Church of Pentecost - Grace Assembly, Adientem District

11/07/2022

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26/06/2021

09/04/2020

*THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST*

*YOUTH MINISTRY*

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

*THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020*

*OBEDIENCE AS A PROOF OF LOVING GOD AND PEOPLE*

*SCRIPTURE READINGS*: 1 John 5:2-3, John 14:15, Jonah 1:1-5

*EXPOSITION*

Everything in creation, expect man, obeys the voice and will of God. The fire, hail, snow, vapour and the stormy wind are all fulfilling His Word (Psalm 148:8). In the Book of Jonah, we see the winds and waves, and even the fish, obeying God's commands; but the prophet persisted in disobeying. The prophet stubbornly wanted his own way. One of the reasons why it is easy for all creatures expect man to obey God is simply because they have no will or choice of their own. Man, however, has been given the free will to either choose to obey or disobey as a free moral agent. It takes an extra effort and determination to choose to obey God; hence our obedience can best the described as joyful obedience.

The secret of joyful obedience is to recognize that obedience is a family matter. That is to say our obedience to God makes us see Him as a loving Father who makes us role models in the kingdom family for our brothers and sisters. The truth is that our obedience to Lord as a loving Father helps other brothers and sisters in Christ. This is so because, the same law that says love and obey the Lord also instruct us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Furthermore, Jesus adds in John 14:15 that those who love Him would keep (obey) His commandments. Jesus has set the pattern of love and obedience which He showed to the Father while here on the earth. His disciples and all believers in like manner must emulate this perfect example. Our test and real proof of loving God that you love Him by showing and demonstrating love to people and showing commitment to the Bible as God's word.

🙏 *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to joyfully obey you and be willing to demonstrate that by my love for people. Amen! *(ABE)*

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK*

*Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)* - "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."
*⌨️NKY*

30/03/2020

*THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST*

YOUTH MINISTRY.
STREAMS OF LIVING WATERS 2020.

*MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2020.*

*THE YOUTH AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: TEN TIMES MORE EXCELLENT IN ACADEMICS.*

*Scripture Readings: Daniel 1:3-8, 17-20*

*Exposition*
Academic excellence is the demonstrated ability to perform, achieve and/or excel in school activities. Academic excellence has been identified with achieving high grades and superior performance. The desire to excel in any life's endeavor is natural and universal. However, mere wishes cannot guarantee excellence or success for anyone. Every Christian youth must therefore understand what excellence entails and exhibit the willingness to pay that price. Many youth end up in academic failures not because it is God's plan for them, neither is it because they lack the ability to succeed, but because they are ignorant of the fundamental principles of academic excellence.
Daniel and the three Hebrew youth found themselves in an environment comparable to second cycle or tertiary institutions today. God granted them divine wisdom and understanding which made them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers when they were tested in the land of Babylon. This because possible because God was on their side and they also complemented all the techniques of effective study skills to come out with flying colours. That is to say, a closer walk with God, trusting in Him, working hard and applying the principles of success are prerequisite to achieving academic excellence. It is only through these that the Lord grants the divine grace to be ten times better in all spheres of life.

*PRAYER* Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to be ten times be in all my academic pursuits. Amen (JTK)

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:* Proverbs 18:15 (ERV)- Wise people want to learn more, so they listen closely to gain knowledge.

02/03/2020

*MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020*

*WHAT IS YOUR MISSION ON EARTH?*

*Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:1-13*

*Exposition:*

_*'The world has many religious; but it has one gospel. - Owen'*_
Missions is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as 'an important assignment given to a person or a group of people typically involving travel abroad. It is also a vocation or calling of a religious organizations, especially a Christian one, to go into the world and spread its faith'. According to Pat Hood, the church must leave the building - p.181 ’If Christ has called you into relationship with Him you are called to be a missionary. This resonates well with the Church’s Vision 2023 to possess Nations for Christ. I must therefore be an agent of transformation to convert cultures for Christ. In today’s reading, Paul the Apostle sees himself as a prisoner of Christ for the sake of Missions. His mission was to reveal the hidden mystery of our deliverance through faith in Christ. His aim was to roll away the stone of ignorance that led to slavery to Satan’s deceits.

*Critical Verse:* - "and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 3:9 NKJV)

*Life Application:* The greatest service we can render to God on earth is to let others know the mystery of our salvation through faith in Christ. This important assignment has been given to us by Christ to GO. ”Therefore go, my brother, go, my sister go...

*Prayer:* Dear Lord Jesus, grant me the courage to carry out this mission with all my heart. PKA

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK*

”Jesus said to them come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass” Matthew 4:19 (MSG Bible)

_Streams of Living Water Devotional Guide 2020_

22/02/2020

*THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST*

*YOUTH MINISTRY*

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

*THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE- HELMET OF SALVATION AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT*

*SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22,2020*

*Scripture Readings*- Ephesians 6:17, 2 Tim. 2:15, Col. 3:16

*Exposition*

The helmet protects the head; which is the most vital parts of the body since it is the seat of thoughts and the mind and mostly the target area of the devil. When we have a sure knowledge on our salvation, we will not be moved by Satan's receptions. When we are certain that we are in Christ with our sins forgiven, we will have a peace that nothing can disturb. Can you be sure of your salvation until Christ appears? The adage that says "Once saved, forever saved" should not be accepted by a Pentecostal youth. As much as accepting Christ as our Saviour is a onetime decision, it also requires a daily conscious commitment to walk worthy of the new life we have received.

The sword of the spirit is another weapon and in fact it is the only offensive weapon listed in the armour of God. All other parts are defensive in nature. God's word (the Bible) is described as "living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword" (Heb. 4:12). Jesus used this weapon when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. To each of Satan's attempts to lead Him into sin, Jesus replied, "It is written..." and proceeded to quote the Scripture to destroy his temptations. It is important that a Christian youth studies the word of God and lives by it because it is the truth (John 17:17) and contains God's own words, experiences, lessons and great examples to follow. Its power cannot be underestimated. In every kingdom there are rules and regulations that governs it. We belong to God's kingdom and therefore we must not let this book of the law (the Bible) depart from us... (Joshua1:8, Psalm 1:2). The word of God should not only be read but be studied and meditated upon. Our Christian walk is a continual process which has to be checked and renewed daily.

*Prayer* : Lord Jesus I thank you for saving me, help me to walk in the newness of the life you have given me daily. ( *Dcns. Deborah Bonney)*

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK*

*2Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)* : "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they divine power to demolish strongholds".

*1Year Bible Reading Plan* Deuteronomy 5-7

# *Arise and Shine* #

20/02/2020

*THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST*

*YOUTH MINISTRY*

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

*THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE - SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE*

*THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020.*

*Scripture Readings*: Ephesians 5:15, 2 Timothy 4: 2

*Exposition*

A soldier matching into a battle needs comfortable shoes to put on. He stands in a battle for a heavy amount of time and also because of the varying nature of grounds a soldier may tread, solid shoes are essential.

As soldiers of Christ, we must put on 'gospel shoes' that will enable us to go wherever our Lord leads. When Christ gave us the great commission; He said we should go into the world and preach the good news and make disciples of Him (Matt. 28:19-20). The text implies that every ground must be taken for Christ without fear as we put on the "Gospel shoes of peace". Christ's walk on earth was done with these same shoes, he went about proclaiming the Kingdom of His Father (Luke 4:18), and likewise the Apostles proclaimed the message of Christ everywhere they went. This quest of Christians putting on the gospel shoes of peace as a mind of God has suffered a strong opposition, but thanks to be God who divinely provides us with shoes (authority) to trample upon dangerous paths in our quest to possessing the nations (Acts 1:8, Mark 15:18).

Standing firm in readiness to preach the gospel brings back the original intent of God for the creation of man (a relationship with Him) Romans 5:1,the gospel (good news) gives peace (Jn. 14:27, Jn. 16:33) and sets captive free from the destruction of hell fire.

*Prayer* : Dear Lord Jesus, grant me the divine strength to overcome the obstacles Satan may place in my path as I walk forward to preach the gospel Amen. ( *DB)*

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK*

*2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)* : "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds "

*1Year Bible Reading Plan* Numbers 33-35

# *Arise and Shine* #

17/02/2020

*THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST*

*YOUTH MINISTRY*

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

*THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE*

*MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17,2020*

*Scripture Readings*- Ephesians 6:10-18, 2Corinthians 10:4

*Exposition*

Our walk with Christ goes beyond the physical. It is therefore necessary that a Christian youth equips themselves adequately to successfully stand against the strategies and deceits of the devil. This week we would be studying the full armour of God which has been made of the best materials for a Christian to stand firm until the second coming of Christ. Armour is a metal covering formally worn to protect the body in battle. Since our Christian journey is not all rosy but a battle, we need to fight each day. Taking up a spiritual covering would help us since our warfare is not carnal but against powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. This is not to scare us but rather keep us alert and also make us aware that our God is strong and therefore wants His ambassadors to be strong.

