Topic: Never Stay Idle [Open Heavens for Teens 26 October 2020]
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Memorise: “Even when we were with you, we gave you a rule. We said, “Anyone who will not work will not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 (NIRV)
6 Brothers and sisters, here is a command we give you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep away from every believer who doesn’t want to work. Keep away from anyone who doesn’t live up to the teaching you received from us.
7 You know how you should follow our example. We worked when we were with you.
8 We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. In fact, it was just the opposite. We worked night and day. We worked very hard so that we wouldn’t cause any expense to any of you.
9 We worked, even though we have the right to receive help from you. We did it in order to be a model for you to follow.
10 Even when we were with you, we gave you a rule. We said, “Anyone who will not work will not eat.”
11 We hear that some people among you don’t want to work. They aren’t really busy. Instead, they are bothering others.
12 We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. So we strongly command people like that to settle down. They have to earn the food they eat.
Bible Reading In One Year: Jeremiah 17-19; 1 Timothy 6:1-21
MESSAGE:
Luke 15:11-32 narrates the story of the prodigal son from which there are a lot of lessons to be learnt. After he wasted his wealth in a strange land, he became poor and began to starve. The citizens of that country who had attached themselves to him deserted him when he had nothing left. He became poorer than the servants in his fathers house.At that point, he had many options, he could decide to remain in that country and starve to death, he could roam about the streets begging for food, he could as well become a thief. Rather, he searched for a decent job and found none. The job he found was a menial job feeding pigs in a farm, which he took.
Today, there are many young fellows into cyber-crime, prostitution, armed robbery et cetera. Whatever name the crime is called, a crime is a crime and the action of this prodigal son stands to condemn all those who go into crimes for whatever reason. As a child of God, have zero tolerance for crimes and those involved in it. If you are in the higher institution, you can volunteer in companies when you are on holiday and gain some experience rather than sit at home idle. If you are in secondary school, you can learn a skill during your holiday. Never stay idle.
Key Point:
Anyone who has the ability to work and doesn’t, deserves not to eat.
Hymn: I’m Pressing On The Upward Way,
- I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining everyday;
Still praying as I onward bound
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Chorus:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table-land;
Where love, and joy, and light abound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
- My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise, and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My constant aim is higher ground. - Beyond the mist I fain would rise,
To rest beneath unclouded skies,
Above earth’s turmoil peace is found
By those who dwell on higher ground.
4.I long to scale the utmost height,
Though rough the way, and hard the fight,
My song while climbing, shall resound
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.
- Lord, lead me up the mountain side
I dare not climb without my Guide;
And, heaven gained, I’ll gaze around,
With grateful heart from higher ground
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.