Who am I? What makes me a valuable person? What do others say about me and what impact do they have on my life? These are quite difficult questions. Take some minutes to think about them...
We live in a society, which wants us to be successful and always strong. If we don't achieve this , it's hard not to feel like a failure. Other ways to feel important in this world are our appearance, talents and our image.
Do you define yourself by your achievements, success, relationships, talents or appearance? What would happen, if somebody took away these things? Would you still feel like a valuable person?
Everything is about our identity and the question, what makes us valuable.
Do you know the story in the bible of the foolish man, who built his house upon the sand?
Jesus said: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
(Matthew 7:24-27)
This story is all about identity. If we build our house of life upon things like outer beauty, success, relationships, talents ... then everything will be ruined if we face a storm in our life (... accident, broken relationships, failure,...).
The only ground that will carry us in every situation in life is GOD!
What does it mean to build life upon God and to find our identity in him alone?
You have to know that you are God's beloved daughter. The love of God doesn't depend on your success, your outer beauty, your relationships or your image.
He just loves you, because you are his child, his jewel, his daughter and even his Princess.
Only the relationship with our heavenly Daddy
will show us our true identity, who we really are and this will make us free. Only the dependence on God means to be truly free. God's love is perfect and living with him means freedom.
If we find our identity in God, it feels like "coming home". We will walk with God through our path in life and learn to trust him and his guidance more and more.
To live as God's daughter, as a PRINCESS OF GOD doesn't mean that everything is always nice and easy. We will fall, but it's important to stand up again and proceed.
God is so patient and I have a whole life to learn to live as his daughter in this world.
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8)
St. Paul was successful, intelligent, popular and well educated.
He actually owned everything, until he met Jesus.
When St. Paul met Jesus, he said, that everything was a loss compared to Christ!
What hinders us to know Christ?
There are two obstacles in our lives ... two questions, we always have in mind...
→ What do I look like?
→ What do others think about me?
Everything in society is limited to our appearance.
Gerry Halliwell once said about herself:
"I'm a fat bitch and I'm tired of my life."
... and Jennifer Aniston once said that she feels worthless and "not enough", concerning her appearance.
.... when we concentrate on ourselves, we loose our focus on God and can't be the person, God created.
If we always serve our egoism and if we are afraid of other people, we are limited and can't develop in a way, God wants us to.
Don't be afraid of what other people think of you. Think about, what pleases the King of Kings (Jesus!)
If we look at Jesus, we become free and start to really live for him. We want to please God and we stand up!
The Lord said to him:
"Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
(1. Samuel 16:7)
→ God only looks at our heart !!!!
Were you not raised to life with Christ? Then aspire to the realm above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, and let your thoughts dwell on that higher realm, not on this earthly life. I repeat, you died and now your life lies hidden with Christ in God.
(Colossians 3:1-3)
→ seek the heart of God and concentrate on what God thinks of you
In this way we will become free and receive an eternal perspective.
We will become much more effective for God, because we won't always be considering, what other people think of us...
When God called Moses, Moses said that his brother would be a better choice for this job.
But God called Moses and promised him, to equip him with everything he would need to fulfill his mission.
God has a plan for each and every one of us!
→ "Dancers, start to dance and worship God in freedom!"
→ "Singers, sing and use your gift, God gave to you!"
Don't let anyone hold you back.
We should look at God! Everything else doesn't matter!
Don't concentrate on negative thoughts or insecurity!
→ God gives us a security and strength.
→ God says: Stand up! Go for it!
If we seek God, he will entrust us with more and more.
God gave talents to each of us! Let's dream big dreams!
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
(2 Timothy 1:7)
Beth Redman
Soul Survivor A 2001
Soul Sista - Session 3
from a sermon tape
How do other religions treat women?
- Buddhism: misogynous, Buddha said,
that only men can find enlightenment
- Hinduism: discrimination against women
- Islam: sometimes women are put on a level with
unclean animals, women are often only sex objects
Orthodox Jews were taught to thank God everyday, that they were not born as women.
The behaviour of Jesus towards women was revolutionary
Jesus always treated women with respect and acceptance. He was full of compassion and showed them their true value.
Jesus showed them, that they are as precious as men, that they are wanted, loved and valuable and that they have an important part of society.
Mary Magdalene was a prostitute and met Jesus.
She fell down before him and cried about her guilt and her past (repentance).
Jesus treated her lovingly, defended her against the others and forgave her. Mary Magdalene followed him and served him all her life.
God longs for women of all ages, to give themselves completely to him (gifts, abilities etc.) - no matter how high the price would be.
Jesus calls us, wants us to stand up and to show us our place in this world.
Stories
Different women tell about their life with God:
Sarah
- 24 years old
- married for 2 years
- lives in Stuttgart
- studies audio-visual media
- career aspiration: camera operator,
a typical job for men
- the utility zone is very tolerant towards Christians
often reserved, selfish and superficial
- Sarah stands up for her faith
and God acts through her life
- God showed her, that she should go
to her fellow students' parties, to talk with others
→ the world does not read the bible, but reads us
→ we should live our Christianity
→ go with open eyes through this world
to serve other people
→ "We are in this world, but not OF this world"
→ be faithful to our principles
and follow Jesus
→ find a balance with relationships
to people who know God and nonbelievers
→ We have to receive first from God,
in order to pass it on to others
→ Psalms 1
Nadira
- 24 years old, married
- took a whole month off after school to ask God what plans
he had for her life
- God led her to the town of Biberach, showed her that she would help children
and young people, and be able to live her faith.
→ God often uses friends/instructors to teach us something new,
and to develop our personality
→ by living, we build the kingdom of God
→ our attitudes are important
attitudes of excellence, not perfection,
we should give our best
we should bloom, where God planted us
→ Daniel (Daniel 1) was good at everything
he kept his heart, but was excellent at everything
→ We can serve God in every job,
where God placed us
→ What does success mean?
"Success means, that you know the purpose of your life,
to grow to your greatest possible potential
and to cast seed that bless others." (John Maxwell)
- To know God's plans for my life
- To give my best
- It's not only about us, but about being a blessing
→ If we trust in God, he will reward us.
Ela
- 24 years old, single
- her younger sister died, when she
was a girl
- God carried her even through the hard times of life!
- after graduating from school, she took a time-out
- She wanted a creative job
- God guided her to study "interior design"
and supports her, gives her ideas for projects
- she experiences God in her daily life
- her call is being creative
- "a missionary in her environment"
- the will of God has priority in her life,
also with regards to finding a man
→ God gives us everything, when we come to him!
→ We can also live fulfilled as singles
and be happy
→ God will give us the right partner at the right time
→ A woman is beautiful because of her radiation
→ only the inner beauty matters!
Irmgard
- 46 years old, married for 23 years
- wife of a pastor
- a trump in a card game is the prize
we should be a prize for God and our fellow men
→ we can only live our calling by living our purpose
→ we are made to be women and to live in the family,
we were born in
→ Men and women are completely different
→ Women are more emotional and have changes of moods
→ Women act intuitively. We feel things
without any real explanation
→ We have a tendency to be sheltering and motherly
→ we can do many things at the same time
→ we experience variable emotions because of our hormones
→ we can accept ourselves and our identity as women
→ if we live our original purpose, we can find our own position
and don't have to prove something to men
→ we should be the man's complement, not his competition
→ we have specific limits as women
within these limits we can discover ourselves as women
develop visions and ask God for his plan
→ Proverbs 31: God gave us strength and dignity
if we live with God
→ Psalms 139: We are precious, important, unique & wonderfully
created → we are good as we are!
→ the relationship with Jesus gives us identity, healing
and an inner strength
→ we can accept our limits
→ we should not compare ourselves to others because we are unique
and God created us as we are
→ when we look for a partner, we should consider
finding a man, who sees us as women and discovers
our potential with us and supports us
→ both callings should become reality
→ as women we should also support men
→ our purpose is also to get to know God
and to love him
→ We have a calling but also a free will
→ We should surrender all our life to God
→ If God calls us, he needs our decision
→ Women in the bible, who lived to their calling:
Queen Esther
→ she was an orphan and became queen
→ God wants our enfolding!
→ God can transform orphans into Children of the King
→ Esther did not deny her Jewish origin
→ we should accept our origins too,
and also stand up for God
Ursula
- 58 years old
→ we all are unique and different
→ God calls us as women to fulfill our purpose and calling
→ How do we find our calling?
→ Willingness: Are we ready? God wants to show us our calling
→ Sin: fear and hate. Let that sin become your biggest enemy.
