God's Devotional Book For Teens - Honor Books - 2005 - Colorado Springs, CO - Honor Books - 9781562925161 - Anna's Archive

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Presented ‘To:
Presented By:
Date:
God’s
Devotional
Book
FOR TEENS
HONOR|#}BOOKS
Inspiration and Motivation for the Seasons of Life
COOK COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRIES
Colorado Springs, Colorado ¢ Paris, Ontario
KINGSWAY COMMUNICATIONS LTD
Eastbourne, England
Honor® is an imprint of Cook Communications Ministries
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918
Cook Communications, Paris, Ontario
Kingsway Communications, Eastbourne, England
GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS

© 2005 by Honor Books
All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. Contents and/or

cover may not be reproduced ‘in whole or in part in any form without the
express written consent of the Publisher.
. ‘ .
First printing, 2005

Printed in Canada
Printing/Year
65432 / 05060708
Original Manuscript prepared by W.B. Freeman Concepts

Compilation and Composition of new elements by Linda Holland in
association with Snapdragon Editorial Group, Inc.
Interior designed by Jackson Design Co.
Developed by Bordon Books
6532 18s /Alstistreet, stem LOp
Tulsa, OK 74133
ISBN 1-56292-516-4
Introduction
You're not yet an adult, but you're not really a kid anymore, either. You may be
twelve or thirteen and just beginning the teen years—fifteen or sixteen and about
to get your driver's license; or seventeen or eighteen and about to graduate from
high school. These are the years someone once called the “tween” years.
In today’s high-pressure, fast-paced world, it’s not easy being a teenager. You're
faced with difficult situations every day. Friends and peers may pressure you to do
things you don’t want to do. They may pressure you to do things you think you
might want to do but know you shouldn't. What you need is the strength, resolve,
and encouragement to pass up those temporarily enticing and exciting things in
order to work toward God’s destiny for your life.
God does have a plan for your life. His plan is a good one. He has a plan for you
to prosper. His plan will give you hope and a bright future. (See Jeremiah 29:11.)
God’ Devotional Book for Teens was designed to encourage and inspire you to dis-
cover, desire, and implement God’s divine plan for your life. The powerful quotes
and Scriptures will give you something on which to meditate, and the devotional
stories will help you to apply their principles. Is life challenging? Sure . . . but with
God’s help and guidance, your future is great!
6 GOD'S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS
SLICK LOAF
In March of 1987, Eamon slightly. What he hadn't noticed,

Coughlan was running in a however, was that a runner was
qualifying heat at the World charging hard on the outside.
Indoor Track Championships This runner passed Couglan
in Indianapolis. The _ CONSIDER just a yard before
Irishman was the pais! the finish line, thus
reigning world record- jy USEFULNESS ¢liminating him from
holder at fifteen CONSISTS INTHE _ the finals.
hundred meters, and ABILITY TO STICK TO Coughlan’s great
he was favored to ONE THING TILL IT comeback effort ended
GETS THERE.
win the race handily. up being worthless for
JOSH BILLINGS
Unfortunately, with two- one and only one reason:
and-a-half laps left to run, he he momentarily took his eyes
was tripped and fell hard. Even off the finish line and focused on
so, he got up and with great ef- the would-be competitors instead.
fort, he managed to catch the race One of the most important
leaders. With only twenty yards factors in reaching your goals in
to go, he was in third place, life is to have single-minded
which would have been good focus. Don’t let yourself become
enough to qualify for the distracted by what others do or
final race. say. Run your race to win!
Then Couglan looked over
his shoulder to the inside. Seeing
no one there, he relaxed his effort
[|HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

| HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, 1 HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.
2 TIMOTHY 4:7 NIV
—
, hen a iat is gloomy,

EVERYTHING
scems to go wrong;
when he is cheerful, .
everything seems [] cht |
PROVERBS 15:15 TLB
The cheerful man will do more
in the same time, will do it
better, will preserve it longer,
lived!” He swung the bat hard
than the sad or sullen.
but missed the ball for the third
Thomas Carlyle
time. “Strike three!” he cried.
Then he added, “Wow! What a
A CHEERFUL pitcher! I’m the greatest pitcher
ATTITUDE MAKES in all the world!”
EVERYTHING A positive mental attitude
BETTER goes a long way toward making
a difficult job seem small.
A LITTLE BOY WAS ONCE
overheard talking to himself as he
strutted out of his house into the
backyard, carrying a baseball and
bat. Once in the yard, he tipped
his baseball cap to his eager
puppy; and picking up the bat
“On the first morning Our
and ball, he announced with a - from Bombay, my cabin-mate
loud voice, “I’m the greatest hitter and | woke up early and began
in the world!” to chat cheerfully to each
other,” Colonel H.A. Irvine re-
He then proceeded to toss the called years later. “From the op-
ball into the air, swing at it, and posite cabin came a peevish cry
miss. “Strike one!” he cried, as if of ‘Stop that noise!’ We natural-—
ly decided to investigate.
playing the role of umpire.
“Scowling at us from a lower
He picked up the ball, threw bunk was a very youthful person — a
it into the air, and said again, “I’m clad in a beautiful pair of pink
the greatest baseball hitter ever!” pajamas. Smart and | said noth-
ing; but we each took hold of a
Again he swung at the ball and foot. Whilst he voyaged up and
missed. “Strike two!” he an- down the cook’s galley on his —
nounced to his dog and the yard. back, we realized that our vic- _
tim, though his language would
Undaunted, he picked up the have done no credit to a pres-
ball, examined his bat, and then ent-day BBC announcer, was a
just before tossing the ball into born orator.
"And he was; for his name
the air, announced once again, was Winston Churchill.”
“Tm the greatest hitter who ever
10 GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS
WALK JUSTLY
AND LOVE MERCY
ee me ALL VIRTUE ee a
}
IS SUMMED UP
TO CRACK THE IN DEALING ordered the univer-
lily-white system of JUSTLY sity to admit the
higher education in j two, who were
Georgia win B the ARIS eee qualified in every
1960s, black lead- respect; and thus,
ers decided they segregation ended
needed to find only two squeaky- at the university level in that state
clean students who couldn't be and soon the nation.
challenged on moral, intellectual, Attorney General Robert
or educational grounds. In a dis- Kennedy declared in a speech not
cussion about who might be cho- long after: “We know that it is the
sen, Alfred Holmes immediately law which enables men to live to-
volunteered his son, Hamilton, gether, that creates order out of
the top black male senior in the chaos. . . . And we know that if
city. Charlayne Hunter-Gault
one man’s rights are denied, the
also stepped forward and ex-
rights of all are endangered.”
pressed an interest in applying to
the university. Georgia delayed Justice may be asin au
admitting both boys’ on grounds it always begins at the indivi
it had no room in its dormitories, level. Is there someone
and the matter eventually ended might treat more ge today?
up in federal court. Judge Bootle
What does the LORD require of you

but to do justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God?
MICAH 6:8 NKJV
for Living Justly
How Do You Spell Servant?
Submit yourself to God and to others.

Elevate the importance of others.
Remember to maintain the heart of a servant.
Value all people equally.
Assume a humble position.
Never forget that Christ came to serve.
‘Theat others as you would want to be treated.
GOD'S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS 13
DOWN TO EARTH
|Bae often with his surgical

think of heart scrubs, and he
surgeons as bein often repairs hearts
the arrogant prima IT NEEDS MORE to the beat of
donnas of the med- SKILL THAN | Vivaldi or jazz. “He
ical world. Those CAN TELL has always got a
who know Dr. TO PLAY THE smile lurking,” says
William DeVries, SECOND FIDDLE Louisville cardiolo-
the surgeon who WELL gist Dr. Robert
pioneered the arti- : Goodin, “and he’s
|
ficial heart, couldn't always looking for a
disagree more. Co- way to let it out.”
workers at Humana No matter how
Hospital Audubon in Louisville, high you rise, never forget that
Kentucky, describe DeVries as the you started out at ground zero.
kind of doctor who shows up on Even if you were born to great
Sundays just to cheer up discour- wealth and privilege, you still
aged patients. He occasionally were born as a helpless babe. Real
changes dressings, traditionally
considered a nurse’s job; and if a
patient wants him to stick around
and talk, he always does.
Friends say DeVries is an old
shoe who fits in wherever he goes.
He likes to wear cowboy boots
Do you Want to stand out?

‘Then step down. Beaservant.
MATTHEW 23:11 MSG
USE YOUR TALENTS

TO GLORIFY GOD
The German sculptor, Dannaker, worked for two
years on a statue of Christ until it looked perfect to
him. He called a little girl into his studio, and point-
ingto the statue, he asked her, “Who is that?” The
little girl promptly replied, “A great man.”
Dannaker was disheartened. He took his chisel and
began anew. For six long years, he toiled.
Again, he invited a little girl into his work-
| Only shop, stood her before the figure, and said,
passions, “Who is that?” She looked up at it for a mo-
great passions, ment, and then tears welled up in her eyes as
can elevate
she folded her hands across her chest and
the soul to
said, “Suffer the little children to come unto
great things.
me” (Mark 10:14). This time Dannaker
DENIS DIDEROT
knew he had succeeded.
The sculptor later confessed that during
“those six years, Christ had revealed himself to him in
a vision, and he had only transferred to the marble
what he had seen with his inner eyes.
Later, when Napoleon Bonaparte asked him
to make a statue of Venus for the Louvre, Dannaker
refused. “A man,” he said, “who has seen Christ can
never employ his gifts in carving a pagan goddess.
My art is henceforth a consecrated thing.”
The true value of a work comes not from effort,
nor its completion, but from Christ who inspires it.
[Be}-fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.

ROMANS 12:11 NKJV
rm JUST 00 TT
Wisdom tells us that God plants a seed of passion inside each

of us in order to fulfill our destiny on Earth. To) discover your >
passion, answer the following | questions: _ : ete
¢ What is your yearning? It’s a feeling that pulls and attracts

~~ you-like a magnet-toward a preferred. activity...
¢ What deeply satisfies you? This will be something you get a
kick out of doing.
_ ¢ What is easy for you to learn? You get it. It makes sense to... Q
you. You learn it eagerly and easily.
e You feel moments when you are in the “zone.” At times it
feels natural to you. You can imagine yourself doing this
activity and doing it well. You sense a flow.
GOD'S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS — 17
LEAVE A LASTING MARK
The greatest use of life is to spend it for

something that will outlast it.
William James
Although we do not have the origi- whole body labors.”

nal manuscripts of the New “Writing bows one’s back,
Testament, we do have more than thrusts the ribs into one’s stomach,
99.9 percent of the original text be- and fosters a general debility.”
cause of the faithful work of manu- “As travelers rejoice to see their
script copyists over the centuries. home country, so also is the end of a
Copying was a long, arduous book to those who toil.”
process. In ancient days, copyists did Even so, without the work of
not sit at desks while writing, but faithful copyists, we would not have
rather stood or made copies while the Christian Scriptures today. As
sitting on benches or stools, holding one scribe aptly noted: “There is no
a scroll on their knees. Notes at the scribe who will not pass away, but
end of some scrolls tell of the drudg- what his hands have written will re-
ery of the work: main forever.”
“He who does not know how to If you truly want your work to
write supposes it to be no labor; but last, do work that touches the eternal
though only three fingers write, the truth and nature of God.
Jesus said, “Store up for

yourselves treasures in heaven,
where moth and rust do not
destroy, and where thieves do
not break in and steal.”
MATTHEW 6:20 NIV
ONLY SPEAK WELL

OF OTHERS
After several months of romance, Emperor, this same notary ap-

Napoleon and Josephine decided peared before him on a matter of
to marry. The notary who made business. At the conclusion of their
out the marriage contract was appointment, Napoleon smiled
one of Josephine’s friends. and observed that Madame
He secretly advised her de Beauharnais—now
A MAN NEVER
against marrying “an that she was queen of
DISCLOSES HIS
obscure little officer Qyyp_ CHARACTER SO France—had done very
who has nothing be- CLEARLY AS WHEN well, after all, to have
sides his uniform and WE DESCRIBES AN- married that “obscure
sword and has no fu- OTHER'S. little officer who pos-
ture.” He thought she JEAN PAUL RICHTER sessed nothing besides his
should find someone of uniform and sword and had
greater worth. With her charms, no future.”
he advised, she might attract a The notary was forced to agree
wealthy man, perhaps an army that Madame, indeed, had done
contractor or a business investor. well. As for himself, he was still a
Napoleon was in the next notary!
room while the notary was giving Be careful before you pass
this advice to his beloved. He judgment on another. You're re-
could hear every word that was vealing something about yourself,
said. Still, he did not disclose he and your words may come back to
had overheard. Years later, bite you.
however, he had his revenge.
Atter* his coronation as
THE GOOD MAN BRINGS GOOD THINGS OUT OF THE GOOD

STORED UP IN HIM AND THE EVIL MAN BRINGS EVIL THINGS
OUT OFTHE EVIL STORED UP IN HIM.
MATTHEW 12:35 NIV
‘al
U ‘ }
\ i i = |
5 <i | : :
‘ } { |
: ‘ a!
.
A. | play sports on a regular basis.
B. | exercise at least three times a week.
C. | limit my intake of junk food.
D. | push myself to excel beyond my previous successes.
E. | challenge myself to attempt activities I’ve never tried
before.
F. | attempt tasks that seem too difficult.
G. | believe | can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.
H. | force myself to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
I. |keep my commitments.
J. |get to school on time.
K. | obey my parents, even when | don’t agree with them.
SELF-DISCIPLINE
CAN HELP YOU OVERCOME
proven to cause severe birth de-
WHAT WE DO ON fects. David’s feet appeared where
SOME GREAT OCCASION his legs should have started.
WILL PROBABLY DEPEND Abandoned by his mother, David
ON WHAT WE ALREADY was adopted by a foster family.
ARE; AND WHAT WE ARE Bee and Bill Stevens imposed
WILL BE THE RESULT OF strict rules of behavior on David,
PRECIOUS YEARS OF nurtured him, and loved him.
SELF-DISCIPLINE. They insisted he learn to do
things for himself, and they never
H. P. LIDDON
put him in a wheelchair. At age
three, he was fitted with “legs.”
uring a homecoming foot- In school, David became a
ball game against rival student leader, made good grades,
Concordia, Augsburg College organized special events, and be-
found itself losing miserably. Late friended new students. In high
in the fourth quarter, however, school, he played not only foot-
noseguard David Stevens came off ball but baseball, basketball, and
the bench and sparked a fire. He hockey. He became a champion
initiated or assisted in two tackles, wrestler. When offered handicap
and when a Concordia player license plates, he refused them,
fumbled the ball, David fell on it. stating simply, “Those are for peo-
As he held the recovered ball high, ple who need them. I am not ‘dis-
the crowd roared. It was an unfor- abled.”
gettable moment for Augsburg David was taught to discipline
fans! himself, and so he was able to per-
David Lee Stevens was born form, in spite of his apparent
to a woman who had taken handicap. Whatever obstacle may
thalidomide, an anti-nausea drug be in your way, self-discipline can
given to many pregnant women in help you either rise above, it or
the early sixties that was quickly plow right through it.
I keep working over my body.

I make it obey me.
1 CORINTHIANS 9:27 NLV
22. GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS
LET YOUR ACTIONS REFLECT

YOUR BELIEFS
DURING THE KOREAN WAR, ever, the Christian whose son
a South Korean civilian was ar- had been killed pleaded for the
rested by the communists and life of the killer. He argued that
sentenced to execution. When the communist had been young
the young com- when he ordered
munist leader the execution and
learned that the that he really did-
prisoner in his nt know what he
charge was the do speaks so was doing. “Give
head of an or- loud that | ~ him to me,” the
phanage caring cannot hear man requested,
for young chil- what you Say.
“and I will train
Ralph Waldo Emerson y j
dren, he decided him.
»
to spare him, but The United

ordered that the man’s son be ex- Nations forces granted the un-
ecuted in his place. The nine- usual request, and the father
teen-year-old boy was shot in the took the murderer of his son into
presence of his father. his own home and cared for him.
After the war, the United The young communist eventual-
Nations captured the young ly became a Christian pastor.
communist leader. He was tried Por good or for bad, what we
for his war crimes and con- do speaks loudly. How vital it is
demned to death. Before the sen- that we do what we say!
tence could be carried out, how-
Show me your faith without deeds,

and I will show you my faith
by what I do.
JAMES 2:18 NIV
Love is an interesting word. Consider this. The Greeks have four words
for love: Eros (romantic love), Stergo (affection between parents and chil-
dren and other things, like masters for their dogs), Phila (friendship), and
Agape (divine, unconditional love). In the Hebrew language, there are
three words for love: Ahab (spontaneous, impulsive love), Hesed (deliber-
ate affection and kindness), Raham (compassion and brotherly love).
Fortunately for you, English has only one word, which is expressed in
many different ways. It is a word that holds an infinite amount of emo-
tion. Use it wisely. And it might be interesting to introduce some of these
Greek and Hebrew words to your friends.
t... goa'i—sattia =
¢ Setting Godly Goals

by Dr. Charles Stanley
¢ Balancing Your Life: Setting Personal Goals
by Paul Stevens
¢ Setting Goals that Count: A Christian
Perspective
by Joseph D. Allison
¢ Checklist for Life for Teens
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
CONTINUE SETTING GOALS

After falling twice in the 1988 one thousand. Put the five hun-
Qlympic speed-skating races, dred behind you immediately.
Dan Jansen sought out sports Stop reliving it.” The one thou-
-psychologist Dr. Jim sand! For years Dan had
= Lochs, who helped felt he could not win at
him find a new bal- that distance. He
ance between sport you try to do had always consid-
and life, and who : something be- ered it his weaker
~ helped him pay : yond what you event. Now it was
: have already mas- : his last chance for
more attention to
* tered, you will
the mental aspects never grow. . an Olympic medal.
of skating. Peter “se, Ronald ce Osborn." “As the race began,”
Mueller became his 9 ““*trreeeeet?” Jansen .said,« 1 sjuse
coach, putting him seemed to be sailing
through workouts that Dan has along,” and then he slipped and
since described as the “toughest came within an inch of stepping
I’ve ever known.” By the time on a lane marker. Still, he didn’t
the 1994 Olympics arrived, panic. He raced on and recorded
Jansen had more confidence a world-record time that won
than ever. He had set a five-hun- him the gold medal!
dred-meter world record just two Once you reach a goal or
months before. That race seemed master a skill, set your sights high-
to be all his! er. As you approach each goal, set
During the five-hundred- a new one. Dont be intimidated!
meter race, Jansen fell. He was Your toughest goal can become
shaken. Dr. Loehr immediately your greatest triumph.
advised, “Start preparing for the
Straining forward to what lies ahead, J press

on toward the goal for the prize of the UP-
ward call of God in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 RSV
ee
Pe
hey
fa
i
re
:
Think about this way of spelling “A Pure Mind.”

Acknowledge your vulnerability to God.
P.tay for God's help.
Undo old thought processes.
Restrict what you view.
Eclipse bad thoughts with good thoughts.
Make yourself accountable to a Christian friend.
Imagine yourself resisting temptation.
Never despair when you fail. Keep trying.
Don’t entertain impure thoughts that pop into
your mind.
KEEP YOUR MIND PURE

ccording to an deeply, but try as he
Id legend, two A would, he couldn't
monks named WELL-TRAINED get Ekido to talk
Tanzan and Ekido MEMORY tone ine Sben
were traveling to- IS ONE THAT that night after they
gether down a PERMITS YOU TO reached their in-
muddy road one FORGET tended _ lodging,
day. Heavy mon- EVERYTHING Ekido could no
soon rains had satu- | THAT ISN’T WORTH ff longer restrain his
rated the area, and REMEMBERING. anger and disap-
they were grateful ORLANDOA. BATTISTA pointment. “We
for a few moments monks don’t go near
of sunshine to make females,” he said to
their journey. Before long, they Tanzan in an accusing voice. “We
came around a bend and especially don’t go near young and
encountered a lovely girl in a silk lovely maidens. It is dangerous.
kimono. She looked extremely for- Why did you do that?”
lorn as she stared at the muddy elelerpethe cit! backetnere,
road before her. Ekido,” replied Tanzan. Then he
At once, Tanzan responded to asked the key question, “Are you
her plight. “Come here, girl,” he still carrying her?”
said. Then lifting her in his arms, Train your mind to think on
he carried her over the slippery pure things. Make a conscious de-
ooze and set her down on the other cision to stop any thought that
side of the road. doesn't line up with the teachings
Ekido didnt speak again to of the Bible. Take those thoughts
Tanzan. It was apparent to Tanzan captive! (See 2 Corinthians 10:5.)
that something was bothering him
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just... if there is any
excellence, if there is anything worthy of
praise, think about these things.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8 RSV
DO YOUR PART
TO OVERCOME
a
eA NO PLAN IS )
mer WORTH THE aan
NELSON DIEBEL, PAPER IT IS ably would never re-
a hyperactive and PRINTED ON gain his winning
delinquent child, was UNLESS IT form. Martin said to
enrolled in The him, “Youre coming
Peddie School where STARTS YOU
DOING all the way back... .
he met swimming SOMETHING. If you're not commit-
coach, Chris Martin, ted to that, were
who believed the WILLIAM H. DANFORTH going to stop right
more one practices, now.” Nelson agreed,
the better one performs. Within a and within weeks after his casts
month, he had Nelson swimming were off, he was swimming again.
thirty to forty hours a week, even In 1992, Nelson Diebel won
though Nelson could not sit still in an Olympic gold medal. As he ac-
a classroom for fifteen minutes. cepted his medal, he recalls think-
Martin saw potential in Nelson. ing: I planned and dreamed and
He constantly put new goals in worked so hard, and I did it! The
front of the boy, trying to get him kid who once couldn’t sit still and
to focus and turn his anger into who had no ambition had learned
strength. Nelson eventually quali- to make a plan, pursue it, and
fied for the Junior Nationals, and achieve it. He had become a win-
his fast times qualified him for ner in far more than swimming!
Olympic Trials. Let your plans motivate you to
Then Nelson broke both start working toward your goals.
hands and arms in a diving acci- Dream big dreams!
dent, and doctors warned he prob-
Be doers of the word, and not hearers

only, deceiving yourselves.
JAMES 1:22 NKJV
| Li PS for Creating a Plan to
- Achieve Your Goals
1. BRING GOD INTO YOUR PLANS. ASK FOR HIS

HELP EACH DAY.
—2. WRITE DOWN YOUR SPECIFIC GOALS.
. LIST IN DETAIL THE STEPS NECESSARY
TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE GOALS.
4. SCHEDULE THOSE STEPS INTO YOUR LIFE.
5. REVIEW YOUR PROGRESS EACH WEEK.

6. ASK FOR ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS ula 3310)=)
IN THE AREA IN WHICH YOU HOPE TO SUCCEED.
7. SEEK A MENTOR.
8. READ BOOKS THAT WILL EDUCATE YOU ABOUT
HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS.
9. OFFER TO DO AN INTERNSHIP.
10. RECORD YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
AND FAILURES. BOTH LEAD TO SUCCESS. -
Coe
she memory of the

RIGHTEOUS j
willbee blessing. PROVERBS 10:7 NIV
“Aan
(trary
fay
a
WG
§
uaa
Aes
Ng acta
When you were born, you cried
and the world rejoiced. Live
good cheer,
your life in such a manner that To bring back a smile, to
when you die the world cries banish a tear?
and you rejoice. Not—What was his shrine?
Nor—What was his creed?
WHAT MEMORIES But—Had he befriended those
really in need?
ARE YOU LEAVING? Not—What did the sketch in
the newspaper say?
A PAINTING IN AN ANCIENT
But—How many were sorry
temple depicts a king forging a
when he passed away?
chain from his crown, and nearby,
another scene shows a slave con-
verting his chain into a crown.
Underneath the painting is this in-
scription: “Life is what one makes
it, no matter of what it is made.”
You may have been born with See Ea oe 4
certain ingredients, just as a baker 7 ce search the Web usit g the word
may find the staples of flour, aloe 7 ” you will find an article published in
the Salisbury Post, written by Jillian —
sugar, and oil in his kitchen; but _ McCartney. The article is a tribute to the life
what you create from the talents _ of Jonathan Gross, who fought a rare form —
of bone cancer for two years and subse-
and abilities God has given you is quently died at 22 years old. It seems that
up to you! Live your life so that it Jonathan left quite an impression on those
around him.
might be measured according to “Jonathan never joined the military, but
these words of an anonymous he was in God's army, and he was a good
soldier. . . He fought a good fight, and he
poet: did us proud,” said his father.
Not—How did he die? Others had these words to say about
Jonathan:
But—How did he live? “His faith was unshakable. 2
Not—What did he gain? “ll always remember Jonathan as a guy
But—What did he give? who just gave.”
“The key for him was that he always
These are the units to measure knew where he was going.”
the worth “THe} put others before himself.”
Of a man as a man, “\When you get to know him, it’s like he's
regardless of birth. been a friend forever.”
“He was faithful in the darkest hours...al-
Not—What was his station? ways looking to the future. It was 22 quality
But—had he a heart? years.”
In an email shortly before his death,
And—How did he play his God- Jonathan wrote: “I know that the power of
given part? prayer and the healing hand of God have
Was he ever ready with a word of gotten me through this.”
32. GOD'S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS
LET YOUR WORK REFLECT

WHO YOU ARE
A young man once made an ap- “Well, I’m in school right now, so
pointment with a well-published I’m not writing anything at pres-
author. The first question the au-_ ent. »
thor asked him was, “Why did The author then asked a
you want to see me?” fourth question, “So why
The young man EVERY do you call yourself a
stammered,“Well, 'm MAN'S WORK, writer?”
a writer too. I was WHETHER IT BE Writers write.
hoping you could LITERATURE, OR Composers com-
share with me some MUSIC, OR PICTURES, pose. Painters paint.
of your secrets for OR ARCHITECTURE, Workmen work.
successful writing.” OR ANYTHING ELSE, What
you do to a
The author asked IS ALWAYS A
great extent defines
a second question, PORTRAIT OF
who you are and what
« What have you HIMSELF.
‘ writ- you become. What
SAMUEL BUTLER
ten? does your work say about
“Nothing,” the young you? When your work on the
man replied, “at least nothing outside coincides with who you
that is finished yet.” are on the inside, you have found
The author asked a third your true purpose in life and will
question, “Well, if you haven't find ultimate fulfillment.
written, then tell me, what are
you writing?”
The young man _ replied,
AS IN WATER FACE REFLECTS FACE

SO THE HEART OF MAN REFLECTS MEN.
PROVERBS 27:19 NASB
ye
a
IND
DON’T LET EXCUSES

SLOW YOU DOWN
SADIE DELANEY’S FATHER in forming and baking the cook-
taught her always to strive to do ies. Then it was Sadie’s turn. She
better than her competition. She said to the girls, “Listen, we have
proved the value of to work together as a
that lesson shortly team.” They quickly
before she received baked the remaining
her teaching li- dough. Several girls
cense. A supervisor were lined up to
came to watch her scrub pans as soon as
and two other stu- Notes (allegedly from par- the cookies came out
dent teachers. ents) collected by schools
from all over the country: of the oven. Within
Their assignment e Please excuse Lisa for ten minutes, they
was to teach a class being absent. She was had several dozen
sick, and | had her shot.
to bake cookies. perfect cookies and a
e Dear School: Please
Since the supervi- ekscuse John being ab- clean kitchen.
sor didn’t have sent on Sept. 28, 29, 30,
The supervisor
31, 32, and also 33.
time for each was so impressed,
¢ Carlos was absent yes-
teacher to go terday because he was she offered Sadie a
through the entire playing football. He was
alUlgam lam dal-melconnvilale ml
cf-lae substitute teacher’s
lesson, she divided license on the spot.
e Please excuse Ray
the lesson, and Friday from school. He has Sadie soon became
Sadie was assigned very loose vowels.
the first black person
to teach the girls ever to teach domes-
how to serve and tic science.in New
clean up. York City’spubligshigh
The first student schools. "a7 g <
teacher panicked and forgot to Even when you, have “every
halve the recipe and preheat the right to blame others who have /
oven. The second girl was so be- gone before you, don’t make®x-
hind because of the first girl’s er- cuses. Do what it takes to get the
rors that the students made a mess job done! ee
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but

vest of righteousness and peace for those who
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GOD'S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS = 37
BE WISE WITH YOUR SEED
One of life’s great rules is this:

The more you give,
the more you get.
William H. Danforth
Three young men were each given his three stalks of corn produced, he
_ three kernels of corn by a wise old stripped one of the ears and replant-
sage, who admonished them to go ed all of the seeds in it, gave the sec-
out into the world and use the corn ond ear of corn to a sweet maiden,
to bring themselves good fortune. and ate the third. His one full ear’s
The first young man put his worth of replanted corn kernels gave
three kernels of corn into a bowl of him two hundred stalks of corn! The
hot broth and ate them. The second kernels of these he continued to re-
thought, / can do better than that, and plant, setting aside only a bare mini-
he planted his three kernels of corn. mum to eat. He eventually planted a
Within a few months, he had three hundred acres of corn. With his for-
stalks of corn. He took the ears of tune, he not only won the hand of
corn from the stalks, boiled them, the sweet maiden but also purchased
and had enough corn for three meals. the land owned by the sweet maidens
The third man said to himself, 7 father. He never hungered again.
can do better than that! He also plant- If you want to receive in life, you
ed his three kernels of corn; but when must first learn to give.
A liberal man will be

enriched, and one who waters
will himself be watered.
PROVERBS 11:25 RSV
CONSIDER ADVICE
After arguing heatedly for several hours about which type of

water main to purchase for their city, the town council of Pacific
Vista was still deadlocked. One member suggested, “Let’s ap-
point a committee to confer with the city engineer at Los
Angeles to find out which type they have found to be most suc-
cessful over the years. If we can profit by an-
Pride only | other city’s mistakes, I think we should do so.”
breeds quar- Leaping to his feet, an angry council-
rels, but wis- man—obvio usly full of civic pride but with
dom is found little discretion —replied, pounding his fist on
in those who the table, “Why should we have to profit by
take advice. the mistakes of Los Angeles? Gentlemen, I
= PROVERBS 13:10 NIV contend that Pacific Vista is a big enough
town now to make its own mistakes!”
Most of us ar e surrounded by good advice at any given time.
The books in our libraries are full of it. Pastors proclaim it week-
ly. People with highly varied experiences and backgrounds
abound with it. Schools give access to it; labs report it.
Commentators and columnists gush with it. All the good advice
in the world is worth very little if it is ignored. Be one of the wise—
value and apply the advice you receive.
The way of a fool seems right to him,

but’a wise man listens to advice.
PROVERBS 12:15 NIV
Try these ideas for collecting and using words of wisdom and
sound advice:
1. Carry a small spiral notebook or index cards in your pocket

or backpack to write down words of wisdom.
2. Pay close attention to advice given by older, trusted people
in your circle.
3. Interview your grandparents. You won't believe the words
of wisdom and sound advice you will receive.
4, E-mail your pastor and ask him to share with you a few
words from the Lord.
5. Make a list of five ways you can apply to everyday life the
advice you've collected.
ve
bcd
THIS!
are just
fevers:
aea few
ear
of the promises
ees God has made to be-
A crown of life ....... Revelation 2:10
A heavenly home ..... John 14:1-3
oA new nate. |. 7.2.7 , Isaiah 62:1-2
Answers to prayer .....1 John 5:14
OASSUTanCe a | ....2 Timothy 1:12
Cleansing i... 0 John 15:3-
Clothingrs 5 ois Zechariah 3:4
_Comiort J) Isaiah 51:3
Companionship. Pea John 15:15 -
F ellowship of Jesus :Matthew 18:19
God's protecting care ..1 Peter 5:6-7
Corwen Paes .Ephesians 4:11- 15,
Guidance ...... sna Isaiah 42:16
Hope: Gate 00 ebrewstn 18-19
_ Anhenitancé: 0) jag Peter 1:3-4
JON Sel eG Isaiah 35:10
~ Knowledge 2, .. Jeremiah 24:7
Liberty v6.01, Romans Be
TIL
ao
nP
FR
I
ORS
Peamee. Fa wen + eon ba 7
. Renewal SRS Sn oe Eas 35:
Riesn |. ay oe ite OED news a91
Spiritual healing seu Hosea 6:1
Strength. Philippians 4:13
Temporal bees. gs .Matthew 6:25-33
- Understanding ee Psalm LL: 104.
W ee Og James 1: a
GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS 41
FAITH ON THE INSIDE

WORKS ON THE OUTSIDE
allace: E. THE SECRET not of giving. One
Johnson, OF SUCCESS day as my wife,
president of Holiday IS TO BE LIKE [| Alma, and | were
Inns and one of A DUCK- seeking God’s guid-
Americas most suc- | SMOOTH AND | ance for a personal
cessful builders, once UNRUFFLED problem, I came
said, “I always keep across the following
_ acard in my billfold Spee sae Gy | PBs which has
with the following since been a daily re-
verses and refer to FURIOUSLY minder to me of
them frequently: UNDERNEATH. J what my responsi-
‘Ask, and it shall be bility as a business-
given you; seek, and ye shall find; man is to God: ‘Study to shew
knock, and it shall be opened thyself approved unto God, a
unto you: for every one that as- workman that needeth not to be
keth receiveth; and he that ashamed, rightly dividing the
seeketh findeth; and to him that word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
knocketh it shall be opened’ “Since then I have measured
(Matthew 7:7-8). my actions against the phrase: A
“These verses are among workman that needeth not to be
God’s greatest promises. Yet they ashamed.”
are a little one-sided. They indi- Faith on the inside—works
cate a philosophy of receiving but on the outside—a successful life!
Haven’t | worked hard trying to do more

than any of the others? Even then,
my work didn’t amount to all that much.
It was God giving me the work to do,
God giving me the energy to do it.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:10 MSG
‘THERE IS POWER IN
OVERCOMING LUST
. = Pee THE WORLD ee
WANTS YOUR
IN THE GREAT BEST, Finally, the ghost
Divorce, C.S. Lewis BUT GOD gives permission for
tells the story of a WANTS YOUR the presence
ghost who carries a ALL to twist the
little red lizard on lizard away from
his shoulder. The him. The presence
lizard constantly breaks the lizard’s
twitches its tail and whispers to back as he flings it to the ground.
the ghost, who all the while urges In that moment, the ghost
it to be quiet. When a bright and becomes a flesh-and-blood man,
shining presence appears and and the lizard becomes a
offers to rid the ghost of his beautiful gold-and-silver stallion,
troublesome baggage, the ghost a creature of power and beauty.
refuses. He realizes that to quiet The man leaps onto the great
the beast, it is necessary to kill it. horse, and they ride into the
A series of rationalizations sunrise as one.
begins. The ghost reasons that Lewis concludes by saying,
perhaps the lizard need not die “What is a lizard compared with
but instead might be trained, a stallion? Lust is a poor, weak,
suppressed, put to sleep, or whimpering, whispering thing
gradually removed. The shining compared with that richness and
presence responds that the only energy of desire which
recourse is all or nothing. when lust has been kil
Jesus said to him, “You must love the

your God with all your heart, all your
soul, and all your mind.”
MATTHEW 22:37 NLT
for Improving Your
Lust—Busting Skills
reac mors about it. . .
Basho god
¢ Pleasing God
by R. C. Sproul
¢ The Practice of the Presence of God
by Brother Lawrence
¢ Pleasing God: 9 Studies for Individuals or
Groups
by Jack Kuhatschek
¢ Finding God
by Larry.Crabb
¢ Surrendering Your Life for God's Pleasure
by Brett Eastman
GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS = 45
YOU NEED ONLY

PLEASE ONE
A young man once studied At the close of the last num-
violin. under a world-renowned ber, the applause was thunderous
violinist and master teacher. and numerous “Bravos” were
‘He worked hard for sev- shouted, but the talent-
eral years at perfected young violinist
ing his talent, and had his eyes glued
the day finally know on one spot only.
' came when he ithe secret to success, * Finally, when an
was called upon : but the key to failure : elderly man in
to give his first : istotryto please : the first row of
major public re- everyone. a cie balcony
cital in the large Bill Cosby smiled and nod-
city where both he ded to him in ap-
and his teacher lived. proval, the young man
Following each selection, relaxed and beamed with
which he performed with great both relief and joy. His teacher
skill and passion, the performer had praised his work! The ap-
seemed uneasy about the great plause of thousands meant noth-
applause he received. Even ing until he had first won the ap-
though he knew that those in the proval of the master.
audience were musically astute Who are you trying to please
and not likely to give such ap- today? You will never be able to
plause to a less than superior per- please everyone, but you can
formance, the young man acted please the One who matters
almost as if he couldn't hear the most—your Father God.. Keep
appreciation that was being your eyes on Him, and you-cant fail.
showered upon him.
Am I now trying to WIN the ap-

proval of men, or of God?
GALATIANS 1:10 NIV
OY
| think it is okay under certain circumstances to:

A. Tell a lie.
B. Steal.
C. Swear.
D. Strike someone.
E. Gossip.
F, Have sex before marriage.
G. Cheat on a test.
H. Break a traffic law.
Now, read through the book of Proverbs and see what

God thinks about these specific issues.
LET YOUR DEEDS REFLECT

YOUR INTEGRITY
OUR DEEDS DE- only person who knew the answer.

