mystique-an air of mystery and reverence developing around someone
Mystique is a direct result of our inner confidence.
The 4 A's....
1. Assurance-our feelings of self-worth. Have we believed a lie about ourselves?
Reject the lies I love this quote from Sandy
"Satan knows we are tremendously valued by God, and he fears the day we believe it"
Listen to the truth fill yourself up with what God says about you. If you don't know where to start, utilize the "Who I am in Christ" booklets I gave you last serving time. Speak these truths over yourself....and BELIEVE them!!
2. Advancement-fulfilling the plans the Lord has for you
Uncover your passions
Consider the season many of us are home with little ones. Right now my season is pouring myself into my children. Not that I don't have passions, but my main passion is to see my children raised in the knowledge and love of the Lord. There will be different seasons where I will have more time to uncover and utilize my passions.
Make time
Maintain priorities In this order.....God, your husband, your children, your passion. He will never ask you to you sacrifice your priorities for your passion.
3. Appearance- we feel our best when we look our best. And our men are visual!
Define your style-the devil's desire is for women to compare. He has made each of us unique and beautiful
Consider his preference-what does your husband say about you? What things does he really love about your appearance?? hair long, short, dressy, casual...high heels, ballet flats, makeup, no makeup, etc.
4. Attitude-towards your husband, others and yourself
Encouragement-when we are filled up and confident, we are able to give encouragement away. When we are so consumed with ourselves and have no self worth, we spend all our energy on ourselves.
Discretion timing with our husbands, gossiping about others
Courage- we want to be unafraid to learn and grow
These 4 A's are a lifelong process....looking back, we can see where God has brought us and be encouraged to keep running towards Him and His very best for you!!
Reflection Questions
1. What phrase often plays in your mind and undermines your belief in yourself? Where did it come from: your past, your experiences, or what other people said about you? Does it agree with God's Word?
My biggest struggle was the belief that I am completely loveable just the way I am. Most of you will find you see God as you have seen your earthly father. My father who is a wonderful, wonderful man, exhibited very conditional love for me. I always felt like I had to "perform" for him to love me. If I did not act as he desired, he withheld his love and affection. I viewed God like this for a long, long time. As distant, and ready to strike me and turn His back on me at my first offense. I have experienced wonderful freedom knowing of God's extravagant, unchanging love for me....by destroying those lies in my spirit and replacing them with the Truth of God's Word.
2. Imagine deleting that repeating phrase and inserting what God says about you instead. If you did that, how would it affect your choices and your relationship with your husband?
3. What dreams or ideas have you thought about over the years? Which ones would you like to advance in? Is now a good season for advancing? If not, when might be?
4. What is one small action you could take to set yourself on the path of that advancement process?
5. Consider the pattern of your life. What do your actions show are your priorities?
6. What do you like about your personality? Your appearance? What words would you sue to describe your personality and thus your personal style?
7. Where do you try to "fit in" rather than embrace your true self? What steps can you take to express your individuality?
8. What areas of discretion-timing, details, or gossip, is most difficult for you? Why?
9. Do you seek opportunities to be a force of encouragement in your husband's life? How has this affected him?
I want my husband's greatest praise to come from me...I want my children to see my adoration and complete love for their dad. I firmly believe that Jason's success in life-personal and professional, are (in part) a result of my prayers, my encouragement, and speaking those things before we even saw them in the natural (Romans 4:17). We have incredible power (for good or bad) with our husbands. I want to encourage you today, if you are not doing this, to start. Even if it starts with a small thanks......
thanks for working so we can live in this house, so I can stay home....thanks for always leaving the car with a full tank of gas, thanks for loving our kids, etc. It's contagious and it will bless your husband, and in turn, you!!
Ladies, let's Love God's Word and hide it in our hearts as His promises for us...
For I am God's masterpiece. He has created me anew in Christ Jesus, so that I can do the good things He planned for me long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Remember to look over the First Steps on p. 87 and have Chapter 5, Inviting Romance, read for our next serving time on March 3rd.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Chapter Three...Living as the Genuine Article
Chapter Three invites us to ask God about any masks we may be
wearing. Many of us wear masks to hide our sin, which ultimately
prevents our healing from God in this area. We wear that mask of what
we think others expect of us. This is the devil's delight, that we
keep the darkness dark...
For sin is darkness, but God's Word says
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:46
* Life behind a mask----is exhausting and we can't fool God
Superwoman using praise to help our feelings of self-worth. When we act like superwoman, we are inevitably forsaking the needs of our husband in order to please others. This ultimately blocks our relationship with the Lord.
