"Pass It On"

By: Samantha Roberts

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (NIV)

When bad things happen, we get hurt. It’s a simple truth in life (if it wasn’t, we wouldn’t call them “bad” things, now would we?). I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to hurt. In fact, I avoid it in every way I possibly can. I don’t even like to think about times when I’ve been hurt before, even if they happened years and years ago.

It makes sense to want to avoid pain. If you touch a hot burner on the stove and get a blister, how smart would you be to go back and do it again? It’s a natural instinct to run away from things that hurt us. Sometimes, though, there is a good reason to revisit those situations, and the reason isn’t always about us.

I love that today’s key verse calls God “the God of all comfort.” I think that stirs my heart so much because, unfortunately, I’ve had many opportunities in my life to need His comfort. A lot of “bad” things have happened in the 30 years I’ve been alive, and they all have led me - in one way or another - straight into the arms of my Heavenly Father.

I would love to forget all those bad things, and to ignore them like they never even happened. I’d be perfectly fine never again thinking about the eating disorder I had as a teenager or about all the junk that led up to that problem. It would be great if I didn’t have to remember the pain of friends dying or the fear and loneliness that naturally comes after being physically and emotionally mistreated. The list can go on, but you know what? I don’t think ignoring those things is what God wants me to do. I’ve learned that even these bad things can serve a good purpose in my life and in the lives of other people.

You see, I don’t like talking about the bad things that have happened in my life, but every time I do, I get an opportunity to talk about the good things of God. I get to share my testimony of how God freed me from the life-choking grip of self-starvation. I get to tell others that they too can thrive in Christ in spite of painful disappointments from their childhood. And I love getting to tell how God can make a wounded heart feel safe and be whole again.

God performs a miracle of healing and comfort in our lives every time we face something painful. Sometimes that miracle simply comes through the encouraging words of someone who’s “been there” and has lived to tell about it. You can be that person to someone else if you open your heart up and let God use your story.

Are you willing to take the comfort you received from God and pass it on to someone else, even if it means you might have to revisit an old hurt? If you’re ready, God can and will use your scars as tools to bring healing to someone in pain. I think you will find that when He does, you will be blessed by His comfort all over again.

My Prayer for Today:

Father God, Thank You for the many ways You have comforted me in this life. I pray for the strength to think about those painful times, so that I may be ready to share them with someone else who needs to hear about your goodness. Help me to know when You are calling me to pass on the comfort I have received from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Send an encouraging e-card to a friend who is hurting. Here are some good sites: www.dayspring.com, www.crossdaily.com, www.egreetings.com.

Think About It:

Has someone else’s testimony about God’s goodness during a painful time in their lives brought you comfort? If so, how has God used that person’s words to heal you?

What experience in your past might be something you would like to forget about, but that God might ask you to use for His glory in someone else’s life?

In what ways might God ask you to share your story with others? (Keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be in front of a large group of people, but it certainly could be.)

Live It:

Think about at least one painful experience from your past that you can safely share (something that won’t betray another person’s confidence or expose harmful information that shouldn’t be shared). If you haven’t ever written out your testimony concerning God’s goodness in that situation, take the time to write it out as you would want to tell it.

Pray that God would reveal to you any hurt from your past that you haven’t dealt with yet - hurt that still needs to be handed over to Him.

Ask God to give you strength to tell your story and wisdom to know when it needs to be told.

Power Verses:

Psalm 66:16, “Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.” (NIV)

Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Samantha Roberts. All rights reserved.

+ Noticed? +

Have you ever felt that the good things you do for others don’t get noticed?

Hear what the apostle Paul says to the Galatians about this:

“…Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.” – Galatians 6:9-10 (NLT)

Maybe you’re loving a friend who’s depressed and is pushing you out of his or her life. Maybe you’re doing chores around the house that don’t get noticed by your parents. Maybe you’re being patient with your little brother who gets on your last nerve. Maybe you’re helping with ministry at your church but you don’t think you’re making a difference. You fill in the blank.