He asked Rosalie, “Was the letter an
TERMINE US, aorane?”
AS MUCH AS WE Rosalie, surrounded by whis-
DETERMINE pering young spellers, knew by
OUR DEEDS. now the correct spelling of the
GEORGE ELLIOT word; but without hesitation, she
replied that she had misspelled
the word and had used an e.
Ee the fourth round of a national
As she walked from the stage,
spelling bee in Washington,
the entire autience—including
eleven-year-old Rosalie Elliot, a
dozens of newspaper reporters
champion from South Carolina, was
asked to spell the word avowal. Her
covering the event—stood and
soft Southern accent made it diffi- applauded her honesty and in-
cult for the judges to determine if tegrity. While Rosalie had not
she had used an “a” or an “e” as the won the contest, she had definite-
next-to-last letter of the word. They ly come out a winner that day.
deliberated for several minutes and We often think that who we
also listened to tape-recorded play- are determines what we do.
backs, but they still couldn't deter- Equally true, what you do today
mine which letter had been pro- will determine, in part, who you
nounced. Finally the chief judge, become tomorrow.
John Lloyd, put the question to the
Even a Child is known by his actions;

by whether his conduct is pure
and r ight.
PROVERBS 20:11 NIV
ONLY SPEAK GOOD WORDS
A man once sat down to have swered confidently.

dinner with his family. Before Then she asked, “Do you
they began to eat, the family think God heard everything that
members joined hands around was said during dinner?” The
the table, and the man said man answered, “Why, yes, I
a prayer, thanking God believe so. God hears
for the food, the hands ONCE A WORD everything.”
that had prepared it, HAS BEEN AL She thought for a
and for the source of LOWED TO ESCAPE, moment and_ then
IT CANNOT BE RE-
all life. During the asked, “Daddy, which
CALLED.
meal, however, he HORACE do you think God be-
complained at length lieved?”
about the staleness of the The Lord hears every-
bread, the bitterness of the coffee, thing we say during a day, not
and a bit of mold he found on only those words that are ad-
one edge of the brick of cheese. dressed specifically to Him. Once
His young daughter asked youve said something, you can’t
him, “Daddy, do you think God take it back. Would you mind if
heard you say grace before the God listened in on your conver-
meal?” sations? -
“Of course, honey,” he an-
DON’T USE FOUL OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.

LET EVERYTHING YOU SAY BE GOOD AND HELPFUL
SQ THAT YOUR WORDS WILL BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT
TO THOSE WHO HEAR THEM.
EPHESIANS 4:29 NLT
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n a race everyone runs but

only one person gets
FIRST PRIZE.
... Lo win the contest you
must deny yourselves many
things that would keep you from
doing your best.
1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-25 Tu
‘ cae we ed ee ‘J eye BN cee
‘WN wah vay Uy a
No horse gets anywhere until he
is harnessed. No life ever grows
did,” Oakley says. “He didn’t
great until it is focused, have a tractor, but he gor the
dedicated, disciplined. work done. No excuses.” Moss,
who died in 1990, developed all
Harry Emerson Fosdick
sorts of aches and pains in his
life, but he laughed at them and
went about his business. Oakley
NO EXCUSES saw a lesson in that—nothing
should prevent him from earn-
ing a day’s pay.
CHARLES OAKLEY, FORWARD Being focused, dedicated,
for the New York Knicks and an and disciplined will make the
NBA All-Star, has a reputation for difference between a mediocre
being one of basketball’s best re- life and a great life.
bounders. It’s his toughness, how-
ever, that has probably con-
tributed the most to his outstand-
ing sports career.
While other professional
Ly wt i i
players seem to have frequent in- ee co
juries or are sidelined for other
Hikari Oe was born in Japan in ~
reasons, Oakley has had very few 1963 with what appeared to be two
injuries over the course of his heads. Doctors encouraged his par-
thirteen-year career, even though ents to let the boy die and forget
he has absorbed a great deal of about him. They predicted he
physical punishment on_ the would never be more than a veg-
etable, but his parents refused.
court. He is often pushed and They opted for a highly risky opera-
fouled. He puts in miles each tion, which Hikari somehow sur-
game running up and down the vived, but it left him epileptic, de-
court. He frequently dives into velopmentally delayed (an IQ of
the stands for loose balls, to the 65), visually impaired, and with lim-
extent that the courtside media ited physical coordination.
When he was sixteen, the boy
teases him about being a working
spoke his first word. By 32, Hikari
hazard. According to Oakley, his still spoke only a few words, but he
tenacity and energy have an ori- had learned to express himself
gin: his grandfather, Julius Moss. through a different venue—Hikari
Moss was a farmer in has become an award-winning clas-
Alabama who did most of his sical Japanese composer. Not bad
for a “vegetable.”
fieldwork by hand. “Other people Hikari made no excuses and did
had more equipment than he not settle for a mediocre life.
YOUR FUTURE IS SPOTLESS
WILLINGWAY HOSPITAL from other doctors to treat their

is one of the nation’s top treatment alcoholic patients. Dot and John
centers for alcoholism and drug set up three beds under the chan-
addiction. There would be no delier in their own dining room as
Willingway, however, if it weren't a detox room. Among their pa-
for Dot and John, who at one time tients have been three of their own
seemed the least likely candidates four children, each of whom
to found such a struggled with ad-
hospital. Early in dictions.
their courtship, As word of
Dot and John
No Matter their compassion
what a man’s
drank heavily, and spread, they estab-
past may have lished a forty-bed
after they married,
they began taking been, his fu- hospital on eleven
amphetamines. turetl is ye acres close to their
John, a= medical gdbed hesoat home. The chande-
doctor, was arrest- .
JOHN R. RICE : lier still hangs in
ed for writing himself narcotics the detox room as a symbol of
prescriptions. He spent six hope. All four children have
months in prison, eventually worked on the medical staff or ad-
falling on his knees and crying out ministration of Willingway. With
to God for help in overcoming his God’s help, they truly became a
addictions. family in full recovery.
When John returned to med- Regardless of our past, the fu-
ical practice drug free and alcohol ture is a blank slate, waiting to be
free, he began to receive referrals written upon.
No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I

should be, but I am focusing all my energies on
this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead.
PHILIPPIANS 3:13 NLT
new insights into ageless questions
Everyone tells me that God is loving and kind. If He is, why
is there so much pain in the world? Why doesn’t God come
to the rescue of those who are suffering?
Many books have been written that speculate on why bad things happen
to people, why there is so much pain and suffering even for those who
believe in God. It’s a question with an answer as big as God himself.
Here it is in a nutshell. The Bible says that in the perfect world He creat-
ed for us, there was no pain or suffering. The problem is that God gave
men and women a free will, and their actions allowed sin and suffering to
enter the world. Imagine that your parents gave you food and clothing,
but you decided to throw it away. Then, cold and hungry, you accused
them of not caring about you. Humankind has put itself in this pickle.
And yet, God has not abandoned us.
In Romans 8:28 Paul writes that all things work together for good in the
lives of those who love the Lord. God does not promise us that we will
never suffer or experience pain. Life is full of tough circumstances and
painful events. But He does promise to stay with us, hold our hands dur-
ing the bad times, and when it is over, redeem our suffering by causing
something good to come out of it.
is called re ignation isconfirmed desperation,
perate city you go into the desperate count
_ console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrars. A
stereotyped _but unconscious despair is concealed even
‘under what are called the games and amusements of |
mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after |
work. But iit is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desper-
ate things.
When we consider “ies, to use the words of thecate-
. _chism, |is the chief end of man, and what are the true nec-_ |
" essaries and means oflife, itj appears as if men had deliber- |
ately chosen the common mode of living because they pre-_|
ferred it to any other. Yer they honestly think there is no_|
“choice left. Bur alert and healthy narures remember that the _|
sun rose clear. It is never too late to give up our prejudices. _
CO ee en DAVID THOREAU
WORTHWHILE
INVESTMENTS
Re the head that Herod’s men
LIFE IS A COIN.
and founder of were estimated to
a major contracting YOU CAN have killed twenty
firm, refused to SPEND IT children. He left the
celebrate the holi- ANY WAY library with a mis-
days, saying only, YOU WISH, sion. Later that
“Christmas is for BUT YOU CAN night, he told his
children.” Then one SPEND IT a a fot he
brisk | December ad visited the or-
day, Frank was ONLY ONCE. phanage and that he
walking to work LILLIAN DICKSON had given money
and was drawn to a for the building ofa
Nativity scene in a department new wing. Then he said, “They are
store window. He saw the Child going to name it for David.” What
anew. As he started to move away, Frank did not tell his wife was that
a sign across the street caught his he had had a vision of twenty chil-
attention: “Holy Innocents dren playing in a bright new wing
Home.” His mind raced back to a at Holy Innocents. As Adele
Sunday school lesson he had heard hugged him, the vision came again,
years ago about how King Herod but this time, there were twenty-
had feared the baby Jesus and one children at play.
slaughtered children in Bethlehem. Dont miss the opportunity to
He recalled the day his own son, spend your life on something
David, had died at the age of eight- worthwhile. You may have several
een months. He had not been able opportunities, some big and some
to speak his name since. small, but none of them will be in-
Impulsively, Frank visited the significant.
library and was surprised to learn
It is appointed for men to die once,

but after this the Judgment.
HEBREWS 9:27 NKJV
WINNING FRIENDS
Mary Lennox “was not an lonely she was, she asked a robin
affectionate child and had never in the garden to be her friend.
cared much for anyone”; and no She began treating her maid with
wonder. Ignored by her more respect. Won over by the
parents and raised by guilelessness of her maid’s
servants, she had no THE little brother, Dickon,
concept of what life ONLY WAY TO and craving his ap-
was like outside of HAVEA FRIEND proval, Mary found
India. Other children herself seeking his
called her “Mistress
IS TO BE ONE. advice. She even re-
Mary Quite Contrary,” RALPH WALDO EMERSON vealed to him the loca-
because she didn’t like to tion of her secret garden.
share and always insisted Eventually, Mary convinced
on having her own way. her crippled cousin, Colin, to
When Mary was nine years grab hold of life with both hands.
old, her parents died of cholera, By the last page of The Secret
and she was sent to live at her Garden, Mary’s transformation is
uncle’s home in England. The complete. She is happy with
move did nothing to improve her herself and surrounded by
disposition. She expected anyone friends.
and everyone to jump when she To make a friend, you first
snapped her fingers. must make a choice»to become
Gradually, however, Mary a friend.
began to change. Realizing how
A MAN WHO HAS FRIENDS MUST HIMSELF BE FRIENDLY.

PROVERBS 18:24 NKJV
THE NECESSARY BUSINESS

(a
OF CONFRONTATION
IN LIFES BOTTOM LINE, will draw back from administering
Richard Exley writes, “Several weeks the discipline of the Lord.”
| ago I was agonizing over a situation Exley concludes, “Confron-
in which I had to discipline a man. tation is invariably necessary. A rela-
Though I felt I had tionship seldom achieves
done the right , its full potential without —
thing, and in the [ it; but it is almost al-
right way, I still | | ways doomed to failure
grieved for him. As unless it grows out of a
I was wrestling deep trust built on
with my feelings in honest communica-
prayer, I sensed the tion. .«). - Itis extreme-
Lord speaking to ly important to take
me, and | wrote: great care to create a
“My son, power ts safe place of affirma-
a dangerous thing, tion and acceptance,
and it must always where a person can be
be mitigated with assured, again and
My eternal love. I again, of our love.
will cause you to Even then, confronta-
feel the pain of My tion will be risky and
discipline even should be undertaken
when it is toward only after we have
another. You will carefully prepared our
feel every sting of the hearts before the Lord.”
lash in your own flesh. You
must, or in your zealous-
ness you would go too far. You will
grieve, even as Samuel grieved for
Saul. Yet I will also make you feel
the awful pain of their sin, for if you
do not feel that terrible pain, you
a
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GOD'S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FORTEENS 61
DON’T DAMPEN
ANOTHER’S ZEAL
IN THE 1700s AN ENGLISH became a missionary himself.
cobbler kept a map of the world His pioneering efforts in India
on his workshop wall so that he are legendary; his mighty ex-
might be reminded to pray ploits for God are recorded
for the nations of the e?
908 eco
Cee Ceis
e.
by many church histo-
world. As the result
e e
rians.
_ of such prayer, he Be careful how
became especially that have done you respond to the
burdened for a: nothing in life are ‘t enthusiasm of oth-
specific mission- {NOt qualified to judge:: ers. Don't dampen
any outreach. He ** those that have : someone's zeal for
shared this burden * ; done little. : " God. Be cautious in
at a meeting of minis- “+. Samuel Johnson
how you respond to
ters but was told by a the new ideas of another,
senior minister, “Young man, sit that you don’t squelch their
down. When God wants to con- God-given creativity.
vert the heathen, He will do it Be generous and kind in
without your help or mine.” evaluating the work of others so
The cobbler, William Carey, that you might encourage those
did not let this man’s remarks things that are worthy. Be slow
put out the flame of his concern. to judge and quick to praise.
When he couldn’ find others to Then pray for the same in your
support the missionary cause own life!
that had burdened his soul, he
“Judge not, and you shall not

be judged. Condemn not, and you
shall not be condemned.”
LUKE 6:37 NKJV
CIRCUMSTANCES CAN’T
CONTROL YOUR OUTCOME
Defeat is not the worst of failures.

Not to have tried is the true failure.
George Edward Woodberry
There once was a young man who his active work life. In that peri-
lived a most miserable life. od, he produced some of the
Orphaned before he was three, he most brilliant articles, essays, and
was taken in by strangers. He was criticisms ever written. His poet-
kicked out of school, suffered ry is still read widely and studied
from poverty, and as the result of by virtually every high school stu-
inherited physical weaknesses, he dent in the United States. His
developed serious heart trouble as short stories and detective stories
a teenager. His beloved wife died are famous. One of his poems, on
early in their marriage. He lived display at the famous Hunting-
as an invalid most of his adult ton Library in California, has
life, and he eventually died at the been valued at more than fifty
young age of forty. By all outward thousand dollars, which is far
appearances, he was defeated by more than the young man earned
life and doomed to be forgotten in his entire lifetime.
by history. His name? Edgar Allan Poe.
Even so, he never quit trying Circumstances don’t affect
to express himself and to achieve your chances for success nearly as
success over the twenty years of much as your level of effort!
God said to Joshua, “Be strong and of good

courage; be not frightened,
neither be dismayed; for the Lord your
God is with you wherever you go.”
JOSHUA 1:9 RSV
SILENCE ISN’T
ALWAYS GOLDEN
a
—s
“S
S
THERE ARE ae
TIMES WHEN eae
Fate,
ACCORDING SILENCE IS The third man

to an old fable, GOLDEN, sighed and _ then
three men once de- OTHER TIMES boasted, “Now I’m
cided to engage in IT 1S JUST the only one who
the religious prac- PLAIN hasn't spoken yet.”
tice of absolute si- A rap singer has
lence. They mu-tu- YELLOW. updated some of the
ally agreed to keep ED COLE advice given by the
a day of quiet from book of Ecclesiastes:
dawn until the stroke of mid- There's a time to speak up
night, at which time a full moon and a time to shut up.
was expected to rise from the There’s a time to hunker
horizon. They sat cross-legged for down and a time to go down-
hours, concentrating on the dis- town.
tant horizon, eager for darkness There’s a time to talk and a
to envelop them. time to walk.There’s a time to be
One of them unwittingly mellow and a time not to be yel-
noted, “It’s difficult, not to say low. |
anything at all.” / Silence can be good, but
The second one replied, never if it’s the result of raw fear
“Quiet. You're speaking during or lack of moral fiber.
the time of silence!”
There is aN appointed time for

everything....a time to be silent
and a time to speak.
ECCLESIASTES 3:1,7 NASB
for Learning When
to Be Quiet
When God doesn’t answer right away, |:
A. Go on with my life.
B. Get angry with God and pout.
C. Distract myself with friends and lots of activities?
D. Challenge myself with something new.
E. Do my best to trust God even though | may feel like a
basket case.
God always answers our prayers. But sometimes the an-

swer is “not yet.” When God answers you in that way,
He has a reason—one that is in your best interest.
Pouting or getting angry serves no purpose and could ac-
tually keep you from receiving what you have asked God
for. Trust Him to do what is best for you, and you will
never be disappointed.
HUSTLE WHILE YOU WAIT
studied atomic energy with a fel-

low patient, a young physicist,
EVERYTHING and organized a town hall meet-
COMES TO HIM ing on the topic.
WHO HUSTLES While ill, she met a kind,
WHILE HE WAITS. gentle man, who was also a pa-
THOMAS A. EDISON tient at the sanitarium. She
dreamed of marrying him and
having a little house “under the
[° 1928, a happy, ambitious mountains.” At her lowest ebb,
young nursing student was di- her dream kept her going, and in
agnosed with tuberculosis. Her 1948, they did marry. She then
family sent her to a nursing home wrote a book about “all the good
in Saranac Lake for several things life has brought me.” Wish
months of curing. She would re- I Might, published in 1955,
main in bed for twenty-one years! earned her enough in royalties to
Most people may have given up, buy her mountain retreat.
but not Isabel Smith. She ap- A tragic life? Hardly! Isabel
proached the threshold of death Smith achieved everything she set
on several occasions, but she out to achieve, even when the
never ceased to pursue the art of odds against her were a thousand
living. She read voraciously, loved to one. Even flat on her back in
to write letters, studied geogra- bed, she never quit growing,
phy, and taught other patients to learning, and giving.
read and write. From her bed, she
We do not want you to become lazy,

but to imitate those who through faith and pa-
tience inherit what has been promised. HEBREWS
6:12 NIV
SHARING GOD’S LOVE
The story is told of a small dog that was struck by a car

and tossed to the edge of the road. A doctor, who just hap-
pened to be driving by, noticed that the dog was still alive,
so he stopped his car, picked up the dog, and took him
home with him. He discovered the dog had suffered only
a few minor cuts and abrasions. Reviving the dog, the doc-
tor cleaned its wounds, then carried it to the
garage, where he intended to provide a tem-
“Go into porary bed.
the world. The dog wriggled free from his arms,
Go everywhere
and announce the “however, jumped to the ground, and scam-
Message of God's pered off. “What an ungrateful dog,” the
good haa one doctor said to himself. He was glad that the
and all.”
dog had recovered so quickly, but was a little
MARK 16:15 MSG
miffed that the dog had shown so little ap-
preciation for his expert, gentle care.
He thought no more about the incident until the next
evening, when he heard a scratching at his front door.
When he opened the door, he found the little dog he had
treated. ‘At its side was another injured dog!
Be encouraged! You may never see the difference you
make in someone's life or the difference that person will
make in the lives of others; nevertheless, those with whom
you share the Gospel will never be the same.
The Gospel is neither a discussion

nor a debate.
Itisan announcement.
PAUL S. REES
It is within the context of a caring relationship that hearts
open to hear the Gospel. Use the following tips to create a
caring environment with lost souls.
1. Volunteer once a month at a shelter or mission.

2. Volunteer to be a big brother or sister to a child’s family.
3. Defend someone who is an outcast or is being bullied.
4. Befriend someone who is new to your school or
neighborhood.
5. Offer to help a single-parent family.
In Matthew 7:24, Jesus told His disciples how to
establish a firm foundation for a spiritual house—
one that could withstand the storms of life. He told
them to listen carefully to His words and then act
upon them. Wise words and righteous actions form a
bedrock that will allow your spiritual house to stand,
undamaged, even when rain and floods and wind
beat at it. Without this rock foundation, He cau-
tioned them, they would soon find the wind and
water rising and washing sand out from under them.
Does your spiritual life have a firm, bedrock
foundation? If not, dont delay. Pick up your Bible
and read a passage daily. Ask God to help you live out
the truth in the words you are reading. He is eager to
help you become established in every area of your
life.
WORK AS IF FOR
YOURSELF AND GOD
oe Smith was a know? Once the
loyal carpenter house is painted, it
who worked almost YOU ARE ONLY will look great.
two decades for a WHAT YOU ARE So Joe set about
successful contrac- WHEN NO ONE his scheme. He or-
tor. The contractor IS LOOKING. dered second-grade
called him into his ROBERT C. EDWARD
lumber and inex-
office one day and pensive concrete,
said, “Joe, I’m put- putin). cheap
ting you in charge wiring, and cut
of the next house we build. I every corner he could. When the
want you to order all the materi- home was finished, the contrac-
als and oversee the job from the tor came to see it.
ground up.” “What a fine job you've
Joe accepted the assignment done!” he said. “You've been such
with great enthusiasm. He stud- a faithful carpenter to me all these
ied the blueprints and checked years that I’ve decided to show
every measurement and specifica- you my gratitude by giving you a
tion. Suddenly he had a thought. gift—this house.”
IfIm really in charge, why couldnt Build well today. You will
I cut a few corners, use less expen- have to live with the character
sive materials, and put the extra and reputation you construct.
money in my pocket? Who will
Bondservants, be obedient... Not with
eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as

bondservants of Christ, doing the will of
God from the heart.
EPHESIANS 6:6 NKJV
Sea
PUTA LID ONIT
A young attorney, just out of Angeles meet

us there. Okay. Call
law school and beginning his you back later.
”
first day on the job, sat down in Hanging up the phone,
the comfort of his brand-new he put down his pen, looked
office with a great sigh of up at his visitor, stood,
satisfaction. | HAVE extended Ais hand,
He had worked long NEVER BEEN and said in his most
and hard to savor such HURT BY polite but confident
a moment. Then, ANYTHING | attorney's Ha ae
noticing a prospective : Morning.
client coming toward DIDN'T SAY. Theloweaes FLOW “Might
hisedoor he began to Th y
CALVIN CooLiDGe e prospective
look busy and energetic. client replied, “Actually,
Opening his legal pad and I'm just here to hook up
uncapping his pen, he picked up your phone.”
the telephone, and cradling it Many a foible or flaw
under his chin, he began to write Need not show . . . for
furiously as he. said, “Look, If you don’t say so,
Harry, about that amalgamation Others won’t know!
deal. I think I better run down to There’s an old saying that
the factory and handle it goes, “A shut mouth gathers
personally. Yes. No. I don’t think no foot.” Sometimes the best
three million dollars will swing it. thing to do is just keep your
We better have Smith from Los mouth shut!
DON’T TALK SO MUCH. YOU KEEP PUTTING YOUR FOO

YOUR MOUTH. BE SENSIBLE AND TURN OFF THE FLOT IN
W!
PROVERBS 10:19 TLB
Se
UT,
Opportunities are
seldom labeled.
John A. Shedd Chocolate Chip Cookies” were
soon distributed worldwide.
Wally himself became a
KEEP YOUR spokesman for other products,
EYES OPEN FOR from eggs to airlines to a tele-
phone company. While he once
(OPPORTUNITIES dreamed of managing stars, he
now is one in his own right!
iieere 70, WALLY STARTED
Sometimes dreams come
baking chocolate chip cookies for his
through the back door. Keep it
friends, using a recipe and procedure
unlocked.
that had been passed down from his
~ Aunt Della. For five years, he gave
away every batch he made, even
though people often told him that \ TE
his cookies were so good that he ey yee ee
should go into business and sell The tenth child in a sharecropper’s

them. Wally had other ideas though. family of thirteen children, Bessie
He was determined to become a big- Coleman was determined to “amount to
something.” There weren’t many oppor-
time show-business manager. tunities for a black girl in the south in the
Then one day a friend, B.J. 1890s. But Bessie managed to finish all
Gilmore, told him that she had a eight grades of school—all she was al-
lowed at that time.
friend who could put up the Bessie took every opportunity that
money for a cookie-making busi- came her way. She movedto Chicago to
ness. Her friend never made the in- live with her brothers and attend beauty
school. She was working as a manicurist at
vestment, but Wally got some of a beauty shop when her brothers told her
his own friends—including Jeff that in France women could have ca-
reers—they could even fly airplanes!
Wall, Helen Reddy, and Marvin Bessie applied at schools in the U.S.,
Gaye—to put up some money. but was denied because she was a black
Then Wally was off and running. woman, Undeterred, she took a course in
French, saved the money she made work-
Originally, he intended to
ing in a chili parlor, and then set out for
open up only one store on Sunset France. On July 15, 1921, Bessie Coleman
Boulevard, just enough to make a became the first black woman to be
awarded a pilot's license. She eventually
living. After all, his was the only became an American show pilot, perform-
store in the world dedicated to the ing in flying exhibitions. No matter what
sale of nothing but chocolate chip obstacles she encountered, she refused to
let it stop her. She watched for opportuni-
cookies. Business grew virtually ties and when they came, she was ready!
overnight. Wally’s “Famous Amos
A FRESH PERSPEG@TIVE |
AFTER TWO YEARS IN THE gravated the problem. I knew he

_navy, Willard Scott returned to his didn't like me, and in response I
was barely civil to him and dodged
|. new.) supervisor. him as much as |
Willard found him- could; but one day
self at odds with his he invited me to a 3
new boss at every station party I could- A

turn, and he was fu- nt avoid. There I
A change in perspective can
rious when he happen when you least ex- met his fiancée. She
rescheduled —_ Joy pect it. For instance, think was bright, alive, and
Boys, a comedy about these brain teasers:
down-to-earth.
show Willard did e If camels are called the
How could a
ships of the desert, why
with Eddie Walker, aren't tugboats called the woman like that care
for the worst slot on camels of the sea? for anybody who
radio—eight to e If we call oranges oranges, didn’t have some-
midnight. Willard why don't we call bananas
thing to recommend
yellows, or apples reds?
was braced for a him? I was able to
¢ What happens to your lap
change-or-I’ll-leave when you stand up? get new insight into
confrontation when my boss’s character.
he recalled Proverbs As time went on my
19:11 NIV—“A man’s wisdom attitude changed, and
gives him patience; it is to his so did his.” Willard and his boss
glory to overlook an; offense.” He became friends, and he remained
and Eddie decided to work them- ac NBG
selves to the bone, and within Is there someone
three years, they made Joy Boys
the —_top-rated show in
Washington.
Willard says, “I learned that I,
too, had been wrong. In all my
dealings with my boss, I had ag-
a CoVET IC-SI VENA olidialom-laleMel-\Ueolllatalelela(cMclaletd

allqi
‘Hating people |
U;
islike burning
down your
own house to
rid of a rat.) 9
ie
K
«RSON FOSDIC
watch out! Beware of destroying one another. ~

GALATIANS 5:15 NLT
y 7
road mors about it..-fa:th
¢ Fuel: 10-Minute Devotions to Ignite the
Faith of Parents and Teens
by Joe White
¢ Checklist for Life for Teens
¢ 12 Months of Faith
by Bettie Youngs
° The Faith Difference: Prayers, Lessons,
Activities and Games for Teens
by Kieran Sawyer
¢ Teens Talkin’ Faith: A Christian
Perspective
by Michelle Trujillo
LET GOD TAKE YOU

TO THE OTHER SIDE
The engineers hired to build a moved the kite from its string
suspension bridge across the and set up a pulley. A small rope
Niagara River faced a serious was attached to one end of the
problem: how to get the first original kite string and pulled
cable from one side of the river across the river. At the end of this
to the next. The river was string, a piece of rope was
too wide to throw a Eee eeeee
Arar ele
attached and_ pulled
e e e e
‘cable across it and across and so on

too swift to cross by until a cable strong
boat.
: Kites rise enough to sustain
:highest against theca: iron cable,
An engineer fi- : e
; wind, not with it. which supported
nally came up with
* Winston Churchill :
a solution! With a the bridge, could
_ favoring stiff wind, a be drawn across the
kite was lofted and al- water.
_ lowed to drift over the Let your faith soar like
river and land on the opposite that kite! Release it to God, be-
shore. Attached to the kite was a lieving that He can and will help
very light string, which was you. When you link your re-
threaded through the kite’s tip so leased faith with patience and
that both ends of the string were persistence, you will have what it
in the hands of the kite flyer. takes to tackle virtually any
Once the kite was in the hand of problem.
engineers on the far side, they re-
When the way is rough, your patience

has a chance to STOW. So let it ZTOW, and
don’ t try to SQUIFM out of your problems.
JAMES 1:3-4 TLB
ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST

—-—— ae te
—
7 EVERY JOBISA slos&

Bea SELF-PORTRAIT eco
LONG AGO, aband OF THE PERSON come. We will go on,
of minstrels lived in a WHO DOES IT. and we will do the
faraway land. They AUTOGRAPH best job of which we
traveled from town to YOUR WORK are capable. It is not
town, singing and WITH the fault of those who
playing their music in EXCELLENCE. come that others do
hopes of making a not. They should not
living, but they had be punished with less
not been doing well financially. than our best.”
Times were hard, and the common Heartened by his words, the
people had little money to spend minstrels gave their best per-
on concerts, even though their fee formance ever. After the show, the
was small. old man called his troupe to him
The group met one evening to again. In his hand was a note,
discuss their plight. “I see no handed to him by one of the
reason for opening tonight,” one audience members just before the
said. “It’s snowing, and no one will doors closed behind him. Slowly
come out on a night like this.” the man read, “Thank you for a
Another said, “I agree. Last night beautiful performance.” It was
we performed for just a handful. signed simply, “Your King.”
Even fewer will come tonight.” Everything you do is per-
The leader of the troupe formed before your king—the
responded, “I know you are dis- King of Kings. Are all of your
couraged. I am too, but we have a words and deeds fom, of
responsibility to those who might His audience? | :
Daniel distinguished himself algo

the governors and satraps, because an excellen
t
Spirit was in him.
DANIEL 6:3 NKJV
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for Achieving Excellence

LOOK FOR EXAMPLES
FAMOUS WORLD WAR II month later, an operation such as

general, George S. Patton Jr., was he had described brought about
an avid reader and student of his- the German defeat in
tory. He wrote to his son in Normandy.
1944: “To be a successful soldier, The book that perhaps influ-
you must know history. Read it enced Patton most was Ardant
objectively. . . . In Sicily I decid- du Picque’s Battle Studies. Patton
ed as a result of my information, used it to help solve the problem
observations, and a of getting infantry
sixth sense that I to advance through
have that the enemy Learn by enemy artillery fire.
did not have anoth- experience— He recommended it
er large scale attack ~ preferably to Eisenhower:
in his system. I bet other “First read Battle
my shirt on that, people’s. StudiesbyDu Pique
and I was right.” (you can get a copy
His sixth sense may at Leavenworth)
very well have been formed by then put your mind to a solu-
thousands of hours of reading tion.”
history and both biographies and Most of the successful men
autobiographies. in the world are avid readers, es-
Historical parallels were con- pecially of biographies. If you are
stantly on Patton’s mind. When interested in being a success in
he observed the situation in life, immerse yourself in the life
Normandy on July 2, 1944, he stories of successful people. You
immediately wrote Eisenhower will learn from their mistakes
that the German Schlieffen Plan and failures as well as their suc-
of 1914 could be applied. A cesses and triumphs.
All these things happened to them as ex-

amples—as object lessons to us—to warn
us against doing the same things.
1 CORINTHIANS 10:11 TLB
ae
ONS into ageless questions
Remember for a moment that your parents and grandparents

were once your age, and while their generations looked and dressed
differently, they dealt with the same basic issues you deal with. They
are a remarkable resource of wisdom and counsel for you, and God
has placed them right in front of you to give you the best possible
chance of making good choices and avoiding painful mistakes.
Before you dismiss them as being out of touch with your reali-
ty, take the time to sit and talk with them about the difficult issues
of life—things like morality, war, alcohol, drugs, sex, attitude, get-
ting along with people, friendship, courage, relationships, money,
the list is really endless. Really listen to what they have to say, keep-
ing in mind that every mistake they made is one you can avoid if
you are able to take hold of the lesson learned. You can also learn by
observing what they did right and how it worked for them.
Sure, you can be stubborn and insist on learning everything the
hard way, but that isn’t God’s best for you. Be smart by learning
through the mistakes and successes of others.
President John F, Kennedy loved to tell the
tale of small boys in Ireland who would
have footraces across the lush hills. When
they came to a fence they were afraid to
cross, they would challenge each other to
throw their hats over first so they would
feel compelled to go after them. Aiming for
perfection is about throwing your hat over
the fence into the future, so that you are
inspired to follow it.
SHOOT FOR THE MOON
young man and they can’t come
faced pee sto Ns ay roe te

tire) gand in a THE MOON. "em aie but I’ve
quandary as to EVEN IF never seen any hurt
which direction to YOU MISS IT in trying.” Then he
take with his life YOU WILL chuckled and
sat in a_ park, LAND AMONG added, “I guess
~ watching squirrels THE STARS. they've got to risk it
scamper among relat if they don’t want
the trees. Suddenly to spend their
a squirrel jumped whole life in one
from one high tree tree.
to another. It appeared to be aim- The young man thought, A
ing for a limb so far out of reach squirrel takes a chance. Do I have
that the leap looked like suicide. less nerve than a squirrel? He made
As the young man had anticipat- up his mind in that moment to
ed, the squirrel missed its mark; take the risk he had been think-
but it landed, safe and uncon- ing about. Sure enough, he land-
cerned, on a branch several feet ed safely, in a position higher
lower. Then it climbed to its goal, than he had even dared to imag-
and all was well. ine.
An old man sitting on the What dream are you aiming
other end of the bench remarked, for? Does it seem out of reach?
“Funny, I’ve seen hundreds of Take a leap of faith. God will al-
°em jump like that, especially ways catch you if you fall.
when there are dogs all around
Aim for perfection.

