the average woman will spend more than £18,000 on her face in her lifetime
86% of men used moisturiser on a regular basis 78% said they’d use a dye if they saw grey hairs
Today
‘True beauty lies within’
Esther 2:8-18
‘Esther – a beauty that’s more than skin deep’
‘lovely in form and features’
Est 2:7
When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were
brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai,
who had charge of the harem
Esther 2:8
Esther is brought to the palace
Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty
treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics
Est 2:12
She pleased him and won his favour. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants … and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem
Est 2:9
The inner beauty of grace
Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so – Est 2:10
The inner beauty of obedience
… she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up – Est 2:20
Every day he walked to and fro near the courtyard of the harem to find out how
Esther was and what was happening to her
Est 2:11
What was Mordecai doing?
When the turn came for Esther … to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch … suggested. And Esther won the favour of everyone who saw her. She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence … in the 10th month … in the 7th year of his reign – Est 2:15-16
The inner beauty of contentment
“Contemporary culture is plagued by the passion to
possess. We are affected by a four letter obscenity –
the word ‘more’”
… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in
need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in
any and every situation …
Phil 4:11-13
Apostle Paul’s experience
Focus on what will last
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal
2 Cor 4:18
How do we cultivate a spirit of contentment?
Be a generous giver
The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will
themselves be refreshed
Prov 11:25
How do we cultivate a spirit of contentment?
Examine our priorities
“Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.”
Luke 12:15 NLT
How do we cultivate a spirit of contentment?
“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate
more and more. The other is to desire less”
G K Chesterton
Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favour and approval more than
any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen
instead of Vashti
Est 2:17
Esther is crowned Queen
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewellery 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
1 Pet 3:3-4
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