In a case of a military soldier preparing for a battle, their armour is never left behind no matter the battle type, It is assumed that you could easily be attacked by your opponent (enemy) and therefore you need to be fully protected. This is the same for every Christian youth; one should be prepared always with the armour God has given us.

Come with me as we expound the various coverings in the "Full Amour of God" throughout this week.

*Prayer* : Thank you God for equipping me with spiritual clothing fight my battles each day ( *Dcns. Deborah Bonney)*

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK*

*2Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)* : "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they divine power to demolish strongholds".

*1Year Bible Reading Plan* Numbers 27-30

# *Arise and Shine* #

13/02/2020

*THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST*

*YOUTH MINISTRY*

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

*RELATIONSHIP*

*THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13,2020*

*Scripture Readings*: 1John 4:18, Judges 16:4-20

*Exposition*

The story of Sampson and Delilah is one from which many lessons can be drawn. It represents some relationships in our time, whether between friends or potential partners. Delilah is seen as an opportunist who really didn't have the interest of Sampson at heart, She was also manipulative and psychologically abusive. She found out the weakness of Sampson and used it against him. Sampson was blinded by his love for her so much that he couldn't see what was really up to. There are many relationships in which one faces some of these traits exhibited by Delilah, from the other person or persons. Such relationships are toxic and harmful. There are instances where one party begins to abuse the other either physically, psychologically or verbally.

There are situations where one party is also over possessive and controlling, some even begin to lose themselves in their relationship and start to do things they would not do under normal circumstances. There should be a balance of both your emotions and head to help you assess your relationship and make the right decision. There is no fear in love; hence if you are in a relationship and there is fear due to the behaviour of the other person then it is not perfect love.

*Reflection:* Assess your relationship with family/friends/colleagues/potential spouses. Are there any you must let go or make some adjustments to?

*Prayer* : Dear Lord, help me to identify any toxic relationship around me and grant me the grace and boldness to take the necessary actions. ( *Mrs. Akosua Oforiwaa Osei-Apau)*

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK*

*John 15:17 (NIV)* : This is my command love; Love each other

*1Year Bible Reading Plan* Numbers 15-17

# *Arise and Shine* #

12/02/2020

*THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST*

*YOUTH MINISTRY*

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

*GODLY RELATIONSHIP*

*WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12,2020*

*Scripture Readings*: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Colossians 3:23

*Exposition*

How do we identify love that is genuine? The scripture is our final authority on all matters including love and hence if we are looking for answers, it is the best place to look. Someone once said, if a person claims to love you, then the best way to test the love of the person is to compare it to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Is the person patient, kind, not selfish or ill mannered? Does the person keep wrongs and doesn't forgive? Love is perfectly described in the verse above and can be used to test how real love is. Many are tempted to settle for anyone who comes their way because they fear that if they let go of what may not be right for them, they will not get another chance. This thought process is causing many young people to keep holding on to unhealthy relationships while suffering all from of abuse. The society we live in today also puts pressure on young people to enter into relationships and tends to 'mock' those who are single, but as children of God, if we would wait patiently on Him, He will guide our hearts to the right people in His own time.

In every relationship, the goal should be to glorify God so if your pre-marital relationship is not meeting this goal then it is time to take a second look at it. Never allow your financial needs, peer pressure, need to feel accomplished or even sympathy or pity push you into an ungodly pre-marital relationship. Purity is the hallmark of every pre-marital relationship or courtship. A potential spouse who fears God and genuinely loves you will never lead you to sin in your relationship. Never compromise on your godly principles in your relationships. We must do all things as doing it unto the Lord, bearing in mind that our bodies are the temple of God, we must honour him with our bodies.

*Prayer* : Pray as led by the Holy Spirit. ( *Mrs. Akosua Oforiwaa Osei-Apau)*

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK*

*John 15:17 (NIV)* : This is my command love; Love each other

*1Year Bible Reading Plan* Numbers 12-14

# *Arise and Shine* #