I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Most teens want to grow up fast. If you’re 12, you want to be 15. If you’re 15, you want to be 18. Well, if you really want to grow up faster, this verse tells you how! It says that a person becomes mature by using the Bible’s teachings to see the difference between good and evil. Here’s how it works. Instead of taking your friend’s word on whether something is right or wrong, good or bad, you follow God’s direction. In other words, you learn to take responsibility for your decisions. And you make the decisions using God’s Word as your guide. Show that kind of maturity, and you can call yourself truly grown up.

Hebrews 5:14

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8

You don’t have to be an adult for God to use you. Six-year old Sarah explained to her cousin “Jesus loves you.” And it was a 12-year old who was moved by the plight of the homeless that he launched a winter crusade to supply street people with blankets. At age 16 young King Josiah “begins to seek the God of his father, and before he was 21 he led his nation in a great religious revival. Seek God now, and look for ways to serve him. God uses faithful followers of any age.

2 Chronicles 34:1-3

“The Lord is faithful, and He will Strengthen and protect you form the evil one.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3

How are you different from kids who aren’t Christians? No, I know you don’t have a third eye or sixth toe on each foot. And no one expects you to dress like your great grandpa. Hey, it’s OK to look and act like a teenager. Still, God expects you to be different: “Now you are the people of God” (I Peter 2:10). You belong to God. Being “different” as a Christian means making sure that everything you do reflects in a positive manner on God. Be a teen. And act toward your friends of both sexes with integrity. Be a teen. Be God’s ten, the very best person you can be.

I Peter 2:9-10

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28