If we live in sin, we become
insensitive to the will of God in our lives
→ when we are full of God, we can be a blessing to others
→ We should seek God and get to know him and learn to trust him
→ Keep our eyes and ears open to what is happening around us
→to love our fellow men
Our deeds should speak for themselves.
→ What is my talent? Serve God and the others with your talents.
Everyone has a talent.
→ We should live for an aim and a vision
→ when we look for a partner, we should consider our dream
→ pray for the right man!
→ don't look frantically for the man, just wait
→ if God gives us something in our hearts, we should hold on to it
no matter what other people say
→ we can always turn back to God
→ As women we are the trump of God - Winner on the side of God
- finally a prayer, that we are at completely God's disposal to use our lives for his glory.
"Father, let your dream with my life become true.
Bless me and let me be a blessing to this world.
Amen."
5/07/2003
"Holy Spirit Night" at Altensteig
Workshops: "Women - the trump of God"
Ursula Kempny
You are God's daughter. As a Daughter of God you live with a purpose in this world. That means that God has big plans for your life. HE can do much more, than you could ever dream of and can turn all the broken pieces of your life into gold, if your trust in him. It's all about trusting God! Trust in him and give him all your heart.
Involve God in your daily life. Take time to talk with him and let him bestow gifts on you in these times.
God will shape you. Just put your heart in his hands evey day. He will change you and you will be more and more the woman, which you are in his eyes. He will heal every hurt and pain and he will restore you.
You will live in the fullness of God and be happy, because you belong to HIM.
He will guide you and give you a call in your heart, for special people or areas, where he wants to use you. He will lead you into your calling and your life will be like an adventure!!! You will stand up and won't try to fit in every where because you hear his voice and you get to know him, more and more.... Some people will admire you for your courage, others will reject or envy you, but you will be strong and happy, because HE blessed your life. Everyone will see that HE blessed you.
God will restore you and give you back, what was stolen from you. He will heal you and make all things new.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
Psalms 37:5
If you decide to live with HIM, then you won't choose the easiest way, but the only way, which is fulfilling! And if you walk this way, you will get to know Jesus more and more, and you will be like him =)
We want to communicate with Girls4God, that you can accept yourself as you are and that's okay to have "flaws".
These make you special, interesting and unique.
You can still care about your appearance. You can put on make-up (to emphasize your natural beauty, not to wear a mask.) or you can wear the latest fashion.
That's okay, if you express yourself to show who you are. Christians don't live in the last century, but they don't have to follow every fashion trend. God set us free to be who we are and to glorify him.
To get back to our subject...
Many many (almost all??) girls and women have problems with their body-measurements and weight. We are always confronted with perfection and a particular ideal. All advertising communicates the message that a perfect body means to be beautiful.
That's a big lie, because the advertising industry isn't interested in our well-being. They only want YOUR MONEY! Why do you believe what they say??
Actually beauty is not about your measurements or your weight. You are beautiful, if you know that you are beautiful and accept yourself as you are.
God gave and entrusted us our bodies and he wants us to be good to us. It's not a bad idea to do sports or to be aware of your eating habits.
If you really want to loose weight, then stop dieting. Just do some sports or walk, instead of taking the bus.
Many girls nowadays have problems with their body and they think, that they are too fat or too thin.
Their image of themselves is wrong. Ask God, to show you, how wonderfully you are created
and to see yourselves through his eyes.
If you have a problem with your self-image, then talk to someone whom you trust.
God knows you and he knows your problems and desires. There is always comfort and hope with JESUS!
Psalms 50:15
and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
The process to overcome a difficult situation or a problem sometimes takes a long time,
but you will grow and mature during that time, and step by step will learn to trust God ... .
Hold on to him!
And if you have a bond with JESUS, than let him take part in your eating behaviour.
Learn to listen to his voice. He knows best, what's good for you and you can trust him.
One of the biggest lies in our century is:
"Your beauty depends on your figure or your weight."
True beauty comes from the inside.
Don't be belied to any longer, Princess!
Your heart matters!
I am writing this Message, because many people don't know their own limits, or else don't know that they or others have limits, that have to be respected..
Unfortunately, I have had to learn this out of the many mistakes I made, and would like to pass on to you that which I have learned...
Let us imagine that the life of a human being is like a garden. In the center of the garden stands a throne and only one should sit on this throne: JESUS! The most important thing in our lives is God. Anything else, which becomes more important than him, is an idol. That's hard, but true!
Apart from that we have several plants, wonderful flowers and also some seeds in the soil of our garden.. The garden is designated to bloom, in an amazing beauty! It should point to God!
There is a fence around the garden.
The garden is precious enough to be protected!
Limits are ...:
• That I don't have to tell everybody everything about myself
because some people would use that knowledge to destroy the "garden"
• How others treat me. I shouldn't allow myself to be used
and am worthy of being treated with respect and dignity.
• I can use the word "No" and don't have to please everybody
I don't have to do all the jobs, e.g. in the church community
• Not everybody is allowed to touch me. I can and have to say "No", if somebody wants to touch or treat me in a way, I don't like. If you experienced any kind of abuse, talk to somebody, you trust. You have to know: It was NOT your fault! You are NOT responsible for what happened and you have no responsibility for the feelings of other people! If you were told that , it's a lie and will remain a lie!
Annotation: "Abuse and Guilt:
You are not guilty in that case of the abuse, that you experienced,
but you are - like everybody - guilty before God in any other case.
If you realize this guilt and receive forgiveness,
then you are able to also forgive the people who abused you
and to receive HEALING for your wounds.
God wants our gardens to flower and if you fee that everything in your garden was completely destroyed or that you have destroyed someone else's garden, then submit everything to God. Ask God for forgiveness and forgive the people who destroyed your "garden".
"It's amazing how God can use the broken pieces
of our life if we surrender everything to him!" (Blaise Pascal)
"God can turn dirt into gold!"
God really can do miracles in your life
and let everything work out for the best.
That's true. Trust him!!!
Protect your heart.
Your heart is
like a precious treasure.
It's fragile
and easy to wound.
Protect your heart.
You don't have to
show it to anybody.
Be wise and
lay it in the hands
of your prince Jesus.
He will guard your heart.
-Lighty-
Above all else,guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23
Above all it's important to find the right measure. Setting limits doesn't t mean, that you have to build walls around your heart
(.. walls, consisting of control, rejection, fear...).
It also doesn't mean that we don't have to show anybody, what really bothers us.
It just means, that you know your value before God and that you respect yourself and expect this respect also from other people...
"Jesus, please help me to set healthy limits in my life. Heal my wounds and make my garden flower. I give you all broken pieces of my life, everything that hurts inside (... tell Jesus, what comes to your mind now...) and forgive the persons (... speak out their names ...), who hurt me.
Please show me how you see me and help me to see myself through your eyes. Amen."
My daughter,
I did everything for you,
I fulfilled everything for you.
You don't have to harm yourself any longer.
I'm suffering with you.
When you can't bear the pain any longer,
I cry with you.
If you only knew how much I love you
and suffering vicariously with you.
Come to me that I can heal and transform your pain.
Come to me, that the Holy Spirit can heal your wounds,
but don't harm yourself in any way.
Look at the cross. I gave my blood for you.
I gave my blood to heal your pain.
Give me your darkness, I will give you light.
I love you and I will carry your pain.
I heal your broken heart.
Come in my arms and find rest.
If I wanted you to suffer,
I wouldn't have had to die on the cross for you.
I want YOU TO LIVE.
I gave you life. I'm so glad because of you.
It hurts me, if you harm yourself.
If others hurt you, that's more than enough.
Forgive them.
I want to comfort you like a mother comforts her child.
Come to me and give me your pain.
I'm your healer for the pain that you feel inside.
You will be healed more and more, when you get to know me.
Try to pray and to talk with me.
Trust in me and harm yourself no longer.
Believe in me, I will help you.
I am the Lord, your God.
I can change all things in your life
and I know how you can get out of your situation.
Leave your pain in my hands,
I want to give you new joy.
If you harm yourself, you hurt me, too
and I'm suffering, because of you!
Come and accept my death, so that YOU CAN LIVE.
I am your salvation and I already died for you.
So come and rise up again with me, because I also rose from the dead!!
I love you so much.
Your Jesus.
What does Wikipedia say?
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index):
The body mass index (BMI), or Quetelet index, is a statistical measurement which compares a person's weight to its height.
Although it does not actually measure the percentage of body fat, it is a useful tool to estimate a healthy body weight based on how tall a person is. Due to its ease of measurement and calculation, it is the most widely used diagnostic tool to identify obesity problems within a population. However, it is not considered appropriate to use as a final indication for diagnosing individuals. It was invented between 1830 and 1850 by the Belgian polymath Adolphe Quetelet during the course of developing "social physics".
