Sunday, April 27th

Girls, today will be the last time that you will find the daily blog on this site.  Mrs. Lois will be restructuring our Beautiful Girlhood devotions and the blog.  She will make sure you have the correct web address for the new site.  It will be going through the Lock Haven web page, so be watchful for the start date.

Today's last entry is not so much of a devotion as it is an exhortation to each of you.  When I say that "I exhort" you, it means I am encouraging you.  Maybe even a better word for exhort is to beg.  And, I have absolutely no shame in begging you girls to serve God because I know the grief and heartache that choosing another path will bring you.  Choosing to serve the Lord is for you advantage---not God's.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  III John 1:4

No matter what new ministries may unfold at Lock Haven; no matter which direction the Lord may choose to lead us, my heart will always be very passionate about my teen girls.  I love each of you and will be praying that you will yield your lives as instruments of righteousness for Christ's glory.

By His grace,

~Mrs. Kim

Saturday, April 26th

I've always loved this verse because it reminds me that our lives have seasons, too.  Sometimes it seems like everything is fresh, new, and blooming---like spring.  Other times it may seem like our days are like a bitter cold that never seems to end.  Whatever season you're passing through right now, it's important to remember that there is a purpose.

God is using the 'season' you're in for a very determined plan in your life.   So many times, we rush through the dry spells or the seasons of flooding because those aren't pleasant times.  But, unless we learn to find the blessing in the season, we are likely to see it again and again until we do.  

This is a precious passage of Scripture, and I'd encourage you to read it in its entirety.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 

… Ecclesiastes 3:1-9

Scripture Reading for the Day:
Mark 13
Proverbs 26

Friday, April 25th

What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.  Mark 12:9

In Mark 12, we are given the example of a man who planted a vineyard.  He hired "husbandmen" to tend his vineyard.  He paid them a salary; they worked for the lord of the vineyard and answered to him for the work that they did or did not do.  One day he sent a servant so that he could receive of the fruit of his own vineyard.  Instead of receiving the profit of his own vineyard, his servants were abused and mistreated.  That is where our verse for today comes in.  What do you think happened to the servants who didn't do what they were hired to do?  Quite simply: the lord of the vineyard used other workers to do the job.  

What job are you supposed to be doing that you are in danger of losing?  Remember, Jesus is the Lord of the vineyard, and if you have trusted Christ as your Savior, He has every right to plan your life and use you for His glory.  If you are behaving as these husbandmen did, do not be surprised when the Lord chooses to use someone else because of your refusal to tend His vineyard with care.

Scripture Reading for the Day:
Mark 12
Proverbs 25

Thursday, April 24th

"If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works…"  Proverbs 24:11-12

The Lord knows our hearts, dear girls.  He knows what motivates us and what we struggle with most.  And, He absolutely knows what we try so hard to keep hidden from everyone else.  Mean-spiritedness, uncharitable attitudes, and plain out selfish desires drive us often.  Yet, He loves us.  But, today's verse makes it very clear that The Lord Jesus is the Keeper of our souls and He ponders our hearts; He will reward us for how we serve Him, girls...whether good or bad.  

I hope that when He looks upon my heart today and considers the reasons why I am doing what I'm doing that He is blessed.

Scripture Reading for the Day:
Mark 11
Proverbs 24

Wednesday, April 23rd

" … Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. …"  Mark 10:24-25

None of us would admit that we 'trust' in our riches, especially to get us to heaven.   That seems foolish to even consider, and yet some people do believe their money can secure them everlasting life in heaven.  Money has never been a prerequisite for salvation, and it has absolutely nothing to do with whether a person knows Jesus as Savior.  

Scripture says that it is difficult for a rich man to go to heaven.  Why is that?  Because sometimes money changes people.  And, when you are so given to worrying about riches, it is difficult to let go of the "security" that you can see in order to trust in One Whom you cannot see.

I'd rather have the peace of God than all the money in the world.

Scripture Reading for the Day:
Mark 10
Proverbs 23

Tuesday, April 22nd

I read a devotion by Nancy Leigh DeMoss this week, and the thought for today's devotion is based on that article.  Mrs. DeMoss asks a question, "How can I attract a guy without flirting?"  From Scripture we understand that a flirtatious attitude is not pleasing to the Lord.  It is unfair to young men who are easily deceived, and it is unfair to yourself.  "Teasing" can take on many forms---tossing your hair a certain way, batting your eyelashes, playing dumb.  All of these can be considered flirting.  But, if a girl shouldn't flirt, how does she go about attracting the right kind of attention?

Any young man who is worthy of your affection would not seriously want a girl to fall all over herself to get to him.  I've never met a young man who wanted to be in a relationship with a girl who chased him.  Oh, sure, every young man enjoys that kind of attention and will use it to his advantage, but when he begins to consider a serious relationship, it's not going to be with the girl who puts herself out there on display for every guy willing to flirt back.

So, how do you attract the right kind of attention?

1.)  Know how to talk.  Speak intelligently.  Don't ever play 'dumb'.
2.)  Don't be sarcastic.
3.) Don't brag on yourself or your abilities.
4.) Don't be a snob.
5.) Don't be a pharisee.
6.) Don't be afraid to be friendly, but don't cross the line into flirtatious.

Scripture Reading for the Day:
Mark 9
Proverbs 22

Monday, April 21st

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 
Mark 8:32

Beginning in verse 31, the Lord Jesus had begun explaining the events that would take place leading to His eventual death by crucifixion.  Peter, being a "fixer" and a definite 'man's man' immediately jumped into defensive mode.  Peter loved the Lord, of this there can be no doubt.  As was his personality, Peter was passionate about His Savior.  And, when faced with what the Lord said would soon come to pass, Peter reverted to what he knew best---reacting with a fleshly response.  I believe Peter meant what he was saying.  In his mind, I think Peter felt like he was ready to die for Jesus.  He wasn't though.  Imagine, the creation correcting the Creator!  

We do the same thing, don't we, girls?  How?  By having to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into doing what we know in our hearts to be the leading of the Lord.  Sometimes it's because God's leading is contrary to what we want; sometimes it's just because we are afraid.  Who can say why Peter reacted the way he did except that he did so honestly believing he'd fight to the death for Jesus.  

Our flesh is just as weak (if not much weaker!) as Peter's.  May we truly be given to allowing Jesus to rule our thoughts and our words.


Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 21

Mark 8