Encouraging Devotions for Teen Girls by MariLee Parrish by Barbour Books

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ENCOURAGING Devotions for TEEN GIRLS

Print ISBN 979-8-89151-219-1

Text originally released as When Jesus Speaks to a Teen Girl’s Heart, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

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Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.

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With special thanks to “Coach B,” whose love for kids and teens is palpable and who prayed for me as I wrote. . .

MariLee Parrish

ENCOURAGING Devotions for TEEN GIRLS

FROM JESUS’ HEART TO YOURS

Girl, you have so many thoughts, plans, feelings, ideas, dreams, and emotions right now. And Jesus has a lot to say about every single one of them. You are His beloved daughter and cherished friend. He delights in you! He wants to speak to your heart in ways that you never thought possible.

Jesus isn’t an impersonal God who observes your actions from some far-off place in the sky. Nope! He’s the “always present, alive in your heart if you’ve chosen to follow Him” God who loves you and is as close as your very next breath! He is with you and for you—always.

Jesus wants you to know His voice. As we dig into His Word in the coming days, we’re going to find out how true this really is.

Hebrews 4:16 (niv) says: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Through Jesus Christ, we can confidently and boldly come before God’s throne. We’re going to learn what that means too.

Come along with me, and let’s hear what Jesus has to say to your heart!

Your friend, MariLee

I Have Chosen You

Hello, My beloved. Did you know that I chose you to be Mine? It may be hard to believe, but the truth is that I chose you before the creation of the world to be My child (Ephesians 1:4) and My friend. I decided to adopt you as My own because I love you more than you could imagine.

You don’t have to hide from Me. I understand everything about you. And I love you fully. I sacrificed My life so you could be clean and free, holy and set apart. My blood covers you completely. You don’t have to do anything but surrender. I am completely full of grace and truth, and I want to pour that all over you. Will you let Me?

I’ve set you apart for a great purpose, and I have amazing plans for your life. You’re going to have some trouble in this world, that much is true. But take heart, My dear one. I have overcome the world! I promise to be with you every step of your faith journey. It will be a grand adventure too!

When life feels hard, follow Me. When life is good, follow Me. I promise to work everything out for your good and for My glory. You can be thankful in every circumstance, trusting Me to take care of you.

I am faithful. I offer you peace and rest as you learn to trust Me with your life.

I delight in you.

“This is what I tell you to do: Love each other just as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to give his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I tell you. I do not call you servants that I own anymore. A servant does not know what his owner is doing. I call you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from My Father. You have not chosen Me, I have chosen you. I have set you apart for the work of bringing in fruit. Your fruit should last. And whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you.”

John 15:12–16 nlv

Important Truths

Loved one, there are some super important truths that I want you to know and remember all the days of your life:

You are beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139).

I know you personally. I know your name and even the number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30).

I see your tears, and I count them. And one day I will wipe every one of them away for good (Psalm 56:8; Revelation 7:17).

I planned when you would be born and where you would live (Acts 17:26).

Every good and perfect gift you receive in this life comes from Me (James 1:17).

I love you with a love that will never end (Jeremiah 31:3).

I will never leave you or abandon you (Hebrews 13:5).

My dear child, you are so cherished and important to Me. I want you to live every day of your life knowing this! I want you to reach out to Me and to know Me personally too. I’m never far away. I’m always as close as your next breath.

Have you chosen to follow Me? Then My Spirit is alive in you and with you always. You are never alone. You’re My child, and I watch over you very carefully. When you’re feeling down or scared or alone, please remember these truths, My lovely one. Come back to this page over and over. Copy it down and tape it to your mirror. Know that I always keep My promises.

“The God who created the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, because it is He who gives to all [people] life and breath and all things. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands and territories. This was so that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grasp for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our being], as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ ”

Acts 17:24–28 amp

The Mystery

I want to let you in on a big secret, dear one. It’s a mystery that I’ve held on to until just the right time. I’ve sent clues throughout the ages, and everything points to the big reveal of this astounding truth: Me. Alive. In YOU!

Are you up for that? If you choose to follow Me, I promise that you will never be alone. It won’t always be easy, that’s for sure. But it will never be boring either. Life with Me—Me, alive and at work in your heart—is the grand adventure I designed you for!

I came so that you can have an abundant and full life (John 10:10)! The same power that raised Me up from the grave is what comes alive inside your heart when you choose to say “Yes” to Me.

