect career choice would be. Some of us can imagine living in the perfect home filled with the perfect family, and others of us can imagine traveling the world and never looking back. Even though we have really big imaginations, and even bigger dreams, the good news is that God has something even bigger and better in store for us (Ephesians 3:20). When we live our lives for God, doing what He wants us to do, we are in His will. God's plans for lives are so unique and amazing that He can only show us what He has for us in pieces at a time. Our job is to trust God, and have faith and wait for all of the good things that God as in store for us (Romans 8:28). He knows the plans that He has for our life, and He only wants what is best for us (Jeremiah 29:11). We are His children, and He loves us. When we commit our ways to the Lord, and get excited about the things of God, God will bless us with the desires of our hearts as long as we are in His will (Psalm 37:4). God is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and He is able to move mountains and stop time. God is a God of miracles and whatever He wants to do, He will do. This is the God that we serve. No task is too small, and no job is too hard. God has amazing plans for your life; He is just waiting on you to serve Him so that He can bless you. Do not put limits on God. Expect big things and have faith that God will do what you ask of Him.

Don't Quit

Sometimes it can take a lot of hard work and patience to live a life dedicated to God. There are times when we can get discouraged when we pray but don't see immediate results. There are many reasons why we pray and don't see anything happening right away. Maybe what we asked God for isn't in His will for us (1 John 5:14). Maybe God has something much better in store for us than what we are asking Him for. Maybe God wants to teach us a lesson. Only God knows the  plans He has for our life, and only He knows how things will turn out. God knows what is best and it is our job to trust Him. Do not be discouraged if God doesn't respond to a prayer right away; He hasn't forgotten about you and He will never stop listening to you. In fact, God hears our every prayer, and He listens out for those who are faithful to Him (1 Peter 3:12). Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." In the end, our reward will come from God. Don't stop doing the right thing! The Lord sees you while you are working hard to help others. God knows when you pray on behalf of someone else. God lets us know that we will receive our reward from Him as long as we do not give up. The key to receiving our rightful reward is patience and obedience; patience to hold on and wait on God, and obedience to His word to do the right thing no matter what is going on around us. Continue to press on to do the right thing even if no one sees you, because it is pleasing in God's sight (1 John 3:22).

True Beauty

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

When I hear the word ‘beauty’, I immediately get an image in my mind of a woman. I imagine a woman with long beautiful hair that is tied up in a tight bun as she cooks dinner for her family. Her skin is flawless because her trust is in the Lord and as a result, she never has a sleepless night. Her physical body has curves and muscles because she participates in many activities with her children. Her fingernails and toenails are well manicured because she loves to treat herself every now and then to a day at the salon. She is strong, talented, and blessed by the Lord because she lives her life to serve God. Her friends and family love to be around her. Younger women want to glean from her. Her husband adores her, and God is pleased with her. This is the woman I strive to be; beautiful inside and out. This woman lives The Pretty Girl's Life.