Title: Shaped For Greatness
Memorize: Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Psalm 105:17-19 (Nkjv)
[17] He sent a man before them— Joseph—who was sold as a slave.
[18] They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons.
[19] Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the Lord tested him.
Message:
Skilled carpenters always envision the final shape they want a piece of wood to take.
They cut, chisel, and smoothen pieces of wood using rough sandpaper and other tools to achieve the desired furniture.
In the same way, the Lord has a perfect image of what He wants you to become.
Beloved, when God sees traits in your life that may hinder His purpose for your life, He lovingly begins to shape and refine you, often through people or situations that may make you feel uncomfortable.
These experiences may be painful, but just as a piece of wood becomes beautiful after sanding, you are being prepared for greatness.
God might use your teacher, parents, leaders, or even a classmate as the ‘sandpaper to smoothen you.
Don’t focus on whatever discomfort you may be experiencing; instead, focus on the transformation.
My dear child, you must recognize God’s refining process and embrace it.
Stay faithful to Him, be willing to change, and let Him remove anything in your life that may hinder your growth.
Key Point:
Yielding to God’s refining process is a crucial step to achieving the greatness He has designed for you.
HYMN 73: MY SOUL IS SO HAPPY IN JESUS
1 My Soul is so ha-ppy in Je-sus,
For He is so precious to me;
His voice it is music to hear it;
His face it is hea-ven to see.
Refrain:
l am happy in Him
l am happy in Him,
My soul will deligh,
He fills me day and night
I am happy in Him.
2 He sought me so long erel knew Him,
When wand- ring afar from the fold;
Safe home in His arms he hath brought me,
To where there are pleasure un told.
3 His love and His mercy surround me,
His grace like a riv-er doth flow;
His Spirit, to guide and to comfort,
ls with me wherever I go
4 They say I shall someday be like Him,
My cross and my burden lay down;
Till then I will ever be faithful.
In gathering gems for his crown.
Bible In One Year: Mark 16, Deuteronomy 28-30
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye