Making Your Faith Public: Day 1 - You Version Bible App Luke 15:11-24 (The Parable of the Lost Son - one of my favorites): Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Devotional Content: The RETURN of the Prodigal Son In the parable of “the Prodigal Son.” The story shows a picture of our own lives before God. There must come a time when each of us say, “I will go back to my Father and say to Him, I have sinned against you. Forgive me.” God has accepted the death of Jesus on the cross on as full payment for all our sins. What was the result of the Prodigal Son’s decision to move away from his father? Have you ever experienced anything like that? What do you think motivated the Prodigal Son to change his mind and return to his father? This parable is about our relationship with our Heavenly Father who loves us so much. God loves us so much more than any earthly father ever could. He loves us like a father and a mother combined! What was the Father’s attitude when he saw his son walking down the path? What can we learn from this about God’s love toward us? There are basically 3 types of people in relation to the Father. Which one are you? (1) RELUCTANT: I’m still in the far country living my life the way I want to (2) REALIZED: I’m just now coming to my senses, realizing I need to turn to God (3) RETURNED: I’m enjoying the Heavenly Father’s forgiveness and acceptance If you feel like you are #1 or #2, you need to come to God like the Prodigal Son – humbly asking forgiveness and mercy. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, God the Father will totally forgive us of our sins. PRAY: Lord, we confess that we are all sinners and in need of forgiveness. Thank You, God, that You are a good Father who loves us very deeply. Thank You that You are willing to forgive us. Help us understand more about how to come to You in the way that pleases You. In Jesus Name, Amen. Go: Share this devotion with another person tomorrow and ask them which “type” are they. My take: Wow! How many times have I run away from God? How many times have I said, I dont need God. I can do this on my own? How many times have I deceived myself into thinking that life was better, more fun or more free without God? More than I can tell. But every time, I hit the bottom of myself and realize that I can do nothing without Him yet all things through Him. I fall to my knees and cry, God, please take me back. I will never do this again. God knows I am not perfect and He knows that is a promise I might not keep yet in His infinite love, He takes me back again and again. He loves me. He forgives me. He reconciles me to Himself. He blesses me and, thank God, He uses me!! Cant you just get a visual of us on our knees begging God to take us back one more time; to forgive us one more time? And here He is... He is running to us, so happy that we have returned to Him! So, are you reluctant, realized or returned? I have been all three. Right now I am returned, so it is my job to share with others how God brought me back and restored me.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 13:50:11 +0000
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