He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.' Luke 15:20 WEBJesus once told a parable that became known as "The Prodigal Son." It is about a young man who grew tired of waiting on his father to die, and demanded his inheritance early. Graciously the father gave it to him. The son immediately left and blew all the money on 'riotous living' and prostitutes. When the money was all gone and his friends with it, he ended up working on a pig farm.
While at rock bottom, he "came to his senses" and decided to go home and work for his father as a servant. He felt that he was no longer worthy to be called a son. When the father saw him coming down the road, he ran out to meet him, hugged him, and kissed him before the son could even say a word.
The father placed the best robe on him, a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet. Then he held a feast to celebrate his son coming back home. The father in the parable was not interested in the long sad story that the son had put together for him. The only thing that mattered was that his son was now safely back home.
When we stumble we often act like this son. We hang our head down, feeling that we are no longer worthy to be His child, no longer worthy to pray, or even attend church. We stop talking to Him, withdraw, and give up on the plans that God had for our life. All the while, God is waiting with open arms for us to return.
You are His child and the moment that you turn back to God, He comes to meet you with open arms. You do not have a lot of explaining to do, for He understands. He is happy to have you back with Him again. He will restore you completely as His child, and His plan for your life will resume as soon as you ready.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I so thank You for Your gracious mercy. You are so good to me and I just want to know You even more. Help me learn to follow You closer and keep me from becoming distracted, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Note: Happy Monday! The highlighted group of the week is Healthful Living: this group is for those who would like to support each other in building good habits for healthful living, not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually! The group is a safe place to talk about issues that challenge us, to share what we have learned, to encourage each other when we fall and to celebrate our victories! ALSO, the Creation Photographers fun theme is "Blessings Abound", based on Psalm 1:1-3! As always, you are free to post anything else that inspires you, too! FINALLY, for those following along with our RHM Bible Study, the newest installment is available, covering Luke Chapter Seven. For links to all of these areas and more, please see the Announcements at the top of our home page here:
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Amen
Praying for you Joseph, I hope you are feeling better. Amen
Thanks Lynn.
Amen thank you Lord for always bringing me back home :)
Aaaaaamen!!!!
Amen
My life is living proof that this parable is true. Our God is a Father we can count on. Thank you for being who you are!
Yessss! Amen!
Amen!
Prayer: Heavenly Father I so thank You for Your gracious mercy. You are so good to me and I just want to know You even more. Help me learn to follow You closer and keep me from becoming distracted, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen Thank you
Amen! Thank you Lord for your mercies which are new every morning. I surrender all to you and trust you for your restoration and revival. In Jesus name!
Amen!!! Glory to God!!!
Thank you Father for your grace and mercy!! Help me to follow You and know You better! Amen.
Amen. <3
Thank you Jesus for Grace.I love and worship you.You are magnificent. Amen
We will never live a sinless life, we all stumble, we all fall, as we are only human, not perfect as Jesus . That is why it was so necessary for Jesus in His perfection to be the perfect blood sacrifice for victory over death and sin in our lives. Instead of feeling shame when we don't measure up to Jesus's exemplory life, we need to realize how Jesus paid it all, because God doesn't ever expect us to measure up. We are but flesh, though the Spirit of Jesus dwells in us, we still have the carnal flesh that wars with us. We have one foot on earth and one in heaven, so we lean from one side to the other as we limp forward down the path. Yet our feet are not moved off the path, they are made steady and our weak knees are made strong if we just keep our eyes on Jesus, our author and perfecter of faith.
Well said and it really touched my heart, Carol. <3
love you so much my sweet friend! <3!
I love you too, Carol. <3 You such a sweet loving women of God and thanks for always posting so much for everyone. <3
Dear Father, I know I'm a sinner please recover me to be able to have Your grace again. Show me the way to stop the struggling in my life. In Jesus name I pray,Amen.
Amen! ❤
So thankful for Gods unconditial love, He just keeps working in my life, no matter what my circumstances are. I pray that I will be willing to follow Him where ever He leads.
Amen!
Amen Lord
Thank you Lord.Amen.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I so thank You for Your gracious mercy. You are so good to me and I just want to know You even more. Help me learn to follow You closer and keep me from becoming distracted, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. <3
Thank you Pastor Dion this was a moving devotion for me. Helps to know that God loves us no matter when when we turn back to him. :-)
Thank you for reminding me of my Heavenly Father's longsuffering and unfailing love! He is my "Hiding Place", my rock and shelter! I can barely wait for His return, and yet I know that I have to be busy and show His love to others! I love you, Lord!
Amen. Praise God! Good morning! Thanks Pastor Todd! This ministered to my soul this morning! Heavenly Father I so thank You for Your gracious mercy. You are so good to me and I just want to know You even more. Help me learn to follow You closer and keep me from becoming distracted, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Thank you so much!