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Slopping The Hogs

  • 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. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found. Luke 15:21 WEB

    Jesus told a story of a young man who could not wait to get an inheritance from his father. When he finally received it, he left home and ran through it immediately by spending the entire inheritance on riotous living and prostitutes. That was certainly not his fathers perfect will for him. When everything was gone and he became hungry, he tried to find a job but could not. Finally as a last act of desperation, he got a job feeding pigs.

    I grew up on a farm and slopping the hogs was a daily chore. I can tell you that it is a messy place to be and that the fragrance is not pleasant. On top of that, he was a Jew who detested swine. This son had now hit rock bottom. After a while of doing this, he came to his senses. He knew that he was now broke, hungry, and living by slopping the hogs.

    He remembered that the servants in his Fathers house always had plenty to eat, so he decided to return home and become a servant. He put together a speech about how he was no longer worthy to be called a son. Before he could give the speech, the father in the story was throwing a celebration and making him the guest of honor at it. The Fathers heart said: You will always be my son. The son only had to return for the door was always open.

    Sometimes we ask God for things and then when we get it, we completely blow it. One of those Oh my that was stupid moments that we wake up from. God understands and He wants us to return to Him. His door is always open. No matter what you have done, you are welcome at His house. This story was included in the Bible for people like us. When you come to your senses, return home to the Father. It is ok, He understands. Dont stay out there with the pigs.

    Prayer: Father I thank You for always having an open door. I choose You today and ask that You help me find where I need to be. Put me where You want me to be Lord. Open the next door and I will walk through it, in the name of Jesus.

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33 comments
  • 3
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Amen!! You always have such awesome prayers!!! Lord help me be still and listen to you as well! Sometimes I just can't be still....Thank you Pastor!! I needed to here this today. I needed to remeber forgivness & that we are ALL prodigal children in need of forgivness, so who am I to not forgive freely? Change my heart Oh Lord! Help me forgive others freely and not remain bitter. Let me celebrate instead because the door is always open for us to come back to the fathers house when we come to our senses. Thank you ~Amen~ Stay blessed >> Happy Tuesday
August 11, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, so beautifully said. Thank you so for sharing these words.
August 11, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez Amen
August 19, 2015
  • 2
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!! God is a loving and forgiving God! That is the blessing!! No matter how often we mess up, God ALWAYS forgives and welcomes us back with open arms! That is truly a wonderful gift and blessing! Thank you Father in Heaven!! Amen!!
August 11, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Thank You Jesus for loving us so.
August 11, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander Amen, Thank you Pastor Todd 
August 11, 2015
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Thank you Lord, in Jesus name. 
August 11, 2015
  • 2
Linda Morris
Linda Morris I am so grateful that My Father in heaven has an open door policy and took me back in after my years of living making poor choices. Thanks  for this lovely devotional reminder, Pastor Dion. 
August 11, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member God is so good.
August 11, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen Linda...I relate to what you said
August 11, 2015
  • 2
Karen Juhl
Karen Juhl Another great reminder of how much our Heavenly Father really loves us. I have been in a place where I wanted to pray but thought God wouldn't hear me because of the life I was living.  Thanks be to God, after years of struggle I finally came to the point of surrender and God welcomed me with open arms. Our God is an awesome God!  
August 11, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, He is always right there.
August 11, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Pam Ivins
Pam Ivins Thank you Pastor.
August 11, 2015
  • 2
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt God wants us to have a relationship with Him, I need to stay in His word, listen to Him and obey Him, because He has my best intrest worked out for me. He loves me and knows what is best for me.
August 11, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
August 11, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Rachael Burke
Rachael Burke Amen, thank you pastor Todd
August 11, 2015
  • 2
Joey Smith
Joey Smith This was very interesting, I enjoy the daily readings.
August 11, 2015
  • 3
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! I must admit I have slopped a few hogs in my past. My Abba Father welcomed me back with open arms! I pray that I never return to the mistakes of my past. Yet if I stumble I know He is faithful to accept my apologies and confessions. He loves us that much!
August 11, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
August 11, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, May I be where You want me to be Jesus everyday.
August 11, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome Amen A  
August 11, 2015
  • 2
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
August 11, 2015
  • 1
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen!  I PRAISE and THANK GOD that his door was open for me when I slipped but got back up and he welcomed me again with open arms.
August 11, 2015
  • 2
Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin Amen, I am going through a little, I don't know what?  God has allowed me, with my daughter being gone for her training to see/understand, how easy it is to get to a place where nothing  seems to make sense. I know  depression is not of God, but it is real. It's hard to snap yourself out of it. Feelings are not always real. So I hear you, I understand. stay close to God and the promises he has made.  Know matter what happens, God is always waiting on us. He sends his people to help his children. He loves us so much. Father I thank you for that open door.
August 11, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler You are not alone either concerning depression.  I deal some days pretty bad.  My psyc has me on a pill in am & one in pm. It is working.  I am up more.  My fibro some days can get me down.  Muscles ache pretty painfully.  I have med for those particular days.  The weather can really be a biggy.  Barometric pressure is part of it. Blessings to you in midst of it all.  Another day coming!
August 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Thank you for this good reminder!
August 11, 2015
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle Amen! I'm so glad that my Lord and God has an open-door policy, that He loves me that much, even though I'm undeserving, Praise His Holy Name!
August 11, 2015
  • 1
J D  Williams
J D Williams THANK YOU LORD JESUS FOR LOVING US AS WE ARE SINNERS NEEDING A SAVIOR....
August 11, 2015
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Lucas Napo
Lucas Napo May the Good Lord bless thee, for he said Confort ye my people. Isaiah 40:1-2. Amen
August 12, 2015
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Love overcomes...
August 12, 2015
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Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh Amen.Praise God.It so great to know how much God loves us.He can take our mistakes,and wrong decisions,and turn them into great opportunitys ,and open new doors.When we repent and turn to him..He can teach us so much from them as well.Thank you Heavenly Father that you never leave us or for sake us.There is no other love like yours. Thank you Pastor for today's Devotion and prayers.
August 12, 2015
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Tina G
Tina G I so love this story! It's a favorite for sure.
August 14, 2015
  • 1
Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez Amen
August 19, 2015