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Precious in God's Sight

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John 12:43: "They loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." 

This verse has been running through my head for a few weeks now. I included it in my last post, but honestly, it just boggles my mind. Well, not actually. I completely understand how the people this verse is talking about were deceived enough to believe that man's glory was more valuable than God's. Probably the reason it sticks with me is for fear that the same thing may be said about me some day.

This summer, I was privileged to be in the girls' dorm at camp for two weeks. I always love being in the dorm because of the amazing opportunity it brings to study the Word of God and encourage one another. We usually read through a couple of the New Testament letters together in the evenings, (James being one of our favourites) but this year, we decided to read 1 Peter. 
Some things stood out to me...

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." (1 Peter 3:3 & 4)

This passage challenged me. Yes, it is common: we've heard it many times. It challenged me to realize anew that "the Lord sees not as man sees... the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

"The imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit," is precious in God's sight. Precious to God!

Just so happens that at the same time we read this in the girls' dorm, I was working on a blog post about the Fruit of the Spirit (which you can read here.) It struck me that a "gentle and quiet spirit" is similar to what it says in Galatians 5, "gentleness and self control." "This is precious to God," I remember thinking. 

Gentleness and self control are not two of my strong points. But I realized that when I was putting on a face, trying to make others believe that I was these things, I was not pleasing God. I was seeking man's praise more than God's praise by not seeking God to transform me into a gentle and controlled person. 

I challenge you: seek God's praise! We will not hear it audibly here on earth, but one day in Heaven, I believe hearing "Well done, My good and faithful servant," will be worth every ounce of man's praise we may have 'missed out on' here on earth.

"You are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be His treasured possession." Deuteronomy 14:2

"For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be His own, Israel to be His treasured possession." Psalm 135:4

<3 Berea
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