January 2025 Bible Study: Beauty Redefined

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By Major Angela Strickland
Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Golden State Division

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30

Explore how we see ourselves vs how God sees us, through the lens Scripture.

Physical looks are what people typically think of when considering what beauty is. There was a recent news story about the perfect face having a certain symmetry…eyes, nose and mouth spaced just right. They even suggested specific actresses that fit the bill for that perfect look. I giggled out loud after having just read several biblical affirmations regarding the kind of beauty we should actually strive for.

Webster’s Dictionary defines beauty as “a combination of qualities such as shape, color, or form that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight; a beautiful woman.“

How do you define beauty?

What does the Bible tell us about beauty?

You will find answers in both the Old and New Testaments

  • Read 1 Samuel 16:7 (Outward appearance vs the heart)
  • Read 2 Corinthians 3:18 (Transformed into His image)

What does the Lord look at?

(Read the Message version of 2 Corinthians 3:18 for a slightly different perspective)

There were several women that were called beautiful in the Bible – Job’s daughters, Rebekah, Bathsheba, Sarai, Esther, and more. However, we are reminded that the virtuous woman of noble character surpasses all.

Based upon what his mother taught him, King Lemuel in the book of Proverbs gives a clear description of a beautiful woman. He writes about a wife of noble character who is more valuable than rubies.

  • Read {Proverbs 31:30 (A woman who fears the Lord

Name 5 characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman.

Some of the descriptors are still quite valid for us today.

  • Read 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV) (Beauty of great worth)

The Message version talks about our inner disposition and cultivating our inner beauty – “the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.”

Inner beauty is reinforced in 2 Corinthians as we learn that outwardly we waste away, but inwardly we are renewed daily.

  • Read 2 Corinthians 4:16 (Inwardly renewed daily)

How can we cultivate inner beauty?

  • Practice compassion for yourself and others
  • Be authentic
  • Develop positive relationships
  • Cultivate the fruits of the Spirit
  • Pursue holiness

As you reflect Christ and grow in your faith, your inner beauty will shine through.

You are one of a kind!

You were uniquely designed by God – who created rainbows, sunsets and that amazing scent after an Arizona rain. Not only were you “fearfully and wonderfully” made, but David reinforces God’s design by saying that God’s works are wonderful. Meaning His creation of you is wonderful.

  • Psalm 139:14 (Fearfully and wonderfully made)
  • Read Ephesians 2:10 (God’s workmanship) (NIV/NLT)

When looking through the lens of God’s eyes, what types of beauty can be found in all people (list some ideas)?

God made all things beautiful. That includes you. God says you are so valued that He sent His Son to die for you.

  • Read Ecclesiastes 3:11a (He has made everything beautiful)

How does the world’s view of beauty differ from the biblical perspective?

  • Read Matthew 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (NIV)

What aspects about yourself do you appreciate as God’s Creation?

Can you think of someone in your life that needs to be reminded that they are valued?

Can you write down one characteristic that you like about yourself and thank God for it?

Prayer: Father, thank you that I am your beloved creation! Help me to understand and to see true beauty in myself and in others. Please help me to live out your beauty in ways that would honor you and help others. Continue your transforming work in my life as I seek knowledge and wisdom that would enable me to have a better self-image. Help me to remember that I was created in your image.

Download a printable version of this Bible Study:

Beauty RedefinedDownload

Enjoy this song by Bethany Dillon, and be reminded that you are “Beautiful”

January 2025 Craft: Created In His Image Mirror

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By Major Peggy Helms, Riverside, CA Corps
& Major Angela Strickland, Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Golden State Division

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

Don’t be swayed by the thoughts and comments of others. Understand who’s you are and how much God loves you – so you can understand and love yourself. God wants you to give Him the places in your heart that you won’t let others see. When you look into the mirror, allow the reflection coming back to be whom God sees – as you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” – Psalms 139:14.