...
The medical establishment has generally acknowledged some shortcomings of BMI.[12] Because the BMI is dependent only upon weight and height, it makes simplistic assumptions about distribution of muscle and bone mass, and thus may overestimate adiposity on those with more lean body mass (e.g. athletes) while underestimating adiposity on those with less lean body mass (e.g. the elderly)....
________________________________
You see, that the BMI also has its limitations and shortcomings, so let's think about a new meaning for the three letters...
… BMI = Be More Individual!
Every person has a weight, in which he/she feels good.
There are people, who eat little and are still not thin and others who can eat as much as they want and don't get fat. Everyone is unique!
Why do we want people to look all the same ... the same weight ... the same figure…..
That would be so boring!
God created us as originals and everyone is very special. We have to develop our potential and talents and live what we are.
Discover the treasure that God put in your heart!
Find out, which weight, you feel well in. Don't compare yourself to other but find out, who you are. Respect yourself and be good to yourself, eat in a healthy way and do some sports.
Live your originality, be happy with yourself
and never forget.. BMI ... be more individual)!
Beauty is not about your weight or your figure!
Jesus thinks that you are beautiful so you are beautiful!
Your Body is not an object. It's a work of art wonderfully crafted, unique and PERFECT.
That's the way God sees you:
All beautiful you are, my darling;
there is no flaw in you.
Song of Solomon 4:7
God is the one who can say such things, because he is the only one who really knows you. He created you and he wants you the way you are. He gave you your body and he wants you to see yourself the way God sees you. He wants you to feel comfortable with your body and for you to recognize your true value.
Your body is not an object. Forget what the media tells you everyday. The body is abused as an object to make money. Not one of the women on the billboards whose bodies seem perfect is respected for themselves. They are just used in the advertising world to make money.
Interview with Jennifer Strickland, former model
Nobody is allowed to touch your body if you don't feel comfortable or want it. Nobody is allowed to do this and you can stand up and set limits to these people.
You want to be looked upon? I know this longing but according to my experience this only leaves emptiness. I think our desire is much deeper. We want to be seen as the women we really are, that someone can see beneath our skin into our hearts. And we want to be respected and valued.
Is this just a dream, a reality that doesn't exist anymore? Never give up and don't be content with less.
You have to know, who you really are: God's beloved, precious and beautiful daughter. You are a Princess, nothing less.
If you learn to see yourself the way God sees you, you will respect yourself more and more and other people will also treat you in a different and better way. Be patient and don't give up. Jesus came to renew our minds. He also died for the mistaken opinions of our bodies and bore degradations on the cross like we bear degradations in our lives. He knows what it means to be treated like muck. As the son of God he was nailed to a cross, tortured and flayed. If Jesus carried your wounds and pain, we can let go and give everything to God. He can heal and renew. Be patient. This may perhaps take some time, but the life changing power of God is real and many experienced it in their lives.
Jesus wants to restore our true beauty.
You can pray this prayer: "Jesus thanks for my Body. I want to see myself through your eyes. I forgive the people (... name the people who come to your mind ... ), who didn't respect my body and treat me like an object. I pray that you heal my pain and wounds, that I can recognize my true value.
Show me how precious my heart is and how wonderfully you created me, inside and outside. Jesus, please come in my heart and make me new. Fill me with your love and light and let me reflect your beauty. Purify me. Thank you. Amen."
Jesus can see in the depth of your heart and he says to you:
"My precious daughter,
I know you and I see your beauty.
I see you like nobody else does..
I see in the depth of your soul and I see beauty.
I love you so much and I love to look at you.
I love you; I love the depth of your soul.
I love your heart, I love you.
You are wonderful, you are beautiful.
I call you beautiful, because you are beautiful.
I give you my perfect beauty.
This beauty will grow and bloom like a rose.
You bloom like a rose. You bloom, my daughter.
You are beautiful.
Your Father."
You call your friend and you talk about the latest news, about the girl in your class, who did stupid things the day before. Oh it's such a good feeling to find someone to talk about....
That's gossip!!! and only people with little self-confidence are in need of this.
Maybe you feel superior, if you talk about others. What's wrong with that?
You would think in a different way, if you were to become the victim of gossip and feel the pain of the hurtful words of others. That's not funny anymore!
If you never experienced this for yourself, I can tell you:
It hurts so much, when you feel that other people are talking about you and making fun of you. This destroys all trust in a person, who does this.
The bible says that our words are powerful.
Here are some bible verses about how to use our words.
As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks.
(Proverbs 25:23)
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor,
but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
(Proverbs 11:12)
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue,
he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
(James 1:26)
There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
(Proverbs 6:16-19)
What goes into a man's mouth does not make him "unclean",
but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him "unclean".
(Matthew 15:11)
But no man can tame the tongue.
It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
(James 3:8)
Words are like a bag of feathers. If you pour out the feathers, it's impossible to find them all again.
Words can hurt.
A boy in school once offended me in a stupid way and something broke inside of me. It hurt so much, that even many years later I still feel the pain of his words.
Today, I have forgiven him and forgiveness is the only way to heal such pain.
If you have similar experiences in your life, then forgive these people!
They didn't know the effect they have on your life. If somebody needs to offend you, than this person has a big problem with himself.
If you don't forgive, your heart will become hard and sad so that even God can't show you his love in the way he wants to.
Maybe you gossiped until today in your daily life without knowing the effects it has on other people's lives. Now you have the chance to stop gossiping and ask God to change you. That's his will.
Tell him in your own words or pray ...
"Jesus, I'm sorry for all the gossip, I did in my life.
Please forgive me, change me and heal my heart and the hearts of the people, I have hurt. Give me the courage and strength to apologize to them for my gossip.
In the name of Jesus, AMEN!"
If other people took your name in vain, then forgive these people and pray to God,
that he will heal your wounds. Bad and negative words, that we speak out,
soil us. You don't have the responsibility for the behaviour of these people.
They have to bear the consequences of their behaviour.
Let them talk. You can't stop or control their talking. You only have the
responsibility for your heart and your life. Guard your heart, that you don't become bitter inside.
Don't let people who gossip take your joy!
Forgive them and smile :)
What does your image of God look like?
... how do you imagine God to be like?
Maybe in your eyes, God is...
- a strict judge, who punishes you for every mistake..
- a wishing machine. You just tell God your wish
and he will give you what you want to have...
- a strict father, who forbids you to have any fun in your life..
What do you really think about God ??
What did Jesus think about God? Was does the bible say..?
Jesus called God "Abba", which means "Daddy"!
God is also the almighty ruler of the world, but you as his daughter and princess can call him "Daddy"!
If you didn't have a loving father, then pray that God changes your image of a father. We often think that our heavenly Father is like our physical Father, because of the experiences we've made. Forgive your father for his mistakes. There is no perfect father in this world. We all fail and make mistakes. There are no perfect parents. The only perfect one is GOD!
Take your bible, a pen and a piece of paper. Write down what comes to your mind, if you hear the word "Father", then talk with God about it and tear the paper (the image of your physical father).
Forgive your Father and ask God to show you, who he really is and what a father really should be like... Give him the opportunity to renew your mind and show you his fatherly love.
He is your loving Daddy!
He loves you more than you can ever imagine.
He loves you, whilst you reading this. He loves you, when you sleep, drink a coke, sit on the toilet or read the bible. HE ALWAYS LOVES YOU and HE IS LOVE!
What does the bible say about Love?
1. Corinthians 13
Love
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love; I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Just pray this or pray in your own words:
"Daddy, show me who you really are. I forgive my Father for his mistakes and when he hurt me. Show me who you really are, that you are my Daddy and that you love me. Show me your Love and show me what it means to be loved by you.
In the name of your son Jesus.
AMEN!"
We, Ina and Annika, are both Princesses of God. We experienced being in the limelight and also the other side: to feel misunderstood, humiliated and laughed at with the stamp "OUTSIDER".
Praise God, that this stamp no longer rules our lives, because God has crowned us with his love and we are his daughters.
Certainly, a person in your environment comes to your mind, who is laughed at and avoided.
We don't have any right to feel strong because of the weaknesses of others and to humiliate them.
We all have weaknesses and often we wear a mask to hide them. But deep inside we long to lay down these masks and just to be ourselves.
Do we really feel better, if we humiliate others, with words or thoughts? We all have to question ourselves about our own behaviour and we have to ask God for his eyes and his love.
