by Sarah from Virtuous Daughters, July 2015~Volume 14, Number 4 As I have been pondering the topic of abiding in Christ, I flipped to John 15, where our Lord addressed this aspect of the believer's spiritual life. Verse four says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” The picture Jesus paints here is clear: we must abide in Him because we are nothing without Him!
by Rebekah M. from Virtuous Daughters, June 2015~Volume 15, Number 3 It’s been a rough morning. First, you wake up to the mixed noise of your two-year-old brother throwing a fit and your dog greeting his fellow canines through the fence (in other words, barking as loud as he can), causing you to develop a headache. Next, you walk downstairs to find your dad eating the last of the breakfast muffins you had been craving and your younger sister (who’s the same size as you) wearing your favorite shirt--which is now already a bit stained with orange juice, without asking. Finally, after much chaos, everyone piles into the car to head to church. Unfortunately, most of the ride is ruined by your two older siblings arguing about whose turn it was to change the baby’s diaper this morning. This duty actually never got done, explaining why the car smelled the way it did! Amidst these adverse circumstances, and before you move on with your day, you have one key choice to make. Either, to yell at everyone to be quiet, apologize, and get it together; or, choose the harder, yet life-giving path--to forgive. We find this exhortation in the book of Ephesians.
by Naomi B. from Virtuous Daughters, February 2013~Volume 12, Number 11 “A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong; which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.” (anonymous)
We all make mistakes—maybe it’s saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, letting the supper burn, sewing without thread, etc.! However, we can learn from those mistakes. For example, if you forget to set the timer and supper burns, you will learn from your mistake to set the timer next time! by Candace M. from Virtuous Daughters, August 2013~Volume 13, Number 5 Recently, our family was reading through Luke 9, and verse 41 was particularly striking: “And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.” In the beginning of the chapter, Jesus had given His disciples power and authority over all devils and power to cure diseases. He then sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Not long after their return (at least 10 days), a man brought his son to Jesus—a son who was possessed by a devil that the disciples were unable to cast out. This father cried to Jesus for help. Jesus’ answer (above) indicates a rebuke for the lack of faith the disciples exhibited. These were His own disciples: they had seen Him perform so many miracles, had been given power, and had healed people on this recent trip. And yet they were termed “faithless” and thus lacked power to do the work of God.
by Emily B. from Virtuous Daughters, March 2009~Volume 8, Number 12 May I tell you about some of the ways we choose our reading material? The criteria may be different for different families, but the first rule should be the same for everyone: if you aren’t sure about something, ask your parents! If there is a question as to the content of a particular book, let your mom (or dad) look at it first, to decide if it is something they want you to read. They know what decision will be best for you. Maybe they will tell you they feel a particular book is not appropriate for you at this point in your life. Be willing to abide by their decision, even if the book is one that all your friends tell you is the greatest. Our parents have good reasons for the decisions they make!
by Tiffany S. from Virtuous Daughters, May 2005~Volume 5, Number 2 “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”—Hebrews 5:14
Like most girls, I love to read! In my spare time, I can often be found cuddled up under a blanket in my bed reading a book. Reading is a wonderful skill and pastime. But more so, it is an opportunity. To read a book is to gain knowledge, perhaps wisdom, and encouragement. For me, reading has also served as a writing tool. From different books, I am able to borrow phrases and writing styles I like. For centuries people have loved to read. The more I’ve studied history, the more I realize that some of our wisest and most influential leaders were those who did a lot of reading. But what kinds of books make a person great? The Bible, of course, is the best. However, not all books are godly or edifying reading material. Even in the Christian bookstores we are surrounded by worldly sources. What sort of books are we to be reading? What about in the realm of Christian books or classic literature? I believe that everything we do should be done in Jesus’ name, and to His glory and honor. Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Does this include reading? Definitely. Our reading material should be something that we would without hesitance hand to Jesus Himself. We must use discernment. Let me share with you how God has taught me this. by Tiffany S. from Virtuous Daughters, August 2010~Volume 10, Number 5 She is thirteen years old and thoughtfully stands at a fork in the road of life. To the left is an attractive, wide path. “Popular” would be an appropriate one-word description, since much of the world and all her peers are happily traveling on it. They seem to enjoy this new adventure. To the right is a more narrow trail. She sees no one on it at the particular moment, but the worn pathway gives evidence that it has been used throughout the centuries and that occasionally, another pilgrim journeys through it.
She glances both ways. Which way should she go? Which way is best? Everyone seems to be enjoying the beginning of the path on the left, but what consequences will it reap in the end? Is it always that exciting, that easy? Just because everyone is taking the broad trail, does that mean she should? Which way should she go? July 2002~Volume 2, Number 4 I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted, and here’s the reason why. I have a God Who’s mighty, Who’s sovereign and supreme; I have a God Who loves me, and I am on His team. He is all wise and powerful, Jesus is His Name; Though everything is changeable, my God remains the same. My God knows all that’s happening, beginning to the end; His presence is my comfort, He is my dearest friend. When sickness comes to weaken me, to bring my head down low, I call upon my mighty God; into His arms I go. When circumstances threaten to rob me of my peace; He draws me close unto His breast, where all my strivings cease. When my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control, He gathers me into His arms; He soothes my heart and soul. The great “I AM” is with me; my life is in His hand. The “Son of the Lord” is my hope; it’s in His strength I stand. I refuse to be defeated, My eyes are on my God; He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod. I’m looking past all circumstances, to Heaven’s throne above; My prayers have reached the heart of God. I’m resting in His love. I give God thanks in everything. My eyes are on His face; The battle’s His, the victory is mine; He’ll help me win the race! by Kristin from Virtuous Daughters, August 2013~Volume 13, Number 5 Sometimes standing alone can be, well...lonely. I guess that’s obvious, but it’s also good to know and consider. There are different types of standing alone. There is the kind that we all expect; the difference between us believers and the rest of the world. And then there is the other kind of standing alone, the kind that can easily leave us very discouraged and disillusioned. I’m talking about when folks you’ve been close to take other paths, or when folks you trusted ended up proving untrustworthy. Maybe you’ve shared glorious fellowship with them, and you felt such a close bond with them. It was like a little piece of heaven. You held discussions on your common convictions, and they encouraged you in what you both mutually believed.
Then things changed one day. You realized that you were no longer walking the same path. You were standing alone. by Tiffany S. from Virtuous Daughters, March 2008~Volume 7, Number 12 Peer pressure has a powerful influence on young people especially. Although it can be positive, the phrase usually gives a negative connotation. Because this is a prevalent force, we must learn how to defend our faith and convictions without compromising, even in “little” things.
In a way, peer pressure has been a common thing for many years. Trends in clothing, accessories, and attitudes are a classic example. Laura Ingalls Wilder implied in her book, Little Town on the Prairie, that she buckled under peer pressure. She wore the clothing in style (because it was in style), despite the fact that it did not match her personal tastes. |
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