2 CORINTHIANS 13:11 NIV
THINK ON ‘THESE THINGS
In A Closer Walk, Catherine “That afternoon, a specific,

Marshall writes: “One morning positive vision for this life was
last week He gave me an assign- dropped into my mind with
ment: for one day I was to go on God's unmistakable hallmark on
a ‘fast’ from criticism. I was not it—joy! Ideas began to flow in a
to criticize anybody about way I had not experienced
anything.” in years. Now it was ap-
“For the first half OUR EERE parent what the Lord
of the day, I simply wanted me to see. My
ANOTHER PER-
felt a void, almost as critical nature had not
SON, TAKE CARE
if I had been wiped corrected a single one
TO CORRECT IN
out as a person. This of the multitudinous
YOURSELF.
was especially true at THOMAS SPRAT things I found fault
lunch. .. . I listened to the with. What it had done
others and kept silent. . . . In was to stifle my own creativity.”
our talkative family no one Before you are tempted to
seemed to notice. Bemused, I no- criticize someone, examine your
ticed that my comments were not own life. While you may not
missed. The federal government, commit the same act or have the
the judicial sytem, and the insti- same habit youre about to crit-
tutional church could apparently cize, you probably have some be-
get along fine without my pene- havior that could be criticized.
trating observations. But still I Dont stifle your creativity with
didn’t see what this fast on crit- criticism! = (
cism was accomplishing—until
mid-afternoon.”
JESUS SAID, “WHY DO YOU LOOK AT THE SPECK OF

SAWDUST IN YOUR BROTHER’S EYE AND PAY NO ATTENTION
TO THE PLANK IN YOUR OWN EYE?”
MATTHEW 7:3 NIV
~Z
Yi)
~~
oS Gp. PSUS
Comey,
ane
SHON 208
Bij
WHO SAYS II’S IMPOSSIBLE?
Most of the things worth doing

in the world had been declared
impossible before they were done.
Louis D. Brandeis
Consider these examples of resist- When the idea of iron ships

ance to ideas and inventions that was proposed, experts insisted
» we now consider commonplace: that they would not float, would
In Germany, experts proved damage more easily than wooden
that if trains went as fast as fifteen ships when grounding, that it
miles an hour—considered a would be difficult to preserve the
frightful speed—blood would iron bottom from rust, and that
spurt from the travelers’ noses iron would play havoc with com-
and passengers would suffocate pass readings.
when going through tunnels. In New Jersey farmers resisted
the United States, experts said the the first successful cast-iron plow
introduction of the railroad invented in 1797, claiming that
would require the building of the cast iron would poison the
many insane asylums since people land and stimulate the growth of
would be driven mad with terror weeds.
at the sight of the locomotives. Don’ let the word “impossi-
The New York YWCA an- ble” stop you. If inventors and vi-
nounced typing lessons for sionaries had left every impossible
women in 1881, and vigorous task undone, our lives would be
protest erupted, on the grounds considerably more difficult.
that the female constitution Nothing worth doing is impossi-
would break down under the ble with the help of God!
strain.
With God all things are possible.

MATTHEW 19:26,.NIV
LET GOOD REPLACE EVIL
Velazquez Polk and Janet Kuzmaak both grew up in

Portland, Oregon, but the two could not have been more
different. Polk was a tough street kid who joined a gang at
age ten and was eventually arrested for selling drugs.
Kuzmaak was an honor roll student from an upper-
class neighborhood. In 1980, Kuzmaak’s sister was raped
and strangled to death. Authorities never found her killer.
She came to regard every criminal as her sister’s murderer.
Kuzmaak eventually became a nurse at a
| major medical center. Polk, released from jail
esl iM, in 1990, was given a job as her surgical aide.
pursue righteous- Kuzmaak was furious. She didn’t believe in
ness... with rehabilitation for criminals, but she noticed
those who call on that when Polk’s gang-member friends tried
the Lord from a to entice him to rejoin their ranks, he re-
pure heart. fused. He told Kuzmaak he wanted to flee
__ 2 TIMOTHY 2:22 NASB i
his old life and join a program to become a
nurse's aide. She remembered that her sister
had once befriended a man on parole, so she lobbied the
hospital to pay Polk’s tuition while she continued to mon-
itor him. ,
Today, she and Polk are great friends. She helped him
gain entrance into a world that he once did not know ex-
isted. He helped sweep away the bitterness that had once
poisoned her heart.
Change and growth are always possible if you first
turn away from evil, determined not to return.
When you flee temptations,

don’t leave a forwarding address.
In Matthew 5:44, Christ asks us to love our enemies, bless
those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray
for those who use and persecute us. This month, identify five
individuals who have wronged you, used you, or mistreated
you and send them a postcard that:
1. forgives them.
2. blesses them.
3. tells them God loves them.
4. offers your services to them.
5. tells them you are praying for them.
Tough stuff, huh? That's the high calling of Christ.

A. | feel hurt and avoid the person as long as possible.
B. | feel resentful and make sarcastic remarks when the
opportunity arises.
C. | refuse to speak to the person until my anger dimin-
ishes.
D. | pray for the person who has wronged me and pray
for God's grace and mercy on us both.
E. I'm never,sure what to do.
Jesus gave His disciples specific instructions concerning
how to treat those who had wronged them. Consider
this passage from Matthew 5:38-42 (msc).
“Heres another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth
for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Heres what I propose: ‘Dont
hit back at all. Ifsomeone strikes you, stand there and take it. Ifsomeone
drags you into court and sues for the shirt offyour back, giftwrap your best
coat and make a present of it. And ifsomeone takes unfair advantage of
you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff.
Live generously. ”
GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FORTEENS 93
GET ’EM BACK WITH LOVE

first |want you to ask your moth-
WE TOO OFTEN er to send some more cookies.”
LOVE THINGS AND The boy did as the counselor
asked, and a few days later, an-
USE PEOPEE WHEN
other box of cookies arrived.
WE SHOULD BE The counselor then said,
USING THINGS AND “The boy who stole your cookies
LOVING PEOPLE. is by the lake. I suggest you go
down there and share your cook-
¢ yne day, a boy at summer ies with him.” The boy protested,
./ camp received a box of “But he’s the one who stole the
cookies from his mother. He ate a first ones from me!” “I know,”
few, then placed the box under said the counselor. “Let’s see what
his bed. The next day, he discov- happens.”
ered the cookies were gone. Later, An hour later, the counselor
a counselor who had been told of saw the boys coming up the
the theft saw a boy sitting behind hill—the thief earnestly trying to
a tree, eating the stolen cookies. get his new friend to accept his
He sought out the victim and compass in payment for the
said, “Bill, I know who stole your stolen cookies, and the victim just
cookies. Will you help me teach as adamantly refusing, saying that
him a lesson?” The boy replied, a few old cookies didn’t matter all
“Well, I guess—but aren't you that much!
going to punish him?” Often, the best way to get
The counselor said, “Not di- back at someone is to show God’s
rectly—that would only make love. You can usually make a
him hate you. I have an idea; but friend in the process.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves.

ROMANS 12:10 NIV
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, heeds correction
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PROVERBS 15:32 NIV
This world belongs to the man
who is wise enough to change
the Smiths house, where Smith
his mind in the presence of facts. met him and said, “Shoot me, Bill,
Roy L. Smith if you want to. But Christ has al-
ready died for my sins, and I hope
IKEEP AN youll forgive me too.” Bill did,
and neighbors truly became
(OPEN MIND neighbors again.
Never reach the point in life
A eee De DEVE BO PE ID where you think you can’t learn
between two families who lived side something new or change your
by side in the mountains of opinion about something. You are
Kentucky. It started when Grandpa never too old, or too young, to be
Smith’s cow jumped a stone fence forgiven.
and ate Grandpa Brown’s corn.
Brown shot the cow. A Smith boy
then shot two Brown boys. The
Browns shot one Smith. Bill Brown
planned to kill a second Smith, but vs
before he could, he was called away Coe
Peter was oneof the first chosen by

to war. While he was away, Bill’s
Jesus to be His disciple. A crusty fisher-
mother had a hard time making man, strong-willed, and impulsive, he
ends meet for her family, since Bill’s seems like an odd choice. But Jesus saw
something in the man. Peter made many
father had been one of the victims. _ mistakes during the three years he spent
At Christmas, the head of the with Jesus.He was your typical act first,
Smith clan took his family to think-later type of guy.
_ But there was one last mistake for
church. Usually he stayed outside, which Peter had no expectation of for-
but this year it was so cold he went giveness. On the night Jesus was crucified,
in to wait. The sermon was on _ Peter betrayed His Lord. When asked if he
was indeed one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter
Christ, the Prince of Peace, who died denied ever having known Him.
in our place for our sins. It struck _ Fortunately, Peter was man enough
him hard. He realized what a crime to learn from his mistake. He resisted the
urge to run away, humbled himself, and
he had committed, repented, and stayed close within the body of believers.
then secretly hired a young boy to After His resurrection, Jesus forgave Peter
carry a basket of food to the Brown's and restored him . From that day forward,
‘Peter served God resolutely, without fal-
home every day until Bill returned. tering.
Once home, Bill set out to dis- Don’t let your mistakes put you out
cover who had so generously helped in the cold. Learn from them and then
submit them to God, who will graciously
his family. He followed the boy to forgive and restore you.
DON’T DELAY
a ite
pa Bn
ee THE WISE eee ee
} DOES AT
AN OLD LEGEND ONCE WHAT — God does care,” he
recounts how Satan THE FOOL finally said.
once called three of DOES AT Malice then pro-
his top aides to a LAST. posed his idea. “We'll
special meeting so let) them arear om
that they might make thinking there is a
a plan about how to stop the God and that He cares about
effectiveness of a particular group right and wrong, but we will keep
of Christians. One of the aides, whispering, “There is no hurry,
Resentment, proposed, “We there is no hurry, there is no
should convince them there is no hurry.”
God * Satan smcetcas at Satan howled with delight!
Resentment and replied, “That The plan was adopted, and
would never work. They know Malice was promoted to an even
there's a God.” higher position in Satan’s mal-
Bitterness then spoke up: evolent hierarchy.
“We'll convince them that God Who can tell how many souls
does not really care about right or have been lost or lives sorely
wrong.” Satan thought about the wounded because someone has
idea for a few moments but then held to the commonly acceptable
rejected it. “Too many know that notion: Delay is okay.
Make hay while the sun shines—

that’s SM aft; go fishing during
harvest—that’s stupid.
PROVERBS 10:5 MSG
for Avo 1ding Procrastination
GIVE WITH BOTH HANDS
For years, Arthur Blessit has held rallies. Blessit urged fellow
carried a six-by-ten-foot, eighty- Christians to meet him at the
pound cross on his shoulders Washington Monument at the
through towns and cities around end of his trip—but not with
the world. “It blows people's empty hands. “Christians need to
minds,” he says. Once he has come and give something,”
gained their attention, he he preached. He asked
finds he has a unique THE that people bring or
opportunity to share BEST THINGS send two gifts for the
the Gospel. IN LIFE nation’s needy, gifts
Blessit first be- given openly with both
came well known for ARE NOT hands. Those who went
preaching to the FREE. to the capital to meet
hippies of Hollywood's him —“found.= a third
Sunset Strip. He gained opportunity to give. This gift
national attention when he _ was to be made with an open
undertook a _ cross-carrying heart and an open vein—at a
journey—along with four mem- bloodmobile parked on the site.
bers of his rock group, the Eternal While the gospel message is
Rush—to Washington, elie free to all who will receive it, the
3,500-mile trip took seven giving of the Gospel costs, and
months to complete. continues to cost, a- great deal!
As the group traveled, they
YOU WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH PERISHABLE THINGS LIKE

SILVER OR GOLD... BUT WITH PRECIOUS BLOOD. AS OF A
LAMB UNBLEMISHED AND SPOTLESS, THE BLOOD dF CHRIST.
1 PETER 1:18-19 NASB
SiN
SONG
0
Se
Dy oS
>
—
OED
Re
RO
ea
<>
What is the price of salvation? Forgiveness of sin
and the invitation to live a life of peace and joy with
God for eternity is a great gift. Like the word gift”
implies, it is free. But that does not mean that salva-
tion is free or even cheap to the giver. John 3:16
sums up the incredible cost for our redemption. It
says: God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life.”
God gave His Son for you, sending Him to earth to
live as a mere human and carry the message of
God's love and forgiveness to a lost and dying
world.
His Son, Jesus, was ridiculed, beaten, tortured, and
crucified—that was the unspeakably precious cost of
your salvation. You cant honor His gift with a
cheap commitment. You owe Him the best that you
Can give.
CHRIST-LIKE LIVING
ie an extensive IF A MAN percent would be

Opinion — survey, CANNOT BE prostitutes for a
“The Day America A CHRISTIAN week, and 7 percent
Told the Truth,” IN THE PLACE would murder a
James Patterson and WHERE HE IS stranger!
Peter Kim reported HE CANN OT Lest you conclude
some startling find- that the people they
ings: BEA surveyed were all
* Only 13 percent CHRISTIAN ungodly criminals,
saw. ‘all.© Ten ANYWHERE. two other statisti-
Commandments HENRY WARD BEECHER clans, William
as binding and Hendricks and
relevant. Doug Sherman, found that
° 91 percent lied regularly, Christians were almost as_ likely
both at work and home. as unbelievers to do such things
¢ Most workers admitted to as steal from the workplace, falsi-
goofing off an average of seven fy their income tax, and selective-
hours a week. ly obey laws.
¢ About half of the workforce To truly claim to be a
admitted they regularly called Christian, a person must do far
in sick even when they felt more than go to church occasion-
well. ally. He or she must strive to be
When they were asked what Christ-like 24 hours a day, 365
they would be willing to do for days a year, in all situations and
~ $10 million, 25 percent said they all circumstances.
~ would abandon their families, 23
Don’t work hard only when your master is

watching and then shirk when he isn’t
looking; work hard and with gladness all
the time, as though working for Christ,
doing the will of God with all your hearts.
EPHESIANS 6:6-7 TLB
DEBT IS A HARD 'TASKMASTER
At the age of twenty-four, finan- knowing he was not to go into

cial advisor and author Ron Blue debt.
felt he had everything he needed One day, while explaining his
to be successful—an MBA de- business idea to a friend, the
gree, a CPA certificate, friend said, “Would you
eee thon,
and a prestigious po- ° e° od) °
consider designing a
sition in the New financial seminar
York City office of Money is for our executives
the world’s largest : agood servant : who are getting
CPA firm. Then at : but a bad master. : ready to retire?”
the age of thirty- Frances Bacon Ron jumped at the
two, he committed opportunity. His
his life to Jesus Christ OPS )
e Peeeee® °
nt a e friend was the train-
and began to see life ing director for a large
from a new perspective. When company, and the company
he decided to establish his own agreed to pay six thousand dol-
financial advisory firm, he used lars in advance for development
his skills to develop a business of the seminar, then one thou-
plan and arrange for a ten-thousand dollars each for four semi-
sand-dollar line of credit at a nars during the year. Ron had the
bank. Almost immediately, how- ten thousand dollars he needed
ever, he felt convicted that God without borrowing a dime.
did not want him to borrow Do your best to stay out of debt.
money to start his business. He You'll feel much freer, and God will
canceled the credit line, not bless you for trusting in Him.
knowing what to do next but
The rich rules over the POor, and the

borrower is servant to the lender.
PROVERBS 22:7 NKJV
DIG FOR THE FACTS

TED TURNER IS ONE OF the can, along with the advice and
conspicuous personalities of the counsel of people you think are
twentieth century. He turned wise. This is a prerequisite for
Channel 17 in Atlanta into the success in the long haul. You
first “Super Station,” should not make de-
cisions until you
transmitting its sig-
hten
2
nal to cable systems

nationwide via
ig up have
knowledge
complete
about
satellite. Soon after, An editor once admonished his things. [When] you
he purchased the cub reporter, Mark Twain, never to have to form opin-
state as fact anything to which he
Atlanta Braves base- could not personally attest. Twain
ions without as
ball team and the complied, composing this classic much information
Atlanta Hawks bas- account of a certain (not so cer- as you should have,
tain) gala social event:
ketball team. In or without firsthand
“A woman giving the name of
1980, he originated Mrs. James Jones, who is reported knowledge . . . don’t
CNN, the world’s icoWl of-Molat-Molmantemxela[-3aVMl(-s-lo(1e Mons hold hard and fast
the city, is said to have given what
first live, “’round- purported to be a party yesterday
opinions. When
the-clock, all-news to anumber of alleged ladies. The new information
television network. hostess claims to be the wife of a
becomes available,
reputed attorney.”
He organized the you should be able
Inaugural Goodwill Olympic to change your
Games in Moscow, has won nu- mind.”
merous awards, and has held na- That is wise advice. Jumped-
tional and world sailing titles. to conclusions are usually based
About making choices and
decisions, Ted has given this ad-
vice, “There is a saying, “Be sure
of your information, then go
ahead.’ My father was the first
one who pointed this out to me.
... Get all the information you
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a

dtelapanmethaCellale aal-muicelgemel mag shaah
NE IS
Se
< EN.<
<
.
<
worker who does not need to be ashamed,

2 TIMOTHY 2:15 NKJV ;
mia
What caused Peter to sink when he walked
on the water toward Jesus?
He took his eyes off Jesus and looked down at the
water. Read the following story from The Message:
As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that
ia da\=We [Kel] o)(=<e |=)an]amdal=ms oXey-larlale melo Melam-lal-r-[e con dal—
other side while he dismissed the people. With the
facone Me[ksof=1ax-ro Ama(-Mellanl oxo mmdat-Manrelelalc-]iamxom al-maelello]
be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into
idatemalre]aie
Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the
wind came up against them and they were battered by
the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus
came toward them walking on the water. They were
scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying |
out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them.
“Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you,
call me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come ahead.”
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the
water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves
Coalelgaliare ieX-1al=r-1dalal mnc-1-90mmal -mme)i anal Malla mre
laconic. lac-te,
to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”
Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and
grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got
into you?”
GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS _ 107
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS
Obstacles are those frightful things you see

when you take your eyes off the goal.
Henry Ford
During the darkest days of the Civil in the firmament, and I said, ‘Let us
War, the hopes of the Union nearly not mind the meteors, but let us
». died. When certain goals seemed un- keep our eyes on the stars.”
reachable, the leaders of the Union When times are troubled or life
turned to President Abraham seems to be changing too fast, keep
Lincoln for solace, guidance, and en- your inner eyes of faith and hope on
couragement. Once when a delega- those things that you know to be
tion called at the White House and lasting and sure. Don’t limit your
detailed a long list of crises facing the gaze to what you know, but focus on
nation, Lincoln told this story: whom you know. God alone—and a
“Years ago a young friend and I relationship with Him that is eter-
were out one night when a shower of nal—is the supreme goal. He never
meteors fell from the clear changes, and He cannot be removed
November sky. The young man was from His place as the King of Glory.
_ frightened, but I told him to look up Peter... walked on the water to-
in the sky past the shooting stars to ward Jesus.
the fixed stars beyond, shining serene
When [Peter] looked

around at the high waves,
he was terrified and began
to sink.
MATTHEW 14:30 TLB
HAVE ‘THINE
OWN WAY, LORD
During a prayer meeting one the potter to make it.”

night, an elderly woman pleaded, Before retiring, Adelaide took
“It really doesn’t matter what You pen in hand and wrote in hymn
do with us, Lord, just have form her own prayer:
Your way with our “Have Thine own way,
lives.” Adelaide Pollard, CO Lord! Have Thine own
i ILk GOD FOR WHAT | Th i
a rather well-known YOU THINK way! ou art the
itinerant Bible teacher, potter, I am the clay.
IS GOOD;
overheard her prayer. ask HIM FOR WHAT Mold me and make
At the time, she was HE THINKS IS me after Thy will,
deeply discouraged GOOD FOR YOU. while I am _ waiting,
because she had been yielded and still.
unable to raise the money “Have Thine own way,
she needed to go to Africa for Lord! Have Thine own way!
missionary service. She was Search me, and try me, Master,
moved by this woman's sincere today! Whiter than snow, Lord,
request of God, and when she wash me just now, as in Thy
went home that evening, she presence humbly I bow.”
meditated on Jeremiah 18:3-4: The best way to discover the
“Then I went down to the purpose for your life and how to
potters house, and, behold, he do it is to give your whole life to
wrought a work on’ the wheels. God. Then He can fulfill His
And the vessel that he made of plan for you.
clay was marred in the hand of After this manner
the potter: so he made it again therefore pray yew,
another vessel, as seemed good to
YOUR KINGDOM COME. YOUR WILL BE DONE,

ON EARTH AS IT 1S IN HEAVEN.
MATTHEW 6:10 NASB
A. Try to live up to the affluence of your friends’
families?
B. Make unfair demands on your family’s finances
to live up to this affluent image you've created?
C. Tell others “little white lies” to make yourself
seem successful?
D. Become a name dropper?
E. Remain comfortable with who you are and con-
tent with your position in life?
If you said “yes” to any of the first four choices, you may
need to take a serious look at why you feel compelled to
impress others. God created you to be a unique individ-
ual with a beauty, purpose, and personality all your own.
He wants you to be comfortable in your own skin, rather
than desperate to be someone else. Ask Him to help you
applaud the person you were meant to be.
WHOM ARE YOU

‘TRYING TO IMPRESS?
DEFINITION OF In order to restore the lost

jewelry, Mathilde’s husband bor-
STATUS: BUYING rows 36,000 francs, tapping every
SOMETHING YOU resource available to him. A look-
DON’T NEED WITH alike necklace is created, and
MONEY YOU DON'T Mathilde gives it to her friend,
HAVE TO IMPRESS without telling her what had hap-
PEOPLE YOU pened.
For ten years, the couple
DON'T LIKE.
slaves to pay back the borrowed
DR. EUGENE SWEARINGEN francs, each of them working two
jobs. They are forced to sell their
“uy de Maupassant’s The home and live in a slum. One day
I Necklace is the story of a after the debt has finally been
young woman, Mathilde, who paid, Mathilde runs into her well-
desires desperately to be accepted to-do friend. She confesses that
into high society. One day her the necklace she returned is not
husband, an ordinary man, is the one she borrowed, and she
given an invitation to an elegant learns that the necklace loaned to
ball. Mathilde borrows a necklace her had been made from fake
from a wealthy friend to wear to gemstones! The borrowed neck-
the occasion. During the course lace had been worth less than 500
of the evening, she receives many francs.
compliments from the aristocracy Trying to keep up appear-
present. Unfortunately, later that ances almost always leads to
night, she realizes she has lost the falling flat on your face.
necklace.
Jesus said, “They do all their deeds

to be noticed by men.”
MATTHEW 23:5 NASB
112) GOD'S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS
THE LESSON FROM THE BEE
MANY PEOPLE TODAY SEEM hot weather, thus working for

to go through their day with one another’s comfort.
their stingers out, ready to attack When the time comes for
others or to defend their position bees to move to new quarters,
at the slightest provocation. We scouts report back to the group,
all do well, however, to consider doing a dance very similar to the
the full nature of the bees we one used to report a find of
sometimes seem to emulate. honey. When enough scouts
Bees readily have confirmed
feed each other, The most the suitability of
sometimes even a important single the new location,
bee of a different ingredient in the bees appear
colony. Wie. the formula of to make a com-
worker bees feed success is know- mon _ decision,
ing how to get
the queen bee, along with take wing, and
who cannot feed | people. migrate togeth-
herself. They feed ““.. THEODORE ROOSEVELT _, er—all at the
the drones during same time—in
their period of usefulness in the what we call a swarm.
hive. They feed the young. They Only as a last-resort measure
seem to enjoy this social act of of self-defense do bees engage
mutual feeding. their stingers and then, never
Bees cluster together for against their fellow bees. We
warmth in cold weather and fan would do well to learn from
their wings to cool the hive in them!
See that no one pays back evil for evil,

but always try to do good to each other
and to everyone else.
1 ‘THESSALONIANS 5:15 TLB
new insights into ageless question
| thought Christians were supposed to be like Jesus, acting
like He would act if He were here on earth. But all | see is
Christians fighting and arguing with each other. My friends
say that Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites when they
talk about peace and love. What am | supposed to say to
them?
When people accept Jesus as their Savior and become Christians,
they are forgiven—not perfect. In fact, the Bible says they are just
like newborn babies. Now you know that babies have a lot more
potential than they do good sense. Typically, they scream for what
they want and are selfish (though adorable) little creatures.
Newborn Christians often act badly as well. That’s why the apostle
Paul keeps telling the Christians in the New Testament to grow up
and start acting more like Jesus.
Unfortunately, some Christians never do shed their baby ways.
That’s certainly not God’s will, but He loves them just the same.
And He never stops forgiving them and trying to teach them a bet-
ter way to live.
The best thing you can do is to keep growing in your faith and
living a life that is pleasing to your Heavenly Father. When your
friends see that, they will learn that all Christians don’t behave badly.
The vast majority really are committed to peace and love.
How Do You Spell Patience?
Persistence pays off!

Always keep your goals in sight.
Train yourself to approach your goals one
Step at a time.
Invest your whole self into your efforts.
Experience the joys of hard work.
Never give up!
Celebrate smalls steps toward success.
Expect the best from your successes and
your failures,
LET YOUR PATIENCE

WORK FOR YOU
WW often think than two thousand
ofgreat artists sketches and ren-
and musicians as derings in the
having bursts of process.
genius. More often, PATIENCE Leonardo da Vinci
they are models of IS BITTER worked on “The
painstaking —_pa- BUT ITS FRUIT Last Supper” for
tience. Their great- IS SWEET ten ‘years, often
_ est works tend to ; working so dil-
avew=peen ac igently that he for-
complished over got to eat.
long periods and in When he was
extreme hardships. quite elderly, the
Beethoven is said pianist Ignace
to have rewritten each bar of his Paderewski was asked by an
music at least a dozen times. admirer, “Is it true that you still
Josef Haydn produced more practice every day?” He replied,
than eight hundred musical “Yes, at least six hours a day.” The
compositions before writing The admirer said in awe, “You must
Creation, the oratorio for which have a world of patience.”
he is most famous. Paderewski said, “I have no more
Michelangelo’s “Last patience than the next fellow. I
Judgment” is considered one of just use mine.”
the twelve master paintings of the Put your patience to use in
ages. It took him eight years to the pursuit of your dreams.
complete. He produced more
You have need of endurance,
so that after you have done the will of God,
you may receive the promise.

