DEVOTIONAL: CALLING ON ALL (youth)!
1Sa 3:1 ¶ 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. Do you think people find God’s word precious? God wants/expects us to see His word as precious, but our society has spit on it. And Christians have taken it for granted. If we keep this up, there, again, will be no open vision, and the world will be dark. The first thing I want you to know tonight is that your not too young to recieve His word! Are you willing to hear it? Do you see God’s Word as precious? Your response to my words now will guage this! 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; What do we see here? The passing of the torch from God’s perspective! Notice the old fart is losing sight. As much as it was true of his eyes, it is a hint to his “blinded” spirit. Eli’s natural sons were much older and should be ready to take over. But God is not raising them up to serve next. Wonder why? Go back with me to 1 Samuel 2:12 ‘Now the sons of Eli were evil and good for nothing men, having no knowledge of the Lord. Who deserves blessing? We set up in our minds who deserves what, and who is good enough. You may have certain dreams, goals that seem to far out of reach or feel your not worthy of it, nor good enough. Please burn into your mind that God alone puts people where they are and brings them beyond they’re dreams! 1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. What is the important part of a person? Let God take you beyond your limitations. You focus on Obeying God in Goodness and character and God will take care of the rest. Faithfulness is a good part of character. So God was going to call a young one to raise up for the blessing of the next generation. The second thing I want you to know tonight is that God has greater plans for you than you do! I promise!! Do you think God has great plans just for you? 4 That the LORD called Samuel: & 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. : Who is being Called? Who is calling him? Age? Point? Like Samuel, God will call upon even the young! Ac 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams As He promised in Acts, Like He called David to wipe out a giant as a young teen! So the Third thing I want you to be open to tonight, is the fact that God can call you - Now! God needs a people who will see His Word as precious. Who will prophecy. Will you listen for His Call? Do you think He’ll call? What do you think He’s calling you to do? 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. How many times was the call done? Do you think God was ticked? Do you think Samuel was stupid? How do we know God is calling us? Remember, God is very patient and mercifull alonside His holiness. He WON”T give up on you! Samuel needed to be taught! So do you! If you want to know how God is calling you, listen! Listen to your authority, God used Eli to train Samuel. God will use Me, your youth leaders, your parents and teachers. Even if they don’t know Him, He will call you because you His! Your friends not so much, they may confirm more so. But the easier way will be through authority that does know God. So your Youth leaders are going to be used byGod to train and bless you, be faithful in this! Youth Leaders, pray for and with these, and expect for them, discern their gifts and God will reveal! God has the plans already laid out!! Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. God made you, but before that He set out giftings and a calling for you alone! Will you take your destiny? Or will you go with your plans. You will never be fulfilled outside of God’s plan for you. So relax and let Him guide you! 4th thing I want you to know tonight is that you have a unique purpose and God will not give up on you!! 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 (FOX CREEK/ALBERTA/ASIA)Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. Do you see great feats of strength by Samuel? Swimming oceans? Climbing mountains? Crossing deserts? What? Obedience! Just respond and do! To do, you must learn. To learn, you must be faithful to God’s Word For this is where you will hear! Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Means? Your faith is born and grown by faithfully listening and doing God’s Word! Simple!? With His Holy Spirit and EACH other! Christ set it all up on the cross. He gave us faith, Holy Spirit, each other and salvation, all you do is - Ride the wave!! Do you want to be one that causes peoples ears to tingle with hope, love, awe, faith!? God wants you to be that person! Tonight also understand that God will not only call you to do something but He will get you through it and be with you all the way HOME!!! Conclusion: Samuel became one of the greatest men of God in the Bible! He went on to be a Prophet and a teacher of Prophets. He councelled and rebuked Kings! He Performed miracles by God ‘s power. He Glorified God! Why? And it began by the response of “Here am I” from a young person. Here is a word soon after our context, look: 1Samuel 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. This promise is for you! Will you recieve it? Will you answer His call? To ministry? (Put in your name:) 1Sa 3:19 ¶ And __________ will grow, and the LORD will be with ____________, and will let none of __________ words fall to the ground. Believe it? Do it! In sincerity say “Here am I”
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