OYESS PENSA

*THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST- YOUTH MINISTRY*
*STREAMS OF LIVING WATER(A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE*
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*WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11, 2021*

_Topic:_ *BOUNDARIES TO CHRISTIAN LIBERTY*

*Scripture Readings:* Galatians 5:1, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 6:12

*Exposition*
We observed from yesterday's devotion that the best way to exercise freedom is to do so in consideration of others. What pertains in the physical world can also happen in our vocation as Christians. At salvation, we were ushered into an era of freedom - from the yoke of slavery to sonship (Gal. 5:1); from darkness into light (Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9). The term, _Yoke of Slavery,_ connotes the idea of doing things without due consideration to others. In such a situation, one becomes a danger to oneself, to others and the system in place. Whenever yoke is mentioned in the Bible, it is done in respect to two animals, especially two oxen, with a wooden cross piece fastened over their necks and attached to a plow or a cart. This is done to ensure synergy and synchronization of efforts. As Christians, our freedom is defined by who we are yoked to. To be yoked to Satan is slavery. To be yoked to Christ is freedom.

It is only the totally freed person who can serve others- serving the purpose of God. And who is that freed person? The one who acknowledges that freedom has boundaries. Freedom without boundaries is no freedom at all. It is recklessness. And it can be dangerous for the individual and also to others. If people in a country- an independent nation, like Ghana, decide that now we have freedom so we can do whatever we like, we can say whatever we like at any time we like .... that is another form of slavery. True freedom is enjoyed within set boundaries. Freedom has boundaries-vertically and horizontally:

🔘Vertical Boundary - towards God: I do things in consideration of what God's law allows. I cannot do anything in His name that is not sanctioned by Him- Psalm 19:14. The first two verses of a Presbyter

*SCRIPTURE UNION - GHANA🇬🇭*
*DAILY POWER💪 FOR DAILY DEVOTION📖*

*DATE:-* Saturday, 7th August 2021.
*TOPIC:-* _THE CROWN OF PURE GOLD_
*TEXT:-* PSALM 21:1-13

THOUGH this Psalm is dedicated to David. King of Israel, we are going to look at it in relation to *1 Peter 2:9*. We are all royal priests. However, towards the end of King David's earthly sojourn he said "The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God..." *(2 Samuel 23:3-4)*. As young person you may be occupying one form of leadership position or the other. You need to have hoy and confidence in God's strength and His salvation, not in your strength. If you do that, list from *vs.2-9* the things that are likely to follow. No wonder David was such a great and victorious warrior. Look at *vs.7-9* again. This victorious disposition to all life's issues is available to you. You need to be aware that the Lord has anointed you and put a crown of gold on your head *(vs.3,5)*. So go on and live as a king, victorious in all your undertakings.

*Q.4* Is there any promise for me to believe or hope?

*Question for the week:*
How can we maintain purity in the face of today's pollution?

*PRAYER🙇‍♂️:-* Praise and worship God today in a kingly way with a royal dance.

Have a wonderful weekend🎊✨

We often feel exhausted, not knowing how we will be able to cope with the numerous problems we are facing. When David reached a low point in his life, he did not give in to despair but strengthened himself in the Lord. Learn from David’s example – spend time with God strengthening yourself, being re-energised and then trusting him wholeheartedly, believing that he is in you by his Spirit and believing that you can do whatever you need to do through him. Shalom!!!
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 30:6

*SCRIPTURE UNION - GHANA🇬🇭*
*DAILY POWER💪 FOR DAILY DEVOTION📖*

*DATE:-* Friday, 6th August 2021.
*TOPIC:-* _OUR TRUST IS IN GOD_
*TEXT:-* PSALM 20:1-9

THE basis for the answer to the prayer in *v.1* can be seen in *Psalm 25:14*. The highest thing you need in life as a young man or young woman is the Almighty God on your side. You can imagine having the President of your country or even any country as your father. Read *vs.2-5* again and record in your notebook other things that can happen as you take on the Name of the God of Jacob. Can you confidently say, like David "I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His Holy Heaven with the saving strength of His right hand" *(v.6)* or are you afraid of His presence? See also *Romans 5:1-2*. People put their trust in all kinds of things or persons (wealth, position, family name, academic attainment, connections, princes etc.) but the Psalmist said he would put his trust in God *(v.7)*, and see the outcome of that in *v.8*.

*Q.5* Is there any prayer for me to remember?

*PRAYER🙇‍♂️:-* O Lord, cause all who put their trust in you never to be put to shame. May their enemies fall before them.