HEBREWS 10:36 NKJV
GET BACK UP
Jae rt
pea:
who \
\
( aA THE MAN WH
WINS MAY a!
THE DIFFERENCE HAVE BEEN said to go.
between success COUNTED OUT Peter had a hard
and failure is often SEVERAL TIMES, time making the
the ability to get up BUT HE DIDN'T transition from
just one more time fisherman to fisher
than you fall down! RECO of men. He sank
Moses _ easily ; while trying to
could have given H.E. JANSEN walk on water, was
up. He had an in- strongly rebuked
terrupted childhood and lived by Jesus for trying to tell Him
with a foster family. He also had a what to do, and denied knowing
strong temper, a stammering Jesus in that hour when Jesus
tongue, and a criminal record, needed him most. He easily could
but when God called to him, he have seen himself as a hopeless
ultimately said yes. failure, but when the opportunity
Joshua had seen the Promised came to preach the Gospel before
Land and then been forced to thousands on the Day of
wander in the wilderness for forty Pentecost, he respondeds™%,
years with cowards who didn’t be- No matter whatyyou
lieve, as he did, that they could what mistakes you
conquer their enemies and_pos- made, what errors yo
sess the land. He could have committed, you're 10
given up in discouragement, but until you lie down and quit.
he was willing to go when God
Though ar 1ehteous man falls seven

times, he riSe€S again.
PROVERBS 24:16 NIV
| iw for Challenging Your
Perception of Failures
7
PROVERBS 25:28 N
Many men have too much
willpower. It’s won't power
As he chopped, a strange
they lack. thing began to happen. He said,
John A. Shedd “I felt as if Iwere outside myself,
looking at myself through a kind
DEVELOP of fog that was gradually clear-
ing. And suddenly I knew that
“WON’*T” POWER what I had been planning for
that evening was so wrong, so
ING ON, SEX" AND “SELF-
out of key with my standards and
CONTROL, Norman Vincent
my loyalties and the innermost
Peale writes: “Martha took the kids
me that it was out of the ques-
away to the mountains for a
tion.” He canceled the date.
month, so I was a summer bache-
Have you exercised your
lor. And about midway through «
wont power lately:
9,9) | >
that month I met a girl, a beautiful

girl looking for excitement. She
made it clear that I had a green
light . . . so for one weekend I put
my conscience in mothballs and Re
ASS
eee eae
arranged a meeting with her for

Saturday night. ee 2
“I woke up early Saturday The great Civil War General Robert

morning with a bit of a hangover; E. Lee became the commander in
chief of the Confederate Armies in
I'd played poker until late the night the winter of 1865. Soon after, he re-.
before. I decided to get up, put on turned to his hometown. of
Richmond, Virginia, a paroled pris-
my swimming trunks, and take a
oner of war, who chose to spend the
walk on the beach to clear my rest of his life setting an example for |
head. I took an ax along, because thousands of other ex-Confederates.
Toward the end of his heroic,
the wreck of an old barge had come tragic life, the great man attended
ashore down the beach, and there the christening of a friend’s child.
was a lot of tangled rope that was The mother asked him for a word
that would guide the child along the
worth salvaging. . . . There was road to manhood. Lee's answer
something about the freshness of summed up the creed that had
the morning and the feel of the ax borne him, through struggle and
suffering, to a great place in
that made me want to keep on American history. “Teach him,” he
swinging it. So I began to chop in said simply, “to deny himself.”
earnest.”
PASS OUT SOME SMILES

AND ‘THOUGHTFUL WORDS
‘It has been estimated that more than 95 percent of all
Americans receive at least one or more Christmas cards each
year. The average is actually more than seventy cards per fam-
ily! Millions of cards are mailed worldwide each holiday sea-
son. Have you ever wondered where this custom began?
A museum director in the mid-nineteenth century had a
personal habit of sending notes to his friends
at Christmastime each year, just to wish
The light them a joyful holiday season. One year, he
in the eyes found he had little time to write, yet he still
lof him wanted to send a message of good cheer. He
whose heart
is joyful] re- asked his friend, John Horsely, to design a
oices the card that he might sign and send. Those who
earts of received the cards loved them so much they
| others. | created cards of their own. Thus the
| PROVERBS 15:30 AMP__|
Christmas card was invented!
It’s often th e simple heartfelt gestures in life that speak
most loudly of friendship. Ask yourself today, What can I do
to bring a smile to the face of a friend? What can I do to
bring good cheer into the life of someone who is in need,
trouble, sickness, or sorrow? Follow through on your answer.
It’s not a gift you are giving as much as a friendship you are
building!
Good nature begets smiles,

smiles beget friends,
and friends are better
than a fortune.
DAVID DUNN
Don’t wait for the holidays to send greetings to your friends.
This week make a list with names of all those whose friend-
ship you cherish. Each week take two or three of the names
and send them a friendship card or letter telling them what
you like most about them. Also let them know that you are
praying for them especially that week for God to guide their
paths into a closer relationship with Him.
Once those words are written, don’t forget to do what you've

promised. Keep the list of names with you in your wallet or
purse and pull them out whenever you can. Pray a simple
prayer—it’s fine for it to be silent—for each person on the list.
HANG IN THERE
We all know the power of gravity. across the universe with

When we drop a hammer, it hits nearly unimaginable power.
our toes; it never floats upward. Gravitational pull is what keeps
We fall down not up. What many the moon orbiting the earth, the
of us don’ realize is that the planets revolving around
gravitational energy of the sun, and the sun—
the whole earth has PERSEVERANCE along with a billion
been estimated to IS A GREAT ELE- other stars—rotating
amount to only a MENT OF SUCCESS; around the center of
millionth — of a IF YOU ONLY KNOCK our galaxy like a
horsepower! A toy LONG ENOUGH AND cosmic pinwheel.
magnet in the hands LOUD ENOUGH AT
You may not have
of a child probably THE GATE, YOU ARE
a great deal of power
SURE TO WAKE UP
has thousands of SOMEBODY or energy today, but
times more energy. HENRY WADsWorTH aS the popular phrase
What gravity lacks LONGFELLOW states, you can “hang in
in energy, however, it makes theres,
up in tenacity. Gravity simply Dont stop believing! Don’t
refuses to let go. give up hope! Eventually the door
Not only is gravity tenacious, will be opened.
but it has far-reaching effects.
Gravitational pull appears to
be virtually limitless, reaching
"ASK, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU: SEEK AND YOU

WILL FIND; KNOCK, AND IT WILL BE OPENED To YOU.’
LUKE 11:9 NKJV
GOT
ZeS
7
: road mors about it...orayor

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LET S,.GO!
A:-MAN ONCE TOOK HIS saw that he was not terrified, she
three-year-old daughter to an began to laugh. The new experi-
amusement park. It was ence that was initially ter-
her first visit to such a rifying had suddenly
become enjoyable.
In fact, she insisted
‘and sounds, but
i dreams of the future 4 on riding the same
mostly she was : better than the history: ride three more
thrilled at the : of the past. times!
whirl and whiz of iy THOMAS JEFFERSON re What a comfort
the rides. She begged it is to know that not
her dad to let her ride only will our Heavenly
one particular ride, even Father will not only ride the
though it was considered the new rides in life with us, but the
scariest ride for kids her age. future is never scary to Him. He
As she whipped around the cor- has good things planned for us.
ners in her kiddy car, she sud- When we look into the future
denly wrinkled up her face and from our perspective, we may be-
let loose with a terrified cry. Her come frightened. When we look
father, who was riding in the car at the future from God’s perspec-
with her, struggled to get her at- tive, we are far more likely to
tention. With a big smile, he shout, “Let’s go! Isn't this going
shouted over the roar of the ride, to be fun?”
“This is fun!” When the little girl
Do not remember the former things,

Nor consider the things of old. Behold,
I will doa new thing.
ISAIAH 43:18-19 NKJV
Facts
As a young man, Thomas Edison’s primary interest
was improving the telegraph. He invented the multiplex
telegraph, the ticker tape machine, and other telegraphic
innovations. In the early 1870s, financier Jay Gould
bought out the Western Union telegraph system, establish-
- _ ing a monopoly of the industry: Edison realized that the

lack of competition reduced his need to be innovative.
Edison described this realization as a “whack on the
side of the head” that knocked him out of his telegraphic
routine of thinking, forcing him to look into other areas to
use his talents. Within just a few years, he came up with
the light bulb, the power plant, the phonograph, the film
projector, and several other inventions.
GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS | 127
DO “THE COMMON
THINGS WELL
The secret of success is to do

the common things uncommonly well.
John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Helping the deaf to communicate advice: Should he let someone else

was Alexander Graham Bell’s moti- perfect the telephone, or should he
vation for his life’s work, perhaps be- do it himself? Henry encouraged
cause his mother and wife were both him to do it himself, to which Bell
deaf. “IF I can make a deaf-mute complained that he lacked the neces-
talk,” Bell said, “I can make metal sary knowledge of electricity. Henrys
talk.” For five frustrating and impov- brief solution was, “Get it.”
erished years, he experimented with So Bell studied electricity. A year
a variety of materials in an effort to later when he obtained a patent for
make a metal disk that, vibrating in the telephone, the officials in the
response to sound, could reproduce patent office credited him with
those sounds and send them over an knowing more about electricity than
electrified wire. all the other inventors of his day
During a visit to Washington, combined.
D.C., he called on Joseph Henry, a Hard work. Study. Hope.
scientist who was a pioneer in re- Persistence. These are all common
search related to electricity. He pre- things. They are the keys, however,
sented his ideas to him and asked his to doing uncommonly well.
Do you see a man who excels in his

work? He will stand before kings; he
will not stand before unknown men.
PROVERBS 22:29 NKJV
PASS THE TEST
KOH-IN-NOOR I want to give it to you again in

mond is among the world’s the fullness of my strength, with
st spectacular. It is all of my heart and af-
part of the British fection, and _ grati-
crown jewels, pre- tude, now and for-
sented to Queen ever, fully realizing
Victoria by a ma- all that I do.”
harajah in India A day will
At a dinner held in his
when the mahara- come when you
iakolatolmelat-m-\-lallare plal-lavclae
jah was only a FtRewepneaiMmaieas likely will look
young boy. was regaled by toasts from back and say, “I’m
several professors.
Years later, grateful for my
“Since you became presi-
when he was a Gear Seone collesguie “cn. teachers and the
grown man, the (RUN RTeweicmuremeem lessons they taught
maharajah visited [CUMS me about disci-
: aha 5 knowledge.” :
Queen Victoria in co tbe pline, concentra-
“What you say is true, but :
England. He asked can claim little credit for it,” [agus hard work,
that the stone be [Maleametsitt Meal ance cooperation, and
brought from the that the freshmen bring so
the right and wrong
much in and the seniors
Tower of London, take so little away.” ways to compete.”
where it was kept in Even more valuable
safety, to Buckingham, will be the day when
Palace. The queen did as he you look in a mirror
requested. i) say, “Knowing what I now
Taking the diamond in_ his know about life, I see v
hand, he knelt before the queen tinuing to teach,
and presented it back to her, say- myself.”
ing, “Your Majesty, I gave this
jewel when I was a child, too
young to know what I was doing.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in

i
WI
Ce
Be
the faith; test yourselves. 2 CORINTHIANS 13:5 NIV

_ How do you spell passion? Take some tim
to ponder these points about passion.
Pursue your vision and dream.

Answer God’s call on your life.
Seek God's will. oe
Seize opportunities.
Initiate contacts who can help you.
Open your heart to possibilities.
Never give up—think positive thoughts,
GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS — 131
PASSIONATE ENTHUSIASM
fter years of small scale. When

working in he was finally
Rome on life-size satisfied with his
NOTHING design, only then
sculptures,
Michelangelo went
GREAT WAS did he pick up a
to Florence, where EVER ACHIEVED chisel and mallet.
agey large: block WITHOUT EN- Michelangelo ap-
of splendid white THUSIASM. proached painting
Carrara marble RALPH WALDO EMERSON
the ceiling of the
had been obtained Sistine Chapel
for a colossal sta- with the same
tue. Within weeks, imcensity. ) able
he had signed an took only a month
agreement to to develop the
complete a rendition of David theme, then launched with a fury
for the cathedral. Contract in into the final design, building
hand, he started in at once, scaffolding, and hiring helpers.
working with a furious energy so Lying at uncomfortable angles on
great that he often slept in his hard boards, breathing the
clothes, resenting the time it took suffocating air just under the
to take them off and put them on vault—plaster dust inflaming his
again. He faultlessly examined eyes and irritating his skin—he
and precisely measured the spent much of the next four years
marble to see what pose it could literally sweating in physical
accommodate. He made sketches distress as he worked. May you
of possible attitudes and careful, do your work with the same
detailed drawings from models. passionate enthusiasm!
He tested his ideas in wax on a
The joy of GOD is your strength!

NEHEMIAH 8:10 MSG
MANNERS MATTER
pe POLITENESS re
GOES FAR,
IN 1865, AFTER YET COSTS coat that covered
General Ulysses S. NOTHING his insignia and
Grant had moved ; rank, and therefore
his occupying army SENECA the fact that he was
into Shiloh, he or- a Northerner.
dered a seven o- “May I walk with
clock curfew for the city. One dis- you, Mrs. Johnson?” he asked.
tinguished Southern lady, a Mrs. “Why, yes,” Mrs. Johnson
Johnson, was seen walking near replied, nearly blushing. “I’m al-
the army’s downtown headquar- ways glad to have a gentleman as
ters near the curfew time. an escort.”
General Grant approached Mrs. Johnson would walk
her and said, “Mrs. Johnson, it’s a with a man she saw as a gentle-
little dangerous out there. I am man, even though she would not
going to ask two of my officers to walk with a Union solider. Good
escort you home.” manners and genuine politeness
She replied determinedly, “I go a long way toward “covering”
wont go.” . many of our faults, mistakes, and
Grant smiled, went back into differences.
his headquarters, and returned in
a few minutes, wearing an over-
A kind man benefits himself.

PROVERBS 11:17 NIV
for Being All Things
to All People
When my teacher gives me an assignment, do |:
A. Procrastinate, then slap something together at the last
minute?
B. Begin my work early and pace myself to meet my dead-
line?
C. Blow off the assignment altogether? It won't prepare
me for the future anyway.
D. Tackle the project with passion and give it 100 percent?
When grades come out, | am:

A. Nervous, wondering whether or not my grades are pass-
ing.
B. Prepared to hide my grades from my parents, hoping
they won't notice.
C. Hopeful that my teachers will have mercy on me and
give me a better grade than I’ve earned.
D. Proud to accept the grades I've been given, knowing
that | did my best.
If you answered the questions with a “D,” then you will probably go
on to do great things academically. If you answered any of the others,
you are risking your education and your future. Correct your course
while there is still time.
LEARN TO BE A’‘THINKER
She told him of an impending

YOU CAN LEAD operation and said she felt certain
A BOY TO COLLEGE, she would die if her son were not
BUT YOU CANNOT readmitted. Wilson heard her
MAKE HIM THINK. pleas and then responded, taking
KIN HUBBARD
a very tough stance, “Madam,
you force me to say a hard thing.
If I had to choose between your
\ t Princeton, Woodrow life or my life or anybody’s life
£-\. Wilson was first a teacher and the good of this college, I
and later president of the univer- should choose the good of the
sity. Although he was popular college.”
with the students, he did have a Failure to study and to apply
reputation for cracking down on oneself fully to one’s studies is a
students who were not serious in form of rebellion. The same holds
their pursuit of an education. for cheating. Do your best in
The mother of one young school. Don’t blame a teacher for
man who was expelled for cheat- being too hard on you, when the
ing made a trip to Princeton to blame actually lies in your being
talk with Wilson. She pleaded too easy on yourself. Learn to be
with him to reinstate her son be- a thinker!
cause of the possible adverse reac-
tion his expulsion would have on
her own health and reputation.
It is senseless to pay tuition to educate

a rebel who has no heart for truth.
PROVERBS 17:16 TLB
MATURITY
A number of definitions of access to the phone.

maturity have been offered by ¢ Maturity is when you not
experts, but these are perhaps only are old enough to stay at
among the best understood home alone, but when you
by the average person: can be trusted to stay at
¢ Maturity is when MA eae home and even have
you not only want to DOESN'T COME friends over.
have a puppy to call WITH AGE; ¢ Maturity is
your own, but when IT COMES WITH AC- when you are not
you remember on CEPTANCE OF RE- only old enough to
your own to give it SPONSIBILITY. drive. “the? “cateuian
food and water every ED COLE yourself, but you pay
day. for the gasoline you use.
¢ Maturity is when you ¢ Maturity is when you are
not only know how to dress not only old enough to stay up
yourself, but you remember to late, but you are wise enough to
put your dirty clothes in the go to bed early.
laundry hamper after you've The more you learn to accept
taken them off. responsibility for your life, the
¢ Maturity is when you not more you will grow in maturity.
only are capable 6f using a With greater responsibility and
telephone to call a friend, but maturity come greater privileges.
when you know how to keep
your calls short so others can have
WHEN 1WAS A CHILD, 1 SPOKE AS A CHILD. 1 UNDERSTOOD

AS A CHILD, 1 THOUGHT AS A CHILD: BUT WHEN TRECAME A
MAN, IPUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS,
1 CORINTHIANS 13:11 NKJV
NZ:
A }
f
| ||
\ } |
}
| en !
‘TITUS 2:6 NIV

Conquer yourself rather than
the world.
CAN YOU LOOK Descartes
YOURSELF-IN THE EYEr

WHEN YOU GET WHAT you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife,
Whose judgment upon you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life,
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people may think youre a straight-shooting chum,
And call you a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says youre only a bum,
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end,
And you have passed your most dangerous, difficult test,
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down your pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartache and tears,
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
—Anonymous
Learn to conquer yourself by developing your self-control,
and you'll be able to look yourself straight in the eye and know
youve done your best.
oe ee.
U
EGS os
According to Stephen L. Carter, profes- that we reflect on the morality of our

sor of Law at Yale University, integrity everyday choices.
requires three central elements: Number two, acting on what we
1. Discerning what is right and what is have discerned proves that we can
wrong. trust ourselves to do what is right,
2. Acting on what you have discerned, even when it costs us something.
- even at personal cost. The third criteria underscores that
3. Saying openly that you are acting on a person of integrity is unashamed to
your understanding of right from declare personal beliefs of what is
wrong. true, right, and good, while tempering
Professor Carter explains: these beliefs with compassion.
“Number one, discerning, requires
A
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by Corrie ten Boom with John and
Elizabeth Sherrill
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by Kimberly Cash Tate
GOD NEVER DISAPPOINTS
MARIAN HAD HER SIGHTS had hoped to do at the conserva-

set on becoming a concert singer, tory. That someone arrived only
a challenge that was doubly diffi- a few weeks later. One of
_ cult because of the color of her Philadelphia's most outstanding
skin. Her mother, however, voice teachers, Guiseppe
had a patient trust in 2008
Boghetti, made room
God. Marian later °e
ee?
for her to become
said, “Mother’s reli- Trustin one of his students.
gion made her be- ~” yourself and you are *. Marian
lieve that she : doomed to disappoint- * Anderson was on
would receive what : ment; but trust in God, : her way to be-
: and you are never to be : coming one of the
was right for her to
confounded in time
have if she was con- most magnificent
or eternity.
scientious in her singers of the twen-
Ce ee eae cn DWIGHT L. MOODY SP
faith. tieth Mcentury. On
come, it was because He ween Easter Sunday in 1939,
had not considered it right for she sang for more than 75,000
her. We grew in this atmosphere people gathered in front of the
of faith that she created... . We Lincoln Memorial and gave a
believed as she did because we performance never forgotten by
wanted the same kind of haven those who were there. Trusting
in the time of storm.” her future to God, she accom-
When Marian was denied plished more than she could
admission to a famous music have dreamed.
conservatory on account of her Regardless of the opposition
race, her mother calmly said that you encounter in reaching your
“someone would be raised up” to dream, always remember that
help her accomplish what she God is on your side.
It is better to take refuge inthe

Lord than to truSt in man.
PSALM 118:8 NIV
‘The Chinese character for the word
“integrity” is a combination of the charac-
ters that represent the word person and the
word word. Something like this:
Person + Word = Integrity
_The Chinese find it incomprehensible
that a person of integrity would fail to keep
his or her word. That's a good lesson for us
in the western world, where we depend on
contracts and litigation to keep things just
and fair. As Christians, we too should find
it unacceptable to say one thing and do an-
other. Shouldn't God be able to count on
us to keep our word, especially when He
has always kept His?
GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS _ {43
GOD’S FAVOR RESTS ON

‘THOSE WHO KEEP
‘THEIR WORD
ie EEN ae freed him from any
Slavery, Booker A GOOD obligation to his
T. Washington REPUTATION master, this black
describes meeting IS MORE man walked the
an ex-slave from greater portion of
Virginia: VALUABLE THAN the distance back
“IT found that MONEY. to. where his
this man had PUBLILIUS SYRUS old master lived
‘ made a contract in Virginia, and
with his master, placed. “the last
two or three years dollar, with inte-
previous to the Emancipation rest, in his hands.
Proclamation, to the effect that “In talking to me about this,
the slave was to be permitted to the man told me that he knew
buy himself, by paying so much that he did not have to pay his
per year for his body; and while debt, but that he had given his
he was paying for himself, he was word to his master, and his word
to be permitted to labor where he had never broken. He felt that
and for whom he pleased. he could not enjoy his freedom
“Finding that he could secure till he had fulfilled his promise.”
better wages in Ohio, he went Your ability to keep your
there. When freedom came, word, not your ability to acquire
he was still in debt to his money, is your true measure as a
master some 300 dollars. person!
Notwithstanding that the
Emancipation Proclamation
Choose a good reputation

over great riches.
PROVERBS 22:1 NLT
CHOOSING FRIENDS WISELY
A missionary surgeon in one of China’s hospitals re-

’stored sight to a man who had been nearly blinded by
~cataracts. A few weeks later, to his great surprise, forty-
eight blind men showed up on his hospital’s doorstep.
They had all come to be cured. Amazingly, these blind
men had walked more than 250 miles from a remote
area of China to get to the hospital. They had traveled
by holding on to a rope chain. Their guide and
inspiration was the man who had been cured.
As iron The Christian evangelist, Dr. J. Wilbur
sharpens Chapman, concluded from his study of the
iron, a friend New Testament Gospels that Jesus healed some
sharpens a forty people personally and directly. Of this
friend. number, thirty-four were brought to Him by
PROVERBS 27:17 NLT friends or family members, or Jesus was taken
hosiiaciecaad to the ailing person by others. Only six of the
forty people healed in the Gospels found their way to
Jesus, or He to them, without someone giving assis-
tance.
In the Gospels, Jesus refers to His followers as
“fri¢nds.” To them, He was the Friend of friends, clos-
er even than a brother. Not only do you become like
the friends with whom you associate, but when you
choose to hang out with friends who are like Jesus, you
will find yourself imitating Him more and more.
Keep Company with good men

and good MEN you will imitate.
If you desire to choose the right kind of friends—those who
will have a positive influence on you, try these helpful sug-
gestions:
1. Choose friends who share your belief in God.

2. Choose friends who share similar values.
3. Choose friends with integrity.
4. Choose friends who are kind.
5. Choose friends you might approve of for your little
brother or sister.
eoSSS
ERNEPW LEE
KE PeAl? Tay
The way to get to the top

is to get off your bottom.
Dr. Eugene Swearingen
/ One day, in the fall of 1894, his father was not. He saw no use in
Guglielmo retreated to his room on being able to send a signal so short a
the third floor of his parents’ home. distance. So Guglielmo labored on.
He had just spent his entire summer Little by little, he made changes in
vacation reading books and filling his invention, so he could send a sig-
notebooks with squiggly diagrams. nal from one hill to the next and
Now the time had come to work. then beyond the hill. Eventually, his
He rose early every morning. He invention was perfected, partly by
worked all day and long into the inspiration but mostly by persever-
night, to the point that his mother ance.
became alarmed. He had never been Guglielmo Marconi eventually
a robust person, but now he was ap- was hailed as the inventor of wireless
pallingly thin. His face was drawn, telegraphy—the forerunner of the
and his eyes were often glazed over radio. He not only received a Nobel
with fatigue. Prize in physics for his efforts, but
| Finally, the day came when he also a seat in the Italian senate and
announced his instruments were many honorary degrees and titles.
ready. He invited the family to his You can accomplish anything
room, and pushing a button, he suc- you set your heart on by combining
ceeded in ringing a bell on the first your vision with hard work.
floor! While his mother was amazed,
How long will you lie down, O sluggard?

When will you arise from your sleep?
PROVERS 6:9 NASB
CORRECT YOUR MISTAKES
A janitor at the First Security since most of the checks were still
Bank in Boise, Idaho, once acci- unrecorded, and as a result, the
dentally put a box of eight thou- bankers could not know who
sand checks worth paid what to whom.
$840,000 on a trash What did the su-
AN ERROR
table. That night, the DOESN'T BE- _ Pervisor do? He or-
operator of the paper COME A dered that the shred-
shredder _—_dutifully MISTAKE UNTIL ded pieces be recon-
dumped the box of YOU REFUSE TO structed. Fifty em-
checks into his ma- CORRECT IT. ployees worked in two
chine, which cut the ORLANDO A. BATTISTA shifts for six hours a
checks into quarter-inch day inside six rooms—
shreds. He then dumped the shifting, matching, and
paper scraps into a garbage can pasting the pieces together as if
outside the bank. When the bank they were jigsaw puzzles—untl
supervisor realized what hap- all eight thousand of the checks
pened the next morning, he were put together again.
wanted to cry. Humpty Dumpty may have
Most of the checks had fallen from the wall, but did the
been cashed at the bank and king’s men even try to put him
were awaiting shipment to a together again? If you make a
clearinghouse. Their loss repre- mistake, work on a solution!
sented a bookkeeping nightmare
HE WHO HEEDS DISCIPLINE SHOWS THE WAY TO LIFE, BUT

WHOEVER IGNORES CORRECTION LEADS OTHERS ASTRAY.
PROVERBS 10:17 NIV
STAND BY YOUR FRIENDS
P, WE SHOULD ~\
PRESIDENT BEHAVE TO hardheatedes,
Harry Truman had OUR FRIENDS orneriest man in
a reputation for AS \WEV\W OULD the world; there
having never been WISH OUR isnt anything I can
sly or disloyal in his J «> Adon
life. He stood by a TA ERS TER Unfortunately,
friend even when : Pendergast’s pen-
he risked public ARISTOTLE chant for horse
ridicule for it. races caused him to
One of Truman’s friends from be investigated for income tax
his army days was Jim evasion. He confessed, was fined,
Pendergast, whose Uncle Tom and was sentenced to serve fifteen
was the head of the Democratic months in a federal penitentiary.
Party in Kansas City. Jim and his When Pendergast died during
dad urged Truman to run for of- Truman’s vice-presidency,
fice—a judgeship in rural Jackson Truman didn’t hesitate to fly to
County. A year later Truman did Kansas City for the funeral. “He
so, and with Pendergast’s support, was always my friend,” Truman
he won the election. As judge, he said of him, “and I have pyeys
didn’t always agree with been his.”
Pendergast’s practices. Tom once True friendship is not based
said to a group of contractors on what a friend does for you, but
who had asked him to influence on what he means to you.
Truman, “I told you he was the
Do to others as you would

have them do to you.
LUKE 6:31 NIV
for Building
Strong Friendships
When I'm introduced to someone | find attractive, do I:
A. Shy away after a muffled “hello?”
B. Tell myself that someone this attractive could never be
interested in me?
C. Ask interested questions about this person’s life?
When my mom tells me there is a “help wanted” sign in the

window of the corner store, I:
A. Clean up, put on my best clothes, and stop by the next
day to talk to the manager.
B. Wait a few days, then call the store about the opening.
C. Tell myself no one will hire me anyway; there’s no point
in following up.
D. Blow it off completely. My mom doesn’t know what's
up.
Dont let your life slip through your fingers. Ask God to help
you turn the negative attitudes in your life into positive ones.
‘TAKE THE FIRST STEP
just had to ask: “Why do you sit

DON'T BE in that one spot all day, every
DISCOURAGED; day?”
He replied with a smile, “I
EVERYONE WHO
happen to believe in reincarna-
GOT WHERE HE |S, tion. I believe that I have lived
STARTED WHERE HE many times before and that I will
WAS. have many lives following this
one. So this life ’'m sitting out.”
|B ae the late 1960s, a cou- In reality, it’s impossible for
ple was vacationing in the any of us to sit out life. Each day,
California mountains one day, we are either moving forward or
and they noticed a pleasant-ap- backward, getting stronger or
pearing young man sitting by a weaker, moving higher or lower.
bridge near their hotel. Day after Each of us begins every new day
day they saw him sitting in that with a fresh opportunity to
same spot. At first, they assumed change tomorrow’s starting point.
he was fishing, but after taking a You only have one chance at
closer look, they realized he was it. What will you do today to
doing nothing—just sitting and make your tomorrow better?
staring into space. Finally, on the
last day of their vacation, they
couldn't stand it anymore. They
Though your beginning was insignificant,

Yet your end will increase greatly.
JOB 8:7 NASB
ery:
Consider these insights about flatt
and the giver.
* Flattery corrupts both the receiver
Edmund Burke
erer too.
¢ | cant be your friend, and your flatt
Thom as Fulle r
vanity puts
¢ Flattery is a false coinage, which our
into circulation.
La Rouchefoucauld
e all like it.
* We do not hate flattery, any one of us—w
Charles H. Spurgeon
is not one
* Among all the diseases of the mind there
ry.
more pernicious than the love of flatte
Richard Steel
ing our
¢ Flattery is the worst and falsest way of show
esteem.
jonathan Swift
FLATTERY WILL GET

YOU SOMEWHERE
fi ancient Greece, “And you, if you
TREAT
the philosopher had only learned to
EVERYBODY ALIKE,
Aristippus consid- live on lentils,
NO MATTER FROM
ered by all who WHAT STATION IN would not have to
knew him to be the LIFE HE COMES.... flatter King
master of political REALLY GREAT MEN Denys.”
craftiness—learned AND WOMEN ARE Another way to
to get along well in THOSE WHO ARE regard flattery is
_ royal circles by flat- NATURAL, FRANK, this:
tering the tyrant AND HONEST WITH F—foolish
Denys. Not only EVERYONE WITH L—laughable
did he - flatter WHOM THEY COME A—accolades
Denys, but he was INTO CONTACT. T—to
proud that he did. WILLIAM H. DANFORTH T—tell
In fact, Aristippus E—everyone
disdained less prosperous fellow R—'round
philosophers and wise men who Y—you
refused to stoop that low.
One day, Aristippus saw his Speak the truth sincerely.
colleague Diogenes washing veg- When the truth is painful, con-
_etables, and he said to him, “If sider the option of remaining
you would only learn to flatter silent!
King Denys, you would not have
to be washing lentils.” Diogenes
looked up slowly and _ replied,
Don’t show favoritism.

JAMES 2:1 NIV
SWEET RELEASE
LLOYD JOHN OGILVIE coupled with the use of some of

wrote in Let God Love You, “The my written material, reproduced
hardest time to be gentle is when under his name. ... The most dif-
we know we are right and some- ficult thing was to surrender my
one else is obviously dead wrong. indignation and work through my
.. But the greatest temptation for hota
most of us is when someone has “Finally, the Lord got me
failed us and has admitted it, and where He wanted me. . . . His
their destiny or word to me was
happiness is in our clear and undeni-
hands. We hold the able; “Lloyd, why is
power to give or re- it sO important to
fuse a blessing. :means giving you who gets the
iRecenthyn" a ci — up your right to © ~ credit, just so My
dear friend hurt me punish another. — work gets done?’ I
in both word and DENNIS RAINEY gave up my right to
action. Each time be what only God
we met... I] almost could be as this
began to enjoy the man’s judge and
leverage of being the offended savior. The gentle attitude began
one. His first overtures of restitu- to flow.”
tion were resisted because of the When we withhold forgive-
gravity of the judgment I had ness, it not only hurts the person
made. He had taken a key idea I we don't want to forgive, it hurts
had shared with him in confidence us. Our creativity and joy in life
and had developed it as his own are stifled. When we forgive, we
before I had a chance to use it. release peace and restoration to
The plagiarism of ideas had been the forgiven and to ourselves.
Jesus said, “When you stand praying, if

you hold anything against anyone, forgive
him, so that your Father in heaven may
forgive you your sins.”
Mark 11:25 NIV
new insights into ageless questions
A while back, my best friend did something that hurt my

feelings really badly. He said he was sorry, and | said | for-
gave him, but | find that the resentment creeps back in
when I least expect it, and | have to forgive all over again.
How can | let go of it and put it behind me?
Forgiveness is a choice—a moment in time when we decide to forgive

a wrong done to us. Most people understand that part. The problem is that
forgiveness has two parts. It is also a process. This is the part that most peo-
ple overlook and the part that’s giving you some trouble. It takes time and
hard work to get past the hurt and disappointment caused by a betrayal.
The good news is that it’s doable.
Think of it this way. A tornado goes through your town and damages
your home. If that happened, your parents would have to make the deci-
sion to move you all to another place or try to repair or rebuild your home.
If they decide to stay, it will take time before things can be back to nor-
mal—and frankly, the new or restored home will always be a little differ-
ent from the original.
You've taken the first step and decided to rebuild your relationship
with your friend. Now give it time. Build new good memories to replace
the old, painful ones. Every morning, thank God for your friend and con-
sciously count off the things you like about him. Before long your head
will be dancing with your heart once again.
7
2
— Zs
A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR
A MISSIONARY FROM good sense of humor, we must be

Sweden was once urged by his able to laugh at our own mis-
friends to give up his idea of takes; accept justified criticism
returning..to India be- and recover from it; and
cause it was so hot learn to avoid using
there. “Man,” the - A statements that are
» fellow Swede Laughter unsuitable, even
urged, as if telling is the sun that though they may
his friend some- :drives winter from: _ be funny.
thing he didn’t al- *, the human face. a James M. Gray
ready know, “it’s VICTOR HUGO and William
120 degrees in the Houghton—two
shade in that country!” Godly men—were pray-
The Swedish missionary replied ing together one day, and the
“Vell, ve don’t alvays have to stay elderly Dr. Gray concluded his
in the shade do ve?” prayer by saying, “Lord, keep me
Humor is not a sin. It is a cheerful. Keep me from becom-
God-given escape hatch. Being ing a cranky, old man.”
able to see the lighter side of life Keeping a sense of humor is
is a virtue. Every vocation and a great way to become a sweet,
circumstance of life has a lighter patient, and encouraging person.
side, if we are only willing to see Learn to laugh at yourself occa-
it. Wholesome humor can do a sionally!
great deal to help defuse a tense,
heated situation. In developing a
A cheerful heart brings a smile to-your

face; a sad heart makes it hard to get
through the day.
PROVERBS 15:13 MSG
60.
pos GOD'S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS
CY
— Vy
Gy
Ce.i
Le
PK a E horas
Under [Christ’s] direction

the wHole BODY is fitted © An
cy
together Der fectly, and each

part in its OWN special way |
helps the other Parts. —
EPHESIANS 416 7LB 7 8
AK \ \\
tin aly Mw Late! wit. IO Me

‘hy \ A RS NS SANE AYER \ AK
Win NN
PN AA ts AR
NY AN
ANN A h\ \\" ANT
IN 4\\ \ wat \AN Nunn
‘
AAR
\ aN oe \
\ a calle oe
\ HNN AN * NA ‘ae ‘4 fyAA2A
a‘ a
\\
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Nn
1 am only one; but still i am one. |
cannot do everything, but still |
can do something; | will not refuse The patient who had heard his
to do the something | can do. confession became a Christian as a
Helen Keller
result. He survived the prison
camp and went on to tell the
world about life in the gulag.
YOU CAN MAKE That patient was Aleksandr
Solzhenitsyn, who became one of
A DIFFERENCE the leading Russian writers of the
twentieth century. He revealed to
the world the horrors of the prison
JEWISH PHYSICIAN BORIS
camps and perils of Russian com-
Kornfeld was imprisoned in Siberia.
munism. One person can truly
’ There he worked in surgery, helping
make a difference. There is some-
both the staff and prisoners. He met
thing you can do, and only you
a Christian whose name is unknown,
can do it. God created you with a
but whose quiet faith and frequent
destiny.
reciting of the Lord’s Prayer had an
impact on Dr. Kornfeld.
One day while repairing the
slashed artery of a guard, Dr.
Kornfeld seriously considered sutur-
ing the artery in such a way that the Ne ee 2
eee
guard would slowly die of internal As eisenl CEO and editor of

bleeding. The violence he recognized USA Weekend, 47-~year--old Marcia
Bullard didn’t need a new cause to
in his own heart appalled him, and
prove her success. But she wanted to
he found himself saying, “Forgive us do more,
our sins as we forgive those who sin ~ In 1992, Bullard had an idea. Since
against us.” Afterward, he began to it was leap year, she suggested that
refuse to obey various inhumane, people use the extra day to do some-
immoral, prison-camp rules. He thing kind for their neighbors. More
knew his quiet rebellion put his life than 70,000 people listened and acted,
and “Make a Difference Day” was
in danger.
born
One afternoon, he examined a Now the biggest day of volun-
patient who had undergone an oper- teering in the country, Bullard’s call to
ation to remove cancer. He saw in compassion has significantly changed
the man’s eyes a depth of spiritual the world around her.
misery that moved him with com- Marcia Bullard was simply reach-
passion, and he told him his entire ing out to others and she started a
story, including a confession of his
movement that is changing the world.
Is there an idea that God has planted
secret faith. That very night, Dr. in your heart? It may seem small, even
Kornfeld was murdered as he slept, insignificant. But don’t be too hasty to
but his testimony was not in vain. disregard it.
FIND WAYS
TO BENEFIT OTHERS
This American received a cine was released for widespread

medical degree from New use in the United States, virtually
York University College of ending the ravaging, crippling ef-
Medicine. He received an ap- fects of polio.
pointment to the Virus Research You will receive many oppor-
Laboratory at the University of tunities in your life and, most
Pittsburgh. He received an likely, a number of certifi-
assignment from the cates, diplomas, and
NO PERSON
army to develop a WAS EVER HON- awards. What ultimately
vaccine against in- ORED FOR WHAT HE will count, however, is
fluenza, and among RECEIVED. HONOR what you do with the
the many honors he HAS BEEN THE RE- training you have re-
received ‘was’. a WARD FOR WHAT ceived and the skills
Presidential Medal of HE GAVE. and traits you have de-
Freedom. CALVIN COOLIDGE
veloped.
Jonas Salk, however, Find a way to give, cre-
is not known for what he re- ate, or generate something
ceived, but for what he gave. He today that will benefit others. In
and his team of researchers gave your actions will be not only
their efforts to prepare an inacti- a potential for fame and reward,
vated polio virus that could serve but also great personal satisfac-
as an immunizing agent against tion—the reward of highest
polio. By 1952, they had created value.
a vaccine; and in 1955, the vac-
THE RIGHTEOUS GIVE WITHOUT SPARING.

