THE PRODIGAL IN YOUR LIFE

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE PRODIGAL IN YOUR LIFE

(Jer 31:16) Thus says the LORD: “Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD, And they shall come back from the land of the enemy.

Is there a person in your life that has strayed away from the Lord? Perhaps they have outright just walked away from a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ into the dark domain of the world and it’s ways. Or maybe it’s more of an inward rebellion that hasn’t manifested yet so much outwardly. Either way it looks like you have a prodigal on your hands. What are we to do when those we love so much love the world more than the Lord? How do we get them to return to their first love and back on fire in serving Him? Luke 15:11-24 records the popular Bible story of the prodigal (wasteful) son. Let’s notice some particulars that will encourage us.

- Notice first how the father let the son go (12). That’s hard to do with those we care about. Letting them go to get whacked in the world isn’t an easy task. The Lord will have to strengthen us. When we let go then the Lord takes over control. He will see to it that when they hit the bottom they will have a soft landing because He will be there for them. We want to spare our loved ones the hurt but that might be the very thing to wake them up (1 Cor 15:34).

- Then observe how the prodigal came to himself (17). That means the light bulb finally went on and the awareness of his desperate situation finally hit him (1 Kings 8:47). You see when we walk in deception we are blinded to the truth (2 Cor 4:4). It’s the Spirit’s job to bring conviction of sin (John 16:8). When the heart softens (Eze 36:25-27) then the Spirit is allowed to do His work of strengthening that person to repent (2 Cor 7:9-11) and then to change and make amends (Jer 7:3-7).

- So what does the concerned person do in the meantime? Don’t worry…pray! (Phil 4:6-7) I’m sure the father in the story had to remind himself constantly not to worry but to wait. The situation’s in the oven. Don’t take it out until it’s ready. If you keep taking it out and worrying over it then you hinder the overall progress. Get yourself a prayer partner and pray, pray, and pray! What is granite to the rock crusher of prayer? Yes it’s taking a long time but do you want your prodigal to return with a half or a full heart for the Lord?

- Then be ready to receive your prodigal. Notice how the father saw his son return from a great way off (20). That means he was watching and waiting anticipation. He received his child back and lavished him with love and gifts he didn’t deserve (20-24). No condemnation (Rom 8:1). Welcome home!! Let’s forget the past and move forward. Fresh new start!!

Keep up your shield of faith and turn your cares into prayers (1 Pet 5:7). They’re almost home!!

Louie

ARE YOU GOD'S FAVORITE?

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

ARE YOU GOD’S FAVORITE?

(John 13:23) Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.

The mystery of the universe is that God loves us through Christ and even sent His Son to die for our sins (Eph 3:17-19). A further baffling thought is that He continues to love us when we falter and fail. This is what you call God’s grace. You can’t earn it and it keeps on operating in our lives. But do some have a closer tie to God’s heart than others? Like a favored child in a family does the Lord endear Himself to one over another perhaps because he/she is more compliant or has certain qualities that make God smile more than others?

Joseph wore a coat of many colors given to him by his father Jacob and it made his brothers jealous. Joseph was the firstborn son of the love of his life Rachel. The other brothers were from other women. Rachel had passed away so every time he looked in the eyes of Joseph he saw Rachel’s eyes. He couldn’t help it and he made this fancy robe that made Joseph feel special and one of a kind. He wore it like a proud peacock and his brothers were provoked to wrath by this favoritism. (Gen 37; Eph 6:4)

The apostle John mentioned four times that he was the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20). When I first read this I thought that John had a special relationship with Jesus that the other disciples did not. I envied John and began to look into the reasons for him feeling like he was the Lord’s favorite. You toss around ideas in your head like maybe he was a little proud or cocky or self-deceived to think like that. But then I threw that line of thinking out because John’s book is inspired of God.

Okay, so how else am I to think? Maybe he really was special and just had that inroad into the Lord’s heart. Not like Peter who always put his foot in his mouth and vacillated in his faith. But then I looked up verses about John and saw he wasn’t perfect after all. He had his faults and needed to be corrected (Luke 9:51-56; Mark 9:33-37). So the mystery continued for quite some time until the light dawned through my own experience of God’ grace working in my life. Then I heard my wife Cheryl say she felt like she was God’s favorite! I was taken aback by her intimate referral to God with such a statement. It reminded me of John saying he was the disciple whom Jesus loved. Then the Spirit made it real to me. All of us are God’s favorites because of His amazing grace!

What a revelation that day! Now I can truly say that I too am God’s favorite. I am also the disciple whom Jesus loved. God shows personal favoritism to no one. He loves us all the same in Christ! We all wear the special robe of righteousness (Isa 61:10; 2 Cor 5:21). John knew he was just as fallen as Peter but he also accepted the grace of our Lord which made him feel close to the Lord’s heart. I wonder if you know you are God’s favorite too?

Louie

THE CHRISTIAN BAR OF SOAP

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE CHRISTIAN BAR OF SOAP

(1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

There’s nothing like the feeling of being clean! Stepping out of the bath or shower you feel good all over. All the dirt and sweat from the day is washed away and you feel and smell fresh and ready for anything. And all because of that simple bar of soap.

That’s how Peter felt when Jesus was washing the disciple’s feet. At first he objected to Jesus’ humble offer. But then the Lord said something to change his mind: “…If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8) After that Peter wanted a whole bath! But Jesus replied: “…He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet…” (John 13:10).