It’s easy to get tired of doing good when we think no one notices or cares. We wonder why we keep doing good because it’s not like it’s helping us any and it doesn’t seem to matter to anyone else. The TRUTH is, though, that God is noticing. And whether you or others realize it or not, what you’re doing is making a difference.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith…gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (NLT)

Have faith, beautiful one! What you’re doing IS making a difference! Don’t get tired and give up, but instead keep running the race.

“Take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet…” – Hebrews 12:12 (NLT)

Until next week…

Kristen

* Hues for You! *

Fall is here and that makes me happy! It’s the time of year when my house is automatically decorated to match the season. It’s also the time when my wardrobe reflects the hues of the leaves, the autumn haystacks and the fall festivals that beckon our attendance. That’s because I look best in warm colors so I’ve built my wardrobe and my home around these fabulous colors that go, oh so well, with my red hair and green eyes!

What about you? Do you know what colors look best on you? Did you know that black doesn’t look good on everyone? And your favorite red sweater you love might not be “your” red? Seriously!

When determining the best colors to wear, take a look at three things: your natural hair color (yes, that does say “natural”!), your eye color (when not wearing contacts) and your skin color. Follow the guidelines below and see what suits you:

YOU: Dark brunette hair, medium to deep skin tone, brown eyes

TRY: Deep red, sapphire blue, evergreen and black (Nothing too pale for you!)

YOU: Light blonde hair and blue or green eyes with very fair skin

TRY: Soft pink, lavender, baby blue, ivory and gray (No brights for you!)

YOU: Dark hair, fair skin, and bright eyes (usually blue or green)

TRY: Combo of black and white, purple and gray, or any bright color (NO browns and beiges for you!)

YOU: Medium hair color, usually described as mousy brown, hazel, green, blue or light brown eyes, and medium skin tone

TRY: Dusty pink, soft coral, charcoal, brown and beige. (NO black for you!)

YOU: Red hair, green/blue/brown eyes, warm skin tone

TRY: Orange, rust, brown, green, cream (NO pink for you!)

YOU: Ash brown hair, gray or silver hair, blue or green eyes, pinkish skin

TRY: Purple, pink, white, charcoal, any shade of blue (No browns or earth tones for you!)

This is a great way to start building a wardrobe that will take you places AND make you shine when you walk in the door! Color that compliments will help others see YOU first, not your clothes. Get rid of the things in your closet that don’t flatter you…donate to your local shelter or have a clothing swap with a few friends. While you’re at it, put on some fun music and have your own fashion show! Trade jewelry and purses, too! Always remember, you are a reflection of Jesus in everything you do, say, and wear…so let your inner beauty glow on the outside! All the while wearing colors that look great on you!

~Shari

"Finding Forever Friends"

By: Alyssa Avant

Proverbs 12:26, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (NKJV)

When I was a teen, a popular contemporary Christian song was Friends are Friends Forever by Michael W. Smith. It talked about having a lifetime of friendship and was a tearjerker of a song that was used at many baccalaureate services and other memorable events.

This song points out that a friend is a friend forever if “the Lord is Lord of them.” This suggests that we include God in our friendships. In godly friendships there are not just two people involved, but three - you, your friend and God. The relationship could be represented by a triangle. You and your friend are connected at the bottom of the triangle to God who is at the top, symbolizing that He rules over you and is to be Lord of both of your lives. The Bible says that this is the strongest of friendships. In Ecclesiastes 4:12 it explains, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (NIV).

Choosing godly friends is so important. Friends have a tremendous impact upon how we think, feel, and act. The Bible says in our key verse, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray” (NKJV).

It is difficult to obtain godly friendships. Many of you who are growing up in rural communities like the one in which I did may have the same peers in your lives from the time you are a small child until you graduate high school. Therefore, your choice of friendships may be limited. When I was a teen, most of my friends were the same ones that I had met in preschool at the age of three. These friends did not always uphold the same morals and beliefs that I upheld.