PROVERBS 21:26 NIV
>
Zi
‘THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK
The difference between the right word and the

almost right word is the difference between
lightning and the lightning bug.
MARK TWAIN
Consider the infamous statements “Sensible and responsible

listed below, and notice as you read women do not want to vote.”
that they all could be corrected by —Grover Cleveland, 1905
changing or inserting only one word! “Heavier-than-air flying ma-
chines are impossible.”
“Everything that can be —Lord Kelvin, president, Royal
invented has been invented.” Society, 1895
—Charles H. Duell, USS. Patent « [Babe] Ruth made Pybig
Office di loos) ;
on mistake when he gave
“Who wants to hear up pitching.”
actors talk?” —Tris Speaker, 1927
—H.M. Warner, W< Broth - ‘ ea :
ane. ey ore Gone with the Wind is going
, : Sit to be the biggest flop in
There is no likelihood eichbree leds?
man can ever tap the power er Coe
of the atom.” ,)
Bere ew
iiilen Nobel Deve Isnt it amazing what a difference
winner in physics, 1923 a word or two can make! Choose
your words carefully. Always think
before youyou speak.
sp
The right word at the right

time is like a custom-made
piece of jewelry.
PROVERBS 25:11 MSG
PREPARING FOR
SPIRITUAL COMBAT
ns
ye Re
_-“, v3) TEMPTATION: See ee

WE CAN LEARN
CAN CAUSE US antlers and_ less
a great deal from
TO SUCCUMB,
bulk. The fight it-
the Alaskan bull SINK, SIN, self involves far
moose. Each fall, OR STAND. more brawn than
during the breeding WILLIAM A. WARD brain and more re-
season, the males of liance on bulk than
the species battle on skill.
for dominance. They literally go What is the lesson for us?
head-to-head, antlers crunching Spiritual battles are inevitable.
together as they collide. When We each experience seasons of at-
antlers are broken, defeat is en- tack in our lives. Whether we are
sured since a moose’s antlers are the victors or the victims depends
its only weapon. not on our skills or brainpower
Generally speaking, the hefti- but on our spiritual strength.
est moose with the largest and What we do in advance of the
strongest antlers wins. Therefore, war determines the outcome of
the battle is nearly always prede- the battle. Now is the time to de-
termined the summer before. It is velop enduring faith, strength,
then that the moose eat nearly and wisdom. Now is the time for
‘round the clock. The one that prayer, reading, and memorizing
consumes the best diet for grow- God’s Word. Then, whenthé op-
ing antlers and gaining weight portunity comes, youll be pre-
will be the victor. Those who eat pared. Te |
inadequately will have weaker
Take up the Whole armor of God, that

you may be able to Withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand.
EPHESIANS 6:13 NKJV
} on How to Prepare
for Spiritual Warfare
};
A. | get up and leave.
B. | say that | feel uncomfortable with the conversation.
C. | defend my friend.
D. | get angry and remain silent.
A. | remain silent. | don’t want to offend anyone.

B. | participate in the conversation. It’s fun.
C. | tell my friend that people are talking about her or him.
D. | pray for my friends.
If your honest response is not one you can be proud of, ask God to help
you become the friend you should be.
GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FORTEENS 169
A FRIEND IS A FRIEND AT
ALL ‘TIMES
occasions with these two women
and one of their friends, Sylvia.
One day, she said, she sat nearby
WHO CEASES and heard the three of them talk-
ing about the wedding reception
TO BE A FRIEND, of Sylvia’s daughter the week be-
NEVER WAS ONE. fore. They raved about the food,
the flowers, the elegant country
club location, the beautiful bride.
. . . Mom said Sylvia was obvi-
Ir Lessons from Mom, Joan Aho ously beaming with pride.
Ryan writes about loyalty in “Well, then Sylvia left, and
friendship. She says, “We went to you should have heard them,’
one of the local shopping malls Mom said. . . . ‘I couldn't believe
recently where Mom ran into two friends could be that two-faced.
women who live in her develop- They ripped her apart, talking
ment. . . . They greeted her effu- about how cheap she was, her
sively. It was a brief exchange, homely son-in-law, the music
during which she introduced me, they couldnt dance to. It was
and they were on their way. awful. And they call themselves
‘What phony baloney,’ she said friends,’ she clucked. “Who needs
when they were well ahead of us. friends like that?”
Since her remark came from Speaking well of others is not
nowhere, I asked her what she only a good way to acquire
meant. friends, but to keep them.
“With obvious disdain, she
explained that she had sat under
the canopy at her pool on several
A friend loves at all times.

PROVERBS 17:17 NIV
Ik YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING

TO SAY, DON’T TALK!
Albert Einstein is reputed to have had a wholesome

disregard for the tyranny of custom. One evening,
the president of Swarthmore College hosted a dinner
held in Einstein’s honor. Although he was not sched-
uled to speak during the event—only to receive an
award—after the award was made, the audience
clamored, “Speech, speech!” The president
turned the podium over to him. Einstein re-
luctantly came forward and said only this:
hb oe “Ladies and gentlemen, I am very sorry but
uth: the I have nothing to say.” And then he sat
: down.
wise measure
their words.
A few seconds later, he stood back up
a PROVERBS 10:19 MSG
and said, “In case I do have something to
say, I'll come back.”
Some six months later, Einstein wired
the president of the college with this message: “Now
I have something to say.”
Another dinner was held, and this time, Einstein
made a speech.
~ If you have nothing to say, it’s wise to say noth-
ing. If you do have something to say, it’s wise to say
it in as few words as possible. As the old saying goes,
“If your mind should go blank, don’t forget to turn
off the sound.”
The most valuable of all talents is that

of never-using two words when one will do.
THOMAS JEFFERSON
rm JUST BOTT
If you find you are talking more than you should, try
these helpful tips:
1. Ask others thoughtful Ls oe themselves.

2. Practice listening skills.
3. Nod and smile to show interest instead of talking.
4. Make eye contact to Ee: your attention instead y)
talking.
5. Introduce others into the conversation.
Norman Vincent Peale was often asked, “Dont you
think life would be better if we had fewer Prob
_lems?” He always answered the same way. “I'll be
happy to take you to Woodlawn Cemetery because
the only people I know who don't have
any problems are dead.”
Dr. Peale even believed that problems
were useful. They make us feel alive. They help us to
depend on God and stay in fellowship with Him. He
once said, “If you have no problems ar all, you're in
grave jeopardy! 1 suggest you race home,
go straight to your bedroom, and slam the door.
Then get down on your knees and pray: “What's the
matter, Lord? Dont You trust me anymore? Give me
some problems!”
Peale had a remarkable attitude toward
problems. He felt the solution was in the attitude. He
encouraged people to think of problems as
opportunities. He believed in the power of positive
thinking.
How do you deal with problems?
MAKE THE MOST

OF YOUR SITUATION
story is told of When they
identical twins: THE HAPPIEST peeked in on the
one a_hope-filled PEOPLE DON'T pessimistic twin,
optimist who often NECESSARILY they heard him
said, “Everything is HAVE THE complaining, “I
coming up roses!” BEST OF don’t like the color
a the other, a EVERYTHING. of this toy. Pl bet
sad and_ hopeless this toy will break!I
pessimist who con- THEY JUST don't like to play
tinually expected MAKE this game. I know
the worst to happen. THE BEST OF someone who has a
The concerned par- EVERYTHING. bigger toy than
ents of the twins this!”
took them to a psy- Tiptoeing across the corridor,
chologist, hoping he might be able the parents peeked in and saw their
to help them balance their person- optimistic son gleefully throwing
alities. manure up in the air. He was gig-
The psychologist suggested gling as he said, “You can't fool me!
that on the twins’ next birthday, Where there’s this much manure,
the parents put them in separate there’s gotta be a pony!”
rooms to open their gifts. “Give How are you looking at life
the pessimist the best toys you can today? As an accident waiting to
afford,” the psychologist said, “and happen or a blessing about to
give the optimist a box of manure.” be received?
The parents did as he said.
Not that I speak in regard to need,

for | have learned in whatever State I am,
to be content: ... I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.
PHILIPPIANS 4:11,13 NKJV
WORDS MAKE
A DIFFERENCE
One day, a young altar boy was bishop turned to him but rather
serving the priest at a Sunday than responding in anger, gently
Mass being held in the country whispered with a warm twinkle
church of his small village. The in his eyes, “Someday you will be
boy, nervous in his new role a priest.” That boy grew up to
at the altar, accidentally become Archbishop
dropped the cruet of DO NOT Fulton Sheen.
wine. The village REMOVE A FLY Words have power.
priest immediately FROM YOUR The childhood phrase,
struck the boy FRIEND’S FORE- “Sticks and stones can
sharply on the cheek break my bones, but
and in a very gruff
HEAD WITH A
words can never hurt
voice, shouted so that HATCHET. me,” simply isn’t true.
many people could hear, CHINESE PROVERB Words do hurt. They
“Leave the altar and don’t wound—sometimes deeply.
come back!” That boy became Words also can reward, build
Tito, the Communist leader who self-esteem, create friendships,
ruled Yugoslavia for many give hope, and render a blessing.
decades. Words can heal and drive
One day in a large city accomplishment.
cathedral, a young boy was Watch what you say to a
serving a bishop at a Sunday friend today! Are your words like
Mass. He, too, accidentally poison to the heart, or do they
dropped the cruet of wine. The drip with the sweetness of honey?
REPROVE, REBUKE EXHORT

WITH GREAT PATIENCE AND INSTRUCTION.
2 TIMOTHY 4:2 NASB
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GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS — 17?
YOU ARE AWESOME,

CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE
A/ FARMER ONCE , a young day, the naturalist took the eagle
eagle in the forest, brought it to the top of the house and said
home, and raised it among his the same thing before letting the
ducks..and. turkeys. Five eagle go. Again, it spot-
years later, a naturalist Cie cds “the chickens
came to visit him below and fluttered
Every
and saw the bird. down to join them
Calling in feeding.
Eeihats- an eagle
is great when "Ones more
not a chicken!” he
said. “Yes,” said 2 greatly pursued. ¢ try,” said the natu-
the farmer, “but I’ve
*» Oliver Wendell Holmes io ralist. He took the
raised it to be a ° oP Tess
eagle up a mountain.
The trembling bird
° Peooee® °
chicken.” “Still,” said
the naturalist, “it has a looked around, and then the
wingspan of fifteen feet. les?an naturalist made it look into the
eagle!”
i
“It will never fly,” said the
‘<9
sun. Suddenly, the eagle
farmer. The naturalist disagreed, stretched out its wings, gave a
and they decided to put their ar- mighty screech, and flew away,
gument to the test. never to return.
First, the naturalist picked People may say you are just a
up the eagle and said, “Eagle, hunk of flesh—a chicken rather
thou art an eagle; thou dost be- than an eagle. But deep inside,
long to the sky and not to this you have a spirit created in God's
earth; stretch forth thy wings image, and you are destined to
and fly.” The eagle saw the chick- fly.
ens and jumped down. The next
I press toward the goal for the prize of

the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 3:14 NKJV
JESUS IS YOUR PATH
FE. STANLEY JONES TELLS that he was lost. Again, all he

the story of a missionary who be- could see was bush and a few
came lost in an African jungle. clearings. “Are you quite sure this
Looking around, he saw nothing is the way?” he asked. “I don’t see
but bush and a few clearings. He any path.”
stumbled about until he finally The native looked at him
came across a native hut. He and replied, “Bwana, in this
asked one of the place there is no
natives if he path. I am the
could lead him
It is
impossible for path.”
out of the jungle that man to When we
and back to the despair who have no. clues
ies remembers
mission station. thatinic about which di-;
iiie native Helper is om- rection = we're
agreed to help nipotent. going, we must
him. HEREN TILER remember that
“Thank God who guides
you!” exclaimed the missionary. us is omniscient—all-wise.
“Which way do I go?” The native When we run out of time, we
replied, “Walk.” And so they did, must remember that God is om-
hacking their way through the nipresent—all time is in His
unmarked jungle for more than hand. When we are weak, we
an hour. must remember that God is om-
In pausing to rest, the mis- nipotent—all-powerful. He is
sionary looked around and had everything we need.
the same overwhelming sense
I will lift up my Cyes to the mountains;

from where shall my help come? My help comes
from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
PSALM 121:1-2 NASB

S into ageless questions
What you are describing is common—we all have doubts sometimes.

Fortunately, our salvation does not depend on our feelings. It is a fact that
we can rely upon. We have been given the gift of salvation through Jesus
Christ. That’s an unshakable truth, supported by God’s Word—the Bible.
(Read Romans 10:9-10; Acts 10:43; Isaiah 45:22.)
On days when your feelings don’t match that fact, rest in the assurance
of your salvation—thar’s faith, believing in something you dont see or feel.
Have faith and let your faith grow through times of doubt. And don't
worry, the feelings will come, the assurance will come, the joy will come as
you spend time with your Heavenly Father and keep your faith securely an-
chored to Him.
—2
Zo 7,Re
REAL FRIENDS WANT WHAT'S

BEST FOR YOU
‘Tis better to be alone, than in bad company.

GEORGE WASHINGTON
Coach Gregory watched with pride their friend? They know what youre
as Rashaan Salaam accepted the trying to accomplish. They know the
_ Heisman Trophy. He recalled the potential you have to do great things.
hotshot eighteen-year-old who, fi- If you are their friend, when they get
nally free from his mother’s tight dis- ready to get into something, they'll
cipline, had arrived in Colorado say, ‘Salaam, get out of here. Go
ready to devour the world. He said, home and study.”
“Rashaan was a gangster wannabe. As a coach, Gregory wanted
He came here wearing all this red Salaam to find daylight and get into
stuff, talking about gangs. He hadnt the end zone; but as his friend, he
done it back home because his wanted him to live in the daylight
mother would never have tolerated and make it to life's goal line as a pro-
it.” Neither did Gregory. He never ductive citizen. Winning a football
lectured or preached to Rashaan, but game is never a one-man effort. It's a
he did ask him questions. When team effort. The same holds true for
Rashaan came to him, talking about life, and the good news is you can
his new friends, Gregory said, “Sure, choose the players on your team!
they are your friends, but are you
Do not be misled:
“Bad company cor-
rupts good character.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:33 NIV
A LESSON FROM
THE LOBSTER
i < | :
y. ya
LAZINESS IS Pita
HENRY WARD pe places, and _ leaves
Beecher, one of the MISTAKEN them there, like
most powerful preach- FOR stra nded lobsters. If
ers in American histo- PATIENCE. they choose to lie
ry, gave this illustra- where the breakers
tion in one of his ser- have flung them, ex-
mons: pecting some grand billow to take
“The lobster, when left high them on its big shoulders and
and dry among the rocks, has no carry them to smooth water, the
sense and energy enough to work chances are that their hopes will
his way back to the sea, but waits never be realized.”
for the sea to come to him. If it Laziness is doing nothing,
does not come, he remains where hoping nothing, being nothing.
he is, and dies, although the Patience, on the other hand,
slightest exertion would enable doesn’t mean not doing anything.
him to reach the waves, which are It means working on in hope that
perhaps tossing and tumbling what you're waiting for will even-
within a yard of him, tually come to pass, but you will
“There is a tide in human af- continue to work on) even if it
fairs that casts men into ‘tight doesn't.
Let us lay aside every weight, and

the SIN which so easily ensnares us, and
let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us.
HEBREWS 12:1 NKJV
V7
7.
for Running the Race

That Is Set Before Us
) : | A n 1 > ER AN EI Ww i
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Wallace Fridy notes, “Old Faithful is not the
largest geyser, nor does it reach the greatest height.
Nevertheless it is by far the most popular geyser. Its
popularity is due mainly to its regularity and
dependability. You can count on Old Faithful.
Nothing in life can take the place of faithfulness and
dependability. It is one of the greatest virtues.
Brilliance, genius, competence—all are subservient
to the quality of faithfulness.”
Are you a faithful person? If your family and
friends were asked that question about you, what
would they say? If there is room for improvement,
you can count on God to help you. He is the Faithful
One.
GOD'S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FORTEENS — 185
LET YOUR ACTIONS

BACK UP YOUR WORDS
hen Teddy tary of the navy three
weeks after the war
Roosevelt MEN ARE ALIKE declaration so that
was asked to give a
speech to the Naval IN THEIR he'd be ready to fight.
War College in PROMISES. His friends told him
Newport, Rhode IT IS ONLY IN he was crazy for
Island, on June 2, THEIR DEEDS throwing away his
political future. His
ae
eadiness.pe e a
in- THAT THEY wife was against it.
~ sisted the only way DIFFER. Yet all who knew
to keep peace was to MOLIERE Roosevelt well knew,
be ready for war, and even as they made
the only way to be them, that their
ready for war was to protests were in vain.
enlarge the navy. It was a rousing, He had to join the effort. He later
patriotic speech. The following wrote that he wanted to be able to
February, the Maine was blown up, tell his children why he had fought
killing 264 sailors, and Americans in the war, not why he hadn't fought
across the land cried, “Remember in it. As far as he was concerned, a
the Maine!” In April, President person simply couldn't preach one
McKinley asked Congress to declare thing and then do another.
war. That kind of attitude is what
For obvious reasons, Americans will separate you from the pack and
were not surprised that Roosevelt cause you to be a great man or
backed the wal effort. Most woman in life. When your actions
Americans were surprised, however, line up with your words, a tremen-
when Teddy Roosevelt resigned dous reputation will follow.
from his position as assistant secre-
Many aman claims to have unfailing

love, but a faithful man who can find?
PROVERBS 20:6 NIV
but a chattering foo!

COMCErbOsditd M1.
ee | ee ALN te SN
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A es
wh
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He that has learned to obey will
know how to command.
checked himself, dropped. his
SOLON
arm without striking the blow,
and retreated. That perfect and
ready obedience to the will of
READY his general is the noblest thing
OBEDIENCE that was done today on the bat-

tlefield.”
TE STORY IS TOLD: OF A That’s the kind of obedi-
great military captain who, after a ence God desires from us—im-
full day of battle, sat by a warm- mediate and complete.
ing fire with several of his officers
and began talking over the events
of the day.
He asked them, “Who did the ay
best today on the field of battle?” The story of Jonah has been called the
biggest fish story of all time. Jonah was a
One officer told of a man prophet of God. His job was to go where
who had fought bravely all day God sent him and say what God told him
to say.
and then just before dusk had Well... Jonah did a pretty good job
been severely wounded. Another of being a prophet until God sent him to
the city of Nineveh. You know the story—
told of a man who had taken a hit instead of obeying God and calling the
for a fellow soldier, sparing his citizens of the city to turn from their sin-
ful behavior and back to God, Jonah ran
friend’s life but possibly losing his away and ended up in the belly of a huge
own. Yet another told of the man fish. That’s where he stayed for three
days and three nights.
who had led the charge into bat- By the time the fish vomited up Jonah
tle. Still another told of a solider on dry land, he had learned his lesson and
who had risked his life to pull a was ready to do as God had asked him.
Why did Jonah disobey God?
fellow soldier into a trench. Surprisingly, it was because he knew that
The captain heard them out if he convinced the sinful people of
Nineveh to repent, God would forgive
and then said, “No, I fear you are them. That ticked him off. Jonah yelled at
all mistaken. The best man in the God, “| knew it—when | was back home,
| knew this was going to happen! That’s
field today was the soldier who why | ran off to Tarshish! | knew you were
was just lifting up his arm to sheer grace and mercy, not easily an-
gered, rich in love, and ready at the drop
strike the enemy, but, upon hear- of a hat to turn your plans of punishment
ing the trumpet sound the retreat, into a program of forgiveness!” (Jonah
4:2 msc)
PIERCE ‘THE DARKNESS
Have you ever watched an icicle impressions, experiences, visual

form? Did you notice how the images, or the words of
dripping water froze, one others—helps build our
drop at a time, until the character.
icicle was a foot long or CHARACTER We must remain
more? IS WHAT YOU concerned at all times
If the water was about the droplets
ro ARE IN THE ‘
clean, the icicle re- that we allow to drip
mained clear and DARK. into our lives. Just as
sparkled brightly in the DWIGHT L. MOODY
habits born of hate,
sun; but if the water was falsehood, and evil intent
slightly muddy, the icicle mar and eventually destroy
looked cloudy, its beauty spoiled. us, acts that develop habits of
Our character is formed in love, truth, and goodness silently
the same way. Each thought or mold and fashion us into the
feeling adds its layer of influence. image of God.
Each decision we make—about When you build a clear,
matters both etéats stand sparkling character, the light re-
small—contributes. Every out- flected through you will pierce
side influence that we take into the darkness around you.
our minds and souls—be they
THE INTEGRITY OF THE UPRIGHT WILL GUIDE THEM.

PROVERBS 11:3 NASB
1. Who is limited.
2. Who has unlimited potential.
3. Whom you don’t know.
What do you feel are your greatest strengths and God-given gifts, those
qualities that comprise your unique potential? On a separate piece of
paper, make a list of your natural, spontaneous talents—those things you
enjoy the most—and where those gifts point you. Then ask God to
broaden your inner image so you can contain all that He has created you
to be.
GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS | 191
BREAK FREE FROM

LIMITATIONS
hands once came to Jim in the
ADVERSITY clubhouse after a Yankees’ game
CAUSES SOME MEN and said, “They call me ‘Crab’ at
TO BREAK; OTHERS camp. Did kids ever tease you?”
“Yeah,” Jim replied. “Kids
TO BREAK
used to tell me that my hand
RECORDS. looked like a foot.” Then he
WILLIAM A. WARD asked the boy an all-important
question, “Is there anything you
ay a senior in high school, Jim cant do?” The boy answered,
veraged a .427 at bat and “No.”
led his team in home runs. He “Well, I don’t think so ei-
also quarterbacked his football ther,” Jim responded.
team to the state semifinals. Jim Today, what others see as a
later went on to pitch profession- limitation is only a limitation if
ally for the New York Yankees. you think it is. God certainly
That’s a remarkable achieve- doesn't see you as limited—He
ment for any athlete; but it’s an sees you as having unlimited po-
almost unbelievable one for Jim, tential. When we begin to see
who was born without a right ourselves the way God sees us,
hand. there are no records that we can't
A little boy who had only break!
parts of two fingers on one of his
If you faint
in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.
PROVERBS 24:10 NKJV
LEAVE A LASTING
IMPRESSION
When Salvation Army Officer Shaw saw the three men before
him, tears sprang to his eyes. Shaw was a medical missionary who
had just arrived in India. He had been assigned to a leper colony
that the Salvation Army was taking over. The three men before
him had manacles and fetters binding their hands and feet. Their
bonds were painfully cutting into their diseased flesh. Captain
Shaw turned to the guard and said, “Please unfasten the chains.”
ees “It isn’t safe,” the guard protested. “These
: only }) men are dangerous criminals as well as lepers!”
letter | need is you “TIL be responsible,” Captain Shaw said.
yourselves! . . . “They are suffering enough.” He then reached
They cansee that out, took the keys, knelt, tenderly removed the
you are a letter shackles from the men, and treated their bleed-
from Christ, ing ankles and wrists.
written by us. . . About two weeks later, Shaw had to make an
not one carved vie overnight trip. He dreaded leaving his wife and
stone, but in
human hears. child alone. The words of the guard came back to
2 CORINTHIANS 32-3718 f Dim, and he was concerned about the safety of
Wm sis family. When Shaw’s wife went to the front
door the morning she was alone, she was startled to see the three
criminals lying,on her steps. One of them explained, “We know
the doctor go. We stay here all night so no harm come to you.”
Even dangerous men are capable of responding to an act of
love! Touched lives are the most important monuments you can
leave. When you treat people with that kind of love, you are im-
pressing your name upon their hearts.
Carve your name on hearts

and not on marble.
CHARLES H. SPURGEON
Carve your name upon a few hearts this week. Make a list
and identify five people who are ill or need special encour-
agement. This could be a friend, a teacher, an elderly person
from your church, a single parent, or someone who has just
lost a loved one. The possibilities are endless.
Write an encouraging personal note on one side of an index card.

On the other side include a scripture with the person’s name written
in the space like this:
| always give thanks to God for you, , and mention you in my
prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your
work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our
Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:2 nrsv).
Sign your name and remember to pray for each one.
road mors about it...
welsoPraly
eWay to Life: Christian Practices for Teens
by Dorothy C. Bass, Don C. Richter
¢ Stop Pretending
by Luis Palau
° YouthWalk
by Bruce H. Wilkinson
¢ Honey for a Teen's Heart
by Gladys M. Hunt, Barbara Hampton
¢ Checklist for Life for Teens: Timeless
VW
KXeLo}asMe-]ele Me
mele)
|olcele) Meyde-}<-Xe]XY ce)g
Making the Most of Life's Challenges and
Opportunities
¢ Beyond Integrity
by Scott B. Rae, Kenman L. Wong
BE CAREFUL
WHAT YOU PROMISE
must deliver by the tenth. Your

A: MAN, WHO had been quite customers won't understand any
successful in the manufacturing delay. They'll see a delay as fail-
business. decided to retire. He ure. So even if it costs you over-
called in his son to tell him of his time, double time, or golden
decision, saying, “Son, it’s time, you must deliver on
all yours as of the first GOL
° e
eee
Ur ° e your promise.”
of next month.” The The son mulled
son, while eager to the trouble of this over for a few
take over the firm this life can be moments and
: traced to saying
and exert his own : “yes” too quick, and: then asked, “And
brand of leader- not saying “no” wisdom?” The fa-
ship, also realized ther shot back:
what a big responsi- “Wisdom is never
bility he was facing. “I'd making such a stupid
be grateful for any words of promise in the first place.”
advice you have to give me,” he Carefully weigh your ability
said to his father. to back up your words with evi-
The father advised, “Well, dence, and be sure you can deliv-
I’ve made a success of this busi- er on a promise before you make
ness because of two principles: it. A large part of your reputation
reliability and wisdom. First, is your ability to keep your word.
take reliability. If you promise
goods by the tenth of the month,
no matter what happens, you
Do you see a man who is hasty in.his

words? ‘There is more hope for a
fool than for him.
PROVERBS 29:20 NASB
THE RIGHT PLACE

AT THE RIGHT TIME
\ Fe 4 YOU CAN AC- eh, Sent?

COMPLISH ———_
se
El shies ee) Ko? MORE IN ONE tory by obeying
appeared to a man HOUR WITH God in a simple act
ne: £
named Ananias in a GOD THAN that was patt oO
vision and asked Saul’s transforma-
him to undertake ONE LIFETIME tion into the apostle
what Ananias must WITHOUT HIM. Paul. As he lay on
surely have per- his deathbed,
ceived as a dangerous mission. He Ananias looked up toward Heaven
directed him to go to the house of and whispered, “I haven't done
a man named Judas, lay his hands much, Lord: a few shoes sewn, a
on a man named Saul of Tarsus, few sandals stitched. But what
and pray that he might receive his more could be expected of a poor
sight. Saul had been blinded while cobbler?”
traveling to Damascus to persecute The Lord spoke in Ananias’
the Christians there, having the heart, “Don’t worry, Ananias,
full intent of taking them captive about how much you have accom-
to Jerusalem for trial, torture, and plished—or how little. You were
death. Even so, Ananias did as the there in the hour I needed you, and
Lord asked him, and within the that is all that matters.”
hour, Saul’s sight was restored. Being in the right place at the
According to Christian legend, right time, even if it’s only for one
Ananias was a simple cobbler who hour, can give you the opportunity
had no idea what happened to Saul to change history. In order to be
after that day, or how he had there, you must simply listen and
changed the course of human his- obey. . |
“With God all things

are possible.”
MATTHEW 19:26 NIV
CN
Moun
for Being in the Right Place at

the Right Time
for God to Use You.
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Fear imprisons,
Faith liberates;
Fear paralyzes,
Faith empowers;
Fear disheartens,
Faith encourages;
Fear sickens,
Faith heals;
Fear makes useless,
Faith makes serviceable;
Fear puts hopelessness at the heart of God,
Faith rejoices in its God.
HE Fosdick
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STAND FIRM
IN YOUR FAITH
ormer President expect to conduct
Harry S Truman himself as if he
once remarked that were trying to win
no president of our IF YOU DON'T a popularity con-
nation has ever es- STAND FOR test. Rather, a per-
caped abuse and MET son needs to chart
even libel from the aT Attn G, the course he feels
press. He noted compelled to walk
that it was far more FALL FOR in life and then do
common than rare ANYTHING! so with head held
to find a president high and his con-
publicly called a victions intact. It’s
traitor. Truman fur- simply a matter of
ther concluded that taking life in stride
the president who had not fought to recognize that every person
with Congress or the Supreme will eventually face the test of
Court hadn't done his job. ridicule and criticism as he up-
What is true for an American holds his principles or defends his
president is also true for everyone morals.
else. No matter how small a per- It’s inevitable that you will be
son’s job may be—no matter how criticized or attacked sometime in
low he may be on a particular or- your life, but collapsing from fear
ganizational chart or strata of so- of an attack isn’t inevitable. Stand
ciety—there will be those who firm in your faith, and the Lord
oppose him, ridicule him, and will stand with you!
perhaps even challenge him to a
fight. That is why no person can
“If you do not stand firm in your faith,

you will not stand at all.”
ISAIAH 7:9 NIV
KEEP YOUR PROMISES
The former president of Baylor ing. I signed the notes in good

University, Rufus C. Burleson, faith, and the last dollar shall be
once told an audience, “How _ paid if charity digs my grave and
often I have heard my fa- buys my shroud.’ [My fa-
ther paint in glowing LEARN ther] carried me and my
words the honesty of TO SAY brother Richard once
his old friend Colonel “NO”: especially to see that
Ben Sherrod. When |T WILL BE OF _ incorruptible old
he was threatened MORE USE TO man, and his face and
with bankruptcy and YOU THAN TO words are imprinted
destitution in old age BE ABLE TO upon my heart and
and was staggering READ LATIN. brain.”
under a_ debt Of CHARLES H. SPURGEON People will remember
$850,000, a contemptible us for our kept promises
lawyer told him, ‘Colonel and our honesty, especially
Sherrod, you are hopelessly ru- when we could have profited
ined, but if you will furnish me from not telling the truth. The
$5,000 as a witness fee, I can pick character of your word is your
a technical flaw in the whole greatest asset, and honesty is your
thing and get you out ofit.” best virtue.
“The grand old Alabamian
said, “Your proposition is insult-
JUST SAY A SIMPLE YES OR NO,

SQ THAT YOU WILL NOT SIN.
JAMES 5:12 TLB
OS
pO
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&
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.
I,
IL
SOLID VALUES FOR A SOLID

FOUNDATION
It’s not hard to make decisions when you know

what your values are.
Roy Disney
Marshall Field once offered the fol- Can you state the core principles
lowing twelve reminders to help a of your value system today? For
person obtain a sound sense of val- some, it is likely to be the Ten
ues: Commandments. For others, it is
The value of time. the sayings of Jesus.
The success of perseverance. Solid values are like unblem-
The pleasure of working. ished, evenly-hewn stones. No mat-
The dignity of simplicity. ter what you build with them, you
The worth of character. can be sure that if you follow the
The power of kindness. basic laws of construction, the struc-
The influence of example. ture will be solid, and all your deci-
tS The obligation of duty.
SO
Ooi
ars
ee sions will stand firm.
9. The wisdom of economy.
10. The virtue of patience.
11. The improvement of talent.
12. The joy of originating.
Daniel resolved not to de-

file himself.
DANIEL 1:8\NIV
\ ~~
A BIBLE—-CAREFULLY READ again... . You, my dear Corrie, are

and well worn—was the most im- the daughter of my grandson. .
portant book in You are a plant, bloom-
Gerrit’s house. His 4 ing from my seed. |
home was a house of | #1 = Vp | will show you some-
prayer, where many | ri oa thing that will never
tears were shed in | be changed. It is the
intercession for re- Word of God.” In the
vival in his church it | dream, he opened his
in Heemstede. [iaupannanl Bible and said, “This
Meee about packed
Almost a generation | book will be the same
later, his prayers | forever.” He then told
were answered as aa her, “Plant the seeds
that very church be- (iid from God’s Book,
pic Gra
came the center of || and they will grow
an upsurge of faith |songs, a swore from generation to
in Holland—part of | Baca ocneration.”
the Great Awakening ff Corrie ten Boom
in Europe. Be wae did just that. She
When she was (Riaeran planted God’s Word
about eighteen years | in hearts and minds
old, Gerrit’s great- | around the world.
| Information learned
a dream about him.' Sera 5 | in textbooks is con-
He was walking Males rehat are! . | tinually updated, and
through a beautiful | courses of study
park with her, and j change; / but .’the
he said, “When you sow ) truths of the Bible are
some seed and put it in the : absolutes. Its promises
ground, this seed will make a are sure. Plant its seeds in your
plant, and this plant will give seed heart.
6A knowledge
of the Bible
without a col-
lege course is
more valuable
than a college
course without
e
—
BN
<
—5 —
can doall things

through Him
who Strengthens me. — \
PHILIPPIANS 4:13 NASB

N iitiiiiititFTe8=FeetRT TS NN a
‘
apr?
+ GAN WA
| fe AK ee
iN NA
a! NNing\N ifN hag
Wa haets SAE Sant RS ),fh, esate AN
ih 0, 1 eh ee ee ie ae LM Mek.
Clear your mind of can't.
SAMUEL JOHNSON
door he could not unlock. To

his amazement, it swung open!
It had never been locked!
I CAN! How many times are chal-
lenges impossible—or doors
locked—only because we think
HARRY HOUDINI, WHO they are? When we focus our
won fame as an escape artist early minds and energy toward them
in the twentieth century, issued a and strike the word “can’t” from
challenge wherever he went. He our vocabulary, those impossi-
claimed he could be locked in any ble tasks turn into attainable
jail cell in the country and set goals.
himself free within minutes. He
had done it over and over in every
city he visited.
One time, however, some-
thing seemed to go wrong.
Houdini entered a jail cell in his ry door seems to slam shut
for young Joni Eareckson one July
street clothes. The heavy metal day in 1967. Diving in the murky wa-
doors clanged shut behind him, ters of Chesapeake Bay, she sudden-
and he took from his belt a con- ly felt her head strike something
hard and her body spin out of con-
cealed piece of strong but flexible trol.
metal. He set to work on the lock In those first terrible months
to his cell, but something seemed after the accident, Joni felt that her
life was over. Paralyzed from the
different about this particular chest down, she felt she had noth-
lock. He worked for thirty mining to look forward to but suffering.
utes, but nothing happened. An God had other plans.
Joni Eareckson Tada is now a
hour passed. This was long after wife, a painter, an author, and a
the time that Houdini normally public speaker in great demand. She
has inspired people around the
freed himself; and he began to world with her “can do” attitude
sweat and pant in exasperation. and complete trust in her precious
Still, he could not pick the lock. heavenly Father. More than thirty
years after her accident, she has
Finally, after laboring for two tackled the impossible countless
hours, frustrated and feeling a times. and with God's ‘help,
sense of failure closing in around emerged a winner!
him, Houdini leaned against the
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TEAM
In his book The Mind of about it?”