What was Jesus trying to say? He was stating that when you are born again you have been placed under the washing of regeneration and are clean before the Lord because of the work of Christ on the cross: (Titus 3:5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. But as you continue on that journey you pick up dirt on the road. So when you enter a house you don’t need to take a whole bath (or get saved again). You just need to wash your feet and freshen up (confess you sins).

What a wonderful promise we have in 1 John 1:9! It says if we confess our sins to the Lord, He is so faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we realize we have sinned and fallen short we can just go to the Lord and tell Him we are sorry. We can ask Him to pardon our iniquity and purify us. After we pray we can be assured that it’s been done! The Lord will forgive us and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. We will be squeaky clean and feel so close to the Lord and thankful for His cleansing.
David needed that scrubbing. After he sinned he said: (Psa 51:2) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin…(Psa 51:7) Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. The Lord forgave all his sins and restored to him the joy of his salvation.
I’m so thankful for THE CHRISTIAN BAR OF SOAP. It’s for big or little sins because all sin is defiling and makes you dirty. And it’s the bar of soap that is always large like when you first bought it. We all know how a bar of soap shrinks as you use it. It doesn’t seem to work as well and it’s so hard to use. Then you tend to drop it and it’s such a hassle to retrieve it. But not THE CHRISTIAN BAR OF SOAP! The Lord’s forgiveness is abundant and always accessible. Is that good news for you today? Maybe it’s time lather up and get that clean feeling again!
Louie

THE OLYMPICS

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE OLYMPICS

The Olympic Games is a major international event in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions from around 200 nations. The Games are held every four years but since there are summer and winter Olympics you only have to wait two years to enjoy them. And how enjoyable they are! From opening to closing ceremony there is the thrill of competition. The Games are also addicting. You tell yourself to not get so involved but you can’t help it! You stay up late or get up early because you are following a particular event or athlete. And all this goes on for about two and a half weeks!

The ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The games featured running events, a pentathlon (consisting of a jumping event, discus and javelin throws, a foot race, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, pankration (a type of martial art), and equestrian events. The Olympic Games reached their height in the 6th and 5th centuries BC, but then gradually suffered decline as the Romans gained power and influence in Greece.

Greek interest in reviving the Olympic Games began with the Greek War of Independence in 1821 and the first modern Olympic games were then held in 1859 in an Athens city square. Later the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was formed and in 1896 the Games were held in Athens. Later the Winter Olympics was formed and then the Paralympics.

The apostle Paul talked about sports in his writings. The Corinthians had their own Isthmian Games named after the isthmus in Corinth which was southwest of the city of Athens. The Isthmian Games were held both the year before and the year after the Olympic Games. The winners received a wreath of celery and later the changed to pine leaves. Victors could also be honored with a statue or an ode.

(1 Cor 9:24-27) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. {25} And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. {26} Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. {27} But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Notice how Paul compares the Christian life to a race and also to boxing. He said there is a reward ahead and we are to be disciplined in our lives so that we may win that prize and not be disqualified. There is no guarantee for an Olympic athlete to win a gold, silver, or bronze medal. But a true disciple of Christ can be assured that what lies ahead is worth the rigor of training through tribulation: (Mat 25:21)…‘Well done, good and faithful servant…”

Louie

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE ARK OF THE COVENANT?

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE ARK OF THE COVENANT?

The ark of the covenant was the central piece of furniture in the Jewish Temple. Inside the chest were the Ten Commandments (the covenant) and on top was the mercy seat with the two gold cherubim. But why doesn’t anyone know whatever happened to the ark?

Many biblical scholars contend the ark was destroyed in Jerusalem during the Babylonian captivity in 586 B.C. Others suggest the ark was taken away by Nebuchadnezzar and then destroyed. Indeed, Jeremiah wrote about its loss and future non-existence: (Jer 3:16) “Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days,” says the Lord, “that they will say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord.’ It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore.

The non-canonical book of 2 Maccabees (from the Apocrypha) reports that just prior to the Babylonian invasion, Jeremiah, “following a divine revelation, ordered that the tabernacle and the ark should accompany him and...he went off to the mountain which Moses climbed to see God's inheritance (at Mt. Nebo - Deu 32:49). When Jeremiah arrived there, he found a room in a cave in which he put…the ark…and…then he blocked up the entrance” (2:4-5).

Another theory concerning the whereabouts of the lost ark include it being hidden beneath the temple mount in Jerusalem, having been buried there before Nebuchadnezzar could steal it away. Unfortunately, the temple mount is now home to the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic holy site, and the local Muslim community refuses to allow any archeological excavations.

Other theories include that the ark was stowed away in Saint Mary of Zion's Church in Aksum, an ancient city of Ethiopia. According to tradition, the ark came to Ethiopia with Menelik I after he visited his father King Solomon. Only the guardian monk may view the ark. This lack of accessibility, and questions about the account as a whole, have led scholars to express doubt about the legitimacy of the claim. A doubtful Irish tradition maintains that the ark is buried under the Hill of Tara in Ireland. Some scholars believe that this is the source of the Irish “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow” legend. The movie "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” tells of an attempt to prevent the ark from falling into the hands of the Nazis who would harness its power for evil. It eventually ends up as a secret U.S. government archive. At any rate, perhaps God chose for it never to be found knowing our propensity to worship relics.

But Revelation 11:19 tells us where the ark of the covenant is: Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. Here we see that God’s mercy through Christ is still being offered and that He will be faithful to His promise of forgiveness. Maybe that’s what you need today. That would be a greater discovery than the ark itself!

Louie