03/09/2021
*THE CHURCH OF PENTECOSTπ₯*
*YOUTH MINISTRY*
*STREAMS OF LIVING WATER (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE)*
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*FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021*
Today's Topic
*THE IMPACT OF BETTING*
*Scripture Reading:* 1 Timothy 6:9; Jeremiah 17:11
_*Exposition*_
There are indications that the proliferation of sports betting, gaming, lottery and gambling is destroying and having a great impact on the youth. In a study we conducted, we found out that, sports betting appears to be taking most of the productive time of the youth from everything; schooling, practicing a trade and learning. Again, betting as form of gambling leads the youth to all kinds of juvenile vices and crimes. Many young people have become addicted to it to the extent that they can no longer concentrate on anything that they do. The social impact of sports betting and gambling among the youth is mostly hidden from patrons. In the long run, the cost is seen in the shattered lives of individuals and their families. A study in The Journal of Social Issues revealed that, as gambling and its related games of chances increase there is also increase in "proportion of divorce and separation, disagreement about money matters with one's spouse, lack of understanding between marital partners, and more reported problems among children of gamblers. The impact on the church is that, it has affected church attendance among the youth. Most of the supporters contend that, sports betting has some economic benefits and also it has come to solve the unemployment problem in the country since those who are employed to man these gaming centres have got jobs to do and the state is also able to obtain some economic benefits through the payment of taxes by the operators and also the money that people get when they win a bet. Nevertheless, the negative impact on our social, economic and more especially moral training and values of the youth are enormous. ..........................................................
*Prayer Guide:*
Lord, give me grace to be diligent at work. *(EOM)*..........................................................
*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK*
*Jeremiah 17:11 (NIV)-* "Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay, is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end, he will prove to be a fool."
*Bible Reading Plan for Today*
Psalms 144-150
*Have A Great Day*πππ