Have a Blissful Day🎊✨

We all have a moral sense given to us by God to guide us – our conscience. Often, we feel guilty because we have done something that we know is wrong. However, our consciences, as fallen human beings, are not perfect. We sometimes don’t feel guilty about things we should feel guilty about – in which case we need our conscience to be awakened by the Spirit of God. David had a sensitive conscience in dealing with Saul, although Saul wanted to kill him. We should never feel okay when we hurt others, even if it is in self-defence. It is a sign of a dying conscience. *Shalom!!!*
*Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 24:4-7*

*SCRIPTURE UNION - GHANA🇬🇭*
*DAILY POWER💪 FOR DAILY DEVOTION📖*

*DATE:-* Tuesday, 3rd August 2021.
*TOPIC:-* _DO NOT HARM!_
*TEXT:-* 1 SAMUEL 24:8-15

DAVID had so much respect for King Saul even though he was after his life. King Saul was God's anointed and so David did not harm him in anyway. Read *v.8* and compare it with *Romans 12:21*. Do you see David living by this Scripture? He proved to Saul that he was not going to harm him. He showed him the piece of his garment he had cut. This is really a good example. The Bible encourages us to pray for our enemies and do good to those who wrong us *(Matthew 5:44)*. Do you do that? Let's learn from David. Read *v.9* again. How do you treat people who speak bad things about people to you? Do you support their actions?

*Q.2,3* Is there any good example for me to follow or command to heed. Is there any warning for me to avoid or warning to heed?

*Memory Verse✍️:* Romans 12:21.
*PRAYER🙇‍♂️:-* Help me, dear Lord, not to harm the people who hurt me, but to do good to them.

Have a Blissful Day🎊✨

Where is your first point of call when you face a challenge, difficulty, opposition or conflict in your life? Do you run to the throne of God or you run to your phone? David had learnt the valuable lesson of always enquiring of the Lord before making any decisions. Anytime he was under attack, he went in prayer to the Lord. By so doing, the attacks drew him closer to God. Our friends and family can only help us as much as their strength and resources can go but God, who is Almighty and all knowing is able to make every situation end in our good. *Shalom!!!*
*Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 23:2-4*

*THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST🔥*

*YOUTH MINISTRY*

*STREAMS OF LIVING WATER (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE)*

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*MONDAY, AUGUST 02, 2021*

Today's Topic
*BECOMING A RESPONSIBLE YOUTH*

*Scripture Reading:* Ecclesiastes 9:10

_*Exposition*_

Responsibility has several strands according to research, these involves accountability, answerability and a sense of reliability. In simple terms, responsible people behaves properly and sensibly, without necessarily having to be supervised. What's now the sense in taking responsibility? From Jim Rohns assertion "you cannot change the circumstances, the seasons or the wind, but you can change yourself". This is an affirmation in disguise of the biblical text in Genesis 8:22 which states, "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Since I cannot change the seasons and the weather conditions to remain functional, I therefore, need to adapt to the conditions and challenges I find myself in and be responsible. This does not by any means portray conformation to the systems, not at all, rather, making the best out of them as a Christian youth, and possibly transforming them with hard work and godly principles. The weeks devotion takes a look at some of these personalities beginning with David the shepherd boy who rose to become king of Israel. ..........................................................
*Prayer Guide:*
Since responsibility involves a sense of commitment, God please help me to accept the challenges which go with it. *(EA)*..........................................................
*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK*
*Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) -* "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."

*Bible Reading Plan for Today*
Job 9-12

*Have A Great Day*🙏🙏

Two people who are great friends can at the same time end up competing for the same job or opportunity. This should however not bring tension between their ambitions and their friendships. The friendship between David and Jonathan was remarkable. They were rivals for the throne. They had every reason to be envious of each other and to hate each other. Yet Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. This type of love, which Jesus commanded, is the highest love one person can have for another. *Shalom!!!*
*Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 20:17*

SCRIPTURE UNION _GHANA🇬🇭
DAILY POWER💪🏽 FOR DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: Tuesday, July 27th, 2021
*TOPIC; BEING SINCERE IN THE MIDST OF PRESSURE*
TEXT; 1SAMUEL 22:6-16

From vs.6-8, 13, can you point out Saul's fear and what he did? Saul sought information about David and Jonathan; he felt insecured and thought there had been a conspiracy against him. Saul tactically created sentiments in vs.7-8. He brought in tribalism so that the men of Benjamin could support his evil intention. Do we see people doing same today for their own selfish interest?

Compare vs.9-10 with vs.14-15. What report did Doeg give to Saul about Ahimelech and what was the true picture as reported by Ahimelech? Doeg wanted to gain favour from the King and distorted the story thereby endangering the life of the Priest and others. We must be careful how we report issues.

Q.3 Is there any bad example for me to avoid or warning for me to heed?

*_Memory Verse:_* _1 Corinthians 15:58_

_*CLOSING PRAYER:*🙇🏽_ _Father, help me to remain steadfast in You._

_Have A Nice Tuesday!._