The other day while standing in one of those endless lines at the super market my eyes caught the following headlines on a newspaper, "World's most beautiful woman hospitalized". Quickly whipping out my cell phone I called my wife Bonnie and immediately knew it was a false story . . . actually, it was about Elizabeth Taylor married countless times, unhappy, overweight and in ill health. The world probably has no better candidate for that role. But God does.

10 Secrets Of Eternal Beauty

 How did Mary cultivate godliness? She discovered the ten secrets for eternal beauty! First Mary would have applied herself to avoid the portrait of the Foolish Woman in Proverbs and to emulate the godly woman's portrait:

1. Mary was beautiful because she had learned to avoid being IMMODEST and alluring in her dress. Proverbs 7:10 "Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent." (NIV). Her clothing points to her not to her Father in Heaven and His holiness. Remember the words of Paul in the New Testament Gallery of beautiful women? God emphasizes a beauty of the unseen character, the flesh flaunts the body, God beautifies the spirit! 1 Timothy 2:9     I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, (NIV)
2. Mary was beautiful because she had learned to hate and avoid sin and never play with God's mercy. Proverbs 7:13-14 "She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: 14 "I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows." (NIV). There is no fear of God, the future consequence or the present destructiveness of her actions. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (NIV)
3. Mary was beautiful because she had learned to avoid being deceitful and manipulative in her goals. Proverbs 7:21-23 "With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. 22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, 23 Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it [would cost] his life." (NKJV) An ugly woman is self driven and wants her way. A beautiful woman wears heavenly beauty   Psalm 90:17 "And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands." (NKJV) 1 Peter 3:4 "Instead, 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." (NIV)

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