God wants us as originals, not as copies. We ware unique and precious.
Because we are loved and accepted without condition, we can become real. This sets us free, and we don't have to wear a mask any longer.
Jesus is our example. He always shared his time with outsiders. He went to prostitutes, the sick and to criminals. If Jesus lives in us and if his heart beats in us, our behaviour towards outsiders will change.
God can change our views completely and we realize the high value of weak people.
Jesus came for the weak and unloved and he wants to use them.
There are no perfect people, only those, who learned to hide their weaknesses.
We all long for love and acceptance without condition. God loves us and accepts us AS WE ARE. Because of this we can accept and love others, we can see them as precious treasures and real heroes. We can show the ones, who were stamped by the world as being "not enough" and "unusable" God's love and their true value.
If we have many talents, influence and power, then we should invest it to lift up the weak and to place them in the limelight. God wants to lift them up and introduce them with the words: "This is my daughter/my son, whom I'm really proud of and to whom I gave a priceless value.
"Jesus, please show us, how you see other people. Thank you, that you accept me with my weaknesses and that you love me as I am. Help me to understand more and more how to love and accept other people. Help me to change this world with your love."
"
We honour God, if we worship him. God loves it, if we look at him and say "Daddy" ... :)
The devil often tries to confuse us with lies!!
God doesn't change! He is always the same!!
In the eyes of God you are beautiful!!
Lies are small, not big! Jesus overcame the lies and set us free!
Our perspectives are important! Where is our vision blurred?
Where we are living in darkness?
2 Timothy 1:7
Survival issues:
- Living in the light John 3:19
- Jesus says: "I have come to save you."
- Avoid dark places (Run!)
- Turn to the light - Lies are revealed!
- Jesus in us makes us shine
- "IN love there is no fear!!"
- There is a time for everything in my life
- We have died by the baptism and surrendered our rights. The only right we have is to rise up with Jesus. Jesus is the Boss.
1. Let the truth be enfolded in your life. Replace the lies with the truth. "If you stray in my word, than you are my disciples." (Bible) (Do that which you have understood so far...)
2. Look at your past experiences with God and at your future. What did other people experience with God? Eternal life has already begun.
3. Reveal the lies and let them go. Habits have power and lies are often habits. Take steps into freedom!
"In the name of Jesus, lie go and never come back again!"
James 1:12
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
There are times in life when we are constantly together with other people and phone a friend two hours a day. Maybe you only have a few or no friends and experienced loneliness in your life.
You have the choice, how you use this precious time. Time is precious!
You can feel pity for yourself and get depressed, but I want to encourage you to seek God at times like these and discover the treasure, he put in your heart.
God puts a treasure in every heart and it's our job to discover this treasure. If we spend time with God, we will get to know him much better. This "time with God" is precious and you might even start to draw, dance, write or develop other talents, God gave you.
Maybe God will show you the plan, he has for your life - the dream, he is dreaming for you.
You grow deeper, and get to better know yourself as the person, God created in his image!
Don't just hear stories about God, but meet him.
Your knowledge about God isn't useful anymore when you face problems and difficult situations in life! You can't trust God, if you don't know him!
That is not easy. When I started to be silent before God, it was very difficult, because I was nervy and didn't feel any peace inside. It helped me to imagine, lying in the arms of God, like a child. As time goes by, I learned to be silent before God...
These were the most precious moments of my life. God gave me songs, texts, lyrics, pictures, dreams, ... In these times I learned to listen to his voice and get to know him more and more.
It's like a piece of a puzzle ... we only know a little part of the big gorgeous picture. In these times I was faced with pain, which was hidden inside of me. I cried and was confronted with feelings of hate, and rage. My tears brought healing to my soul.
God is a God, who wants to talk with us. We only have to stop talking and start listening to his voice. You can learn this, but it's not easy in our fast-food society with hundreds of TV channels....
We need to seek this stillness and then enjoy the endless love and acceptance of God. We can't work for this love, we only can receive it...
In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it.
- Isaiah 30:15 -
Forgiveness can be a key for your life. Every person has to face difficulties and problems in life. Some even experienced sexual or emotional abuse, were beaten, mocked or bullied...
Whatever happened, you have two opportunities:
You can suppress every hard experience of your life, but this will work only for a short time. You can't suppress your past. You have to face it one day again ... because you can't run away from yourself.
The second opportunity is to face the problems and your past. That's not the easiest way, but the only way, that works in the long run. It may be painful, but you don't have to walk this way alone. Look for counseling and a person you trust. It's great, if this person loves Jesus, so you can pray together. Only prayer can really change you and your situation.
God will help you to face all the suppressed pain at the right time. He will help you to handle it, maybe in a creative way.... and you start to write, draw, paint, dance or sing ...
Creativity is a way to work out the pain.
Only God can change every pain and brokenness into something beautiful...
Jesus told a parable about forgiveness. You find it in the bible in Matthews 18:21-35:
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Nobody is perfect. We all fail and make mistakes in life, because we have weaknesses as human beings. We all need God to forgive us. Everything we did wrong is equal before God ... only the consequences are different. The good news is that JESUS forgave us and died for us on the cross. He bore all our gilt, our mistakes and everything which separates us from God and living this life of fullness.
And because God forgives us, we should forgive other people...
Maybe you think: "Oh, if you only knew what X did to me! I can't forgive!"
You should forgive, so that you feel better. You keep yourself from being happy if you don't forgive others. You punish yourself. God 'doesn't want you to punish others or yourself!
God wants to heal you and do miracles of restoration in your life, but you can't receive the healing, if you don't forgive and accept the forgiveness of God...
I also couldn't forgive for some years of my life and everything was dark and heavy. My heart turned hard and bitter. Forgiveness is the key to feeling joy again and to get rid of all the burdens.
This video shows some great thoughts about forgiveness...
Do yourself a favour and decide to forgive.
You can pray:
"Father, you know my heart and you know the pain and every hard experience in my life. (You can tell God now, what happened. He already knows it, but this will help you to let go.) Now, I decide to forgive these persons, in your name Jesus and with your strength. Forgive me for judging and also forgive me my own mistakes. Thank you, that you forgive me and that you have forgiven me. I forgive also myself. Set me free from all lies and give me your good thoughts about me and others. Bless the persons, who hurt me and bless my life. I pray for complete healing, restoration and that you fill my every need.
Make all things new.
Amen."
Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(Galatians 6:7)
In life we will reap what we sow.
Examples:
If you treat other people in a bad way,
you will be treated bad, too.
If you help others, you also find help in times of need.
Our behaviour works like a boomerang. Someday it will
come back to us. When we look at our "harvest", we also
recognize our weaknesses of character.
People we don't like are often like mirrors. The reflect us the things
that we don't want to see in our life.
You find change for bad habits and negative behaviour, when you
come to Jesus. Talk to him and ask him to change you.
If you come with a sincere heart, he will form your character and change you day by day.
The goal is to become more like Jesus. This lifelong process maybe
will not be easy or pleasing. It hurts, when God breaks your pride and
shows you areas in your life, he wants to change.
But it will be worth the cost, if you look at the results later.
Teaching:
Charles Stanley talks about "The Principle of Sowing and Reaping".
If you want, you can listen to his teaching here.
How does the standard of God look like?
How does HE sees the world and our life?
Which qualities are important for him?
In the eyes of God someone is the biggest, who is serving God in the stillness:
The greatest among you will be your servant.
(Matthew 23:11)
Everything, we don't do in love, is worthless before God:
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
(1 Corinthians 13:2)
The most important quality for leaders in the eyes of God is their faithfulness:
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
(2 Timothy 2,2)
If we realize any deficits in "serving in stillness", "love" and "faithfullness, don't worry.
God can stil use us. But we have to allow him, to prepare and to form us in his image.
If we allow him to form us, he will create wonderful "vessels", which he can use in his kingdom.
But His love doesn't depend - THANK GOD - on the things we do or don't do with and for God.
Book advice:
More thoughts of God you can find in the Bible.
The first commandment that God has given to us is:
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.
(2 Moses 2:3)
God wants to be the foundation and the center in our lives. God knows that we can ony live fulfilled and happy, if HE alone is our God and if we worship no other gods or idols.
Gods??? Idols???
I don't fall down before any statues.
Everything which is more important to us than God is our real God.
Do you know what I mean?
Here are possible "Gods" we worship:
- family, friends, boyfriend
- hobby, sports, success
- high marks, performance, power
- food, your body
- popularity, music, art
- appearance, career
- fear, worry..
It's not so hard to worship these "Gods"!!
But God still claims the first place in our lives.
