Devotions- "To Find A Smile"

"To Find A Smile"

Sometimes we take what we have for granted. We don't think twice about going to bed in a warm bed, sitting down to eat a hot meal, or simply going to brush our teeth.

This past week I took a trip to the local Soup Kitchen with some other girls. It was a heart breakinng experience, but one that I will never forget. We got everything set up for the people to come in and eat. The moment they began to come it, I had tears in my eyes. I just felt so bad that I have so much and they have almost nothing.

Out of all of the people there, there is one face, that I will always remember. It was the face of a little girl that couldn't have been any older than about 5 or 6. Her and her two sisters were there with their parents. My heart broke to pieces the minute I saw her.

Once everyone had eaten we passed around desserts and this little girl looked up at me when I was passing them around. Her eyes grew big and bright and she had the biggest smile ever on her face when she got hers. Then, later that night she came up with her plate to throw it away and didn't know where she was going and I asked her if she needed some help. Just reaching out a hand to help her with little things could put a smile on this one little girl's face. I would not have changed that night for the world.

It was a whole new perspective that I had not seen before. That night made me realize that the little things that we do count in someone else's eyes. They may not mean much to us, but to someone like that little girl, it could mean the world to her. After that, my heart was changed and made me want to give even more, and be a stronger servant of God.

God can use us in any way that He wants to. He used me that night to reach out to that child and let her know that there are people that care about her and that want to help.

How is God going to use you to work in other people's lives?
My challenge to you today, is to pray that God will use you in any way that He can to get to others. Also, pray that God will give you the strength and courage to follow through with the opportunities that He gives you.

Abbie

Standing @ My Locker- "Beautiful to the King"

Hey everyone!

So, I have found that public school is full of judgement. Everywhere that you turn it seems like there is someone to judge you attitude, your grades, your look, your style... I picked up Jenna Lucado's book "Redefining Beautiful" the other day and came across this definition.

Beautiful: What God sees when God sees you.

I don't know about you, but this statement is nothing but the truth to me! But, it isn't always the first thing that comes to mind when someone starts picking out your flaws. Sometimes it can be hard to put up with all the judgement, but just think of that one definition, and you can remember that even if a worldly person does not think that you are beautiful, the king of kings does!

So next time somebody tries to but down the way you look or act, just think of that and it will make you feel so much more confident about yourself. I know it does for me!!!

Abbie :)

Standing @ My Locker- "Sleeping In"

Hey Guys!

Alright, today I want to talk to you guys about "sleeping in". It seems that Sunday night services at my church inspire me to pass things on to you guys :)

Last Sunday we were talking about sluggards. Do you roll over and hit the snooze button every morning? or Lazy around before you start you day? Well, by doing this you could be putting off some very important opportunities.

Do you really want to get caught sleeping in?

Think about school... if you are late to school, you will miss out on some important information from class. The same thing goes for sleeping in as a Christian. If you are too afraid to get up and face your life, then what kind of testimony are you giving to the non-believers around you? By not waking up to a world that is dying to be found, you are losing several opportunities to be a witness.

At school it's going to be tough to share your faith. Some days you may feel like just blending in with the crowd and acting like everyone else. But, the reality is that if you do this, then you are going to regret it. You can't take back words that you say while acting like everyone else, and the actions that you make will not be taken back either.

So don't get lazy and try sleeping in on the the job that God has given you. He loved us enough to die on the cross for us, so the least we can do is live a life for Him in return, and put the work that He has for us first!

Don't forget to go to God in prayer through the struggle that you may face at school, and let us know if there is anything that we can pray for!


Abbie :)

Standing @ My Locker... - "Don't Give In!"

Hey everyone! So its a Monday and your first day back at school for the week. Everyone is complaining about how they don't want to be there, and how tired they are. Do you give in and do the same thing? Follow the example that they are giving you?

I know that I have done this. Sometimes you just think... "Well everyone else is thinking the same thing!" But the truth is, we ARE NOT like everybody else. We are supposed to be the example for them to follow not the opposite of that. How will they see us as any different from them if we are talking and acting the same as they are.

I know this can get very hard. Especially when you hang out with those friends of yours that are not Christians. But, in all honesty, that is the best time to shine the light for Jesus. If you act the way that we are supposed to as Christians, then your friends will notice that there is something different about you. And in some cases they might realize that they want that one thing that is making you so much happier than anyone else.

I was sitting at my church on Sunday night, listening to the message that was being given. We were going through the book of James. As we walked through the different parts of the book, some things would just hit me and I would realize that I needed to make a stronger stand to not give in to what everyone else wants me to act like at school.

