Topic: Riotous Youths [DCLM Daily Manna 11 October 2020 Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
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Text: Luke 15:11-32 (KJV)
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.
Key Verse: “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.” – (Luke 15:13)
MESSAGE:
Youth violence is becoming a great concern in our world today. Violent gangs such as evil cults and fraternities, control neighbourhoods in some cities today. This makes law enforcement quite challenging. What fuels this restiveness is the availability of hard drugs in the black markets, alcohol, hate music that incites the youths to violence. There are many other devices the devil has invented to distract the youth.
Also See: Open Heaven 11 October 2020 – Be Wise: Win Souls
The story of the prodigal son is actually about a quest for independence. The youngest son walked up to his dad, demanded and received his own share of the inheritance, and took off on a jolly trip to manage things by himself. His decision started to backfire after he ran out of money and began to be in want. With the biting famine and with no one ready to help him, the young man joined himself to a fellow in that country who employed him to tend his swine – a very humiliating job. He was dying of hunger as he struggled for his food with the swine. He eventually decided to return to his father, who was kind enough to receive him.
Many youths have lost their moral compass in a society that is becoming more ungodly by the day. The rising cases of unemployment in many societies seem to have worsened youth restiveness and exposed them to many anti-social activities.
Since youth and children currently account for a large chunk of the world’s population, the subject of youth ministry and outreaches should begin to take priority. Believers should get involved in outreaches that target the youth, and do their best to raise their own children in a godly way. If we cannot change the world, we can at least ensure our own children are brought up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
Thought For The Day: Our youth deserve our attention and prayers.
The Bible In One Year: Isaiah 22-25
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.