He wants us to have a good life, but he also knows that we only become this unique person, God planned us to be, if we look at HIM.
Anything else that belongs to a good life is beautiful and we can enjoy it.
But it's important to keep things in the right balance. Nothing should become more important than God.
If we ask ourselves, who or what we are constantly thinking about, we find out, what "idols" we have.
We can ask God for forgiveness and pray, that HE will be the center of our lives again.
BACK TO THE TRUE GOD.
HE IS WAITING WITH OPEN ARMS
AND HE IS WAITING, THAT WE COME HOME,
IN HIS ARMS...
We can ask God, that he guards our hearts and that he will remain the center in our lives.
We can't do it with our own strength. It's just grace. If we allow him, God wants to give us a NEW HEART, that worships him alone.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
(Proverbs 4:23)
It's important to be honest with God. We can tell him, how we feel, also about him.
He loves it to heal and restore our broken hearts. He wants us to be whole.
The LORD is close to thebroken-heartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit.
(Psalms 34:18)
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
(Psalms 51,17)
Most of us experienced, falling in love with someone who didn't love us back. Prince Charming said "No" or already had a girlfriend. Maybe you were left with feelings of rejection...
Here are some facts and advice for lovesickness...
- It's not your fault. God created you wonderful, beautiful and unique! You are an original as you are. Read Psalms 139!
- Make the decision, not to be overwhelmed by negative feelings. It's okay to take time to grieve. But stand up again. Life will go on and one day the pain, you feel now, will be over.
- Don't accept thoughts like "I'm worthless!" or "I'm just not good looking enough!" Make the decision to believe God's truth.
- Be good to yourself! Do things that you enjoy. Maybe try something new like playing an instrument or do sports...
- Stand up again. You are responsible for your life and you have the chance to live a great life. LIVE!
Enjoy your life! Enjoy being alive and be grateful for each day, God has given you.
- Crises are chances! God promised that everything would work out for our good, if you love him and trust in him. Everything will make sense. Trust in God, even when your feelings revolt.
God has foresight and he sees more, he even knows our future. Never forget, that HE is in control and he wants the best for you. His plans are good for your life!
- Don't hide, but go out with friends. Talk about your feelings and don't suppress them.
- Your life is precious. Don't throw it away. God has a great future for you.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
Psalms 34:17-19
And call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
Psalms 50:15
Girlfriends are important. We need friends to with whom we can be the persons we really are and feel accepted for being ourselves.
Every friendship is like a tender rose. It will be planted and grows. We can delight in her flower and perfume. It's important that this rose be planted in good soil with a solid foundation which binds our faith in Jesus.
Misunderstandings and hurts belong to a friendship. You can compare them with a cold season, in which the rose has to fight to survive. But after the winter, spring will come again and we can come together again, talk honestly and openly and forgive each other. Afterwards we will experience, that the roots of the friendship have grown deeper and that trust has developed.
A friendship needs care and we can ask God again and again for blessing and protection.
You can talk to your friend today and gave her a little present to show your friendship and to tell her that she is important to you, or do something else to show her your love..
Friendship is the flower of a moment
and the fruit for all time.
- August von Kotzebue -
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
(1. Moses 1:31)
God created you with your sexuality. It's his gift to you.
And he gave you the responsibility to handle it.
Our sexuality is given to us to become a mother and to get children,
but God also created it in a way, that we can enjoy it with our
future husband in a reliable framework (which is a marriage).
Sexuality is not meant as pure self-gratification, but as
a devotion to our partner: The husband gives himself
to his wife and the wife gives herself to her husband.
They become a gift to each other and show their love
in lifting the desire of the partner above their own.
To have a relationship like this, we have to allow
Jesus to prepare ourselves in daily life. This giving attitude
can develop in our life if we follow Jesus and allow
him to form us in his (also self giving) image.
That's a process in a daily walk with Jesus.
Sex also means to encounter our partner in the deepest
way, that is possible. Both become ONE with spirit,
soul and body. And marriage is the God given
framework for this deep encounter.
The key for oneness in a marriage is that both spouses become more one with God. The more man and woman let God
draw near to them the more they can draw near to each other. Their relationship with God is the requirement for a fulfilling marriage.
(book tip: "Living in Love" by James & Betty Robison, p. 174)
I address you in this way to show your position as a daughter of the king of kings, who gave you VALUE and DIGNITY.
This has consequences for you life!
Imagine that you are sitting on a park bench and a good looking man sits down next to you. You talk and without a word start he puts his arm around you. You are confused but somehow you like the feeling too you wonder whether to say something but think its better not too as you don't want to over-react. He moves closer, put his hand on you knee and to starts to caress you moving upwards.
Now you realize what's going on! You stand up and run away...
In the distance you hear him laugh...
Have you ever experienced something like this? Or do you experience this continually? Maybe you have accepted it, because these experiences have become normal.
I want to tell you: - That is NOT normal, if someone does anything to you, which you don't like or want.
You have dignity and no one has the right to treat you as he/she want. No one has the right to do this!
It's YOUR life. It's a bad idea to suppress these experiences. You can compare them to a bubbling volcano. It will erupt one day!
Whether you've experienced sexual/emotional abuse or not: it's important, that for you to know, where you set your limits. Why do you let anyone touch you in a way, you don't feel comfortable with? I encourage you: Be clear with yourself and set your own limits. Think about, how you want to react in a certain situation. Is better to pull the emergency brake in time than for the car to roll down the hill and crash into a wall.
Because you are VALUABLE!
Annotation: "Abuse and Guilt:
You are not guilty in that case of the abuse, that you experienced,
but you are - like everybody - guilty before God in any other case.
If you realize this guilt and receive forgiveness,
then you are able to also forgive the people who abused you
and to receive HEALING for your wounds.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
(Philippians 4:8)
I take the bible as a foundation for the thoughts of God and I think and believe that his thoughts are GOOD for us and help us to live.
His commandments make sense and are offers for living a life in the fullness of God.
God created man and women for one another, and sex is his gift to us, which will be consummated within marriage. Those are God's standards and ideas we should orientate ourselves to and endeavour to reach.
Our sexuality is a very sensitive area and God trusts us to handle it in a responsible way, before and within marriage.
There are some reasons for homosexual feelings:
- (sexual/emotional) abuse
- a dominant father
- too little motherly love during childhood
The fruit of a sexual encounter between man and woman can be a child. Our God is a God of life and so only sex between men and women really makes sense. Sexuality is a gift from God, to start a family and to enjoy.
A child needs both, a mother AND a father to grow up healthy and become a mature person.
It's important to reconcile oneself with one's own gender and if need be to seek counseling. God can fill every shortcoming with his love. It's all about getting to know God and letting him heal the heart. This process of healing and reconciliation with oneself can take some time.
God doesn't hate people with homosexual feelings, but he shows us a more "elevated way" relationship (love between man & woman) He wants to show us his ideas for relationships, partnership and marriage and to heal the - often painful- feelings.
If you are captured in this homosexual "lifestyle" (which is wrong in the eyes of God) and if you seek for a way out, then ask God for forgiveness, receive JESUS, a new life and a new identity!
Then you are no longer a homosexual, but you are a CHILD OF GOD and a DAUGHTER OF THE KING.
(Encouragement - Faith in God - YOU need JESUS!)
Book advice
Beauty for Ashes
- Receiving Emotional Healing
Author: Joyce Meyer
Published by Faith Words
You should know that God loves you as you are - with all your emotions! But because he loves you,
he wants the best for you. He wants you to be whole and to find your destiny in life.
Have you ever heard these words? If yes, be thankful, because it's encouraging, if someone sees your potential and helps you to develop it. Surrender your talents to God and use them. Use them to support others, who maybe have been rejected by society. God will honor you.
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness [a] will go before you and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
(Isaiah 58:7-8)
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are.
(1 Corinthians 1:27-28).
God turns our world view upside down, but if you try to live his thoughts, your life is blessed.
Maybe you think: No one ever told me, that I have talents. I don't think I have talents at all!!!
Don't worry. God gave everyone a talent. Some have only one, others a few and several people have many talents. But being talented is also linked with responsibility to use the talents in the right way.
If you don't see any talents in your life then ask God to gives you the talent, he provided for you.
Maybe you know the singer Sarah Brendel.
Once she said to God: "If you give me a voice to sing, I will sing for you alone."
Visit her website and check out what happened in her life and how her prayer was answered:
http://sarahbrendel.de !
I'm convinced that God talented every person in a way to fulfill the plan God created for his/her life.
Your life is like a garden. The hidden seed (talents) is waiting to flower one day.