Watergate, psychiatrist Leo Porter: “I did not do any-
Rangell, M.D., relates what he thing.”
calls a “compromise of integrity” Baker: “Why didn’t you?”
as he analyzes the relationship Porter: “In all honesty, prob-
between former ably because of
President Richard the fear of the
M. Nixon and group _ pressure
several of his clos- that would ensue,
est confidants. He of not being a
companion.
records a conver- team player.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
sation between in- There’s_ noth-
vestigative coming wrong with
mittee member being a team play-
Senator Howard Baker and er as long as you
young Herbert L. Porter. choose the right team! You will
Baker: “Did you ever have become like your friends, even as
they change and become a little
any qualms about what you were
more like you. Therefore, choose
doing? Did you ever think of say-
your friends cautiously and
ing, ‘I do not think:this is quite
thoughtfully.
right. Did you ever think of
that?”
Posteri: Yes; ifdid@
Baker: “What did you do
He who walks with WISE men will be wise,

but the Companion of fools
will be destroyed.
PROVERBS 13:20 NKJV
INtS into ageless questions
First of all, I wonder if you're making the best choices in friends. Sometimes
we make friends without thinking about it much. Whomever we gravitate
toward, or whoever gravitates toward us, we make our friend. But who we
spend time with will influence us for good or for bad. ‘ry being more
proactive in choosing friends. For instance, sit down and make a list of the
qualities you seek to develop in your own life. Then make a list of your
friends and check their character against your list of desired qualities. How
do they measure up?
God expects us as Christians to follow the example that Christ left us. In
other words, He wants us to mirror the way Christ lived. That is not always
easy, but it can be almost impossible if we are influenced by unbelieving
friends. Go ahead and tell your friends why you don't want to party with
them. They may not show it at first, but deep inside they will respect you
for having the courage to stand by your convictions. Don’t give up on them
completely, your example may someday lead them to accept Christ, but try
to add a few Christian friends who share your beliefs and lifestyle. Chances
are, they will support you in your Christian walk and not ask you to do
things that offend your faith.
| am able to speak out when:
1. Someone uses the Lord’s name in vain.
2. | see a person bullying another.
3. | observe an injustice.
4. A friend needs defending.
5. A friend needs accountability.
6. | have wronged someone.
Give some thought to your answers. Are there any answers

you would like to change?
‘THE COURAGE
‘TO SPEAK OUT
| WOULD named Telemachus was part of

RATHER FAIL IN THE the vast crowd in the arena.
CAUSE THAT SOME- Telemachus was cut to the core
DAY WILL TRIUMPH by the utter disregard he saw for
THAN TRIUMPH IN A the value of human life. He
CAUSE THAT SOME- leaped from the spectator stands
into the arena during a gladiator-
DAY WILL FAIL.
ial show and cried out, “This
WOODROW WILSON
thing is not right! This thing
must stop!”
Because he had interfered,
‘\\V /hen Honorious was em- the authorities commanded that
Y peror of Rome, the great Telemachus be run through with
Coliseum was often filled to over- a sword, which was done. He
flowing with spectators who died, but not in vain. His cry kin-
came from near and far to watch dled a small flame in the nearly
the state-sponsored games. Part burned-out conscience of the
of the sport consisted of human people, and within a matter of
beings doing battle with wild months, the gladiatorial combats
beasts or one another—to the came to an end.
death. The assembled multitudes The greater the wrong, the
made holiday of such sport and louder we must cry out against it.
found the greatest delight when a The finer the cause, the louder we
human being died. must applaud.
One such day, a Syrian monk
Now thanks be to God who always

leads us in triumph in Christ.
2 CORINTHIANS 2:14 NKJV
BEING A LEADER
In 1643, a young shoemaker’s ap- city, praying and crying to the

prentice went to Leicestershire, Lord. The Lord spoke to him
England, for a business fair. these words as recorded in his
While there, a cousin invited him journal: “Thou seest how young
to share a jug of beer with people go together into van-
him and another friend ity and old people into
in the pub where they a a the earth. Thou must
WHO WANTS
had gone to eat. Being forsake all—young and
thirsty, he joinedae TO LEAD THE old—keep out of all,
them. ORCHESTRA and be as a stranger
After each of the MUST TURN HIS 10, all.” In obedience
men had drunk a glass BACK ON THE 4 this command, the
apiece, the man’s cousin CROWD. young man left his rela-
and friend began to drink tions and his home and be-
to the health of first this one and came a wanderer in England. His
then the other. They agreed that name? George Fox, the founder
the person who didn’t join in of the Quakers.
with their toasts would have to If you want to be a leader in
pay for the jug. This shocked the life, you will reach a day when
serious shoemaker’s apprentice. you will have to turn your back
He rose from the table, took out on people who want to waste
a coin, and said simply, “If it be their lives. Turn toward those
so, I will leave you.” who will lead you, and most of all
At that, he left the pub and to the One who will lead you—
spent much of the night walking your Father God. ©
up and down the streets of the
‘SO LEAVE THE CORRUPTION AND COMPROMISE: LEAVE Ir

FOR GOOD.” SAYS GOD. “DON’T LINK UP WITH THOSE
WHO WILL POLLUTE YOU. 1WANT YOU ALL FOR MYSELF.’
2 CORINTHIANS 6:17 MSG
—Inorder to be a leader a person must have -
followers. And to have followers, a person
must have their confidence. Hence the
supreme quality for a leader is unquestionably
integrity. Without it, no real success is
possible, no matter whether it is on a section
gang, a football field, in an army, or in an
office. If a person’s associates find him or her
guilty of phoniness, if they find that he or she
lacks forthright integrity, that person will fail.
A leader’s teachings and actions must square
with each other. The first great need,
therefore, 1s integrity and high purpose.
DWIGHT EISENHOWER
How Do you Spell Fearless?
Follow Christ with your whole heart.

Engage in relationships.
Approach life with passion.
Revel in joy.
Let others know how you feel.
Express your ideas.
Stand firmly in your faith.
Share your dreams.
‘TAKE THE RISK AND

EXPERIENCE LIFE
y ‘wo baseball * lov weep as ito
coaches were risk appearing sen-
commiserating MAN CANNOT timental.
about the difficulty DISCOVER ¢ To reach out for
of recruiting quali- NEW OCEANS another is to risk
ty players for their UNLESS HE HAS involvement.
teams. Said one ° To expose feel-
THE COURAGE
coach alfaonly- I ings is to risk ex-
TO LOSE SIGHT posing one’s true
could find a man
who plays every po- OF THE SHORE. self.
sition perfectly, al- ¢ To place ideas
ways gets a hit, and dreams before
never strikes out, and never a crowd is to risk ridicule.
makes a fielding error.” The other * To love is to risk not being
coach sighed in agreement and loved in return.
added, “Yeah, if we could just get ¢ To live is to risk dying.
him to lay down his hot dog and ¢ To hope is to risk despair.
come down out of the stands.” ¢ To try is to risk failure.
Playing life’s game to the
fullest requires taking risks. Yet the person who risks
Without risk, life has little emo- nothing does nothing, has noth-
tion, little that can be counted as ing, and ultimately becomes
exhilarating or fulfilling. nothing. Dont be afraid to go for
¢ To laugh is to risk appearing it. Get down out of the stands
the fool. and play ball!
Peter got out of the boat, and walked

On the water and came toward Jesus.
MATTHEW 14:29 NASB
RESOLVE TO SUCCEED
& aie,
" f
{
ALWAYS BEAR IN /
pale Reed
— MIND THAT YOUR
FAMOUS STAGE mother sighed, ‘I
and film actress
OWN RESOLUTION hate to see you start
Helen Hayes be- TO SUCCESS under a handicap,
lieved her resolute- IS MORE IMPOR- mi said. “What

ness about her own TANT THAN ANY made
could you
pte say
ea you
potential for success The feel; ‘slate
played an important OTHER ONE oT ae ae
ee will play before re-
role at the beginning THING. hearale Becta
of her career. She ABRAHAM LINCOLN said. We went at
once told the story once to try to rent a
of a particular audi- piano and ended by
tion: “Before the authors gave me buying one. I began lessons at
the script, they observed, in a mat- once, practiced finger exercises till
ter-of-course manner, ‘Of course I could no longer see the notes—
you play piano? You'll have to sing and began rehearsals with the abil-
to your own accompaniment in the ity to accompany myself. Since
piece.’ As these alarming tidings then, I have never lived too far
were in the course of being made, I from a piano.”
caught a bewildered’ look in my What you believe
own potential for s
mother’s eyes, and $0 I spoke up
far more than what a
before she could. ‘Certainly I play
son may believe. Beli
piano, I answered.
believes about yous
“As we left the theater, my
ated for success.
The Lord GOD will help me;

Therefore | will not be disgraced;
Therefore |have set my face like a flint,
and | know that I will not be ashamed.
ISAIAH 50:7 NKJV
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overcoming difficuities
Be Patient: God Isn’t Finished with Me Yet
(Teen Edition) 5
Dealing with the Stuff that Makes Life
Tough: The 10 Things That Stress Teen Girls
Out and How to Cope with Them
by Jill Zimmerman Rutledge
Failing Forward: How to Make the Most of
Your Mistakes
by John C. Maxwell
God's Little Instruction Book for Teens:
Getting an Edge on Life
It’s a Jungle in Here: Devotions for Teens
by Dale Larsen, editor
Stand Your Ground: Devotions for Teens
_ Wrestling with God: Prayer That Never
Gives Up
by Greg Laurie
RISING ‘TO ‘THE CHALLENGE
WEN f AARON WAS source outside ourselves for

months old, he stopped gaining strength and courage. He came to
weight. A few months later, his the conclusion that God does not
hair began to fall out. At first, doc- cause our misfortunes but rather
tors told Aaron's parents helps us by inspiring oth-
that he would be short ers to help.
as an adult but other- Out of Harold
- Little Minds *.
wise normal. Later, Kushner’s _experi-
- aretamed and *
a pediatrician diag- subdued by mis- ence came a book
nosed the problem : fortune; but great : that has helped
as progeria, or rapid * minds rise above millions, When
aging. Just as the pe- them. Bad Things Happen
to Good People. He
e e
diatrician predicted, oe, WASHINGTON IRVING

e
°°
°
Aaron never grew be- Seeen. Ae
Pe eceeee® says, “I think of Aaron
yond three feet in height, and all that his life taught
had no hair on his head or body, me, and I realize how much I have
looked like an old man while still lost and how much I have gained.
a child, and died of old age in his Yesterday seems less painful, and I
early teens. His father, a rabbi, felt am not afraid of tomorrow.”
a deep, aching sense of unfairness. When you stop looking at the
About a year and a half after difficulties in your life as obstacles
Aaron’s death, the father came to and start seeing them as stepping
realize that none of us is ever stones, you will begin to rise above
promised a life free of pain or dis- your difficulties and gain some-
appointment. Rather, the most thing from them. They will make
any of us has been promised is that you stronger and wiser.
we need not be alone in our pain
and that we can draw upon a
A righteous man falls seven

times and rises again.
PROVERBS 24:16 AMP
LISTEN UP
An American Indian was once visiting New York City; and as

he walked the busy Manhattan streets with a friend from the
city;-he suddenly stopped, tilted his head to one side, and
said, “I hear a cricket.”
“Youre crazy,” his friend said. The Cherokee answered,
“No, I hear a cricket. I do! I’m sure of it.”
Le The Huet replied, “It’s the noon hour. People are
jammed on the sidewalks, cars are honking,
taxis are whizzing by, the city is full of noise.
listen to con- And you think you can hear a cricket?”
structive ote “Tm sure I do,” said the visitor. He lis-
pe hs Se . tened even more closely and then walked to
among the the corner, spotted a shrub in a large cement
wise. planter, dug into the leaves underneath it,
| PROVERBS 15:31 NLT | and pulled out a cricket. His friend was as-
en tounded. The man said, “The fact is, my
fee Weamy ears are different than yours. It all depends on
what your ears have been tuned to hear. Let me show you.”
At that, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful of
loose change, and dropped the coins on the pavement. Every
head within a half block turned. “See what I mean?” he said,
picking up the coins. “It all depends on what you are listen-
ing for.”
Listen today to those things that will make you wise.
Dont neglect those things that will prepare you for eternity.
A good listener is not only popular

everywhere, but after a while
he knows something.
WILSON MIZNER
JUST DO IT
It’s hard to miss the fact that God gave each of us two ears and
one mouth. Could that be because our lives just work better
when we listen twice as much as we talk? Improve your lis-
tening skills by trying these helpful suggestions:
e Make eye contact.
¢ Don’t let distractions interrupt your attention.
e Include body language, rise and fall in tonal inflections, and
countenance in your observations to understand fully what is
being expressed.
e Smile and nod your head to affirm your interest and atten-
tiveness.
e Pay attention to what the person is
saying instead of concentrating on
your response.
¢ Mirror back what has just been said.
For instance, “So what I’m hearing @
is that you feel...”
222, GOD'S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS
CPORTS
AMERICAN Ui UIALYJU FANS after his injury as a time of deep
watched in awe on Sunday, March despair. Still, he never entertained
4, 1979, as Phil took doubts about walking
to the giant-slalom or skiing.
slopes at Whiteface After two
Mountain, New i = months on crutches
York. He exploded and a_high-disci-
onto the course and fF Meta pline exercise pro-
then settled into a | gram, he forced
powerful carving of [igabiad MeN himself to walk
without limping.
the mountainside. [Ra
In
Nonetheless, at gate August, he began
thirty-five, tragedy skiing gentle slopes.
struck. Phil hooked Less ~ than si
his inside ski on a months after the ac-
pole, went flying cident, he entered a
head over heels, (Aree race in Australia
and crashed in a [Rep and finished sec-
crumpled heap. SiSts Mlis aks ability to stick
ond. In February of
The ski team physi- 1980, less than a
cian described the year after his ago-
injury as “the ulti- nizing injury, Phil
mate broken ankle’— Mahre took on the
a break of both the ankle and same mountain where
lower leg. He had to put he had fallen, and he won an
the bones back together with a Olympic silver medal.
three-inch metal plate and seven When defeat and despair
screws. threaten to overtake you and
The question was not whether squash your dreams, keep on
Phil would ever ski again but if he going. Eventually, you will over-. |
would ever walk again. Looking take defeat with victory and de-
back, Phil describes the months spair with joy!
66 Never
despair;
but if you
do, work
on in de-
spair. 99
"TERENCE
your work will be rewarded. 2 CHRONICLES 15:7 NIV

STAYING COOL
Don’t cross your bridges until you get to them.
We spend our lives defeating ourselves crossing
bridges we never get to.
BOB BALES
During the four-week siege of a second shell hit the road in front
-Tientsin, during the Boxer of the house. Then came a third
Rebellion of June 1900, Herbert shell. This one burst through one
Hoover helped erect barricades of the windows of the house and
around the foreign compound and demolished a post by the staircase.
organized all the able-bodied men Several reporters covering the
into a protective force to man siege rushed into the living room
them. Mrs. Hoover went to work to see if she was all right and found
too, helping set up a hospital, tak- her calmly seated at the card table.
ing her turn nursing the wounded, “I don’t seem to be winning this
rationing food, and serving tea hand,” she remarked coolly, “but
every afternoon to those on sentry that was the third shell and there-
duty. Like her husband, she re- fore the last one for the present
mained calm and _ efficient anyway. [heir pattern is three in a
throughout the crisis, and even row.” Then she suggested brightly,
seemed to enjoy the excitement. “Let’s go and have tea.”
One afternoon, while she sat at If you think about it, you will
home playing solitaire to relax after realize most of the things you
her work at the hospital, a shell worry about never happen. Instead
suddenly burst nearby. She ran, to of worrying, relax and use your
the back door and discovered a big mental energy for more important
hole in the backyard. A little later, things.
“Don’t be aNXIOUS about tomorrow.

God will take Care of your tomorrow too.
Live one day ata time.”
MATTHEW 6:34 TLB
BE EX’TRAORDINARY
Country -music star Randy Travis turned down more than once by
and his manager, Lib, remember every label in Nashville, but I’m
the lean days of his career—all kind of one to believe that if you
3,650 of them. For ten work at something long
years, Lib did whatever it enough and keep beliey-
took to keep her club ing, sooner or later it
THE DIFFER-
open long enough for will happen.”
somebody to discover ENCE BETWEEN
In many instances
Travis’ talent. For his ORDINARY AND in life, it’s extra effort
part, Randy sang his EXTRAORDINARY that makes the differ-
heart out, and when IS THAT LITTLE ence. Money can buy a
he wasn't singing, he EXTRA. house, but loving
fried catfish or washed touches turn it into a
dishes in the kitchen. Then home. A sack lunch can be a
it happened. Everything seemed gourmet meal with a love note
to click for him. He had a hit tucked inside. A meal is just food,
called “On the Other Hand,” an but with candles and flowers, it’s
album contract, a tour offer, and an occasion. Do more than is re-
a movie deal. He was hot! quired of you today. Give the
Everyone seemed to be calling extra that makes life truly extraor-
him an overnight success. dinary.
Travis notes, “We were
WHATEVER YOUR HAND FINDS TO DO,

DO IT WITH YOUR MIGHT.
ECCLESIASTES 9:10 NKJV
<
SONS
NZS%
Z
LG
A spiny caterpillar builds a cocoon around itself
to morph into a beautiful butterfly. During the
process of releasing itself from the chrysallis, a furi-
ous struggle ensues. The butterfly must endure this
lengthy struggle in order to become strong enough
to survive outside the cocoon. It has to push hard
against the cocoon for a long time to strengthen its
muscles enough to fly. The struggle is essential to
prepare the butterfly for doing what butterflies do.
Dont view your struggles as bad things.
Embrace them. Treat them like your friends. While
you are going through them, keep telling yourself
that they are making you strong, beefing you up,
making you a better person. They will prepare you
to do what God intended you to do.
HIS REWARDS
ARE BETTER THAN GOLD
hese words devastating possi-
were spelled bility of losing be-
out in lights at the YOU MAY BE fore not only their
18th Olympics in DISAPPOINTED IF teammates, but
Tokyo: “The most also their country-
YOU FAIL, BUT
important thing men, and, in this
in the Olympic YOU ARE age of worldwide
Games is not to DOOMED television, before
win but to take IF YOU the entire world.
part; just as the DON'T TRY. How vital it is for
most important BEVERLY SILLS these athletes to
thing in life keep their perspec-
is not the triumph tive—that win-
but the struggle. ning is not the im-
The essential thing is ...to have portant issue at the Olympics but
fought well.” the opportunity to compete, to
The athletes who make it to try, and to give one’s best effort.
the Olympic Games are already Regardless of the arena in
the best of the best from each na- which you compete, winning 1s
~ tion. Each athlete has excelled in not what is truly important.
ways few of his or her peers will Giving your best effort to a chal-
ever reach. Yet only one will wear lenge is what molds within you
a gold medal, one a silver, and the lasting traits and character
one a bronze. Those who are so that are better than gold.
accustomed to winning face the
The sluggard craves and gets nothing,

but the desires of the diligent
are fully satisfied.

PROVERBS 13:4 NIV
A. | sit down and don’t budge. I'll teach them that they
can't force me to do anything.
B. I listen, then | do what | want to do.
C. I pay attention to the things they tell me to do. | realize
they want what is best for me.
D. | tell them to mind their own business. Their experiences
are irrelevant to me. They don’t know what's up.
E. |! appreciate my parents’ influence on me. They've been
around the block a few times and know things that |
don’t yet know. | can trust them to give me good advice.
Teens are prone to rebel against their parents. In fact, it is a natural re-
sponse to individuation. But, parents are a major influence in motivating
their children in the right direction. Maybe it’s time to respond to your
parents prodding with some questions and conversation. Show them that
you appreciate their concern and their wisdom.
KEEP MOVING
unreasonable thing—she kicks

her baby, sending it sprawling
THE ROAD TO head over heels. If it doesn’t get
SUCCESS IS DOTTED up, she kicks it again and again
WITH MANY until the calf finally stands on its
TEMPTING PARKING wobbly legs. Then what does the
PLACES. mother giraffe do? She kicks it off
its feet! Why? She wants it to re-
member how to get up.
rT he first thing to emerge at a In the wild, baby giraffes
| baby giraffe’s birth is its must be able to get up as quickly
front hooves and head. Minutes as possible to stay with the herd
later, the newborn is hurled from and avoid becoming a meal for
its mother’s body, falls ten feet, lions, hyenas, leopards, or wild
and lands on its back. Within sec- hunting dogs. The best way a
onds, it rolls to an upright posi- mother giraffe has of ensuring
tion with its legs tucked under its that her calf lives is for her to
body. From this position, it views teach it to get up quickly and get
the world for the first time and with it.
shakes off any remaining birthing Don’t complain if those who
fluid. love you push you into action
The mother giraffe lowers her when youd rather be in park.
head just long enough to take a
They are doing you a favor.
quick look at her calf, and then
she does what seems to be a very
We'd better get on with it. Strip down,

start running—and never quit! No extra
spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.
HEBREWS 12:1 MSG
PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF
oa
aoa
\ Be A GOAL i Dar
A YOUNG MAN
PROPERLY SET
box, and took out
in need of work IS HALFWAY the mail. The young
once saw this adver- REACHED. man followed him
tisement in a Boston ZIG ZIGLAR as he returned to the
newspaper: office of a stock bro-
“Wanted: young kerage firm. The
man as an understudy to a finan- young man entered and asked for
cial statistician, RO. Box 1720.” the manager.
The young man decided this was In the interview, the manager
just the kind ofjob he wanted, so asked, “How did you find out that
he replied to the ad but received no I was the advertiser?” The young
answer. He wrote again and even a man told about his detective work,
third time with no reply. Next, he to which the manager replied,
went to the Boston post office and “Young man, you are just the kind
asked the name of the holder of Box of persistent fellow I want. You are
1720, but the clerk refused to give it, employed!”
as did the postmaster. If a goal is worthy, there’s no
Early one morning, an idea good reason to stop pursuing it!
came to the young man. He rose Find something you. truly want to
early, took the first trdin to Boston, do, then go for it with all your
went to the post office, and stood heart, mind, and strength.
watch near Box 1720. After a
while, a man appeared, opened the
The LORD answered me, and said:

“Write the V1S10N and make it plain on
tablets, that he May fuN who reads it.
HABAKKUK 2:2 NKJV
for Persisting During
a Difficult Challenge
Wy
COSY Sy)
RCT
oe
~
LT
S70)
Jesus said
“Anything is possible -
if you have faith.” »)
MARK 9:23 TLB
aAN ASIN
ne
sk AA AO
Se
ae ‘ ‘ ‘ oy biel \‘ee
i RY
\ \ a \
Me co Nh, Sa
The future belongs to those who
a universally accepted language.
believe in the beauty of their She had the audacity to envision a
dreams. day when computers would one
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
day be small enough to sit on a
desk, more powerful than
“Harvard Mark I,” and useful in
BELIEVE IN offices, schools, and at home. At
the age of seventy-nine, she retired
YOUR DREAM from the navy with a rank of rear
admiral. More important to her,
GRACE HOPPER WAS
however, she had lived to see her
born with a desire to discover how
dream of personal computers
things worked. At age seven, her cu-
come true!
riosity led her to dismantle every
Believe in your dreams. With
~ clock in her childhood home! When
God, all ie are possible.
she grew up, she eventually complet-
ed a doctorate in mathematics at Yale
University. During World War II,
Grace joined the navy and was as-
signed to the navy’s computation
project at Harvard University. There
Bothy—A
she met “Harvard Mark I,” the first On bee 31, 2003, sixteen year
fully functional, digital computing old Bethany Hamilton was surfing in
the crystal-clear water off Hawaii. She
machine. Once again, Grace set had been surfing since she was six years
about to learn how something old and had no reason to think that
worked. danger was lurking nearby.
Suddenly, a shark nudged her red,
Unlike the clocks in her child- white, and blue board. Before Bethany
hood home, however, “Harvard could respond, the creature took her
Mark I” had 750 thousand parts and arm off at the shoulder and then disap-
peared into the depths.
500 miles of wire! While most ex-
Bethany survived her encounter
perts believed computers were too with a shark, but her dream of becom-
complicated and expensive for any- ing a championship surfer seemed to be
in shambles. Fortunately, Bethany was-
one but highly trained scientists to
n't ready to let her dream die. A month
use, Grace had her own idea. Her after her attach, she returned to the
goal was to make them easier to op- beach and would not stop until she was
once again in control of her board,
erate so more people could use them.
rushing toward the shore. In January
Her work gave rise to the program- 2004, she placed fifth in her age group
ming language Cobol. in a national competition. She’s deter-
As late as 1963, each large com- mined that nothing will keep her from
reaching her dreams.
puter had its own unique master lan-
guage. Grace became an advocate for
FAITHFULNESS
A QUIET FOREST DWELLER with his services.

who lived high above an Austrian For several weeks nothing
village in the Alps was hired by a changed. Then the trees began to
town council to keep the pristine shed their leaves. One afternoon,
mountain springs—the source of a town citizen noticed a brown
the town’s water supply—clear of tint to the water. Within another
debris. With faithful regularity, week, a slick covered sections of
the old man pa- the canals, and a
trolled the hills, foul odor was de-
clearing away silt God has tected. Sickness
and removing -no larger broke out.
leaves and branch- field for the The town
es | trom * the
man who is ;
not faithfully council called a
springs. Over doing his special meeting,
time, the village Wop Wels and reversing their
became _prosper- error in judgment,
ous. Mill wheels rehired the old
turned, farms were irrigated, and man. Renewed life soon returned
tourists came. Years passed. Then to the village as the sparkling wa-
at a council meeting about the ters returned.
city budget, a member noticed Not everyone’s job will make
the salary figure for the old man. the six o'clock news every day;
He asked, “Who is’he, and why but no matter where God places
do we keep him on the payroll? you, do your work unto Him,
Has anybody seen him? For all and He will reward you for your
we know, he might be dead.” faithfulness.
The council voted to dispense
You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in char ge of many things.
MATTHEW 25:23 NIV
‘into ageless questions
Many famous and accomplished people tell stories of their humble begin-
nings. As a matter of fact, this book is filled with such stories. Thumb
through and find a few to remind yourself that every job has integrity.
Certainly God has made it clear that He values our efforts and the intent
of our hearts and will reward us for serving Him, Don't be ashamed or
afraid to be humble. Humility brings its own measure of blessings. And
remind yourself that God appreciates your work, no matter how humble
it may seem to be.
238 =GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS
BE STRONG AND
OF GOOD COURAGE
In The Seven Habits of Highly write special messages to be given

Effective People, Stephen R. Coveyto her children at different stages
writes: “One of the most inspir- in their lives.
ing times Sandra and I have “Carol would take as little
ever had took place over pain-killing medication
SUCCESS IS
a four-year period with as possible, so that she
NEVER FINAL;
a dear friend of ours had full access to her
named Carol, who FAILURE IS mental and emotion-
had a wasting cancer NEVER FATAL; al faculties. Then she
disease. She had been IT IS COURAGE = would whisper into a
one of Sandra's brides- THAT COUNTS. tape recorder or to
maids, and they had WINSTON CHURCHILL Sandra directly as she
been best friends for over took notes. Carol was so
25 years. proactive, so brave, and so con-
“When Carol was in the very cerned about others that she be-
last stages of the disease, Sandra came an enormous source of in-
spent time at her bedside helping spiration to many people around
her write her personal history. her.”
She returned from those protract- In today’s world, perhaps one
ed and difficult sessions almost trait is needed desperately. Seek
transfixed by admiration for her to develop it. It’s called courage.
friend’s courage and her desire to
BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND HE SHALL STRENGTHEN

YOUR HEART, ALL YOU WHO HOPE IN THE LORD.
PSALM 31:24 NKJV
DUE
Givers can be divided into three types: the
flint, the sponge, and the honeycomb.
* Some givers are like a piece of flint—to get
anything out of it you must hammer it, and even
then you get only chips and sparks. 2
* Others are like a sponge—to get anything out of a
sponge, you must squeeze it and squeeze it hard,
because the more you squeeze a sponge, the more
you get.
* But others are like a honeycomb—which just
overflows with its own sweetness. That is how
God gives to us, and it is how we should give to
others.
BE A GIVER
A strange memo- Today, largely
rial can be MONEY IS LIKE because of its weight,
found in the Mount this costly memorial
Hope Cemetery of a fezs is slowly sinking into
Hiawatha, —_Kansas. f the ground. It has
John M. Davis, an USE IT become weathered
orphan, developed a OR LOSE IT. and worn from the
strong dislike for his HENRY FORD strong winds in this
wife's family and in- plains state: [he
sisted that none of townspeople regard
~ his fortune go to them. He also re- the Davis tomb as an “old man’s
fused requests that he eventually folly”; and many predict that within
bequeath his estate for a hospital the next fifty years, the memorial
desperately needed in the area. will have become obliterated be-
Instead, after his wife died in 1930, yond recognition and will need to
Mr. Davis chose to invest in an be demolished. What could have
elaborate tomb for himself and his been a living legacy will eventually
wife. The tomb includes a number become granite dust.
of statues depicting the couple at The Bible encourages us many
various stages of their lives. One times not to hoard up money to be
statue is of Mr. Davis as a lonely used for our own selfish desires but
man seated beside an empty chair. to be kind to the poor. When we do
It is titled “the vacant «chair, so, God blesses us with more. The
Another shows him placing a more we give, the more we receive;
wreath in front of his wife’s tomb- and our legacy will last well into
stone. Many of the statues are the future instead of sinking into
made of Kansas granite. No money oblivion.
_ was left for the memorial’s upkeep.
Jesus said, “To him who has will more

be given... and he will have great plenty;
but from him who has not, even the little he
has Will be taken away.”
MATTHEW 13:12 TLB
Some of the most enduring literary names have re-
ceived scathing reviews of their timeless classics. Below
are a few taken from “Rotten Reviews,” edited by Bill
Henderson.
¢ On “Alice in Wonderland,” Lewis Carroll, 1865

Review: “We fancy that any real child might be more
puzzled than enchanted by this stiff, overwrought
story.”
e On Emily Dickinson
Review: “An eccentric, dreamy, haif-educated recluse
in an out-of-the-way New England village . . . Oblivion
lingers in the immediate neighborhood."
e On Charles Dickens
Review: “We do not believe in the permanence of his
reputation... our children will wonder what their an-
cestors could have meant by putting Mr. Dickens at the
head of the novelists of his day.”
¢ On “Moby Dick,” Herman Melville, 1851
Review: “A huge dose of hyperbolical slang, maudlin
sentimentalism and tragic-comic bubble and squeak.”
¢ On “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Mark
Twain, 1884
Review: “A gross trifling with every fine feeling .. . Mr.
Clemens has no reliable sense of propriety.”
NEVER QUIT
In 1894, a sixteen- trying, however,

year-old found this and went on to see
note from his his work published.
rhetorical teacher at IN TRYING The poet’s name
Harrow, in was Robert Frost.
England, attached TIMES, In 1905, the
to his report card: University of Bern
“A conspicuous DON’T QUIT turned down a
| lack of success.” Ph.D. dissertation
The young man TRYING. as being fanciful
kept on trying and and irrelevant. The
went on to become young physics stu-
one of the most fa- dent who wrote the
mous speakers of the twentieth dissertation kept on trying and
century. His name was Winston went on to develop some of his
Churchill. ideas into widely accepted theo-
In 1902, an aspiring twenty- ries. His name was Albert
eight-year-old writer received a Einstein.
rejection letter from the poetry When rejection shakes your
editor of the Atlantic Monthly. resolve and dims your goals, keep
_ Returned, with a batch of poems on trying. If you do not quit, one
he had sent, was this curt note: day you will be living out your
“Our magazine has no room for dreams!
your vigorous verse.” He kept on
The righteous will move onward and

forward, and those with pure hearts will be-
come Stronger and stronger.
Jos 17:9 NLT
rsad mors about i...
safS Sox
e And the Bride Wore White: The Seven Secrets
to Sexual Purity
1o)Vm BY-Jalat-]amCla=4a) :
¢ Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship
by Josh Harris
¢ Diary of a Teenage Girl: Becoming Me
by Melody Carlson
¢ It’s Ok to Say No: Choosing Sexual Abstinence
by Eleanor Ayer
¢ Passion_and Purity
by Elisabeth Elliot
¢ Wait for Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in
Romance
by Rebecca St. James
SAFE SEX
Teas 1926'0\Se Waki ReE Convocation of Medicine and

known for many rebellions, Theology, Braceland concluded,
among them the sexual revo- “A more lenient attitude on
lution..Free love spilled campus about premari-
from the hippie tal sexual experience
movement into the has imposed stresses
mainstream on some college
_ American culture. has a word to
women severe
describe “safe”
Premarital sexual enough to cause
sex: it’s called
relations sanc- marriage. Senne break-
tioned ; by the new ° Gary Smalley a
down. 4
morality became = **s,and John Trent.° Looking back over
Opcniyiauntcd, = ee at the years since the new
One of the unexpected re- morality was sanctioned by a
sults of this trend, however, re- high percentage of the American
ceived little publicity. As report- culture, one finds a rising num-
ed by Dr. Francis Braceland, past ber of rapes, abortions, divorces,
president of the American premarital pregnancies, single-
Psychiatric Association and edi- family homes, and cases of sexu-
tor of the American Journal of ally transmitted diseases, includ-
Psychiatry, an increasing number ing herpes and HIV.
of young people were admitted The evidence is compelling:
to mental hospitals during that the old morality produced safer,
time. In discussing this finding healthier, and happier people!
at a National Methodist
Marriage should be honored by all,

_ and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge
| the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
HEBREWS 13:4 NIV
George Eastman kept looking until he found
the answers to his questions. Can you find
the answers to these questions?
‘1. Why is “abbreviated” such a long word?