I soon found out which of my friendships were my “real godly friendships” just by the way my friends would react to my standing up for what was right or setting myself apart from what was wrong. As a teenager this was hard to do, but now, almost 10 years since my high school graduation, I am glad I did so all throughout high school. I value the friends who stood by me, whether they agreed with me or not, and I am thankful that God always sends the people we need into our lives.

As an adult, I still maintain some of my old friendships, but I also have new, true friendships which God has given me and over which He is the Lord. I am now blessed with a group of girlfriends who share my beliefs, encourage my convictions, and hold me accountable for my actions. They also pray for me, cry with me, and celebrate with me. I am thankful that God has blessed me with the opportunity to experience a whole range of lifetime friendships.

Godly friendships may seem difficult to find, but they are worth the wait. Don’t give up on finding your lifelong friends!

My Prayer for Today:

Dear Lord, Help me to choose my friendships wisely and carefully. Send those people to me with whom I can best create a godly friendship that will be of honor to you. I thank You for those friendships I currently have that are good, godly ones. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Little Pink Book on Girlfriends, by Cathy Bartel

Think About It:

What are some of the characteristics of a godly friend?

Do I currently have any godly friendships? If so, who are these friends?

How can I be a better friend to others?

Live It:

Pray for your friends. If you don’t have a godly friend, ask God to bring one into your life.

Spend time daily with God in order to be a better friend to others.

Power Verses:

Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (NIV)

Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." (NKJV)

Proverbs 13:20, "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." (NKJV)

© 2008 by Alyssa Avant. All rights reserved.

+ All I Can Do is Pray +

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16 (NIV)

Have you ever wanted to help a friend who’s in trouble but don’t know how? Have you seen a family member suffer and wonder what you could do to help him or her? In situations like these, have you ever said to yourself, “The only thing I can do is pray”?

I don’t know about you, but these situations frustrate me. I want to be able to DO something. I want to be able to help someone in a practical way that will make a difference in that person’s life. Many times when there’s nothing I can practically do to help, I find myself saying, “All I can do is pray for them.”

Do you hear my tone in that phrase, though? All I can do is pray for them. Essentially I’m showing I don’t believe that praying for someone is really helping or making much of a difference!

Why do we act like praying for someone is not much of a contribution? Why don’t we take prayer as a serious responsibility and privilege that we get to do for others? Is it because we don’t realize the power of prayer? Or that we don’t believe God will answer our prayers? Or…?

James, in the passage above, reminds us that a righteous man’s prayers are powerful and effective. Our prayers for others are not just some last resort option because there’s nothing else we can do to help. Instead, praying should be our first response when we hear of someone’s struggles because God can use our prayers effectively and powerfully in others’ lives. That’s the first and best way we can help them!

Have a great weekend!

Kristen

* Back to the 80's *

Have you ever noticed how the trends we have today may be like the trends you have seen in your mom’s or even your grandmother’s old photo albums? It's true. The trends we see today are oftentimes an influence of the past. One day you'll be seeing them again, just as we're seeing the trends of the past today.

Lately, I've noticed some trends popping up that I remember from my childhood, and I remember some that I am hoping will not reappear! Some of today's trends are a big reflection of the 80's, the 1980's that is! Ankle boots, ballerina flats, leggings, skinny jeans, leg warmers, jelly shoes, and stilettos, all of which I have seen in stores or across the Internet and TV being advertised for today's fashion sales.

Luckily, the updated versions of some of these items are much cuter than those from the past and they are also being paired with some of the new fashions of today making them super stylish.

Of course, there seems to be an art to dressing period, so here are a few tips for wearing some of these 1980s fashions, straight from a girl who grew up in the 80s.

How NOT to wear your ankle boots. Never wear your ankle boots with any of the following:

*Cropped Pants

*Cropped Tights

*Mid-Length Skirts with Bare Legs

*Pencil Skirts

*Shorts

*Capris

As for ballerina flats here are some no-no's for them as well. Don't wear them with:

*Pants that are too long

*Pleated pants with narrow legs. This will make your mid section appear bigger, while making your legs seem shorter.

There are also some things you need to know about wearing leggings. It is important to remember:

*Leggings are not pants, therefore you want to make sure your shirt is long enough to cover up your bottom. It is not attractive nor very self-respectful to reveal too much of yourself by wearing leggings improperly.