Jesus told a parable and said that we should use our talents, even every little gift or idea. As a result, God will entrust us with more...
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!
(Matthew 25:23)
Sometimes you wish in your heart for a talent you would like to have. If there is a wish, there is also faith. Ask God, to give you this gift, if it's his good plan for your life. Don't compare yourself to others. God knows what is good for you.
Everything, what is big today, started with a little small insignificant idea.
Your life is like a rose. It started with a seed and then the rose grows. A bud doesn't seem beautiful, but it will develop and flower petal by petal.
If we believe, that JESUS lives in us, then the creativity in person lives in us. God's creation is gorgeous and amazing. And when this creative God lives within us, how can we be not creative?
Ask God for the talents, he wants to give you. Be patient and wait, even if will take a long time. God is faithful and he wants to give us gifts. He will give us the gifts which are good for us.
Once I had the dream to publish an encouraging book for Girls. The concept was ready and I collected some texts and lyrics for the book. I put the dream in the hands of God and prayed for his timing. This happened exactly. A few years later, I sent my idea for the book to a publisher and after a while I received a message that they want to publish the book. The book exists today: Powerbook 4 Girls ! That's a miracle. I'm amazed about God and what he can do. It's important to know, that such a book 'doesn't make me happy. I'm only happy and fulfilled through the relationship with Jesus. To publish a book has also some disadvantages: others are envious, you get some "false" friends, you have much responsibility and others expect you to be just perfect. (But I'm not perfect at all!)
I believe that God gives us his dreams in our hearts, if we ask him to do this.
Discover, what God gave you,
live His dreams & enjoy your life!
True beauty comes actually from the inside.
You are beautiful, when you have discovered,
who you are and when you start,
to develop your talents and your personality.
You are beautiful, if you are just YOURSELF,
unique and the original you .
You are beautiful, if you live your purpose,
as a Daughter of God in this world,
together with Jesus.
You can cherish this inner beauty,
if you have time with God.
When you look at him and live with him,
you will become more and more like him.
If you have discovered your inner beauty
you begin to bloom like a rose
and also your outer beauty will change.
Find out, what you like,
NOT the latest fashion or what your friends think you should like.
Find out, what YOU like, what fits and suits to you.
Maybe it's quite crazy, but that's okay. Be yourself.
Show who you are and it's okay, if you attract attention.
The important thing is your motivation.
Do you wear clothes to be seen by others
or do you want these clothes to express yourself,
to live and show your beauty?
God created you precious, unique and beautiful,
not only your inside, but also your outside is unique.
God didn't make a mistake when he created you.
You are beautiful, Princess!
Emphasize your natural beauty. Use make-up, if you like.
Feel free and be free from trends and ideals.
Just be YOURSELF and bloom like a gorgeous rose.
Make-up, jewelry and clothes shouldn't be a "mask",
but emphasize your natural beauty.
Be encouraged, just to be yourself.
Be proud of yourself because God is proud of you.
Love yourself, because GOD loves you.
Jesus says to you:
"You are beautiful, daughter and there is no flaw in you."
(Song of Solomon 4,7)
Image that someone has entrusted you with valuable jewels. Wow, this person really trusts you and thinks you are trustworthy. Imagine the Queen of England asking you to take care of the crown jewels...
Amazing! What an honour!
I would hide the jewels in a safe place and guard them carefully, I think...
There is a God, who entrusted you with a valuable treasure: YOU LIFE. You are the administrator and God trusts you to take care of this treasure and you respect yourself.
You can only respect others if you respect yourself.
And you can only love others if you love yourself and you can only accept others if you accept yourself, even your weaknesses.
You know you are VALUABLE to God because he gave you the most valuable thing he had. He gave you his SON, so that you can LIVE. Jesus died on the cross, for your guilt, your mistakes, your failing ... he bore everything on the cross so that you could be SET FREE! If you accept the love, God showed you.
Jesus said:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
(John 10:10)
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.
(Isaiah 43,4)
You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
(Isaiah 62:3)
Regard and self-respect are therefore the result that you recognize the value God has given to you.
Sometimes it takes a long time to realize God's love, because of bad experiences that hurt you in the past.
God is patient.
If you walk with God, you are on the best way.
If you want, you can pray this prayer:
"Father, please show me, what your image of me is and give me your eyes of love, grace, truth and mercy for me and for others. Give me regard for myself and for others. Show me your great love and show me who you really are. Amen."
Why should a Girl today care about the environment?
I would like to tell you of my own experiences:
There had been heavy snowfalls in the winter of 05/06. The following autumn I noticed several things in my which preyed on my mind with...
I noticed that the fallen leaves were radically removed and thought that by so doing one had also removed the hedgehogs' base for life, their shelter and food.
I identified myself with these animals and saw the problems this caused. They would have no protection against the cold. I also realized that cars at the station polluted the environment, when the engine was still running. In my mind's eye, I saw melting glaciers, the drought problems in poorer countries, drowning polar bears, flooding,
Last year, I listened to the news and they said that because of the hot summer a certain sort of beetle was harming the grain. This report was quickly removed quickly I also realized that the lights on the train were on all the day. Today, in every hallway the light is always on.
I also noticed that tasks that could be done quickly in my institution were left undone for years, because nobody felt responsible.
I believe that we as Christians should really be salt and light, but have to develop these characteristics. I realized that Daniel in the bible as a prisoner in Babylon had great influence on politics, as well as Esther, the Jewish wife of King Xerxes. The Bible gives us advice for all the difficult situations one could face in life:
"Look for best in the city." The wise are often helpless and the real politics happen in the background. God wants us, to lift our voice against unrighteousness and violence.
Many Christians think that conserving the environment is connected with the "New Age" and so they don't think about this topic. But we all as human beings have the mission to "tend and watch" our earth (1 Moses 2:15 .
What can you do?
At the moment it's difficult for me to find an answer to this question. There are some helpful organizations that are active in this field. Francis Schaeffer, a theologian, wrote a book over this topic:
"Pollution and the death of man." He says that a human being is also part of nature and finally destroys his existence by destroying and polluting nature.
If you want, you can send me an email. Write your thoughts, fears or ideas. Maybe we can move something together or God will give us an idea...
There are some persons, who have a special talent. It's called "sensitivity". Often these people feel misunderstood by their environment.
Being sensitive is not a weakness, and can be developed to real strength - inner strength.
Perhaps you can find yourself in the following sentences..
*I'm very empathic and I always sense how other people around me feel.
- This empathy can have a negative effect on yourself, if you think you have to carry the burdens of other people.
The good news is: You are not responsible for the problems, feelings and burdens of other people and you can set limits.
- Often this empathy is important, if people need your advice. Then you can feel, cry and love with them in a deep way.
Learning how to handle your empathy is a long process. Ask God to help you and to give you healthy limits.
*My feelings often overwhelm me and I feel totally at a loss with the situation.
- People, who have the gift of being sensitive can feel deeper and stronger than others ... their feelings are more developed, feelings such as joy, sadness, happiness, grief, anger ...
It's important to know that feelings should not rule your life. You have the responsibility to know how you want to react and God will help you, if you so want.
God can bring balance into your life, if you depend on him. To be dependant means that you allow him to take more control over your life and that you let him use you and act through you. But you have a free will. He doesn't pressurize you, if you don't want this.
Have you ever heard these sentences?
- Don't be so sensitive.
- You are much too sensitive.
These words have the message:
"You are not right. Something is wrong with you!"
What does your creator think about this?
God is enthusiastic over you and he created you with lots of love. He also wanted your sensitivity and he trusts you to learn how to live with this talent. It's okay if you make mistakes and learn from them...
Because of your empathy you are not only more sensitive to others but also more sensitive to God and his voice.
Ask him to let you learn to hear his voice and differentiate it from other voices (God often speaks through your thoughts to you...)
Princess, you are a masterpiece!
God wanted you the way you are.
He created you wonderfully,
also with your talent to be sensitive.
Everybody has dreams. What are you dreaming of?
Perhaps you dream of a house with a garden, a prince with a horse, or finally to finish school.
Do you believe that God has a plan for your life?
If not, you can start to believe this now!
God gave all of us talents. Maybe you play an instrument or you love handiwork..
Maybe you love to dance, to rap, to tell other people about God, to play tennis, help others or to care for children...
No matter, what your talents look like, if it's doing sports, being creative or other,...
God gave you talents with a purpose. He wants you to use these talents to glorify him. This means that you simply use and not hide them.
And God can give you even more, if you are faithful in using your talents...
