March 8, 2001 Devotion

"REFLECTING ON OUR TEENAGE CHILDREN"

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

Our teenager's in todays society, seem to be battling with identity. It
seems the greatest pressure they face is pressure from society.
The Apostle Paul wrote, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you
will be able to test and approve what God's will is ~ his good, pleasing
and perfect will." (NIV) The most effective way to fight the world's
stranglehold is to fight it with absorbtion in God's Word ~ focusing on
God and His perfect plan instead of wasting time, attention, and
affection on the world.
The challenge lies in the fact that there is no way for teens to be
oblivious to the world around them. They don't live in a spiritual ivory
tower, completely apart from the world. They lve with families, they
attend school, work jobs, and interact with others. Often teenagers cave
in to the pressures of society not because their commitments to God
aren't geniuine, but because they're not willing to learn and apply the
Word of God daily in their spiritual walks.
Only in God's Word will our teens find clear direction as well as
ability to live by God's standards. To shape their actions and emotions,
teenagers need to apply the truth of God's Word, and not rely on the
false images projected by society.
Our teenagers (and all our young children) need to be taught, guided and
challenged to dig in and absorb themselves in Scripture. We, as their
parents and earthly guidance counselors, are to be setting examples in
our children also. Where is your Bible right now? Do your children
reflect on your daily examples? I've always heard the saying, "Children
practice what they're preached." What are we preaching to our teenagers
today? It needs to be the Word of God!
God Bless You ~ Have a joyful day in the Lord!

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR OUR TEENS ~ SATURDAY MARCH 10TH AT 1:00 PM!!!!!!!

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