Material Girl spending $ we don't have to buy things we don't need to impress people we don't even like. Oh, how true this is!! We live in a land of consumerism, where the "next big thing" is always right around the corner.
the Perfect Ten You've got it ALL together! Really a mixture of pride and fear....pride that we can't admit our shortcomings, and fear of what others will think if they "really knew me". Sometimes we use this convince others as well as ourselves that we are all that!!
*Who, me? Can you relate to any of these? Ask God to show you if you have allowed any of these to interfere with your relationship with God or your husband.
*My journey of Removing the Mask
1. Find your strength in God
2. Admit your imperfections
3. Forgive those that have offended you
4. Say no more often
ALLOWS you to have greater intimacy with your husband and others, show hospitality and give to those in need
Reflection Questions
1. With which mask do you most identify: Superwoman, Material Girl, Perfect Ten, or another?
2. Do you feel safer behind a mask? Why or why not?
3. Is living behind a mask working for you? Explain.
4. Would you feel comfortable in your church if others knew of your weaknesses and failings? If not, why?
Have you been betrayed by a close friend and have difficulty in trusting others with your true selves? Ask God to reveal this to you, and for Him to heal that hurt. Then, pray for a friend that you can be safe with. I have personally prayed for these types of girl friends for 8 years!! I have a close friend but we live 2+ hours away. God has brought these wonderful, dynamic women into my life and He
was not late, but right on time. These ladies are ones I can be completely real and honest with. I feel completely safe to share my heart with them, knowing we share the love of our Father and one another.
5. Have you recently shared your struggles with others in a vulnerable way If not, why? What would it take for you to overcome your fear?
6. What is your underlying motive when trying to impress others?
I think most of us have that desire to feel accepted and liked. I think through most of my life, I can identify myself as a "people pleaser". But, ultimately, I want to please the Lord first and foremost, and honor Him in all that I do. As God has given me freedom over that control of "people pleaser", I have found such great joy at living for Him and His kingdom and glory!! He is not finished with me yet, but He is faithful to complete what He has started!!
7. Does the way you spend your time and money reflect God's desires or yours?
Remember to look over the First Steps on p. 69 and have Chapter 4, Captivating Mystique read by our next serving time on February 17th.
For sin is darkness, but God's Word says
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:46
* Life behind a mask----is exhausting and we can't fool God
Superwoman using praise to help our feelings of self-worth. When we act like superwoman, we are inevitably forsaking the needs of our husband in order to please others. This ultimately blocks our relationship with the Lord.
Material Girl spending $ we don't have to buy things we don't need to impress people we don't even like. Oh, how true this is!! We live in a land of consumerism, where the "next big thing" is always right around the corner.
the Perfect Ten You've got it ALL together! Really a mixture of pride and fear....pride that we can't admit our shortcomings, and fear of what others will think if they "really knew me". Sometimes we use this convince others as well as ourselves that we are all that!!
*Who, me? Can you relate to any of these? Ask God to show you if you have allowed any of these to interfere with your relationship with God or your husband.
*My journey of Removing the Mask
1. Find your strength in God
2. Admit your imperfections
3. Forgive those that have offended you
4. Say no more often
ALLOWS you to have greater intimacy with your husband and others, show hospitality and give to those in need
Reflection Questions
1. With which mask do you most identify: Superwoman, Material Girl, Perfect Ten, or another?
2. Do you feel safer behind a mask? Why or why not?
3. Is living behind a mask working for you? Explain.
4. Would you feel comfortable in your church if others knew of your weaknesses and failings? If not, why?
Have you been betrayed by a close friend and have difficulty in trusting others with your true selves? Ask God to reveal this to you, and for Him to heal that hurt. Then, pray for a friend that you can be safe with. I have personally prayed for these types of girl friends for 8 years!! I have a close friend but we live 2+ hours away. God has brought these wonderful, dynamic women into my life and He
was not late, but right on time. These ladies are ones I can be completely real and honest with. I feel completely safe to share my heart with them, knowing we share the love of our Father and one another.
5. Have you recently shared your struggles with others in a vulnerable way If not, why? What would it take for you to overcome your fear?
6. What is your underlying motive when trying to impress others?
I think most of us have that desire to feel accepted and liked. I think through most of my life, I can identify myself as a "people pleaser". But, ultimately, I want to please the Lord first and foremost, and honor Him in all that I do. As God has given me freedom over that control of "people pleaser", I have found such great joy at living for Him and His kingdom and glory!! He is not finished with me yet, but He is faithful to complete what He has started!!
7. Does the way you spend your time and money reflect God's desires or yours?
Remember to look over the First Steps on p. 69 and have Chapter 4, Captivating Mystique read by our next serving time on February 17th.
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