There is a saying:
"God calls not the talented people,
but he equips the ones, he called!"
That is relaxing, isn't it?
If you are right at the place, God wants you to be, then he will equip you with everything, that you need ... for example to lead a youth group etc.
And how do you dream God's dreams?
Just talk with God and pray something like this:
"Hey God, I know that you know me deeper than anyone else. You have the best plan for my life. Show me your ways and your plan. I want your dream to come true with my life. Guide me and lead me on."
If this is your desire, then life will become an adventure!
Don't stop to ask God ...
He will guide you step by step. Be patient. Maybe it will take a longer time and he will guide you through ways that you won't understand, but much later - when you look back - you will realize their meaning.
God has a plan for your life and he wants this plan become true. It will also be the best plan for you, because you are created for this purpose. Don't be afraid to surrender everything to God and ask him that his dream come true with your life. He wants just the best for his children!
And when God shows you a special group of people (e.g. homeless people) or a specific area (e.g. your school), then go forward. Pray but keep going!!
Pray that God will "open and close doors". He will guide you and you will become a real "History maker".
Don't think ... "Oh, I'm not good enough, I have too many mistakes. My life is a mess!" ... Spare your excuses and read this... about the characters in the bible...
- Noah got drunk
- Abraham was too old
- Isaac was a dreamer
- Jacob was a liar
- Lea was ugly
- Joseph was mistreated
- Moses was a murderer (like David and Paul)
- Gideon was afraid
- Simson's hair was too long
- Rahab was a prostitute
- Jeremiah und Timothy were too young
- David pretend to be insane, had an affair and run away from his own son
- Elisha thought about suicide
- Jeremiah was depressed
- Isaiah preached without clothes
- Jonah ran away from God
- Naomi was a widow
- Job lost
- John the Baptist ate locusts
- Peter was irascible
- John was self-righteous
- the disciples slept while they prayed
- Martha was worried about everything
- Mary was too lazy
- Mary Magdalene was possessed by demons
- the boy with the 5 fish and 5 pieces of bread was unknown (still is)
- the woman of Samaria had sex with several men
- Peter was too impulsive
- Markus has given up
- Timothy had a gastric ulcer
- And ... Lazarus was dead.
(Peter Reid)
... So, God can use even you, the way you are!
He only needs your "yes" ..
Say "Yes" and your life will never become boring and you will experience things, you have never dreamt of.
We have a BIG God and therefore we can also expect big things from this BIG God! He can let the impossible become reality!
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
(Ephesians 3:20)
We could often move much more with our life! We are in situation where we could make much more of, if we would just stand up and grasp the chance, no matter who we are and what are lives are about. We are often too complacent and should work more on ourselves.
Sometimes I'm in a bad mood and let myself go. I want to be alone, watch TV and don't want to see anybody. But what can self-pity give me?? Nothing! (.. it still happens from time to time in my life though sigh..) My Tip: Turn the music on, dance and worship God! Be wild and lift Jesus up! Surrender everything to HIM and feel free. After half an hour you feel better, really! This is helpful in my life. I can also call a friend, who encourages me. (Thanks Reni. You haven often helped me and you are a blessing to me! )
Sometimes people tell me .. "I don't experience Jesus in my life! And I don't know if he is really there! I doubt!" Some people experience God in an amazing way, others still wait and hope that they can feel the presence of God. However it's also about how much we risk for our God ... God can only show his power, if we face impossible situations. Take a chance and then trust, that God will answer your prayers and carry you through. Do you have this faith in God? Never forget this:
"Do not test the LORD your God." (5 Moses 6:16)
Some people look like they are sleeping. They just live their life; try to be a good Christian, go regularly to church, but without real faith. It's a pity, if the vital relationship to Jesus dies. But this doesn't have to happen. It's about we handle this .... and whether want it
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
I'm just at the beginning of my life with Jesus. I just have received Christ in my life, but I want more! I want to feel the presence of God and I'm ready to pray! I want Jesus to be the boss in my life and I want to see ... that the lost sheep coming home to their Daddy again. And I want to show Jesus to the people who don't believe. Yes. No matter, if you are spiritually more mature than me. It's not about this; it's about how you use your life!! That's my opinion! Praise the Lord!
Some people dream of making a difference
...others stay awake and do it!! (Bill Wilson)
What can we do, if everything breaks down and we just ask: "Why, God??", "What is this all about??"
What can we do, when we feel the hurt and lay on the floor, when we feel too weak to stand up again? There are times like these in life...
We also know happy times, when our faith is like a party and everything seems fun and easy. Maybe we are in a youth service and all the people are excited about God and they think "no matter, what happens, we will be faithful to God."
And then you fall ... not planned, unexpected and without forewarning. The parents get divorced, a relationship breaks, a friend dies. Suddenly we have to face question marks.
"Why, God, why..?"
"How can I bear this?"
"Why...?"
I want to tell you about a lesson I have learned in a crisis. Hold on to God - no matter what the situation looks like. When I doubt if God really exists and loves me, then I call a friend: "Oh, please pray for me! I need encouragement!"
And I withdraw and take a bath in my self-pity. Or I try to think about something else ... but this 'doesn't work, because I want to be honest to myself.
When I'm in my room and think that God is far away, I accuse him and pray to him at the same time that he may help me. During such a situation, I had the idea to listen to a sermon via the internet. God spoke to me through this preacher ...
It was about Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Jesus promised us, that he will encourage us, if we are weary and burdened and come to him. He said that he is gentle and humble in heart. He is glad when we come to him! He is not bugged or angry. He is GLAD and he LOVES me and you, the way we are.
I realized that I often couldn't see the love of God, because I had a wrong image of God. How can God start to surround me with his love, when I don't believe that he is good and wants the best for me? If I'm awkward and defiant like a little child, cross my arms before God ... how can he make presents to me??
But when I realized the true character of God, his love flowed into my heart and I started to feel love for other people again. In these situations, God can change my rage, hate and bitterness into LOVE.
There is nothing more beautiful, than Jesus flowing through me again.
There is a song that expresses what it's all about...
I Want To Know You
(Brian Doerksen, Cindy Rethmeier)
I want to know you
Lord I must know you
I want to be found in you
I want to be clothed in your truth
So I fix my eyes on you
Lord I must see you
I put my faith in you
I spend my life on you
I want to know you
I want to know you
I want to love you
I want to know you more
Jesus, Jesus
God wants to have relationship with us!
We are created for relationship and that's life!
My Child,
against the voices in your head, I speak to your heart, silent but clearly. Sometimes you can't hear my voice, but I'm still speaking. Also the bible can speak to you and its full of truths, which are stronger than the voices and lies in your head.
Against the mind: "I'm afraid, I'm lonely",
I speak to your heart: "I am with you. Don't be afraid, if you walk through the water, I will be there. If you face the fire you will not be burned, because I am the LORD, your God and I am with you!"
Against the mind: "I am ill",
I speak to your heart: "I am the Lord, your healer."
Annotation: God can heal supernaturally any kind of illness. But there are still people who are ill or they die because of illness. So we don't say, that there is something wrong with you and your faith, if you are not get healed!
Against the mind: "I am a sinner and I will never make it!",
I speak to your heart: "I have forgiven you all your sins."
Against the mind: "I am too small and too weak",
I speak to your heart: "Don't say, that you are too young. And if you are weak, you are strong in me."
Against the mind: "I am lonely",
I speak to your heart: "I am with you all the time, until the end."
Against the mind: "I am sad",
I speak to your heart: "Rejoice (Daughter of Zion), because I will come to you and live among you."
Against the mind: "I am desperate and everything is dark",
I speak to your heart: "I am the light of the world. My followers will find the light."
Against the mind: "I am tired and exhausted",
I speak to your heart: "Come to me, all who are weary and I will give you rest."
Against the mind: "I am suffering..",
I speak to your heart: "Blessed are those who suffer, the shall be comforted."
Against the mind: "I'm in lack of comfort",
I speak to your heart: "I give you joy and turn your mourning into dancing.
Those who cry will have a harvest of joy!"
Against "death and sin",
I speak to your heart: "I am the resurrection and the life!"
Against fear, that I will punish you,
I speak to your heart: "Jesus paid for my guilt and I have peace with God."
Against the lies, listen to my words,
because "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE!"
If you have grief, I give you the Holy Spirit, your comforter!
If you are confused, I give you my TRUTH!
If you are afraid of losing the control, I tell you:
"I AM THE ROCK. YOU CAN STAND UPON ME."
If you are worried, than take my:
Don't worry, I care for you!
If you face difficult situations in your life, I say to you:
FOCUS ON ME ALONE! EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT FOR GOOD!