First off, trials. Not one person could tell me that in school, they have never faced a trial! They are all around and there is no getting around that. But, the thing is how will we face those trials? Our reaction to these trials will show when other people are around. They will be looking for the way that we will react. So, we can't drop our guard. We have to live out the things that we say that we believe.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." ~James 1:2-3~

Right in those verses it tells us how to answer to the testing of our faith. We need to still show joy through trial. Don't get angry and lose it. That is a natural reaction to a trial, but you have to keep your cool. Ask yourself, "What would I do if Jesus was standing right next to me", the truth is, He really is next to you, He is everywhere, all the time!

The other thing that I want to address is the way that we speak at school and anywhere really. We can't say one thing and do another. If we say that we have faith in Jesus Christ, then we have to live it. People won't even consider Jesus as an option if we don't seem any different than they do. If we aren't living a different life style then the nonbelievers, then there is a problem.

Before you say anything, think "If I was at church with my church family right now, would I even consider saying that?" If the answer is no, then don't say it at school either! If something can't be said at church, then it shouldn't be said ANYWHERE! We cannot be praising God on Sunday morning, and then turning around Monday morning at school and spreading gossip about other people. That is not anyway to live out the life God wants you to live.

" With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be" ~ James 2:9-10 ~

So, the next time you walk into school, consider these two things before you act or speak. Always think about what God would want you to do first, not what everyone else wants you to do. And always remember...

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." ~James 2: 26~

Abbie :)

Standing @ My Locker...- "Through My Eyes"

I have been in public school since kindergarten, so I really don't know any different than what goes on there, and the struggles that I face being a Christian growing up in a public school. But one thing that any Christian in a public school setting would say is that, IT IS NOT EASY!!! There are "giants" to face around every single corner. To some people, the way that we live as a Christian is just ridiculous. They just don't understand the entirety of growing up the way that we have.

So, what I'm going to start out with is a few questions, just to get you thinking about different aspects of being a Christian in public school....

Q. What do you want people to think about you?

A. For me I want people to know that I am a Christian. I don't care what they have to say about it, they can think what they want. I don't want them to think that I am ashamed of my faith... What good will that do in reaching out to them?

Q. Do you get discouraged by your peers and teachers?

A. For me, the majority of my peers and teachers do not share my faith. They just don't understand the things that I believe. But, then there are the few that I know are Christians, and I can talk to them if I start to feel discouraged. From experience I can say that it isn't fun to be "alone" in school. It can feel like you are the only one that is following God's way and you can reach the point where you are asking yourself why God is putting you through this. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to us, but in the end God has a plan for us, and a reason that we are in a public school. As long as you stick to your faith and lay your life, struggles, and problems at God's feet, then you will pull through, and be an example for those around you.



"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders- he'll carry your load, He'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin." ~Psalm 55:22~

Q. Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?

A. As a Christian, sometimes other people will test you as to whether you will do what you say that you live for. One of those things is sticking up for your faith and for God. I know that this can be really tough when you think that nobody will take your seriously, but God will help you through it. It may seem crazy, but those opportunities to "prove" your faith, may really be a chance that God is giving you to reach out to that person that is longing for an answer to their constant struggles in life.

Q. When you see someone that's lost in their troubles, will you look to God for help in reaching out to that person?

A. From my point of view, this can be one of the hardest parts of being a Christian in public school. You see so many people with troubles piled onto their shoulders, and all you want to do is reach out to them and tell them about God. The problem is finding the courage to do so. Many of us are afraid that we will be rejected by other people. They may laugh at us or tell us that what we believe is stupid or wrong. But, this is the time that we have to stay strong and be persistent. When God pulls at our hearts to go and talk to someone, it may be the only chance that that particular person will hear the gospel. It won't be easy for us to talk to them but really we aren't the ones talking, we are being God's hands and feet and he is talking through us.

Q. Ever get called a "Bible Banger", "Jesus Freak" or "Goody Two Shoes"???

A. "Goody Two Shoes" is one that I have gotten before. People think that just because you're a Christian you can't mess up and can't do anything wrong, and if you do mess up or do something wrong, it's a HUGE deal! So it makes you feel like you have to be perfect (or at least close to it since only God is perfect) when you are at school and around your friends. And from experience, I know that it is really hard. No one is looking at them thinking that they have to be perfect, only you because of what you believe. But, my advice to you, take it as a compliment. Don't let it get to your head that you have to be perfect all the time. I mean, you want to shine a light, but don't take on so much pressure to always please everyone else that it makes you stressed and afraid of messing up.



"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you." ~ Deuteronomy 31:16~

• I would love to hear about your struggles as you make it through public school, and stories that you have to share!
• Also your answers to these questions would be great too!
  

Abbie :)

Standing @ My Locker....

 

Going to public school can be rough for any teen, especially if you are a Christian.  There are many pressures and "worldly pulls" on you.  Abbie goes to public school and wants to share her experiences and encourage any who may be struggling while "standing at your locker."                                     

    "Through My Eyes" 2/25/2010

"Don't Give In" by Abbie 3/1/2010 

"Sleeping In" by Abbie 3/20/10