I gave up My life to take the penalty for all your mistakes. You can now hold your head high before a holy God because I’ve got you covered. I’m the only one who can do that.

I give you the strength and power to live your life confidently, even during hard times. I want to help you understand how loved and valued you are to Me. I want you to begin hearing My voice and trusting Me.

Ready? . . . I stand at the door of your heart and knock.

If you hear My voice and open the door, I’ll come right in (Revelation 3:20).

This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity.

To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less.

Colossians 1:26–28 msg

Hearing My Voice

I want you to know My voice, dear one. Let Me show you:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27–28 esv).

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21 niv).

“You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 13:4 esv).

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? (Galatians 3:5 esv).

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (Hebrews 3:15 esv).

You see? . . . It’s so important to Me that you get to know My voice! I want to show you how to do that. Wouldn’t it be

strange if you called up a good friend, told her everything about your day, and then simply hung up? Wait! She might have some things to say too, right? It’s the same with Me. I love hearing your voice! But don’t hang up too soon. I have some things I’d like to tell you.

The Holy Spirit says, “If you hear His voice today, do not let your hearts become hard as your early fathers did when they turned against Me. It was at that time in the desert when they put Me to the test. . . .” Christian brothers, be careful that not one of you has a heart so bad that it will not believe and will turn away from the living God. Help each other. Speak day after day to each other while it is still today so your heart will not become hard by being fooled by sin. For we belong to Christ if we keep on trusting Him to the end just as we trusted Him at first. The Holy Writings say, “If you hear His voice today, do not let your hearts become hard as your early fathers did when they turned against Me.”

Who heard God’s voice and turned against Him?

Hebrews 3:7–8, 12–16 nlv

Talking with Jesus

I am God in the flesh. I am the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). When you look at Me, you get a clear picture of God. Can you picture Me in your imagination as you pray? I created you and gave you your imagination for a divine purpose. I want to show you many things on this adventure. You don’t have to close your eyes to pray and talk to Me. No. You can talk to Me at all times and in any way. But let’s start here today. We’re going to read My Word and talk about it together. I looked for the Lord, and He answered me. And He took away all my fears. They looked to Him and their faces shined with joy. Their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him. And He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord stays close around those who fear Him, and He takes them out of trouble. O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34:4–8 nlv

Close your eyes and picture Me. I am close to you. Now just quiet your heart for a minute and be still. What do you hear? What do you see?

Here’s something I want you to know: I want to take

away all your fears. Can you tell Me everything that is on your heart today?

Long ago God spoke to our early fathers in many different ways. He spoke through the early preachers. But in these last days He has spoken to us through His Son. God gave His Son everything. It was by His Son that God made the world. The Son shines with the shining-greatness of the Father. The Son is as God is in every way. It is the Son Who holds up the whole world by the power of His Word. The Son gave His own life so we could be clean from all sin. After He had done that, He sat down on the right side of God in heaven.

Hebrews 1:1–3 nlv

When I Speak

I still speak to My kids today, child. Do you believe it? I’m the same yesterday, today, and forever. As I said to My friend Jeremiah, I say again: “Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3 nlv).

As you learn to hear from Me, you will see that it always lines up with My Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17 niv).

I want you to learn to love My words. It’s My desire to help you understand them. If you’re praying and you’re not sure if something is from your imagination or from Me, simply ask Me. Don’t stress about it. Trust Me. I want to make things clear for you. I don’t want you to be confused; I don’t want you to worry. If I want you to know something, I will confirm it by making sure you understand. You’ll likely hear it again and again in various ways, until you know that it’s Me speaking. Your job is to be listening.

I speak to you in many ways. I speak through My Word. I speak through songs. I speak through creation. I speak through

other people. I’ve spoken throughout history, giving people special dreams and visions. Try not to put limits on My powerful ways. (You know that story about Me speaking through a donkey, right? Read about it in My Word—in Numbers 22!)

Give to the Lord the honor that belongs to Him. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holy living. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. The God of shining-greatness thunders. The Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful. The voice of the Lord is great. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars. Yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the tall cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon jump like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild bull. The voice of the Lord sends out lightning. The voice of the Lord shakes the desert. The Lord shakes the desert of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth, and tears away the leaves of the trees. And in His holy house everything says, “Honor to God!”

Psalm 29:2–9 nlv

For When You’ re T ired. . .

I see you, dear one! I see how hard you’re working. I see all your hopes and dreams. I see your desire to belong. I see all the worries you carry. I know about the questions you’re afraid to ask. Are you ready for a rest?

Come to Me with all your burdens and lay them down. Close your eyes and quiet your mind. I am here. I am close, and I want to speak to you. Can you picture bringing all the heavy things you are carrying and laying them down at My feet? I have all power in heaven and earth, and only I can help you find the answers you’re looking for. I offer you rest and peace as you surrender your problems to Me. Picture yourself heaving the largest burden you’re carrying at the foot of My cross. Give yourself a few minutes to imagine this in your mind. I bore this cross to bring you healing and peace. Allow Me to lift your heavy burdens. How does it feel to lay it all down? But wait. . . Make sure you’re not picking your burden back up! Stand all the way up, dust yourself off, and lift your head. I am strong enough to carry everything you’ve given Me. Let Me have it. Let Me keep it.

Find your deep soul rest in Me, child. Stay close, and I’ll help you live freely and lightly.

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.

“The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen. Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matthew 11:27–30 msg

Unlimited Greatness

Do you believe I can do anything? Do you truly believe it? If you struggle with believing, please take a moment to be still before Me, precious daughter. I understand your struggle. I know everything you’re thinking. Let’s talk about it together. Take a deep breath and tell Me everything. I care about what you’re feeling. I can handle all your thoughts and emotions. Make a choice to trust Me in this moment. Repent of believing the lies of this world. Then turn to Me so your sins will be wiped clean and I can refresh you (Acts 3:19). Confess the ways that you’ve put limits on what I can do. Confess any other sin that is getting in the way of our relationship. I will forgive you and help you learn to trust in My unlimited greatness. Take a few moments right now and tell Me about your struggles. Are there any lies you’re still believing about who I am and what I can do? I want to refresh you and show Myself to you in new and amazing ways! Have faith, dear one. Faith is the confidence of what you hope for and the assurance of what you do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Without faith, it’s impossible to please Me. So come to Me. Believe that I can do anything, and I will reward you for it (Hebrews 11:6)!

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:14–21 niv

My Spirit in You

Daughter, I have given you everything you need to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3). I promised My followers that I would send a helper, and I kept My promise. You have My very own Spirit alive in you, reminding you of everything I want you to know: “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26 esv ).

When you don’t know what or how to pray, I will help you (Romans 8:26). When you’re feeling stuck, lift your heart to Me and I will help. My Holy Spirit is your counselor, teacher, comforter, convicter, and guide.

Conviction happens when My Spirit pricks your heart about something that does not line up with My will for you. My conviction is clean. This means I don’t want you wallowing in shame and self-pity. As you’ll see in Romans 2:4, it’s My loving-kindness that draws you to repent and come to Me. Ask Me to shine My light on any sin in your life, and I will do it. Confess it. Bring it into the light, and I will cleanse you. My Spirit will guide you and help you do the right thing. You don’t have to exhaust yourself trying to be perfect all the time. Let Me fill you with My presence, and I’ll give you all

the strength and energy you need to be the young woman I created you to be.

“If you love Me, you will do what I say. Then I will ask My Father and He will give you another Helper. He will be with you forever. He is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot receive Him. It does not see Him or know Him. You know Him because He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you without help as children without parents. I will come to you. In a little while the world will see Me no more. You will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. When that day comes, you will know that I am in My Father. You will know that you are in Me. You will know that I am in you. The one who loves Me is the one who has My teaching and obeys it. My Father will love whoever loves Me. I will love him and will show Myself to him.”

John 14:15–21 nlv

Seek Me and Find Me

Let Me ask you a question, dear one: Have you been forgetting to bring all your thoughts and feelings to Me for help? Have you been trying to get your needs met from your friends, your family, or your phone?

James 4:2 (niv) says: “You do not have because you do not ask God.” I want to give you a gentle reminder today. I created everything. I have unlimited power to bless you. I know exactly what your heart needs. Will you choose to come to Me first? I want to hear everything about you. I want to talk to you. I want to answer your questions about life. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 niv).

What do we need to discuss today, My friend? I’m ready to listen, and I’m also ready to help. Take a minute now and tell Me what’s on your mind. What do you need in this moment? What has you concerned or scared? Let’s talk about it. I’m not playing games with you. I won’t ever do that. I want you to seek Me and find Me. I promise that you can know Me and have a real-life relationship with Me. I will help you get into a rhythm of coming to Me for everything, if you are willing. Seek Me with your whole heart, and I will be found by you.