by Pastor Cecil | Feb 7, 2017 | Luke
Luke 15:23-24
“And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”
When was the last time you hosted a celebration of pure joy — not because it was expected or a duty, but simply to rejoice for an unexpected blessing? It seems that there are far too many sad sacks around and not enough cheerful Charleys.
In our parable the father welcomed his prodigal son home and threw a celebration of pure joy. I am certain that the lost son was in a state of shock at the joy that surrounded him. He had left rich and full of pride, but returned poor and full of remorse. He had returned in a state of depression and defeat.
Can you imagine the sheer joy of this grieving father that every day had anxiously watched the dusty road leading to the family home? He was expectant that his prodigal would return someday and he wanted to make sure that his son realized how welcome he was.
We are told earlier in this fifteenth chapter of Luke that there is rejoicing in heaven over a returned sinner. Isn’t that great? If the halls of heaven echo shouts of praise for a repentant sinner, we need to show joy here on earth.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 6, 2017 | Luke
Luke 15:22-24
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”
When one of our children has strayed from the fold, it is a tremendous feeling when they return and express a repentant attitude. I fear, however, that our human reaction is to hold them in probation for awhile to insure their repentance is true.
In this wonderful parable that we’ve been exploring over the past few days, we discover that the restoration has nothing to do with the son’s willingness to be considered a servant. The wayward son had his speech all prepared, but his father interrupted his words with the order to restore him.
The son did not have the power to do that. His older brother did not have the power to do that. Only his father had the authority and power to either reject the wayward son or to restore him. He chose to restore him.
In like manner, our Heavenly Father has completed the work to restore us to a right relationship and standing with Him. It is not by works of righteousness, but by His grace alone that we are made to be partakers of His bounty. Thank you, Abba Father!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 3, 2017 | Luke
Luke 15:20
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
This week I have been exploring the parable of the Prodigal Son. As he returned to the home of his father, he did not expect to be received as a son, but was in hopes that he could be employed as a servant.
We know the story of how the father was lovingly anticipating the return of his son. He loved the wayward youth and eagerly met him with love and extravagance. It was not because the boy deserved it, but because he needed it and the father was eager to give it to this son who had returned.
Clara Fiske Scott lived from 1841 to 1897. She tragically died after being thrown from a buggy being pulled by a runaway horse. She was a prolific hymn writer, but only this week’s featured hymn is still in circulation. Think of her hymn as it relates to a wayward son who has come home.
Open My Eyes
Open my eyes, that I may see,
glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key,
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
Open my ears, that I may hear,
voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare,
love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for Thee,
ready my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.
May the words of this hymn become our constant prayer. In the moments when the cares of this world tend to blind us to the mighty power of God unto salvation may our eyes see the open arms of the Savior waiting to receive us home.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 2, 2017 | Luke
Luke 15:20
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
When we read the parable of the prodigal son’s return, we are often focused on the reaction of the father. That is as it should be. It reveals the heart of God and His great accepting love for us. But what about the prodigal who is returning home?
I can picture the son as he trudges along the road leading back home. He no doubt recalls the time of his happy departure with a bag full of money and the excitement about how he was going to live the good life without his father’s restrictions. But now, months later, he is alone, destitute, and depressed.
Imagine the scene as the weary traveler catches view of the family home in the distance. It must have been a bittersweet time for him. He had lost so much and now was only hoping to be a servant in the house that had once been his home.
Suddenly he sees a speck in the distance. It’s someone from the house running down the road toward him. He is not sure if it’s a servant or perhaps his older brother. As the figure gets nearer he suddenly recognizes the familiar image of his father! This is it! He is going to make his appeal to become a servant in his father’s household. He hopes he will find acceptance.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 1, 2017 | Luke
Luke 15:17
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ’”
There is one phrase that never ceases to thrill me: “… when he came to himself.” Sometimes it seems as if a wayward person will never change and come to their senses. We hope and pray that there will be a change, but days become weeks, weeks become months, and months become years without evidence of a change.
This wayward son had hit the bottom. His money was gone, his friends were gone, his self-esteem was gone, and all he had for food was the same stuff the pigs ate. He was finally at a place where he could face himself honestly.
The young prodigal feeding the pigs began to recall what things were like back in the days when he was his father’s pampered son. As he recalled the servants that he had once taken for granted, he suddenly realized that they had it better than he did in his present condition.
This son’s pride suddenly melted away and he began to be honest with himself. He had no justification for returning as a beloved son, but maybe he could get a job as a servant in his father’s house. That’s what he would do. He would apply for a position as a servant … and the humbled young man began his journey home.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 31, 2017 | Luke
Luke 15:13
“And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.”
We are not told where the far country was to which the young son journeyed. I have known prodigals whose far country was the nearest bar. I have also encountered prodigals who have traveled thousands of miles away from those who love them.
It is interesting to read the definition of the word prodigal. It defines one who spends money in a reckless and extravagant manner. Wow! That would describe many who have never even traveled away from home!
It is also interesting to note that after the young son had frittered away all of his money as famine struck the land. Ooops! I am sure he did not see that coming. I can picture him trying to seek help from his new friends, but they were just as destitute as he was. Famine is no respecter of persons.
As a last resort this Jewish boy was forced to find employment feeding pigs. How low can he fall?! In fact it seems his wages were being able to eat the same food he was feeding the swine around him. That describes many prodigals in our modern world doesn’t it? How will he deal with it? Read tomorrows E-Votional.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