*Do not wear leggings with flip flops.

*Avoid neon color leggings, unless you just really want to draw attention to yourself.

The best way to wear leggings, on the other hand, is under something else. A long tunic, a dress, or a skirt and black leggings are the way to go!

There is more I could tell you about some of the other trends, but that will have to wait until next time! Now, go watch some 80s TV show re-runs and find yourself some inspiration. Here's where to start: Full House, Saved by the Bell – The Original, and The Cosby Show! Enjoy!

~Alyssa

"With All of My Heart"

By: Ashley Galloway, Age 15

She Speaks! Graduate

Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (NASB)

A few months ago, I began to sincerely seek God…and friends, and good grades, and popularity. The list was endless. I was constantly praying to God for Him to be first priority in my life. That was what I truly wanted, but between hectic schedules, a little peer pressure, and a lot of my own selfish desires, it seemed impossible to devote all of my life to God. I began to think I was doing better in this area until I first sat down to write this devotion and found myself trying to text, listen to my iPod, and read my Bible all at the same time.

Why is it so hard for us to keep Christ at the center of our lives? We can be devoted to a sport or musical practice, but we don’t have the energy to practice memorizing God’s Word? We center our lives around our upcoming vacation, and yet we don’t think twice about going on a mission trip to serve God. I oftentimes catch myself saying, “Lord, I’m just so busy today. I don’t have time.” Then I do a bunch of useless stuff that accomplishes nothing. Worldly treasures can seem so important at times and too often become the focus of our lives when our focus should be on God. Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (NIV) (or popularity, or sports, or relationships; you fill in the blank).

In 1 Kings 17, the writer tells the story of a poor widow in Zarephath whom God’s servant, Elijah, went to visit. When Elijah asked her for food, the widow replied saying that she was on her way to prepare the last meal for her son and herself. Elijah told her to go and do as she said but to make him some bread first. First? Not if she had leftovers, or even second, but first. In obedience to God, the widow did as Elijah asked. She showed radical faith in God by keeping Him at the center of her life and putting Him above all, and He blessed her for it by always providing for her and her son. She understood that the rest of her life, even what seemed so important only a while ago, should never steal her attention from her God whom she trusted.

This area has been such a struggle for me because I’m always so tempted to give God only my Sundays and Wednesday nights and use the rest of my time seeking things that I think will make me happy. He wants all of me and all of you. I think our problem sometimes is that we try to fit God into our schedule when the truth is He wants to be our schedule! It’s time for us to stop giving God the leftovers and begin seeking Him with our whole hearts.

My Prayer for Today:

Dear Lord, I pray that You and You alone will be the priority of my life. I want to devote all my life to You. Help me to keep You first in everything I do today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway?, by T. Suzanne Eller

Holding His Hand, by Beka Dewitt

Think About It:

Is there anything hindering me from keeping Christ first?

Do my actions show that I am seeking God with my whole heart?

Is God just an “add on” to my schedule?

Live It:

Read the story of the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16).

Replace your unnecessary computer, TV, music, etc. time with spending time with God.

Power Verses:

Matthew 22:37, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (NIV)

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (NASB)

© 2008 by Ashley Galloway. All rights reserved.

+ Sacrifice of Thankfulness +

Do you ever find it hard to be thankful? I know I sure do! Especially when life is not going how I expect it to.

God says in Psalm 50:23, “…Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me” (NLT). It’s interesting to me that God calls thankfulness to Him a sacrifice. That’s what it is for us sometimes though.

Dictionary.com defines sacrifice as: “the surrender…of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.” So, what God is saying in the Scripture above is that giving thanks is more important to Him than our other sacrifices – the other things we try to do for Him.

Why do you think thankfulness is so important? First, when we’re thankful, we show God that we remember He is the source of the good things in our lives (James 1:17). Also, even when things around us seem to be falling apart, if we continue to thank God through those times we remind ourselves of God’s goodness and keep things in perspective. We also honor and respect Him and that is a testimony to others of our relationship with God. They will see something different in our lives and want to know God like we know Him!

