OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 20 AUGUST 2023 SUNDAY: CALLING AND TIMING

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 20 AUGUST 2023 MEMORIZE: Remember now thy Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them: Ecclesiastes 12:1

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 20 AUGUST 2023 BIBLE READING 1 SAMUEL 3:1-11

[1]And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

[2]And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

[3]And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

[4]That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

[5]And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

[6]And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

[7]Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.

[8]And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

[9]Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

[10]And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

[11]And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 20 AUGUST 2023 MESSAGE

Although I’m happy that the Lord saved my soul, I wish I had given my life totally to Him from my childhood. Perhaps, I wouldn’t have made some mistakes or wasted precious time on sin and frivolities.

I can boldly write that there is no greater joy than cultivating a growing relationship with God from childhood.

Today’s text shows how Samuel started hearing from God at a young age. He nurtured this relationship in God’s presence throughout his lifetime till he became the most respected prophet of Israel in his time.

If secular organizations in the world today set age brackets for specific job vacancies, the Kingdom of God does so too. Jesus said in John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work”.

He was drawing attention to the zeal, creativity and optimism of a youth to get things done and meet targets very early because a time would come when age or circumstances may hinder one from working for God. What are you doing with your time?

BIBLE QUIZ:
What was the name of Saul’s daughter that mocked David when he danced?

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 20 AUGUST 2023 ACTION POINT

Put your time at God’s disposal in your youth.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 20 AUGUST 2023 HYMN

HYMN 8 – FORTH IN YOUR NAME, O LORD, I GO,

1. Forth in your name, O Lord, I go,
My daily labor to pursue,
You only, Lord, resolved to know
In all I think or speak or do.

2. The task your wisdom has assigned
Here let me cheerfully fulfill;
In all my work your presence find,
And prove your good and perfect will.

3. You may I set at my right hand,
Whose eyes my inmost secrets view,
And labor on at your command
And offer all my work to you.

4. Help me to bear your easy yoke
In ev’ry moment watch and pray,
And still to things eternal look
And hasten to that glorious day.

5. Then with delight may I employ
All that your bounteous grace has given,
And run my earthly course with joy,
And closely walk with you in heaven.

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS 20 AUGUST 2023 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 50

AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE