Topic: Cracked But Mendable [Open Heavens for Teens 24 February 2020]
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MEMORISE: “And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” – Jeremiah 18:4
READ: Luke 15:11-32
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 11-13; Mark 5:21-43
MESSAGE:
here are many examples of people who got cracked in their journey, but God mended them and still used them. David is an example of such (2 Samuel 12). In spite of his errors, God, instead of dumping him, preferred to mend the crack. He prefers to mend you than to dump you. It doesn’t matter how deep, you have gone into sin, God is waiting for you with arms open wide. He said you should draw near to Him and He will draw near to you so don’t give up in yourself. He loves you so much, He will leave ninety nine uncracked souls to go and look for you (Matthew 18:12-14).
Come to Him, He will not reject you. He will pick up the broken pieces of your life and put them back together again. I am a living testimony of that. To be honest, if I were God, I would not save Adeboye because Adeboye was a seriously cracked soul. He, however, still saved me and works through me around the world today. If He could save me, He can save you too. Apostle Paul said he was chief among sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), yet see how much God did through Him. You can never be too cracked for God to mend, just make the move and draw bear to Him.
Prayer Point:
Father, I am sorry for my sinful lifestyle. I come to you today Lord, please mend me and use me for your glory.
Hymn 12:
1 What can wash away my stain?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Chorus:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow!
No other fount I know, .
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
2 For my cleansing this I see –
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my pardon this my plea –
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
3 Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus:
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
4 This is all my hope and peace.
Nothing but the blood of Jesus:
His is all my righteousness
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.