So, remember:

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.” - Psalm 92:1-2 (NLT)

Thank Him always – when you get up in the morning, in the middle of your day, when you go to bed at night, in the good times and the bad. Remember His unfailing love for you and His faithfulness, and make thankfulness your sacrifice to Him.

Thanking Him for you,

Kristen

* Making Up Your Face! *

When you look in the mirror, do you see the beautiful girl God created or do you see a face you’d rather hide? Skin that has pimples, scars, or a nose you wish was smaller or lips you wish were bigger?

Your face is the first thing anyone sees and when it comes to makeup sometimes you tend to overdo it.

I recently interviewed some 18 year old guys and asked them their opinion on what they thought about girls and makeup. They loved that I asked them because they had some interesting things to share about the topic. Every single one of them said they thought girls wore too much makeup! I laughed when Michael, a defensive end on the football team, wondered why many girls have their face one color and their arms and legs another! “Why don’t they match?” he asked.

Tommy, the tennis team captain and wake boarder, said it was hard to look at a girl’s face when all you could see was the dark stuff around their eyes and the sparkly blue stuff on top of their lids! You can tell he didn’t know the name of the individual products! I told him they were called eyeliner and eye shadow.

Tyler, the quarterback on the football team, liked it when a girl had a more natural look. He said he liked to know what a girl “really” looked like! He went on to say that one day he’d be marrying someone and didn’t want to be surprised! He did say he liked it when a girl wore a little more makeup for prom and homecoming because it showed she wanted to dress up a little for him, but on an everyday basis, he preferred the more natural look.

These guys and several more like a girl to show her face naturally, and not behind lots of makeup. Now, there is a way to wear makeup so you can hide a few blemishes. Follow the guidelines below for a natural look:

• Get a concealer in a color close to your skin tone and dab it on blemishes. Make sure you blend so it doesn’t stand out.
• Brush loose mineral powder over entire face for even coverage. No one will be able to tell you have it on, yet it will make your skin look smooth.
• Wear mascara in black or brown to frame your eyes.
• Choose a lip gloss in a pretty pink or natural brown color.
• Brush on a lightly colored blush in pink or peach.

There you go! Natural makeup in a flash! For more glamorous occasions, add pretty eye shadow and a soft eyeliner. Choose a deeper lip gloss and you’re ready for the big night!

All in all, just remember YOU are darling just as you are! And honestly, you just look better in less makeup…even the guys think so.

Love ya,

Shari

www.FashionMeetsFaith.com

"Purity: Wisdom from Psalm 119"

By: Angela Parsley

Psalm 119:9-11, “How can a young [woman] keep [her] way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (NIV)

Let’s face it. Role models today are slim pickings for young people. Whom do you look up to? The truth is that we live in a culture in which purity is not taken seriously. The world is filled with sex and impurity in television shows, magazines, and music videos. Are the celebrities in these shows, magazines, and videos people you want to look up to? I hope not. Their lack of self-control is hardly a quality that we should want to emulate. After all, self control is a fruit of the Spirit which should be present in the believer’s life (Galatians 5:22-23). God gives us directions on how to avoid this sort of behavior and uphold purity in our lives in the Scripture above.

God knew purity would be a choice. He knew what the world would look like once sin entered in. It is not a surprise to Him, though it does grieve Him. The Psalmist posed the question: How can a young man, or woman in our case, stay pure? Then an answer is given: by living according to God’s Word. How wonderful to know! It is not impossible. We just need to follow God’s Word. Furthermore, in verse 11, we see that hiding God’s Word in our hearts keeps us from sinning against God.

So, that seems simple. But how do we hide God’s Word in our hearts and live according to His Word? We have to know His Word, which means we have to read it, and we have to memorize it. It is our lifeline and the wisdom we need to live by so our lives will be pure and pleasing to God. Hiding something in your heart means being exposed to it on a regular basis. It fills your thoughts and determines the way you live. Have you considered that everything you put before your eyes and ears will eventually seep into your heart? Are you making good choices with what you place before you? Are you hiding God’s Word, instead of other things, in your heart?

