October 12, 2021
7 Verses- Biblical Advice for a Tween Girl in Today’s World
“First, Baby girl, you have to listen. Listen to your parents who love you. Second, you have to deny the sins overtaking this world. You cannot let them in. You cannot become a fool. Third, you have to have hope, hope in the Lord and know that the hard times will build you up. Forth, you need to know God will help you. He is your strength. He is your refuge. Fifth, you have to know how He knows you- completely with steadfast love. Sixth, because we know this, we have to know that before we battle this world, we have to put on the armor of God. And lastly, we have to know that as we go out into the world, into this battle with our armor on, unphased, with perseverance and hope, we have to know that He changed us with the unique and beautiful task of being the light to shine before men. Praise be to our Father in Heaven.”
I had a very different topic picked out for today. But today was one of those days. Mamas, you might know what I mean. It was one of those days where you question everything you have ever done with your child, who is now at the cusp of teenagerism. Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten so much ice cream when I was pregnant or taken that cold medicine the doctor said was okay. He was wrong. It was that dang baby-wise book; if I hadn’t let her cry it out, none of this would have happened. I loved too much. I shouldn’t have started back to work. She needs a hug. She needs a spanking. She will never, ever, ever look at another screen as long as she lives. That’s it. We are becoming homesteaders with no electricity. Oh Lord, Jesus, come now and help me. LOL! It’s all just a storm of worry, and then the next minute, the crazy alien you call your daughter that has made your life h-e- double hockey sticks all morning comes walking out as if nothing happened with a big smile and happiness. I am coming to recognize this is just our new normal.
But with these emotional rollercoaster rides going on, we often forget how important it is to have those serious talks, get into the Word, get deep and teach these little world changers the Word. I admit sometimes it is easier to just go take a hot bath. Mama needs a time out.
I have to stop a minute here and remind you all of something. This podcast often focuses on building a relationship with Jesus after religion, but I did not go straight from church to the Christain faith. It was through dealing with this ugly world and Satan at my door coming for my daughter that made me realize nothing I could do was big enough. I needed God. I was nothing against the evil one. I had to give it to Him and allow Him to guide my steps. After I laid it all down at the foot of the cross, He told me, it won’t be easy. This is going to be hard, but it will be okay. And it has been exactly that and so much more goodness than I could ever say. He is our strength.
Today, I woke to a text having to do with my daughter’s youth group. It has been an answer to my prayers and a safe space for her to learn about the Lord. But today, there was some concern about a few things with a few of the youth, and it brought back a flood of emotions.
So, I decided to do something I had not done in a while. I picked her up from school, and we went for coffee and hot chocolate and a bible study, just for her.
I asked God to lead me to the right words. Maybe they will be the right ones for you and your baby girl, too.
So I pray these verses today bring strength, mama.
7 Verses- Biblical Advice for a Tween Girl in Today’s World
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Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Classic- We all need this reminder from time to time. This has been powerful to my daughter to know that it is not just her crazy mom and dad that would like her to listen, but God commands it. He also includes a promise that when she listens, good things will come. Now, I get that not all homes are the same. Some parents should not be listened to. Some parents, well, maybe being parents, is a struggle. But as followers of Christ, it is also tasked to us to be good parents to our children and bring them up in the Lord. So to us Christain households, this verse holds true, honor your father and mother.
2. Romans 1:18-32
I’m not going to read this whole passage here today. It is heavy. In fact, the title of the passage in the NIV version is God’s Wrath Against Mankind. Now before you get scared and say, “I’m out,” let me just say, ya’ll, if this passage doesn’t speak to this world today, I do not know what does. I’m going to paraphrase a bit and then I’d like to invite you over to my private Facebook group, where I am going to be reading and going through Romans on Thursday mornings. I’ll also have bonus episodes on the podcast as well if you would prefer to listen. Romans is my jam! It calls you out and simultaneously lifts you up. It is grace!. But in this passage, we are specifically talking about sin, opening the door to sins that the world is encouraging our young women to accept. “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the creator…”
And God is a gentleman. You want to be a fool; He won’t stand in your way. Sometimes the things that seem like they should be accepted because the world tells you so are the very sins that open the door widest to the enemy. That is this passage.
3. Romans 5
After this super heavy passage above, we need to know that it is going to be okay. Let’s have some Hope amidst the hardship. Romans is great for this, but I especially like this chapter and this specific verse
“…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
4. Psalm 121:1-2
And where do we get this hope? Who is there to help us through it all?
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
He is our refuge and strength. No other.
5. Psalm 139:13-14
And how do we know this? How do we know He knows us well enough to know how to help us? Because we are told…
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.”
6. Ephesians 6:10
So when, baby girl, things get tough, and they will, there is something all so incredibly important we have to do. There is no negotiation with this. We have to…
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
7. Mathew 5:14-16
Because God calls us to do something. Jesus tells us something so beautiful that you must know. You must do! You must be for Him this thing…
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
How to make a difference…
First, Baby girl, you have to listen. Listen to your parents who love you. Second, you have to deny the sins overtaking this world. You cannot let them in. You cannot become a fool. Third, you have to have hope, hope in the Lord, and know that the hard times will build you up. Forth, you need to know God will help you. He is your strength. He is your refuge. Fifth, you have to know how He knows you- completely with steadfast love. Sixth, because we know this, we have to know that before we battle this world we have to put on the armor of God. And lastly, we have to know that as we go out into the world, into this battle with our armor on, unphased, with perseverance and hope, we have to know that He changed us with the unique and beautiful task of being the light to shine before men. Praise be to our Father in Heaven.