Materials:

  1. Small mirror (handheld or stand type)
  2. Butterfly or flower stickers (3D style)
  3. Colored chalk markers (reversible tip)
  4. Clean cloth and water or glass cleaner

Directions:
⦁ Choose mirror style, handheld or stand type (Dollar/discount shops have them)
⦁ Wipe mirror so that it is free of dirt and smudges
⦁ Write “You Are Beautiful” on the mirror (you can print vinyl stickers with Cricut)
⦁ Decorate the mirror with your stick-on butterflies and/or flowers. You can also use a hot glue gun for items that are not stick-on.

Additional Scripture:
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:7

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:5-10

Download a printable version of this craft:

Created in His Image WM Resource CraftDownload

Enjoy this song, “Mirror” by BarlowGirl to remind you that the mirror does not define you.

January 2025 Devotional: Beauty from the Inside Out

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By Major Angela Strickland
Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Golden State Division

Beauty is only skin deep…Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…common things we’ve heard said about beauty.

Our 18-year-old daughter is at that age where wearing make-up and styling her hair have become a bit more “needed” (job interviews, leading worship, youth group outings) than it was a few years ago. I am at that age where my hair is turning gray and the wrinkles that used to be in my clothing are now also on my face.

We are both acutely aware that with the emergence of social media websites such as Tik Tok and Instagram, things like lash lengthening mascara ads, plumped up lips and perfect eyebrows are given high status and warrant “likes” and comments from others.

It tends to make us look at ourselves in the mirror and measure our worth against what we presume society thinks is important. This can cause internal conflict resulting in low self-esteem or a lack of confidence.

Thankfully, we have a deeper sense of the value our Father places on us. What is on the inside is more valued than outward appearance.

Proverbs 31 is well known for its description of what a woman should consider about beauty. Specifically, verse 30, which tells us that “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (NIV).

There is nothing wrong with outward beauty. Outward beauty is temporary, but inner beauty is described throughout Proverbs 31 about a woman who isn’t built solely on charm and beauty. There is a little more to this woman. She is wise, a provider, works hard, has a good sense of humor, helps others, she is strong and so much more. A woman who fears the Lord has characteristics of one who fears being separated from God. So, she lives her life worthy of His calling and commands.

His Word reinforces for us that true beauty is found on the inside. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:3-4 that “your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

The next time you pass a mirror, don’t think only about what your physical image reflects, but consider whose you are and how you can reflect the beauty of His holiness.

Let’s Pray…

Father, thank you for looking beyond our outward appearance and for seeing our internal beauty. Allow us to see ourselves as you do and reveal in us areas that need transformation so that we may reflect the true beauty that is found in our relationship with you. Help us to look beyond the surface in others, and to acknowledge the godly qualities you have blessed them with. May our lives exemplify your love and grace so that others might draw closer to you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Enjoy this song by Jamie Grace, that you are “Every Bit of Lovely”:

January 2025 Newsletter

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You are Priceless! You are Beautiful! That is the theme of this month’s newsletter.

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. Song of Songs 4:7

Included in this month’s newsletter is a devotion, prayer idea, conversation starters, and a Bible reading plan that emphasizes what the Lord wants His daughters to “wear,” to look and act like Christ. Also included are “Identity Statements,” verses that proclaim who you are in Christ for you to memorize, meditate on and claim in your life.

Download this month’s newsletter:

Newsletter January 2025Download

Listen to this song by Megan Woods, and be reminded of “The Truth.”

February 2025 Bible Study: You are Loved

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By Major Jennifer Erickson-King
Anchorage Citadel, AK – Alaska Division

Supplies Needed:

  • Bible (Any Translation)
  • Journal / Piece of Paper
  • Mirror
  • Pen / Pencil with Eraser

Scripture Verses:

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.” Psalm 139:14-16

Take a moment and look at yourself in the mirror and who do you see? What do you see?