My Prayer For Today:

Father, Thank You for equipping me with Your Word. Help me to hide it in my heart. Give me a desire to read it and retain it. Lord, I love You. Please keep me away from all things impure. Guard my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Related Resources:

Authentic Beauty: The Shaping of a Set-Apart Young Woman, by Leslie Ludy

Authentic Beauty: Going Deeper Study, Leslie Ludy

Think About It:

Do you make an effort to hide God’s Word in your heart?

What kind of things do you put before your eyes and ears?

Are there any changes you need to make to keep yourself pure?

Live It:

Start a Bible study with a group of girls to help each other stay accountable to being in the Word.

Surround yourself with some close friends who will hold you to your decision of purity.

Talk to God about these choices and follow His lead.

Power Verses:

Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (NIV)

Ephesians 1:4, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (NIV)

Ephesians 5:25b-27, “…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Angela Parsley. All rights reserved.

+ No Other +

“‘I am the Lord,’ he says, ‘and there is no other. I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right.” – Isaiah 45:18b-19 (NLT)

Can you hear God’s passion in this passage?

He wants us to know the TRUTH about who He is. He is the one and only Lord and He promises that if we seek Him, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29)! He wants us to know Him! Just in case we’re not convinced, He says He proclaims this truth boldly for all to hear.

Most of us will face a time when we question whether God is the only true God and if He holds the answers to all our questions. In fact in the Old Testament, God’s chosen people, the Israelites, wondered just this! They sought for other answers, other ways, through false gods like Baal, Molech, and Chemosh. The Israelites were hopeful if they prayed and made sacrifices to these gods, their prayers and desires would be answered.

Isn’t this a lot like us? When we don’t get the answers we want from God or when we think He doesn’t hear our prayers, we turn to other places to meet our needs. Friends, advice columns in Seventeen, or maybe even horoscopes often take the place of God’s wisdom and truth in our lives.

Though I was a Christian I used to rely on horoscopes to answer what I was uncertain about and calm my fears: What would happen tomorrow? Would I pass my history test? Who was my true love? I became wrapped up in trying to find truth and answers in every place but God. Horoscopes are as false as the gods the Israelites worshipped. They can no more tell us truth than the man-made stone statues of Baal or Molech. What I was looking for – peace, truth, lasting love – can only be found in the one and only true living God: our God!

Maybe you’re at a crossroads and you’re searching for truth and answers. Turn to God. Seek Him with every ounce of who you are. Read your Bible and pray for Him to reveal Himself to you. He will!

Questions? Comments? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you!

With love and praying that you know Him better this weekend,

Kristen

Do You Know Him?

* Be Radical and Royal This Fall *

Though the weather where I live isn't quite feeling like fall yet, fall is soon to be in the air. With that comes time to change the colors we wear to some more fall-friendly finds. It is exciting to have a change of pace in the colors that we wear. The top colors for fall include rich purples, cool blues and earthy neutrals.

You can succeed in incorporating all of them with ease; just think of adding each in one or two ways. For example, the rich purples can be added with a new top, or through the use of accessories, such as hats, bangle bracelets, earrings or necklaces. As for the blues, denim is a necessary staple. You can grab jeans and other denim pieces such as jackets and skirts to get your cool blue fix. Finally, neutrals can subtly make their appearance in your shoes and accessories as well, such as a cute new purse to last throughout the fall. When it comes to a purse, bigger is better this fall. Big hobo bags in the neutral colors of tan, bronze, green and even a mustard yellow are among the favorites.

By incorporating these tips you are certain to look radical. Just thinking about these colors makes me think of royalty, and you know what girls? We are royal. After all, we are daughters of the king and not just any king, but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. What could be more radical and royal than that?

So, while you're dressing yourself in colors of royalty this fall, be sure your life and heart match what is on the outside. Remember: what is on the inside matters more than what is on the outside.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 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. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.” 1 Peter 3:3-5

A daughter of the king should strive to have royal qualities such as:

• Honor – honesty, fairness and integrity in her actions and attitudes.
• Self-control – able to exercise personal restraint.
• Virtue – moral excellence.
• Purity – innocence and freedom from sexual immorality.

