Topic: The Tare Of Familiarity [Open Heavens for Teens 20 October 2020]

Click HERE for Previous Open Heaven Devotional for Teens

Memorise: Jesus laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. But he could not do any other miracles there. Mark 6:5

Bible Reading: Mark 6:1-5

1. Jesus left there and went to his hometown of Nazareth. His disciples went with him.
2. When the Sabbath day came, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given to him? He even does miracles!
3. Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son? Isn’t this the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were not pleased with him at all.
4. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not honored in his hometown. He doesn’t receive any honor among his relatives. And he doesn’t receive any in his own home.”
5. Jesus laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. But he could not do any other miracles there.

Bible Reading In One Year: Jeremiah 3-4; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

MESSAGE:

Tares, also called weeds are unwanted plants growing in fields of grains. The dictionary defines weeds as wild plants growing where they aren’t wanted, and therefore hinders the proper growth of crops and flowers. In spiritual parlance, a tare is a hindrance or anything capable of limiting you. In our Bible text for today, we see how Jesus who had performed miracles in other places went to Nazareth where He was born along with His disciples. Due to familiarity however, they didn’t believe Him and only a few who believed Him received miracles.

My child, over-familiarity is a tare that can hinder you from being blessed, especially during special programmes like Holy Ghost Service, Convention et cetera. Sometimes, God uses the children of those whose parents are not Ministers because some pastors children get overly familiar with spiritual matters. So, while others are paying rapt attention during services, they are busy gisting, pressing their phones or walking about. If you have this attitude, change today so that blessings won’t keep eluding you.

Key Point:

Uproot every tare of familiarity towards spiritual matters in your life today in the name of Jesus.

Hymn: When We Walk With The Lord

1. When we walk with the Lord
   In the light of His Word,
   What a glory He sheds on our way,
   While we do His good will,
   He abides with us still,
   And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise,
   Not a cloud in the skies,
   But His smile quickly drives it away,
   Not a doubt or a fear,
   Not a sigh or a tear,
   Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear,
   Not a sorrow we share,
   But our toil He doth richly repay,
   Not a grief nor a loss,
   Not a frown nor a cross,
   But is blest if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove
   The delights of His love,
   Until all on the altar we lay,
   For the favour He shows,
   And the joy He bestows,
   Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet
   We will sit at His feet,
   Or we’ll walk by His side in the way,
   What He says we will do,
   Where He sends, we will go,
   Never fear, only trust and obey.

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.