2. Why ts lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing
‘ liquid made with real lemons?
3. Why is the man who invests people’s money called a broker?
4, Why are they called apart-ments when they are all stuck
together?
. Why isn’t there mouse-flavored cat food?
ON. Why do doctors call what they do “practice?”
7. Why does the sun lighten your hair, but darken your skin?
LONG-TERM VISION
You must have long-range goals to keep you

from being frustrated by short-range failures.
CHARLES C. NOBLE
In 1877, George Eastman dreamed chased them and returned to his

that the wonderful world of pho- lab. Three months and 472 experi-
tography might be accessible to the ments later, he came up with the
average person. At the time, pho- durable emulsion for which he had
tographers working outdoors had searched!
to carry multiple pieces of bulky Eastman spent many nights
equipment and a corrosive agent sleeping in a hammock at his fac-
called silver nitrate. Eastman theo- tory after long days designing
rized that if he could eliminate equipment. To replace the glass
most of this equipment, he would used for photographic plates, he
have something. created a roll of thin, flexible mate-
Working in a bank by day, he rial now known as film. To replace
spent his nights reading books on heavy tripods, he developed a
chemistry and magazines about pocket camera. By 1895, photogra-
photography. He took foreign lan- phy was at last available for the
guage lessons so he could read in- common man.
formation published in France and George Eastman’s long-term
Germany. Then with a partner, he vision kept him motivated even
began his own company in 1881. when 471 experiments failed.
Almost immediately, a problem Keeping your ultimate dream in
arose with the new dry plates he mind, set short, attainable goals;
had invented. Eastman refunded and before you even know it, your
the money to those who had pur- vision will be a reality!
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter

of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured
the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right
hand of the throne:of God.
HEBREWS 12:2 NIV
BUILDING BRIDGES
“a
yA
7 PEOPLE ARE
Gis LONELY BE- Say
CAUSE THEY
A FABLE IS BUILD WALLS © him, whispered in
TOLD of a young or- INSTEAD OF his ear, and vanished.
phan boy who had BRIDGES. As the little boy
no family and no one JOSEPH EWTON
grew up, there was
to love him. Feeling no one in the land as
sad and lonely, he was walking happy as he. When people asked
through a meadow one day when him the secret of his happiness,
he saw a small butterfly caught in he would only smile and say, “I
a thorn bush. The more the but- listened to an angel when I was a
terfly struggled to free itself, the little boy.”
deeper the thorns cut into its On his deathbed, his neigh-
fragile body. The boy carefully re- bors rallied around him and
leased the butterfly, but instead of asked him to divulge the key to
flying away, the butterfly trans- his happiness before he died. The
formed into an angel right before old man finally told them: “The
his eyes. angel told me that everyone, no
The boy rubbed his eyes in matter how secure they seemed,
disbelief as the angel said, “For no mattez how old or young, how
your wonderful kindness, I will rich or poor, had need of me.”
do whatever you would like.” The You have something to give
little boy thought for a moment to everyone you come in contact
and then said, “I want to be with today. Build bridges instead
happy!” The angel replied, “Very of walls! 7 gm
well,” and then leaned toward
You should be like one big happy family

... loving one another with tender
hearts and humble minds.
1 PETERS3:3 DEB
for Tearing Down Walls
and Building Bridges
A. | sometimes disagree with them, but | always show them
respect.
B. We disagree often, and | struggle to manage my anger
when we fight.
C. They are totally out of line; | can’t respect them.
D. | get angry at times, but | usually apologize when I’ve
been out of line.
E. When we disagree, | try to remember that they have
more experience than | do. Besides, | know they love me
and want the best for me.
The teen years can bring much stress within the family. Teenagers can feel
that their parents don’t understand them, and parents can feel that their
teenagers are inconsiderate and even mean to them. But the Bible is clear.
“Honor your father and mother”: is the first commandment that has a
promise attached to it, namely, “so you will live well and have a long life”
(Ephesians 6:1 MSG),
BLESS YOUR PARENTS
said. “What’s going on?” Her son

CHILDREN said, “Nothin.” Mom pressed,
WHO BRING “Are you sure?” But her son was
out of sight.
HONOR TO THEIR
Highly suspicious, Mom
PARENTS REAP went to her son’s room. She
BLESSINGS FROM found the door closed and
THEIR GOD. locked. She knocked. “What are
you boys doing in there?” she
mother watched with raised asked. One son replied,
eyebrows as her two sons “Nothin’.” Suspecting great mis-
took a hammer and a few nails chief, she demanded entrance. “I
from the kitchen utility drawer want you to open this door right
and scurried to one of the boys’ now!” she said. A few seconds
rooms, giggling and talking in later, the door popped open, and
low voices. When she didn’t hear her son shouted, “Surprise!” as he
any hammering, she continued handed her a rather crudely
with her chores. Then from the wrapped present. “Happy birth-
kitchen window, she saw one of day, Mom!” the other boy added.
the boys take a stepladder from Truly surprised, the mother stam-
the garage. He disappeared from mered, “But what about the ham-
sight before she could call to him. mer, nails, ladder, and rope?” The
A few minutes later, her other son boys grinned, “Those were just
came into the kitchen to ask if decoys, Mom.”
she had any rope. “No,” Mom
“Honor your father and your mother, so that

you may live long in the land the Lord your
God is giving you.”
Exopus 20:12 NIV
YOUR ENEMY IS
ALREADY DEFEATED
Several years ago, a well-known he survived. When the lights

television circus developed an act came back on, he calmly finished
involving Bengal tigers. The act his performance.
was performed live before a When the trainer was
large audience. One asked how he felt, he ad-
night, the tiger trainer COURAGE IS mitted to feeling chill-
went into the cage Tue \MASTERY OF ing fear at first; but
with several tigers, and FEAR NOT THE then, he said he real-
the door was routinely ized that even though
ABSENCE OF
locked behind him. he couldn't see the big
FEAR.
Spotlights flooded the MARK TWAIN
cats, they didn’t know he
cage, and television cam- couldn't see them. He said,
eras moved in close, so the audi- “T just kept cracking my whip
ence could see every detail as he and talking to them until the
skillfully put the tigers through lights came on. They never knew
their paces. I couldn't see them as well as they
In the middle of the perform- could see me.”
ance, the worst happened: the Keep talking back to the
lights went out. For nearly thirty tigers of fear that seem to be
long seconds, the trainer was stalking you. They will obey your
locked in with the/tigers in the voice of faith!
darkness. With their superb night
vision, the tigers could see him,
but he could not see them. Still,
THOUGH | WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF

DEATH, 1WILL FEAR NO EVIL: FOR YOU ARE WITH ME~ YOUR
ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.
PSALM 23:4 NKJV
AAMC REAR TOTIN
Se aa
xen
Lr
Courage is a special
kind of knowledge:
the knowledge of
how to fear what
ought to be feared
and how not to fear
what ought not to
e feared.
BEN GURION
THE BEST ANSWER

l
TO FEAR IS “NO”
ager named Buck was walk- than he was demanding.
“No,” Buck said once again.
He kept walking, and a few steps
later, he realized that
two men were flank- the two men had
ing him. disappeared. As he
“Give me your related this story toa
wallet,” one of the friend, the friend
men insisted. “I asked, “Weren't you~
have a gun. Give me scared?”
your wallet, or I'll Buck replied,
shoot.” “Of course I was
“No,” Buck said. scared!”
“Hey, man, you “Then why did-
don't understand. nt you give them
We're robbing you. your wallet?”
Give me your wal- “Because,” Buck
let answered matter-of-
Now factly, “my learner’s
“Give me your permit is in it.”
wallet, or Ill knife While it may be
you.” wise to give in to the
“No.” demands of a thief,
“Give me your the first and best an-
wallet, or we'll beat swer to fear is always
you up.” no!
By now the rob-
ber was pleading more eg
og?
for the LORD

courage makes
a majority.
A scorpion, being a poor swimmer, asked a tur-
tle to carry him on his back across a river. “Are you
mad?” exclaimed the turtle. “Youll sting me while
I’m swimming, and I'll drown.”
“My dear turtle,” laughed the scorpion, “if |
were to sting you, you would drown, and I would go
down with you. Now, where is the logic in that?”
“Youre right,” cried the turtle. “Hop on!”
The scorpion climbed aboard and halfway across
the river gave the turtle a mighty sting. As they both
sank to the bottom, the turtle resignedly said, “Do
you mind if I ask you something? You said there'd be
no logic in your stinging me. Why did you do it?”
“It has nothing to do with logic,” the drowning
scorpion sadly replied. “Irs just my character.”
era: YOUR
CHARACTER SHINE
en Chief and stood on the op-
Justice posite side of the
LET US NOT SAY,
Charles Evans church, leaving Ah
“EVERY MAN IS
Hughes moved to Sing standing alone.
THE ARCHITECT
Washington, D.C., OF HIS OWN Finally Chief
to take up his duties FORTUNE”; Justice Hughes was
on the Supreme BUT LET US SAY, called forward, and
Court, he transferred “EVERY MAN IS he immediately
his church member- THE ARCHITECT made his way to the
ship letter to a
OF HIS OWN front and proceeded
CHARACTER.” to stand next to Ah
Baptist church in the
GEORGE DANA BOARDMAN
area. Sing. The minister
It was customary who welcomed the
for all new members group into church
in this church to come to the front fellowship said, “I do not want this
of the sanctuary at the close of the congregation to miss this remark-
worship service, so they might be able illustration of the fact that at
officially introduced and welcomed. the cross of Jesus Christ, the ground
The first person to be called for- is level.”
ward that morning was Ah Sing, a Your character is shown in
Chinese laundryman who had many ways, but one of the most ob-
moved to Washington from the vious is the way you treat people.
West Coast. He took his place at You will grow in character and rep-
the far side of the church. As the utation if you treat others with
dozen or so others were called for- kindness.
ward that day, they came forward
Till I die I will not put away my integrity

from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and
will not let it go; my heart shall not re-
proach me as long as I live.
JoB 27:5-6 NKJV
PROV iy \ RBS 10 ‘4 NKIV.
When I was a young man | ob-
served that nine out of ten
things | did were failures. |
didn’t want to be a failure, so | game was the NCAA finals!
did ten times more work. Swish went the first shot; and
George Bernard Shaw
swish went the second! Those
two points gave Michigan the
victory and the Collegiate
DON’T GIVE UP, National Championship for the
WORK HARDER season.
Have you just failed at
EARLY IN THE 1989 basketball something? Don't give up.
season, Michigan faced Instead, work harder. Success is
Wisconsin. With just seconds left possible!
in the fourth quarter, Michigan’s
Rumeal Robinson found himself
at the foul line. His team was
trailing by one point, and he
knew that if he could sink both weyoe
shots, Michigan would win. Michael Hoppe was
a routinely
Sadly, Rumeal missed both shots. scorned by his parents as “the Dreamer,”
because of his desire to compose music.
Wisconsin upset the favored Instead, they encouraged him to become
Michigan, and Rumeal went to a businessman. Since he was an obedient
son, he did just that. In fact, he became a
the locker room feeling devastat- senior executive for one of the world’s
largest record companies. He brought in
ed and embarrassed. many talented composers and artists
His dejection, however, spur- while quietly composing his own music.
One day, Hoppe played a tape that
red him into action and ignited auditioned his company’s talent for a
his determination. He decided major film producer, but the producer re-
jected artist after artist. “Don’t you have
that at the end of each practice for anyone right for me?” he asked. As the
the rest of the season, he was tape wound to the end, Hoppe’s own
music rang out. He realized in horror that
going to shoot one hundred extra he had taped over one of his own com-
foul shots. Shoot ’em he did! positions and stopped the tape.
“Thats el cried |the’ producer.
The moment came when “That's our composer!
Since that audition, Michael Hoppe
Rumeal stepped to the foul line in has recorded over a dozen CDs—several
yet another game, again with the reaching gold and platinum levels. Had
he stopped working on his own music
opportunity to make two shots. when he became a businessman, he
This time, there were only three would never have experienced this suc-
cess.
seconds left in overtime, and the
THE MOST IMPORTANT

PERSON IN YOUR LIFE
When Ruth Bell was a teenager, she was sent from her childhood home
in China to school in Korea. At the time, she fully intended to follow
in her parents’ footsteps and become a missionary. She envisioned her-
self a confirmed old maid, ministering to the people of Tibet. While at
school, however, Ruth did give some serious thought to the kind of
husband that she might consider. As she tells in her book A Time for
Ee shelisted these particulars:
. “If I marry: He must be so tall that when he
This arsine: is on his knees, as one has said, he reaches all the
noe ee nur way to heaven. His shoulders must be broad
and mother and enough to bear the burden of a family. His lips
is joined to his must be strong enough to smile, firm enough to
wife, and the say no, and tender enough to kiss. Love must be
Hee es so deep that it takes its stand in Christ and so
sis 2:24 NT ) wide that it takes the whole lost world in. He
28) must be active enough to save souls. He must be
big Benttoaeaa and great enough to be thoughtful. His arms
must be strong enough to carry a little child.”
Ruth Bell never did become a full-time missionary in Tibet. She
did, however, find a man worth marrying—Billy Graham. As his wife,
Ruth Bell Graham became a missionary to the whole world!
Your spouse will be the most important person in your life. It’s
crucial to marry the right person. Think about the qualities that you
would like to have in a mate. If you haven’ already, begin to pray for
the person you will eventually marry. Even if you haven't met him or
her yet, God knows who he or she is.
You will never make a more impor tant

decision than the person you Marry.
Dr. EUGENE SWEARINGEN
When you marry, your mate will have more influence on you
than any other earthly person. A choice of this magnitude
deserves your best planning. Below are a few things you can
do to prepare for making that choice.
e Make a list of the qualities you are looking for in a mate.

e Draft a letter to your future mate telling him or her what
you appreciate about these qualities.
e Pray for your future mate on a daily basis.
e Write another letter to tell your future mate about
something you would not tell anyone else.
e Strive to develop the qualities in your own life that you
have listed for your future mate.
rsad mors about it...
makita dreams come trues
° Chocolate for a Teen's Dreams: Heartwar
ming
Stories about Making Your Wishes.Come
True
by Kay Allenbaugh
¢ Making Your Dreams Come True

by Marcia Wieder
° Life Strategies for Teens

by Jay McGraw
¢ I'd Change My Life If |!
Had More Time: A
Practical Guide to Making Dreams
Come True.
by Doreen Virtue
° When Dreams Come True: A Love
Story Only
God Could Write
by Eric Ludy, Leslie Ludy
* The Rookie: The Incredible True Stor
y of a Man
Who Never Gave Up on His Dream
by Jim Morris, Joel Engel
SUCCESS DOESN’T
COME BY CHANCE
THE SIXTY-FOUR-THOUSAND- an expert in boxing! She ate,
dollar Question was the hottest drank, and slept boxing, studying
show on television in 1955. The its statistics, personalities, and his-
more Joyce watched the program, tory. When she felt she was ready,
the more she thought, “I could she applied as a contestant for
do that.” At the time, the show, was accepted,
eeoece
_ Joyce had quit her won, and won again,

ROOD et OOS
e ° &e °
teaching job to raise until she eventually

her daughter, and Diligence is * won the sixty-four-
thousand-dollar
she and her hus- the mother of
band were living on prize.
good fortune.
ibvem collars va That experi-
Cervantes
month. She never ence led her to
dreamed of winning dream of a career as a
© Wee hy) Sete
the top prize—any e Peeoee® ° television journalist

prize at that point would who might translate the re-
have helped greatly. sults of psychological research into
As a psychologist by training, terms that people could use in
Joyce analyzed the show. She saw their everyday lives. Once she saw
that each contestant had a built-in that possibility, there was no stop-
incongruity—the marine who was ping Dr. Joyce Brothers.
a gourmet cook, the shoemaker True success never comes by
who knew about opera. She chance. Diligently apply yourself
looked at herself. She was a short, to your goals, and your dreams
blond psychologist and mother will come true.
with no incongruity. After some
thought, she decided to become
The plans of the diligent lead to profit.

PROVERBS 21:5 NIV
HE HEARS EVERY PRAYER
Both a major thoroughfare in had knelt to say his evenin

g
Tel Aviv and a bridge that spans prayers, repeating with his
child-
the Jordan River are named in hood lisp the words his
mother
honor of Viscount Edmund prayed: “And, O Lord, we would
Henry Hynman Allenby, a not forget Thine ancient people,
British solider. As com- Israel; hasten the day when
mander of the Egyptian Israel shall again be Thy
Expeditionary Forces, HE WHO IS people and shall be re-
he outwitted and de- WAITING FOR stored to Thy favor
feated the Turks in SOMETHING TO
and to their land.”
Palestine in 1917 and TURN UP MIGHT Allenby con-clud-
LOTS: conquering BaleGoon Hy ed, “I never knew then
Jerusalem without ever SHIRT- that God would give
firing a single gun. SLEEVES. me the privilege of help-
As a British solider, ing to answer my own
Allenby was noncommittal about childhood prayers.”
the official British policies con- What you pray today may
cerning the establishment of a well be part of tomorrow’s work.
Jewish national home, but he did The world you envision in prayer
have a deep understanding of the may well be the world in which
Jews’ desire to dwell in Palestine. you one day will live!
At a reception in London, he
once told how as a little boy, he
WE USE GOD’S MIGHTY WEAPONS

NOT MERE WORLDLY WEAPONS, TO KNOCK
DOWN THE DEVIL'S STRONGHOLD.
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CAN YOU CONTROL

YOUR TONGUE?
ae
NOT ONLY TO SAY

— THE RIGHT THING oe
Ne
Ps
a
WILLIAM PENN, IN THE RIGHT

PLACE, BUT FAR A little girl named
founding leader of the MORE DIFFICULT Mary had come
colony that became TO LEAVE UNSAID home from a tough
Pennsylvania, had THE WRONG day at school. She
these rules for con- THING AT THE stretched herself out
versation: “Avoid TEMPTING MO- on the living room
company where it is MENT. sofa to have her own
not profitable or nec- Private pity party.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
essary, and in those
She moaned to her
occasions, speak lit- mother and brother,
tle, and last. Silence is wisdom where “Nobody loves me . . . the whole
speaking is folly, and always safe. world hates me!”
Some are so foolish as to interrupt Her brother, busily occupied
and anticipate those that speak in- with his Nintendo, hardly looked
stead of hearing and thinking before her way as he passed on this encour-
they answer, which is uncivil, as well aging word: “That's not true, Mary.
as silly. If thou thinkest twice before Some people don’t even know you.”
thou speakest once, thou wilt speak Mary, no doubt, was not
twice the better for it. Better to say amused. She probably wished her
nothing than not to the purpose. brother had heeded the advice of
And to speak pertinently, consider William Penn. One of the greatest
both what is fit, and when it is fit, to skills you can developvin. life is the
speak. In all debates, let truth be thy ability to control your tongue!
aim, not victory or an unjust inter-
Self-control means” controlling
est; and endeavor to gain, rather the tongue! ?
than to expose, thy antagonist.”
A quick retort can ruin everything

PROVERBS 13:3 TLB
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LOOK FOR POSSIBILITIES
The future belongs to those who see possibilities

before they become obvious.
JOHN SCULLEY
_ Eniac was one of the first comput- “That impressed me as though

ers to use electronic circuits, which somebody had hit me on the head
made for lightning-fast calcula- with a hammer.” He said, “Dad,
_ tions. At first, Thomas J. Watson we should put this thing on the
Jr. the former chairman of IBM, market! Even if we only sell eight
saw no use for it. He said, “I react- or ten, well be able to advertise the
ed to Eniac the way some people fact that we have the world’s first
probably reacted to the Wright commercial electronic calculator.”
brothers’ airplane. It didn’t move That’s how IBM got into elec-
me at all... . | couldn't see this gi- tronics. Within a year, they had
gantic, costly, unreliable device as a electronic circuits that both multi-
piece of business equipment.” plied and divided; and at that
A few weeks later, he and his point, electronic calculators be-
father wandered into a research of- came truly useful. Thousands of
fice at IBM and saw an engineer the IBM 604 were sold.
with a high-speed punch-card ma- What wasnt yet obvious to
chine hooked up to a black box. Thomas Watson was obvious to
When asked what he was doing, he the engineer working in the re-
said, “Multiplying with radio search department. Always keep
tubes.” The machine was tabulat- your eyes and ears open; you never
ing a payroll at one-tenth the time know what you might discover.
it took the standard punch-card Look for the possibilities around
machine to do so. Watson recalls, you.
“The vision is yet for an appointed time.

i ; ° ”
... It will surely come, it will not tarry.
HABAKKUK 2:3 NKJV
Consider these soede by wealthy people:
* “All my possessions are for a moment of time.”

Elizabeth I, the Queen of England
_ © “Tt is easier to renounce worldly possessions than
it is to renounce the love of them.”
Walter Hilton
* And then from the great King Solomon—arguably
the richest man who ever lived: “The lover of
money will not be satisfied with money; nor the
lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity.”
_ Ecclesiastes 5:10 NRSV
It's easy to think that we'll be happy as soon as we

get the newest thing every teen is longing for. It
makes us feel like a winner, one of the crowd. But
possessions cant provide happiness and well being.
‘We may feel great when we first get that special
thing we've been longing for, bur that lasts only
until the next great thing comes along. Don’t be
fooled into chasing after or hording earthly
possessions. In the end, they mean nothing.
THE SOURCE OF
FULFILLMENT
1 Seas man to obtain heavenly,
nce came to PEOPLE, PLACES, eternal goods. Jesus
Jesus, asking Him AND THINGS also taught, of
WERE NEVER course, that
what he needed
to do to have eter- MEANT TO GIVE Heaven’s _ wealth
nal life. Jesus US LIFE. can be ours now.
replied that be] is THE

AUTHOR OF A
Ai have wo
until he died to at-
Mego keen tae
commandments. FULFILLING LIFE. tain the benefits of
The young man GARY SMALLEY AND eternal life. If he
then claimed that JOHN TRENT
had been willing to
he had always kept give up his hold on
them. Jesus advised, his stuff, he could have enjoyed
If you would be perfect, sell great joy, peace, and fulfillment
everything you have, give the in life—things he was apparently
money to the poor, and come and lacking or he wouldn't have asked
follow me. (Matthew 19:21.) Jesus the question.
The Scriptures tell us that the Take a look at your posses-
young man went away sorrowful: sions today. Are there books,
for he had great possessions tapes, or clothes you can give
(v. 22). The young man not only away to someone in need of
had great possessions, but appar- learning, inspiration, or clothing?
ently those possessions had him! Discover how rewarding giving
He couldn't bear to part with can be!
earthly, temporary goods in order
“T have come that they may have life, and that
they may have it more abundantly.”

JOHN 10:10 NKJV
COURTESY MAKES
EVERYTHING SWEETER
WHICH VIRTUOUS behaviors be no more tears and no
on earth will still be required in more pain.
Heaven? Kindness and gratitude? Yes!
Courage? No. There will be There will still be room for
nothing to fear in Heaven. showing kindness to others, for
Hope? No. We will have all that being grateful for the kindnesses
we desire. others have shown us.
Faith? No. We Kindness puts
will be in the pres- people at ease,
ence of the Source Two which in turn
of our faith, and Incredibly makes them more
all those things for - Powerful cooperative and
which we have be- Words: happy. Immanuel
lieved will have “Thank You.” Kant once said,
their fulfillment “Always treat a
in Him and by human being as a
His hand. person, that is, as an end in him-
Acts of charity toward those self, and not merely as a means to
in need? No. There will be no your end.” Strive to impart dig-
hunger, thirst, nakedness, or nity and self-worth to all you
homelessness in Heaven. All meet. Consider it dress rehearsal
needs will be supplied. for your future life in Heaven!
Sympathy? No, for there will
Jesus said, “Treat others the same way

you want them to treat you.”
LUKE 6:31 NASB
It’s good that you have noticed the stray lamb in the flock. You have a
of
sensitive spirit. There are a few things that we all respond to, regardless
-
our personality differences. Among those things is kindness, considera
tion, respect, and attention.
¢ Kindness doesn’t cost a cent, yet its value is too great to be calculated.
* Consideration is something we all appreciate receiving.
* Respect is something we all deserve to receive.
¢ Attention will gently build a bridge of friendship.
you
Try to find opportunities to show this new boy that he can count on
begin to
for kindness, consideration, respect, and attention. He will soon
rest of the kids
feel more welcome. Also, you will set an example for the
in your group. You may be surprised to find them following suit.
A. | offer to help at home, even when I’m not asked
to help.
B.) If | reach the lunch line at the same time as another
student, | allow that student to go first.
C. | offer to do something nice for my brother or sister.
D. When one of my friends asks me for a favor, | try to
accommodate.
E. When I'm asked to do my chores, | do them quickly
because I'm a vital part of the teamwork that makes
my family work.
The teen years can bring a growing awareness of others, a time to be-
come less self-centered and focus on considering other people’s needs.
Look over your answers again and ask yourself if you reach out to oth-
ers in the same way you would like them to reach out to you.
DO IT FOR OTHERS
stantly stopping the chain reac-

WHEN YOU tion.
ARE LABORING FOR That day, however, just as the
material became critical, the
OTHERS.LET IT BE
screwdriver slipped. The hemi-
WITH THE SAME spheres of uranium came too
ZEAL AS IF IT WERE close together, and instantly the
FOR YOURSELF. room was filled with a dazzling
bluish haze. Young Louis Soltin,
instead of ducking and thereby
( \n May 21, 1946, a scientist
possibly saving himself, tore the
“\/ at Los Alamos was carrying
out a mecessary experiment in two hemispheres apart with his
preparation for an atomic test to hands, thus interrupting the
be conducted in the waters of the chain reaction.
In this instant, self-forgetful
South Pacific. He had successful-
act, he saved the lives of seven
ly performed this experiment
many times before. It involved other people who were in the
room. He, however, died in
pushing two hemispheres of ura-
agony nine days later.
- nium together to determine the
Today, do something for
amount of U-235 needed for a
chain reaction—the amount sci- someone else with the same ener-
entists call “a critical mass.” Just gy you would use if you were
doing it for yourself.
as the mass became critical, he
would push the hemispheres
apart with his screwdriver, 1in-
Each of you should look not only to your own

interests, but also to the interests of others.
PHILIPPIANS 2:4 NIV
SERVING OTHERS IS
PRECIOUS TO GOD
Lord of all pots and pans and things,
Since I’ve no time to be
A saint by doing lovely things,
Or watching late with Thee,
Or dreaming in the dawnlight,
Or storming heaven’s gates,
Make me a saint by getting meals,
And washing up the plates.
Although I have Martha’s hands,
I have a Mary’s mind;
And when I black the boots and shoes,
Thy sandals, Lord, I find.
I think of how they trod the earth,
Each time I scrub the floor.
Accept this meditation, Lord,
I haven't time for more.
Warm all the kitchen with Thy love,
And light it with Thy peace;
Forgive me all my worrying,
And make all grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food,
Ina room or by the sea,
Accept this service that I do—
I do it unto Thee.
—Unknown
JESUS SAID. “THE MORE LOWLY YOUR SERVICE

TO OTHERS, THE GREATER YOU ARE.
TO BE THE GREATEST, BE A SERVANT.’
MATTHEW 23:11 TLB
Se peed aster Nein a
Bp
-
OU are never so
FaGit,, when
you are On your knees. :
Y,
JEAN HODGES
WN NA ON le OAR sn WN
\ . ay ‘oa a Aint " \ Ny aa A\
Nya TM acietie NK \ KN}
Weg
wth
at oe
He)
AN AND
Cae
i WA ny
“i At
O my son, be wise and
stay in God's paths.
to be one of the richest diamond
PRovERBS 23:19 TLB
deposits in the world.
The lessons of wisdom can
often be learned in the relation-
ASK GOD TO ships and experiences we en-
counter every day. Ask God to
OPEN YOUR reveal to you what you need to
EYES know in order to live the life He
desires. The resources you need
MANY YEARS AGO IN South are probably right in front of
Africa, a man sold his farm so that you.
he might spend his days in search
of diamonds. He was consumed
with dreams of becoming wealthy.
When he had finally exhausted his
resources and his health and was no
aoe 4 ye tg UE ay ies Sane:
closer to his fortune than the day
he sold his farm, he threw himself Mary McLeod Bethune was born
one of seventeen children to freed
into a river and drowned. slaves following the end of the Civil
One day, the man who had War. Mary dreamed of going to Africa
bought his farm spotted an unusu- as a missionary to teach poor black chil-
dren. She attended Moody Bible
al-looking stone in a creek bed. He Institute to prepare herself for that
placed it on his fireplace mantle as dream, but after graduation, she could
a conversation piece. A visitor no- not find a mission board that would
support her vision.
ticed the stone and examined it Her disappointment threatened to
closely. He then voiced his suspi- overwhelm her, and she wondered why
God would call her to do something
cion that the stone was actually a ‘that seemed impossible for her. “If not
diamond. The discreet farmer had Africa, then where?” Mary prayed.
the stone analyzed, and sure In 1904, a Methodist minister told
Mary about impoverished Black railroad
enough, it was one of the largest laborers in Florida. In their struggle to
and finest diamonds ever found. survive, an education for their children
Still operating with great secre- was not even a consideration.
Mary learned a lesson about being
cy, the farmer searched his stream, a missionary. She discovered that you
gathering similar stones. They were don't have to travel halfway around the
all diamonds. In fact, his farm was world to launch a mission. Sometimes it
lies just outside your own back door.
covered with diamonds just waiting Read more in your public library
to be picked up! The farm the dia- about the extraordinary legacy that
Mary left African Americans.
mond-seeker had sold turned out
SEE ‘THE POSSIBILITIES
A “NUMBER OF YEARS cactus of the desert to throw

ago the John Hancock Mutual away its spines, so that cattle
Life Insurance Company ran an could fatten upon it, and made
kad that said: the blackberry shed its thorns,
“There was once a eece
so it would not cut the
Piatt ee hI
man who loved na- - e %e°
fingers of the pickers.
ture with such a Here’s For him, the plum
deep and moving
- the key to suc- * grew without pits,
: cess and the key +
love that she told : to failure: we be- : and strawberries
him one of her se- come what we ripened all year . .
crets. She gave him think about. . he left the earth
the power to create *., Earl Nightingale” covered with flow-
new plants. The man, ers and fruits that no
whose name was Luther one had ever attempted
Burbank, . . . saw that every to grow before. And all because
plant was a child. It had its own he knew a secret. He knew that
face, Own promise, its unique everything that lives has the
touch of genius or character. And power to become greater.”
if that promise were tended and Choose to see new possibili-
encouraged, the plant would ties. Put your mind to them. Let
grow more useful and beautiful them be the focus of your
each year. Luther Burbank. . . thoughts, and then pursue them!
made potatoes grow larger, You will become greater for it.
whiter, more delicious than they
had ever been. He taught the
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you'll do-best by

filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble,
reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best,
not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly;
things to praise, not things to curse.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8 MSG
Have you taken the opportunity of committing
your life to Christ? If not, now is the time. Dont
put it off any longer; start living life anew today. It’s
simple. Just say, “Lord Jesus, thank You for dying
for me on the cross. Forgive me of my sins and
come into my heart.”
If you prayed that prayer, the Bible tells us that
you are a new creature. Its time to celebrate! Begin by
telling others what you have done. Your family
should be first, and don't forget to also call your
friends and let them know. If you go to church, let
your pastor know.
IT’S ‘THE COURTEOUS

THING TO DO
he letters will attend.
RSVP stand for HE WHO Imagine that you
the French phrase CREATED US planned a catered
réspondéz WITHOUT party for fifty guests
sil vous plait. . .or, OUR HELP and you were paying
“please — respond.” WILL NOT twenty-five dollars
This phrase on an SAVE US per aan eo
invitation asks that imagine that ha
WITHOUT your guests failed to
, you let the host or
hostess know whe-
OUR CONSENT. respond, and ten of
ther you plan to at- SAINT AUGUSTINE them did not show
tend the function. up. You would be
Every invitation marked with spending two hun-
RSVP requires that you call or dred and fifty dollars for people
write the host to let them know who simply were not considerate
that you either will or will not be enough to let you know that they
there. could not be present. Would you
Occasionally, a handwritten consider those people to be
invitation will say, “RSVP, regrets thoughtful friends?
only.” In this case, you are required The most important RSVP in
to notify the host only if you will all of life is our response to God's
not be attending. A truly thought- invitation to spend eternity with
ful guest who plans to attend, how- Him in Heaven. Have you sent
ever, will call or mail a note to the your RSVP?
host to thank them for the invita-
tion and to confirm that he or she
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is
Lord,” and believe in your heart that God

raised him from the dead, you will be Saved.
ROMANS 10:9 NIV
BRING YOUR DREAMS TO LIFE

In 1972, Life magazine published a story about the amazing
adventures of John Goddard. When he was fifteen, John’s
grandmother said, “If only I had done that when I was
young. ...” Determined not to make that statement at the
end of his life, John wrote out 127 goals for his life.
He named ten rivers he wanted to explore and seventeen
mountains he wanted to climb. He set goals of becoming an
Eagle Scout, a world traveler, and a pilot. Also on his list was:
ride a horse in the Rose Bowl parade, dive in
a submarine, retrace the travels of Marco
Polo, read the Bible from cover to cover, and
you do, work read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica.
at it with all He also planned to read the entire works
your Acsle as of Shakespeare, Plato, Dickens, Socrates,
ee nok Aristotle, and several other classic authors.
: He desired to learn to play the flute and vi-
for men. Pay
|. COLOSSIANS 3:23 NIV olin, marry, have children (he had five), pur-
wae §=—sue a career in medicine, and serve as a mis-
sionary for his church.
Sound impossible? At the age of forty-seven, John
Goddard had accomplished one hundred and three of his
goals!
Your list of goals may not be as extensive as John
Goddard's, but if you don’t have some goals in life, you'll find
that you have little motivation to get up in the morning and
little satisfaction as your head hits the pillow each night.
Motivation is when your dreams

put on WOrK clothes.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Amazingly, most people live a mediocre life, never pursuing
the dreams they hold in their hearts. Is it because they don't
believe in the possibility of their dreams becoming reality
and they lack the courage to try? Whatever the reason, don’t
be one of them!
God places dreams inside each one of us. These dreams give
us passion for life and help us fulfill our destiny on Earth.
God’s plan for you may very well reveal itself while you are
pursuing your dreams. Don’t settle for mediocrity. You were
created for greatness! Have faith and courage and risk it all!
Nurture your dreams. Take the steps necessary to make them
a reality. They are God-given and will bring blessing to your
life.
This week draft a letter to yourself, list-
ing your dreams and the steps toward
making them a reality. Mail the letter
to yourself, along with a promise to
pursue fulfilling those dreams. Just
do it! Don’t ever allow fear to make
you settle for mediocrity. God has
good plans for your future.
HE WILL WALK WITH YOU
There is no poverty that can overtake diligence.