Do you see yourself in the mirror as God sees you?

God sees you as His beautiful and loving daughter, created in His perfect image. You are beautiful. You are amazing. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by His own mighty hands. There’s no one like you on this earth. You are special. You are unique. You are truly loved

In your journal or on a piece of paper, write down all the beautiful and wonderful characteristics, qualities, and talents that God gave you and only you. And also write down your thoughts when you know that God truly loves you. That you are truly loved by our Creator. When we think about all the beautiful and wonderful characteristics, qualities, and talents that God gave us, I believe that we will be truly amazed by His creation, in us. As we all know, our fingerprints are unique to us as individuals.

In fact, the National Forensic Science Technology Center states that, “no two people have ever been found to have the same fingerprints — including identical twins.” Also, it’s important to keep in mind that fingerprints also vary between your own fingers — this means you have a unique print on each finger. But, more importantly, we were created by God, in His perfect image. We are His daughters. We are His children. We are His.

Isn’t this amazing? I really think so. How we were created in special ways that no one else is created like us. Even the details of our hair on our head is that He is the only one that knows how many strands of hair are on our head. Isn’t that also amazing? In Luke 12:7, it says, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” You are loved.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Unlike our love, God’s love is free. What this really means is that there were no conditions God saw in us when He set His love upon us. God didn’t love us because we were lovely—that wouldn’t be free love. God loves us because He loves us (John 3:16). Nothing constrains his love. Nothing will ever change that. Because we are His lovely daughters created in unique ways. More than anything, the Bible tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). He isn’t just loving, but He is the very definition of love, true love. He loves us because He created us. His affection is unconditional. He both generates and demonstrates love — and that love endures forever. (Psalm 100:5)

Each day is a beautiful gift from God. I am reminded how blessed we are and to take every opportunity to minister to each other in ways that He shows us, to be open to leading of His Holy Spirit in us and through us. I am also reminded to live my life fullest for God and God only; to spend every moment worshipping, glorifying, praising, and honoring Him in every aspect of my life. To spend quiet times with Him, to read His amazing, beautiful, and living words, to never stop praying for everyone and everything, to make joyful noise unto Him, and to always give thanks for all His blessings in our beautiful lives.

You might wonder if God really and truly loves you? You might also ask yourself, why me? Why does God love me? With all my past mistakes, with all my wrongdoing, and with all my faults? I’m not good enough. I’m not worthy. I’m a sinner. We may have many reasons to wonder and question. But the answer is YES! YES, God loves you for who you are. Because you are His. And He doesn’t want us to stay where we are. In Matthew 6:33, it says; “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” He wants us to draw closer to Him, to deepen our relationship with Him, to be thirsty and hungry for His word, and to be more Christlike each day.

“To love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second commandment is “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” which is found in Matthew 22:27-29. When we truly realize God’s love for us and how much He desires us to deepen our relationship with Him. We will feel and we will know His amazing and unconditional love for us. We know the true meaning of love, loving Him, loving others, and knowing that we are loved by Him.

Next time that you look in the mirror, know that you are His beautiful and loved creation. You are enough. You are amazing. You are a gift from God. You are beautiful especially in His sight. You are God’s original work of art. You are beautifully created. You are His. YOU ARE LOVED!!

GOD IS ALWAYS:
Best
Everlasting
Amazing
Unconditional
Trustworthy
Inspirational
Faithful
Unwavering
Loving

YOU ARE:
Beautiful
Enough
Awesome
Unforgettable
Talented
Incredible
Fabulous
Unique
Loved

Enjoy the song, “I Am Loved” by Mack Brock

Scripture Verses and Quotes on “Love / Loved”
“If God planned you for me and me for you, then nothing can separate you from me and me from you.” (Mark 10:9)

“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14

“Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

“Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.” (Khalil Gibran)
“Life is the flower for which love is the honey.” (Victor Hugo)
“Intense love does not measure, it just gives.” (Mother Teresa)
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
(Lao Tzu)
“The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. And the best time to love is now.” (Rick Warren)