If you have lost your orientation, take mine:
I AM YOUR SHEPHARD! I know the way, trust in me!
If you face enemies, I say to you:
I PREPARED A TABLE. EVERYTHING IS PREPARED, COME TO ME!
If you feel unprotected, I say to you:
"I AM YOUR SHELTER. YOU FIND REFUGE UNDER MY WINGS!"
If you are afraid of other people, I tell you
Fear me and you will be free from fear of other people!
If you face a times of WAR and BATTLE, I tell you: "I FIGHT FOR YOU. BE STILL AND WAIT FOR ME!"
"I AM WITH YOU, ALL THE TIME. THERE IS NO PLACE, WHERE I COULD NOT FIND YOU. EVERYWHERE YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY MY LOVE!
Believe in me, you are not alone, because
I AM WITH YOU - JAWEH, that's my name.
I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU!
I AM HERE!
EVERY SECOND OF MY LIFE!
Believe in me and don't believe in the voice of the enemy!
Trust in me, from your birth until your death, I am with you.
I am your counselor, your friend and Father! I hold you and I will never let you down. I love you and I will never forget you!
I AM THE LORD, your GOD AND I AM WITH YOU!
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5
Dear Woman, dear Girl,
it's not by chance that you are pregnant, look at this bible verse. God says that he planned you and also your child. He planned you before he created the world. Yes, I'm convinced that - before God created the world - he was happy to see how you would develop and what your life would look like. The same is true for your child!
I want to encourage you:
Keep your child!
God also has a plan for your Child and an abortion would destroy this plan! God loves and his plans are always good, for you and for your Child. To parent children is not easy in these times, but it's worth it. It's a life task. It's great to see, if your children have success and you know that you are part of this! One day, you will know that it was worthwhile..
I wrote this devotion today. It shows you how God sees the situation and it should encourage you.
"My Child,
I created something new and brilliant,
it's growing inside of you.
I put it inside of you and entrust it to you,
because only you can complete this task.
Nobody can raise this child the way you can.
Nobody can love this child the way only you can love.
Nobody can parent this child like you.
I want a part of you to be carried into the next generations.
So I entrust you this little being.
You think, you won't make it?
Most people think this, when they are faced with this task.
There are no perfect parents. They are all not perfect.
But they grow with this task!
They take a backseat.
They are no longer number one in their lives.
They give up everything for their children.
They start to love, to worry,
they give themselves and are changed by it!
They often change from being selfish to more humanity,
without even realizing this.
The children help them to develop good traits of character.
You will make it, too!
I will help you!
Ask me, if you need help and I will help you.
Ask me, if you have sorrows. I'm here for you!
Ask me, to give you wisdom to handle the situation,
I will help you through!
Don't be afraid of this task,
I put everything inside of you, that you need
to parent this child!
You will make it, with my help!
Trust in me, I'm with you.
YOUR DADDY in Heaven,
who loves you forever"
Lies, we believe: You should be afraid, of failing/ of people/ of a disaster
Jesus, the truth, says: Be strong and courageous, because ... I am with you, wherever you go ... you are precious. My son Jesus died for you ... I'm your shelter, trust me! I am almighty! Joshua 1,9; Psalms 139,8-10; Psalms 73,23; Psalms 23,5; John 3,16; Isaiah 43,2+4; Psalms 18,2; Matthew 28,18+20
Lies, we believe: Your life will fail, you will be unhappy
Jesus, the truth, says: My plans for you are good, true and real. I bless you. Jeremiah 19,11; Jeremiah 33,9+26; John 10,11; 1 Moses 12,2; Psalms 91,16
Lies, we believe: You should be ashamed. You are ugly, a shame and despised
Jesus, the truth, says: Be glad. You are a treasure, you are a masterpiece. You are respected! Everybody rejoices, if you go along the street! Zephaniah 3,14; Psalms 139,13; Isaiah 55,12
Lies, we believe: You can try it, but you will probably fail!
Jesus, the truth, says: Everything is possible, because of Jesus, who lives in me. He has all the power! Phil. 4,13; Revelation 5,13
Lies, we believe: You don't have any friends. You are lonely!
Jesus, the truth, says: I gave you friends. Care for these relationships Mark 3,35; Gal 6,2; Acts 2,42; 1 John 4,7
Lies, we believe: You will fall. Everything will get worse in your life.
Jesus, the truth, says: It will become better - day by day Jeremiah 18,3-6
Lies, we believe: You are ill and you will die soon. Somebody will rape you and you will be hurt by other people, never have any children. Everything good will be taken away from you.
Jesus, the truth, says: You have already eternal life in you. I decide when you will die. I want to use you in this world. You have a life, the Holy Spirit is living in you, you are safe in my hands. Nothing will harm you. Everything, that happens, must work out for the best in your life. My Love protects your heart. You can forgive and you should be richly blessed. I won't let other people harm you. You will overflow, with richness and goodness, which I shall bestow upon you. You will be happy and grateful. John 11,25; John 3,36; John 14,16-18; Psalms 91,11; Romans 8,28; Psalms 139,5; 1 Cor. 13,5; Psalms 50,15
Lies, we believe: You will never find a husband, with whom you will be happy with.. Because of the hurtful experiences in the past you will automatically come together with either a broken person or someone who will treat you badly..
Jesus, the truth, says: I will give you something much better, than you ever dreamt of. You will find a man you can love with all of your heart. You will be happy with him. You have already received healing and you are still healing. You will be respected, as my daughter, a Princess and you will be treated in this way. You will build with him my kingdom and the desires of your heart will become true, if you rejoice in me. I will lead you every single step of your way, if you give me your plans and your ways and listen to my voice. Your past and the past of your parents won't influence your life any longer, because you belong to me and I will set your free! Believe in me! Isaiah 43,1+19; Jeremiah 33,3; Psalms 37,4+5; 2 Cor 5,17
Lies, we believe: Your body is ugly and weak
Jesus, the truth, says: Y Don't you know that you are the temple of God and that the spirit of God dwells in you? 1. Cor. 3, 16
Lies, we believe: You could lose your faith and get lost
Jesus, the truth, says: I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Psalms 104, 33) the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrew 12,2) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10,28)
"I the Lord, your God, will save you for my names' sake
and I will give you justice through my strength.
I answer your prayer and listen to your call.
Strangers attack and defame you.
They don't care about me, the Lord, your God.
But I am your help.
I preserve your life.
They will fall down by their own wickedness. I will bring them to an end, like I promised you.
You will love to worship me and praise my name, because I am the Lord and I am good.
For he has delivered me from all my troubles and my eyes have looked in triumph on my enemies. (Psalms 54)
I answer your prayers and listen to your call. I hear you and I give you an answer, because I know your sorrows. Your enemies threaten you; they hassle and want to attack you.
Your heart is afraid and you tremble all over. You would like to run away, isn't that so?
If it were only an enemy who ridicules you, you could bear it. But not when your friends and people who m you trusted, treat you in a very bad way. They talk like honey but their hearts are full of hate. Their words areas smooth as oil, but they wound like daggers.
Give me your sorrows, and I will help you. I won't allow that you to fall, if you fear me.
You call unto me and I will save you. You pray to me all day and I listen to your voice. I save and protect you, so that they don't t harm you.
I will lift you up and humiliate them.
Give me your sorrows and I will help you. I am the Lord and I am full of mercy, because you are discriminated against by people. They follow and threaten you all day. Your enemies hunt and attack you. If you are afraid, then trust in me. Praise my word and trust in me, why should you be afraid?
Who could harm you? (Psalms 55,13-15 ,17-2O, 22-23)
They misrepresent your words all the time and think of ways to harm you. They watch you and they watch your steps, because they want to defame you. They won't win their game. I will humiliate them.
I count your lamentations and collect your fears in a vessel, every single one I wrote down in my book. The day, you called to me, your enemies will withdraw.
You should know: I AM THE LORD, YOUR GOD. I AM ON YOUR SIDE AND I STAND WITH YOU."
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (Psalms 56,2-12)
Prayer:
Lord, you see my situation. Everybody seems to be against me and I want to call your name and trust in you. Lord, please do what I can't do. Act for me and help me to be silent and to trust in you. Fight for me.
Amen
Elke Aaaldering
Another thought about mobbing:
Share your problem until somebody takes you seriously. If you are suffering emotional y because of your social environment, then something is wrong. Don't stay together with people, who harm you. Learn how to set limits.
God can give you friends, who are faithful and good.
Ask him! That really works :)
You are precious, Princess. You should be respected and treated with regard!