Having qualities like these and clothing oneself in the colors of royalty will be a winning combination for being beautiful on the outside and the inside this fall.

~Alyssa

"Curtis"

By: Kristen Sigmon,

Next Generation Coordinator

Matthew 25:40, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (NIV)

“Please help. Looking for work. God bless you,” his sign read, which he stood holding by the side of the road.

We’ve all seen them…someone standing beside the road waiting for a kind person to drive by, read their sign, and stop to help. That was my experience a few months ago.

He was not just some man or hopeless bum. His name was Curtis. When I drove by him that day, I felt the Spirit nudging me to do something. But I reasoned with God, “What could I possibly do? I don’t have any work he could do, and I don’t just want to hand him money.”

I continued driving. God would not let Curtis leave my mind, though. “Lord, if You want me to do something, show me what.” Nearing home, I saw Christian, a good friend who regularly walks to where Curtis was standing. Every day, he goes there to witness and help others in need, many of whom are impoverished or homeless. When I asked Christian for some advice on how to help Curtis, he gave me some good pointers: lock your doors; roll down your window enough to ask if he is hungry or thirsty; if so, meet him at the convenience store; park in the front where many people are; buy him some food and a drink; and pray with him.

I was so grateful for Christian’s advice, but at the same time, I was still afraid! What if something happened to me? However, trusting that God put it on my heart to minister to Curtis, I drove back to him.

Curtis had had a run of bad luck and was trying to make his way to Georgia to get the assistance he needed. However, he didn’t have enough money to get there. He was hungry and thirsty and very thankful that I stopped to help him.

When I met Curtis, I was still afraid and nervous, but I was excited. God had given me an opportunity to minister to this man and meet a need. It was an opportunity to quit thinking about myself for ten minutes and focus my attention on a complete stranger, who oddly enough seemed familiar.

Have you heard this Scripture: “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Hebrews 13:2, NLT)? A very real sense of God’s presence surrounded me while I was with Curtis. Perhaps he was an angel…or perhaps he was Jesus Himself! After all, today’s verse states that whatever we do to the least of our brothers and sisters, we do it to Jesus too.

Fear can paralyze us in situations like these. We may be afraid of what might happen to us or of rejection. Even so, I like what one of my college professors says, “Don’t ask God to take away your fear. Instead, ask Him to help you be faithful and bold despite your fear.”

This does not mean we intentionally put ourselves in dangerous situations to help strangers out. We need to be wise. After all, there are scam artists who are out to take your money or harm you. What I am saying is that if God calls us to help someone in need, we better not ignore His call! Otherwise, as Jesus says, “Depart from me…for I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat…thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink…a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me…I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (Matthew 25:41b, 42, 45, NIV).

Who is the Curtis in your life whom God is asking you to help? Don’t miss the opportunity!

My Prayer for Today:

Jesus, Thank You for taking care of each of us, including those who are poor and in need. When You call me to help someone in need – to be Your hands and feet – please help me be faithful to You. Remind me that whatever I do to another person, I’m doing it to You also. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Visit Proverbs 31’s Compassion blog, and click the link “Love in Action” for outreach/ministry ideas that you and your friends can be involved in.

Team up with your friends and sponsor a child with Compassion International.

Think About It:

What is my typical response when I see someone in need?

Would Jesus be pleased with my response?

Who is a specific person in my life right now who is in need? How can I help him or her?

Live It:

Pray for God to make you aware of situations in which you can help others.

List all of the gifts and characteristics God has given you which you can use to help others in need. Look at the needs of those around you – at school, in your neighborhood, at church, at soccer practice or dance lessons – and find ways to begin using these things to help others.

Encourage your friends to start an outreach to others in your community or at your school, using the gifts and talents that each of you have.

Power Verses:

Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (NLT)

Colossians 4:5, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Kristen Sigmon. All rights reserved.