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Shine On, Girl!
Devotions to Keep You Sparkling
By Kristi Holl Jennifer Vogtlin Zondervan
Copyright © 2006 Kristi Holl
All right reserved. ISBN: 0-310-71144-4
Chapter One
Devotion #1
"Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves." -Proverbs 11:17 (TNIV)
Payback
A kind and unselfish person who gives to others is blessed in return. On the other hand, someone who is harsh and insensitive to the suffering of others will be treated the same way.
Amber's grandma had fallen and broken her arm. Grandma loved a clean house, and Amber knew she'd appreciate having someone clean it for her. With her cast, it was too hard for Grandma to drag the vacuum around or scrub out the tub. To be honest, Amber wished she didn't have to spend her Saturday cleaning Grandma's house. However, because she cared, she went anyway. Several hours later, with the house sparkling, Grandma and Amber sat in the porch swing, eating ice cream and laughing about things Amber had done when she was younger. Grandma also shared some stories about her own childhood, things that surprised Amber. By the time Amber had to leave, she hated to go. The joy and laughter far outweighed the energy she'd spent cleaning.
When you give to someone in need-whether it's your money, your time, oryour talents-you are planting a seed. If you give just a little, the blessings you get back will be little as well. If you give a lot, the harvest of gratitude, joy, and peace will be huge. "Remember this-a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop" (2 Corinthians 9:6 NLT). Be generous-scatter your seed far and wide! Then enjoy your bumper crop of blessings.
More To Explore: Galatians 6:7
Did You Know ...
a simple phone call can get you started giving back to others? Call your pastor or the local Salvation Army to find easy ways to help. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7 TNIV).
Girl Talk:
When was the last time you served someone just because they needed assistance? Who could see some help from you right now? Make a plan to help them.
God Talk:
Lord, sometimes I get so involved in my life that I forget about others. Help me find ways to give to other people. I want to be a blessing to them and to you. Amen.
Devotion #2
"Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love." -Psalm 59:17 (AMP)
Praise the Lord!
We worship and thank God for many different things. He is our strength when we're weak and our protection when we're attacked. He's our fortress to hide in when we're afraid, our mercy when we make mistakes, and our love when we are lonely. God has so many awesome qualities that deserve praise!
As you sit by the stream, a deep peace flows through you as the water flows downstream. How much you have to be thankful for! You can hardly believe the changes since last year. Your dad's serious illness is over, and he's found an even better job than before. The boy who was picking on you at school has moved away. Your parents have gone to counseling and worked hard, and now there's laughter back in your home. Now that you can concentrate again, your grades have risen. God has healed your family from so many frightening things. You can only sit by the stream and murmur, "Thank you, God. Thank you. Thank you!" over and over.
Praise God at all times. We can praise him in the storm as his strength brings us through. Then we must praise him when the storm has passed and the sun shines again. "I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:1-2 TNIV). Take time-right now-to thank God for his many blessings.
More to Explore: Psalm 59:9-10
Did You Know ...
there are at least 4,610 hymns that contain the word praise? Check out cyberhymnal. org, which catalogs thousands of hymns. "He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes" (Deuteronomy 10:21 TNIV).
Girl Talk:
Can you list five things-both happy things and hard things-that you can thank God for right now? Then thank the Lord and praise his name!
God Talk:
Lord, help me always remember to thank you for all you have done. Thank you for _______. I want to praise your name. You are an awesome God! Amen.
Mini-Quiz:
What famous king wrote so many songs praising God that Psalms is now the longest book in the Bible?
a. Solomon
b. King Tut
c. Jeroboam
d. David
Answer: d. David
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Shine On, Girl! by Kristi Holl Jennifer Vogtlin Copyright © 2006 by Kristi Holl. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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