JAPANESE PROVERB
A young reporter once interviewed a businessman went on, “there are

successful businessman. The reporter some troubles so wide you cant walk
asked the man to give him a detailed around them.” Again, the reporter
history of his company. As the man nodded. The man went on, raising
talked at length, the reporter began his voice dramatically, “And there are
to be amazed at the enormity of the some problems so deep you cant dig
many problems the man had over- under them.” Eager for a solution,
come. He finally asked him, “But the reporter said, “Yes? Yes?”
how did you overcome so many “Tr’s then,” the man concluded,
problems of such great magnitude?” “that you know the only way to beat
The old gentleman leaned back the problem is to duck your head
in his chair and said, “There's really and wade right through it.”
no trick to it.” Then he added, “You A problem rarely decreases in
know .. . there are some troubles size while a person stands and stares
that seem so high you can’t climb at it; but when you diligently pursue
over them.” The reporter nodded in a solution, your problem is guaran-
agreement, thinking of several he teed to shrink.
was currently facing. “And,” the wise
Lazy hands make a man

poor, but diligent hands
bring wealth.
PROVERBS 10:4 NIV
BEING ABLE TO YIELD ISA

SIGN OF STRENGTH
While driving down a country drivers from both directions were

toad, a man came to a very requested to give each other the
narrow bridge. In front of the right-of-way. It was a reasonable
bridge, there was a sign that read, and doubly sure way to prevent a
“Yield.” Seeing no oncoming head-on collision.
cars, the man continued If you find yourself in a
across the bridge and to combative situation with
his destination. On his | THOSEWHO someone who has more
way back this same DESIRETOLEAD authority than you—
route, he came to the MUST FIRST or equal authority—it
:
same one-lane bridge, LEARN TO RESPECT . : :
is always wise to yield
: AUTHORITY ;
now from the opposite AND OBEY. to them. If they indeed
direction. To his surprise, have more authority, a
he saw another “Yield” sign lack of submission will put
posted there. you in a position to be punished
Curious, he thought, Im sure or reprimanded. If you are of
there was one positioned on the equal authority, an exercise of
other side. Sure enough, when he your power will only build
reached the other side of the resentment in a person better
bridge and looked back, he saw kept as an ally. As the Bible says,
the sign. Yield sighs had been we are to prefer one another.
placed at both ends of the bridge, (Romans 12:10.)
obviously with the intent that
SHOW RESPECT FOR EVERYONE. LOVE CHRISTIANS EVERY-

WHERE. FEAR GOD AND HONOR THE GOVERNMENT.
1 PETER 2:17 TLB
ALWAYS LEAVE THEM |

~ WANTING MORE
bMR.- BROWN WAS IN he had preached for a full
hour. He was truly
) embarrassed since he _
had been allotted |
pale of hissEchea! | only thirty minutes
called for him to be } to preach. Knowing
available at a mo- | that he had preached
ment’s notice to fill | § well into the lunch
in for local churches | H hour, he made a
who might need a heartfelt apology to
preacher. Mr. Brown | the congregation and ~
eagerly awaited such | sat down.
an opportunity, and | = = =§=6A young woman
at long last, his mo- | ® hurried to him after
ment arrived. The| B the service ended.
pastor of a country | | Obviously more im-
church was called pressed with his per-
away on an emer- sonality and appear-
gency, and Mr. ance—and perhaps
Brown was asked to | his — availability—
fill the pulpit. | than she was with his
Having waited| message, she gushed,
so long for the op- Ob Brother
portunity and hav- Brown, you needn’t
ing so much to say, have apologized. You
Mr. Brown soon be-
came completely im-
mersed in his own
words. The more he preached, the
more he became inspired to
preach. When he glanced at his
watch, he was shocked to see that
Le
aS oS
BEES
Ny MO ag
“mouth speak such arrogance. 1samueL 2:3 NIV)”

A. | have to back off for a while until | can regroup. Then |
try again.
B. | become even more determined to make my dream
come true. | keep working at it.
C. | pause and rethink my efforts, asking myself if there is a
better way to approach the situation.
Actually, if you do any or all of the above, give yourself an AAA+!

There is merit in each of these three responses. Some personalities need to
back off and regroup, re-energize, and rethink. In fact, the creative process
requires it. It has been said that if you have only three solutions to a situa-
tion, then you have not discovered the right solution yet. Keep brain-
storming new ideas and innovative solutions. God is the author of creativ-
ity. He has built a creative spirit inside each one of us. It is a part of our na-
ture.
Read more on the creative process in the hilariously fun books A
Whack on the Side of the Head and A Kick in the Seat of the Pants by Roger
von Oech.
KEEP REACHING
ect. He also experienced years of

experimentation and failure.
THE RIPEST Then one day, he succeeded in
PEACH IS HIGHEST constructing a reaper that would
harvest grain.
ON THE TREE.
Even so, jealous opposition
JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY prevented the invention from
being used for a number of years.
McCormick was able to make
M cCormick’s father was sales only after he gave a personal
-¥ Lwhat many might call a guarantee to each purchaser that
tinkerer. A mechanical genius, he the reaper would do the job he
invented many farm devices. claimed it could do. Finally, after
Sadly, however, he became the decades of trial and error, hoping
laughingstock of his community and waiting, a firm in Cincinnati
for attempting to make a grain- agreed to manufacture one hun-
cutting device. For years, he dred machines, and the famous
worked on the project but never McCormick reaper was born.
succeeded in getting it to operate To get to the ripest peach on
reliably. the highest branch, you need to
In spite of the discourage- climb one limb at a time and not
ment his father experienced and be defeated by the scrape of bark,
the continuing ridicule of neigh- the occasional fall, and the frequent
bors, young McCormick took up feeling of being left dangling!
the old machine as his own proj-
Let us NOt become Weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap
a harvest if we O not give up.
GALATIANS 6:9 NIV
TREAT IT AS THOUGH
PE WERE YOURS
A STQRE ONCE HAD THIS lawn mower since his had been
layaway policy: “We hold it in taken to the repair shop. “Why,
the store while you pay for it. certainly,” the humorist replied.
You're mad. You take it from the “You're more than welcome to it.
store, and you But I must ask
dont pay for it. you to use it only
We're mad. Better Before you in my yard. You
that you're mad.” borrow money know I make it a
Mark ‘Twain’s “te _ from a friend,
neighbor may _ decide which Treat what
have had this poli- _ you need more. you borrow as if
cy in mind when it were a prized
Twain asked to possession, re-
borrow a certain book he had turning it promptly. If some-
spotted in his neighbor’s library. thing happens to it while it is in
“Why, yes, Mr. Clemens, youre your possession, make repairs or
more than welcome to it,” the replace it—not to your satisfac-
neighbor said. “But I must ask tion but to the satisfaction of the
you to read it here. You know I owner. Always remember, while
make it a rule never to let any the item is in your hands, it is
book go out of my library.” not yours. It still belongs to the
Several days later, the neigh- other person.
bor came to Twain’s house and
asked if he could borrow his
Ifa man borrows an animal from

his neighbor and it is injured or dies
while the OWNET is not present,
he must make restitution.
EXODUS 22:14 NIV
new insights into ageless question
| borrowed my friend's algebra book to study for a test be-

cause I had lost mine at an after-school game. | left it on the
floor of my bedroom, and my dog chewed the corner off of
it. I'm freaking out because my mom is going to make me
pay for it out of my allowance. Is it fair for her to make me
pay for it? It was the dog who ruined it.
When you borrowed your friend’s book, you became responsible for it. It
may not seem fair, but you owe your friend a new book. You see, borrow-
ing is an action that has an unspoken but implied guarantee. Your friend
promised to let you use his or her property, and you promised to return
it in the same condition you received it. That is what you owe her. So
swallow hard and cough up the bucks for the new book. That's what is
right, which is not always what is easy, but it is what pleases God.
Oh, and one more thing. What would be your response to this situation
if it were her dog that bit the corner off of your book?
How Do You Spell Contribution?
Consider your assets.
Overcome your weaknesses through practice.
Never allow difficulties to make you despair.
‘Trust that God has a plan for your life.
Remind yourself of others who have experienced
limitations yet succeeded.
If plan “A” doesn’t work, go on to plan “B.”
Bring your whole self to your endeavors.
Utilize the wisdom and instruction of others.
‘Trust in the eventual rewards of your hard work.
Instruct yourself in the skills of life.
Override negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
No excuses!
RISE ABOVE YOUR

LIMITATIONS
elen Keller eth bi
ee ae the WORK Lamar Gee
most difficult of WITHOUT A VI- tion for Overseas
physical challenges SION IS Blind honored her
to become one of DRUDGERY; by announcing the
the greatest A VISION Helen Keller Inter-
Americans of the WITHOUT national Award for
twentieth century. | WORK IS ONLY | those who give out-
As the result of a A DREAM; standing help to the
fever when she wasa | WORK WITH AY blind.
baby, Helen was left VISION IS Sometimes as
deaf, blind, and un- VICTORY. young adults, we
BDC om arO Um Speak: think there are too
Eventually, = with many strikes against
dedication, she learned to commu- us—our lives are just too hard. Yet
nicate with Braille; and her life be- Helen rose above her limitations to
came an inspiration for millions of make a lasting contribution to our
people, including Mark Twain, an society. Not only are we called to
ardent admirer. She was invited to overcome our faults and weakness-
visit every U.S. President during es, but we are asked to exercise our
her lifetime. strengths. We are challenged to do
As a teenager, she struggled to more than just survive in this
achieve, finally graduating with world. God desires that we set our
honors from Radcliffe College. She minds, hearts, and energy to the
wrote numerous articles, gave lec- work He has planned for us. He's
tures for the American Foun-da- given you the talent to make your
tion for the Blind, and raised more dreams a reality.
than two million dollars for the Work hard so God can say to
foundation’ work. On her eighti- you, © Well done.”
Be a good workman, one who does not

need to be ashamed when God
examines your work.
2 TIMOTHY 2:15 TLB
GROW INTO YOUR

FULL POTENT TA
Lies EVERYONE ge
ANDREW THINKS OF them to develop it,
Carnegie, considered CHANGING and then watched
to be one of the firstto TUF WORLD, Wartaeeie
emphasize self-esteem as their lives were
and the potential for BUT NO ONE transformed.
inner greatness, was fa- THINKS OF The philosopher
mous for his ability to CHANGING and psychologist
produce millionaires HIMSELF. William James once
from among his em- LEO TOLSTOY said, “Compared to
ployees. One day a re- what we ought to be,
porter asked him, “How do you we are only half awake. We are
account for the fact you have making use of only a small part of
forty-three millionaires working our physical and mental re-
for you?” sources. Stating the thing broad-
Carnegie replied, “They ly, the human individual thus
werent rich when they came. We lives far within his limits. He pos-
work with people the same way sesses powers of various sorts
you mine gold. You have to re- which he habitually fails to use.”
move a lot of dirt before you find In other words, most people
a small amount of gold.” only develop a fraction of their
Andrew Carnegie knew how abilities. Go for a bigger percent-
to bring about change in people. age in your life. Find the gold
He helped them realize their hid- within! |
den treasure within, inspired
Jesus said, “Unless you change and

become like little children, you will
never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
MATTHEW 18:3 NIV
OCCe
fot “Mining” the

Hidden “Gold” Within
] | r ) ,
) wii) | LJ TLIT| Ww / 1iD | ITEL 1 NK]
AVA | r r C5 | Oi YU] I} ire | |
ot a ; , ) wy ] J 1)
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300 GOD'S DEVO TONAL BOOK FOR TEENS
Whatever your hand

finds to do, do it with ©
your might.
W AFfe
ar
it DY A
NG \
ANE
A \\
Ta
AN AS
SK
Triumph is just “umph”
added to try.
defeated in ’48. He was defeat-

ed for Senate in °55, defeated
YOU CAN for the vice-presidential nomi-
nation in °56, and defeated for
‘TRIUMPH the Senate in °58. In 1860,
however, he was elected presi-
MANY YEARS AGO _ IN dent. His name was Abraham
England, a small boy grew up Lincoln.
speaking with a lisp. He was never No one is defeated until he
a scholar in school. When war gives up trying.
broke out involving his nation, he
was rejected from service, told
that “we need men.” He once rose
eed
to address the House of
Commons, and _ all present sea
walked out of the room. In fact,
History gives most of the credit
he often spoke to empty chairs for the revolutionary drug, peni-
and echoes. One day, he became cillin, to Alexander Fleming, a
Scottish scientist who first noticed
Prime Minister of Great Britain;
the powerful anti-bacterial effects
and with stirring speeches and of a fungus growing in his laborato-
bold decisions, he led his nation ry in 1928; the reality is that peni-
to victory. His name was Sir cillin would have remained a scien-
tific curiosity had it not been for the
Winston Churchill. ingenuity and tenacity of a group of
Many years ago in Illinois, a scientists at Oxford University led by
man with only a few years of for- Howard Florey, an indomitable
mal education failed in business Australian.
Working in the shadow of
in °31, was defeated in a run for World War II and often short of
the state legislature in ’32, again funds, the Oxford scientists planned
failed in business in °33, was how to save their research should
the Nazis invade Britain. Their plan
elected to the legislature in °34,
was quite remarkable. They would
but was defeated for speaker in sow spores of penicillin-producing
°38. He was defeated for elector in fungus in their clothing, and then
’40, defeated for Congress in °43, carry their work literally on their
backs to safer shores.
elected to Congress in ’46, but
SMALL COURTESIES
SPEAK VOLUMES
There’s an old saying that goes, was seated at the rear of the car.
“Tt needs more skill than I can All the other places were filled
tell, to play the second fiddle with officers and soldiers. A poor-
well.” ly dressed, elderly woman
Along that line, THE TWO _ boarded the coach at a
Leonard Bernstein was )AOST IMPOR-_ tural station, and find-
once asked which in- TANT WORDS: _ ing no seat offered to
strument was the “THANK YOU.” THE her, she trudged
most difficult to pla. MOST IMPORTANT down the aisle to-
He thought fora mo- WORD: “WE.” THE ward the back of the
ment and said, “The LEAST IMPORTANT ar. Immediately, Lee
second fiddle. I can WORD: “I.” stood up and offered
get plenty of first violin- BUILDER her his place. One after
ists, but to find someone another of the men then
who can play the second fiddle arose and offered the general
with enthusiasm—that’s a prob- his seat. “No, gentlemen,” he
lem. And if we have no second replied, “if there is none for this
fiddle, we have no harmony.” lady, there can be none for me!”
General Robert E. Lee was a Genuine humility is what
man who knew the value of play- prompts us to offer a heartfelt
ing second fiddle. This great gen- thank you and to favor others
eral never stopped being a true over ourselves.
southern gentleman. Once, while
riding on a train to Richmond, he
DON’T BE SELFISH. . . . BE HUMBLE. THINKING

OFOTHERS
AS BETTER THAN YOURSELF.
PHILIPPIANS 2:3 TLB
road mors about :t...199n issuss
* Teen Love: On Friendship (Chicken Soup for
the Teenage Soul)
by Kimberly Kirberger
¢ Things Get Hectic: Teens Write about the
Violence that Surrounds Them
by Youth Communication, et al
¢ Closing the Gap: A Strategy For Bringing
Parents And Teens Together
by Jay McGraw
¢ Always Accept Me for Who! Am: Instructions
from Teenagers on Raising the Perfect Parent
by 147 Teens Who Know
by J. S. Salt
¢ The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
by Sean Covey
PAY ATTENTION
ber how he would like to have the

million dollars for the Almighty.
head of the He then proceeded to count out
Arr Red Cross. He worked small bills. In the meantime, the
ie way up from being a suspicion of a guard had
poor boy to become
e
been aroused by the
sons
eo? e
president of a large al think | : strange request he

New York City - the one lesson | * had overheard. He
bank. have learned is disarmed the rob-
While he was a that there is no ber and prevented
cashier of that substitute for pay-: the theft.
bank, a would-be ., ing attention. - In later years,
robber came to his oe,. Diane Sawyer |me Davison was often
window, pointed a re- asked to give his wis-
volver at him, and passed a dom to others seeking suc-
check across his window counter. cess. He often advised that cour-
The check was for one million tesy, readiness, willingness, and
dollars, payable to the Almighty. alertness do more for a person
Davison remained calm, even than just being smart.
though he realized the gravity of It has been said that one of
the situation. In a loud voice, he the skills of a good communica-
repeated the words on the check tor is the ability to listen. Paying
back to the person standing in attention to the words and ac-
front of him, emphasizing the tions of those around you may be
“million dollars.” Then he gra- the best schooling you'll ever re-
ciously asked the would-be rob- ceive.
We must listen very carefullyrto the

truth we have hear d:
or we may drift away from it.
HEBREWS 2:1 NLT
a
UNCOMMON COURTESIES
Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. . . . It pleases

him who gives and him who receives, and thus,
like mercy, it is twice blessed.
ERAsTus WIMAN
We often refer to courtesy as common courtesies—are like a

“common courtesy,” but it is far calling card. They open doors
from common these days. In fact, that are otherwise shut to those
it is pretty rare. How many peo- who are rude, crude, or unman-
ple do you know who follow the nerly. They bring welcome invita-
basic common courtesies given in tions and quite often, return en-
this section? gagements. They cover a multi-
A father once remarked about tude of weaknesses and flaws.
his three children: “My children They make other people feel
may not be the brightest children good about themselves, and they
in their class. They may not be in turn extend kindness and gen-
the most talented or the most erosity they might not otherwise
skilled. They may not achieve exhibit.
great fame or earn millions of Good manners are a prerequi-
dollars. But by my insisting that site for good friendships, good
they have good manners, I know business associations, and good
they will be welcome in all places marriages. They are the key to
and by all people.” How true! success!
Good manners—exhibiting
While we have opportunity,

let us do good to all people.
GALATIONS 6:10 NASB
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY
Dr. Ashley Montagu met two young men shortly after

the end of World War II. They had spent two years in
_ Auschwitz, the cruel death camp operated by the Nazis.
__ Prior to Auschwitz, they had lived in Vienna in a cellar
where they had been kept hidden by Christian friends.
All of the others housed with them in the cellar had been
exterminated solely because they were Jews.
EE After the war ended, these two men had
A merry walked from Vienna to Berlin, hoping to find
heart does relatives. There, they were picked up by an
good, like — American Jewish soldier who brought them to
medicine, but America. Both of them wanted to become
a broken spirit i :
dries the physicians; and that’s how Dr. Montagu, a
bones. professor in a medical school, came to meet
PROVERBS 17:22 NKJV them. Noting that they “didn’t exhibit any of
Restate | the scars that one might have expected from
their unhappy existence,” he asked them how they came
to be such cheerful people.
They replied, “A group of us decided that no matter
what happened, it wouldn't get us down.” They told him
they had attempted to be cheerful regardless of their cir-
cumstances, never yielding for a moment to the idea that
they were either inferior or doomed.
They were living proof to Dr. Montagu that even
under impossible conditions, it’s possible to be happy!
A man without mirth is like a wagon with-

out springs; he is jolted disagreeably by
every pebble in the road.
HENRY WARD BEECHER
For one week, make an effort to see your circumstances from
a positive perspective and make a list of the changes it
makes in your life.
e View your problems as challenges and opportunities.

e Force your lips to turn upwards when you feel discouraged.
You will automatically feel better.
e Watch your words. Speak only positive words; avoid nega-
tive comments.
e Pay attention to the mental messages you tell. yourself.
Change them to a positive self-statement.
Dorothy Leigh Sayers said, “Work is not
primarily a thing one does to live, but the things
one lives to do. It should be the full expression of
the worker's faculties, the thing in which he finds
spiritual, mental, and bodily satisfaction, and
medium in which he offers himself to God.”
Have you ever thought about work that way?
As a gift from God intended to bring you
satisfaction? As you consider your career options,
dont settle for the job that pays the most or has the
greatest status. Neither should you choose the one
that requires the least effort. Continue to look until
you find the one that fills you with passion, and
then enjoy. That's God’s formula for work.
MAKE YOUR WORK

ENJOYABLE
A a David fired her on the spot
was twelve, THE BIBLE KNOWS and waited on the
he convinced a NOTHING OF A HI- table himself. David
restaurant manager ERARCHY OF determined that
that he was actually LABOR. would never happen
sixteen and was to him.
NO WORK IS DE-
hired as a lunch- The usual tip
counter waiter for GRADING. for waiters in those
twenty-five cents an IF 1T OUGHT TO BE days was a dime, but
hour. The place was DONE, THEN IT IS David discovered
owned by two GOOD WORK. that if he brought
Greek immigrant the food out quickly
BEN PATTERSON
brothers, Frank and and was especially
George, who had polite, he sometimes
started their lives in America as a got a quarter as a tip. He set a goal
dishwasher and hot-dog seller. for himself to see how many cus-
David remembers that they set tomers he could wait on in one
high standards and never asked night. His record was one hundred!
anything of their employees that R. David Thomas was better
they wouldn’t do themselves. Prank known as “Dave,” the founder and
once told David, “As long as you senior chairman of Wendy's
try, you can always work for me. International, Inc., a chain of
But when you dont try, you can't 4,300 restaurants.
work for me.” Trying meant No matter what job you do,
everything from working hard to do it well. The Bible tells us to do
treating customers politely. Once, all our work as to the Lord
when Frank noticed a waitress (Colossians 3:23.)
giving a customer a rough time, he
To receive his heritage and rejoice in his

labor—this is the gift of God.
ECCLESIASTES 5:19 NKJV
A. | offer to help when | see som
eone struggling with a task.
B. | do my assigned chores without
my parents having to raise
their voices or show the veins in
their necks.
C. | earn my own spending money
by working at a job outside
my own home.
D. Aside from my regular chores,
| volunteer to help when my
family needs it. I’m a team player.
E. | pride myself in getting the
best grades | am capable of.
Everyone’s situation and family dema

nds are unique, but you should be
to answer “Yes” to at least three able
out of the four statements above.
can pat yourself on the back for bein If so, you
g a hard worker, but don’t rest on your
laurels. God wants us to live Passiona
tely and give life our best effort.
give our best, He fills in the gaps. After we
HARD WORK PAYS RICH

DIVIDENDS
WHEN YOU DO go on a biscuit, a little bee must
THE THINGS YOU make 4,200 trips to the flowers,
HAVE TO DO WHEN averaging about ten trips a day,
YOU HAVE TO DO each trip lasting approximately
THEM, THE DAY twenty minutes. It visits four
hundred different flowers.
WILL COME WHEN Day in, day out, the work of
YOU CAN DO THE a bee is fairly unglamorous. It
THINGS YOU WANT flies, it takes in nectar, it flies
TO DO WHEN YOU some more, and it deposits nec-
WANT TO DO tar. In the process, it produces,
THEM. and what it produces creates a
ZIG ZIGLAR place for it in the hive.
You may think your daily
T ‘the bee is often described as chores are a waste of time; but in
|. being busy. It deserves this fact, your completion of those
adjective! To produce one pound chores is making you. One day,
of honey, a bee must visit 56,000 you wont even have to think: /
clover heads. Since each head has must get disciplined. I must get to
sixty flower tubes, a bee must work. I must stick with it. If you
make a total of 3,360,000 visits. have done your chores faithfully
In the process, the average bee and to the best of your ability, the
would travel the equivalent of chores will have become a part of
three times around the world. the way you tackle every chal-
To make just one tablespoon lenge the rest of your life.
of honey, the amount that might
He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the

hand of the diligent makes rich.
PROVERBS 10:4 NKJV
RECOGNIZE WHAT HE IS
CALLING YOU TO DO
One of the great disasters of his- there are in your parts.”

tory took place in 1271. In that Nothing was done, however,
year, Niccolo and Matteo Polo, in response to what the Kubla
the father and uncle of Marco Khan had requested. After thirty
Polo, visited Kubla Khan, who years, only a handful of mission-
was considered the world aries was sent. It was too few
ruler, with authority over too late.
all China, all India, VISION IS The West apparently
and all of the East. THE WORLD'S did not have the vision
MOST DESPERATE
The Kubla Khan to see the East won to
was attracted to the NEED. THERE Christ. The mind bog-
oe ARE NO PEOPLE ;
story of Christianity gles at the possible
as Niccolo and WHO THINK ways the world might
HOPELESSLY. y 5
Matteo told it to him. be different today if thir-
WINIFRED NEWMAN
He said to them, “You teenth-century China,
shall go to your high priest India, and the other areas of
and tell him on my behalf to send the Orient had been converted
me a hundred men skilled in your to Christianity.
religion and I shall be baptized, If you lack vision today, ask
and when I am baptized all my God for it. He has wonders to re-
barons and great men/will be bap- veal to you that you can’t yet
tized and their subjects will re- imagine!
ceive baptism, too, and so there
will be more Christians here than
IF PEOPLE CAN'T SEE WHAT GOD 1S DOING,

THEY STUMBLE ALL OVER THEMSELVES.
PROVERBS 29:18 MSG
NT
YI
CF
rf cat a
ye illo brie GAT aioe lencteA.
: Aitallave ©: «tsi zanod Wor
E De wie aoc] Demy te rhe
i : eteatt
40h 4) ea
ee ea eee cae
oat) Go lean reat
Sa oP gates WaT
——
o¢+¢
Area Gr oye aver! uy ti

olf qioy 4 Kaaquet fu Deri te) 0 we
RTE ah he ston ot
Je @/ Dales aaneri
fe :
BuHOOE ROMOH
OS q00 fei WainW sepia Grol
- aul! Goer eat 040)
07008 OO uarihoe aie F
alia Ow yun tale

on essewe
Additional copies of this and other
Honor Books products are available
wherever good books are sold.
Pocket Guide for Teens

Be Patient, God's Not Finished with Me Yet (Teen Edition)
Truth Unplugged for Girls
Truth Unplugged for Boys
2, 2, 52
“We ~~ ~~
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or if it has had an impact on your life,
we would like to hear from you.
Please contact us at:
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HONOR[iJBOOKS
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DRAW NEAR TO THE
HEART OF GOD!
Where does God fit into your busy life?
Gods Devotional Book for Teens is designed especially for teens and
is filled with neat, cool stories and intriguing ways to apply God’s
Word to your life.
Expanded from the mega-bestselling God’ Little Devotional Book
series (with over 5 million sold!), this fun new edition will build
your faith and give you quality time with a Friend who loves
you—guaranteed!
GREAT NEW FEATURES IN GOD'S

DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS:
NEW INSIGHTS TO AGELESS QUESTIONS—
Q & As that tackle the hard questions
Vision ts the world’s TOP TEN TIPS—Action steps to help you apply
your faith daily
most desperate need. WHO'S WHO—Short bios of faithful followers

LIGHTEN UP—Laughter is the best medicine
There are no hopeless HOW DO YOU MEASURE UP?—Test your SQ
(Spiritual Quotient)
sttuations only people FYI BOOK LISTS—A great resource to help you
: learn more
who think hopelessly. FUN TRIVIA—Fascinating and little-known facts
WISE WORDS—Quotes you will want to remembe
—WINSTON CHURCHILL JUST DO IT—Practical advice to get you started
S wilwne eae a
HONOR[BBOOKS |) 5 55
Cook Communications Ministries c =
NNN 1562925164
Kingsway Communications, LTD. ODS DEVOT TONAL BOOK/ TEENS
: 851036 LAA iat ION) ais
; a r LREOPA 1139556 Ea aa

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GOD’S DEVOTIONAL BOOK FOR TEENS

All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. Contents and/or

First printing, 2005

Original Manuscript prepared by W.B. Freeman Concepts

In March of 1987, Eamon slightly. What he hadn't noticed,

[|HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

, hen a iat is gloomy,

What does the LORD require of you

Submit yourself to God and to others.

|Bae often with his surgical

Do you Want to stand out?

USE YOUR TALENTS

[Be}-fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.

Wisdom tells us that God plants a seed of passion inside each

¢ What is your yearning? It’s a feeling that pulls and attracts

LEAVE A LASTING MARK

The greatest use of life is to spend it for

Although we do not have the origi- whole body labors.”

Jesus said, “Store up for

ONLY SPEAK WELL

After several months of romance, Emperor, this same notary ap-

THE GOOD MAN BRINGS GOOD THINGS OUT OF THE GOOD

I keep working over my body.

LET YOUR ACTIONS REFLECT

to spare him, but The United

Show me your faith without deeds,

¢ Setting Godly Goals

CONTINUE SETTING GOALS

Straining forward to what lies ahead, J press

Think about this way of spelling “A Pure Mind.”

KEEP YOUR MIND PURE

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

Be doers of the word, and not hearers

1. BRING GOD INTO YOUR PLANS. ASK FOR HIS

5. REVIEW YOUR PROGRESS EACH WEEK.

she memory of the

LET YOUR WORK REFLECT

AS IN WATER FACE REFLECTS FACE

DON’T LET EXCUSES

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but

BE WISE WITH YOUR SEED

One of life’s great rules is this:

A liberal man will be

After arguing heatedly for several hours about which type of

The way of a fool seems right to him,

1. Carry a small spiral notebook or index cards in your pocket

FAITH ON THE INSIDE

Haven’t | worked hard trying to do more

. = Pee THE WORLD ee

Jesus said to him, “You must love the

YOU NEED ONLY

Am I now trying to WIN the ap-

| think it is okay under certain circumstances to:

Now, read through the book of Proverbs and see what

LET YOUR DEEDS REFLECT

OUR DEEDS DE- only person who knew the answer.

Even a Child is known by his actions;

ONLY SPEAK GOOD WORDS

A man once sat down to have swered confidently.

DON’T USE FOUL OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.