Download a printable version of the Bible Study:

February 2025 Bible StudyDownload

February 2025 Craft: You Are Loved Heart Craft

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By Captain Serina Woods
Haines, AK Corps – Alaska Division

Supplies Needed:

  • Cardboard for each person 8 x 11 (recycled cardboard)
  • Puzzle Pieces (500 is what I used)
  • 1 Big heart and 1 small heart (patterns included in the downloadable instructions)
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • X-Acto Knife
  • Red Spray Paint – fast drying
  • Cutting board or large cardboard piece
  • Cardstock for banner

Directions:

Before craft preparation

Step 1: Print out hearts – one large and one small for each person (Pattern included in the downloadable instructions below).

Step 2: Print Banners using cardstock (I used Baguet Script – 48)

Working on craft

Step 3: Glue big hear to cardboard, cut out big heart around out edge.

Step 4: Cut out small heart and glut to big heart, center it. Then using X-Acto knife to cut out small heart. This will create a frame heart.

Step 5: Glue puzzle pieces to frame heart making sure some pieces are a little off the frame on both the outer frame and inside frame as as close to each other as possible.

Step 6: Place more puzzle pieces on top of the first layer to make it a double layer. Put glue directly on to puzzle pieces. Let glue dry for 10 minutes.

Step 7: Take fast drying spray paint outside in a shallow cardboard box. Spray heart piece two times. Allow time for first layer to dry. (Optional spray some pieces a different color for a top color).

Step 8: Turn over to glue banner on to back of frame

Download printable directions and templates:

You are Loved craftDownload

As you craft enjoy this song by Riley Clemmons, Loved By You:

February 2025 Devotional: Pieces

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By Captain Isabella Green
Wrangell, AK Corps – Alaska Division

Based on the song “Pieces” by Steffany Gretzinger

The summer I turned 18, I started dating a guy I was convinced would be the one. He was a Christian, he loved children and wanted a family, our life goals lined up, and we shared the same calling. He on paper, was everything I was looking for.

But the summer ended, and our relationship turned into a long-distance one. I would write him letters every day. Pouring my heart into them. Drawing little pictures and sharing all that I had going on. I never got letters back. I would call him often, eager to hear his voice and share about my day. I would wait in my room, counting the phone rings as I waited for him to answer. I left a lot of voicemails sitting in that room.

As the months passed, I heard from him less and less. The phone calls that did get answered became shorter and shorter, and the texts less and less. Finally, around Christmas time we were reunited. My family drove 6 hours in Alaskan winter to meet him, spending a weekend near where he was staying so that we could have time together.

I was so eager, so excited to see him. And when we met up, my heart soared. The months of hurt and being ignored got tucked away and ignored. He was here, and everything was going to be okay.
But I would grab his hand, and he would let mine go. I would wrap my arm through his, and he pulled away. I would smile at him, and he would look down. The pieces of my heart crumbled a little more each time.

The weekend ended, and we went our separate ways again. I did not hear anything from him the day I left. Nor the day after, nor the day after that. A week later, his name lit up my phone screen as he called me. The call was short, and simply informed me that he felt he had been leading me on for months now, that his feelings were no longer there, and that it would be best if we broke it off. His name never showed up on my phone again, and the pieces he left me in were scattered on the floor.

He left me in pieces, after only ever offering me pieces of himself. Pieces of his attention, pieces of his affection, pieces of his care. Just enough to string me on, to keep me looking for more, but never enough to truly make me feel loved.

It was in the season of picking up my pieces, that I learned Gods love never comes in pieces. As I stumbled into the goodness of God, heartbroken and hopes for the future shattered, I found myself enveloped in a love so strong and so deep, that it covered me in totality.

God picked up the pieces and put me back together again. Patching me up in a beautiful new design. Still me, but stronger. Still me, but with an understanding of what it truly means to be loved.
God loves in totality. He loves unconditionally. He loves without care of if others have deemed you unlovable.

Romans 5:8 tells us that, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

His love for us is so deep, so true, that before we even knew Him, He died for us. Before we could ever choose Him, He chose us. When humanity was separated from Him, He sent His son to destroy the divide. And in His death the divide was shattered, left in pieces, allowing us to be truly whole in Him.

God does not love in pieces. He does not give us only part of himself. He gives us His all. He loves in totality and pours into us from a cup that never runs empty. His love is true, pure, and unconditional. It is given, without care of if we are worthy of it or not. It is there for us in the darkest valleys of our lives. And it is there for us when everything is going right.

God’s love for us is always there, even when we are not seeking it out. And at just the right moment, it will come crashing down in a mighty wave, overwhelming and washing out everything else. Every sense of doubt, of anger, of hurt, gone in the great wave that is His love. In His fullness, He will sweep the pieces up, and patch them back together again. Stitched up by His love and left new, ever more beautiful than before.

His fully given, unrestrained, and unconditional love, will leave us overflowing with a love so pure and true, that we simply must share it. His love is never given in pieces and will never leave us in pieces.

Flourishing in Our Identity: You are Beautiful!

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By Colonel Genevera Vincent

Have you ever met someone, and your first thought was, “wow, she is beautiful!” and then she opened her mouth and suddenly her beauty fades as her words give way to negativity, gossip and foul language. Flourishing in our identity in Christ is having a healthy understanding of beauty. We have all heard it said, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” There’s a tremendous truth in that statement. We can all look at the same thing but have very different ideas and opinions on its beauty status. What I consider beautiful might be simply mundane and boring to another. So, suffice it to say, beauty goes much deeper than a nice hairdo, nice clothes and make-up. While it is okay to ensure that our appearance is appealing…actually, it is strongly encouraged…it is of paramount importance that we tend to the inner beauty of our lives, for that is what makes us truly attractive.

The Bible teaches us that a quiet and gentle spirit is beautiful. What makes us beautiful is what we possess on the inside, strength, dignity and character.

Just this past summer, I participated in a funeral service for my cousin’s wife. She was fifty years old and died very suddenly from a heart attack. We were all shocked and deeply saddened by Lisa’s passing. As we gathered for her service, everyone had the same thing to say about Lisa and it was this: “Lisa was beautiful inside and out.” It truly described who she was. There was no denying physical beauty. Far beyond that, however, was a woman who was kind, compassionate, loving and sincere. She was beautiful, inside and out.

That is what God seeks for his beloved children. The final verses of Proverbs 31 speak of a godly woman. Verses 10-31 speak of a woman of character, a woman of worth, value, goodness, hardworking, compassionate, strength, dignity, wise, blessed. Nowhere in this passage does it speak of physical beauty. Yet, as I read Proverbs 31, I picture a beautiful woman, and she is beautiful indeed. She may have been beautiful to look at, maybe she wasn’t. Her attractiveness was not tied to physical beauty but to her character. After King Lemuel describes the beautiful characteristics of this woman of noble character, he concludes with these verses, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate“ (v. 330-31). In the final analysis, our inner beauty will far outlive our physical beauty.

I would propose that for those reading this blog, our desire is to foster in our lives the qualities that make us truly beautiful. The fruit of the Spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22 is what we should be aiming for, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Paul goes on to say, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit“(v. 24-25).

Have you ever reflected on what you want your legacy to be? What do you want your children, family members and your friends to say about you when you are gone? We are not concerned that physical beauty even makes the list. We want to be remembered for our character. We want to be known and remembered as people who loved deeply, who cared, who made a difference for good in this world.

As a woman of God, flourishing in our identity in Him, remember, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! May God always help us cultivate the beautiful character qualities that make it so!